Anime Spring 2010 Anime Season

[Shinmaru]

With just a few days until the first crop of spring shows make their debut, it's finally time for me to get off my lazy *** and start the new thread! Hooray! Spring 2009 had some solid shows -- among them [b]FMA: Brotherhood[/b], [b]Eden of the East[/b] and [b]Cross Game[/b] -- and hopefully the same will hold true for this season.

For a quick peek at the shows, [URL="http://chartfag.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/spring-2010-v2march.jpg"][b]the seasonal chart[/b][/URL] is your best bet, and if you want more detailed looks into each show, [URL="http://hashihime.blogspot.com/2010/03/49-spring-anime-full-previews-wstaff.html"][b]here are[/b][/URL] [URL="http://www.thatanimeblog.com/index.php/2010/03/t-h-a-t-spring-2010-anime-preview/"][b]some[/b][/URL] [URL="http://www.seaslugteam.com/archives/2010/03/21/spring-2010-preview/"][b]season previews[/b][/URL]. (The first link is chock full of information, probably because the blogger actually knows Japanese and is better equipped to research this information than most other sites. :p)

[b]Series I am definitely interested in watching:[/b]

-- [URL="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11188"][b]Arakawa Under the Bridge[/b][/URL]: I've heard some good things about the manga, and the set-up certainly seems right in SHAFT's wheelhouse. Really interesting pair of leads in Hiroshi Kamiya and Maaya Sakamoto, along with some other heavyweights in the supporting roles (Chiwa Saito, Tomokazu Sugita, Takehito Koyasu, Rie Tanaka, Keiji Fujiwara, etc.). My only concern is whether the humor will grate on me after a while.

-- [URL="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11228"][b]Senkou no Night Raid[/b][/URL]: The big buzz about this series is how it will potentially portray this period in Japanese history, where they didn't, er, treat the Chinese particularly well. Kind of tricky, sensitive ground to walk on there. That said, it still could be a cool series (and, if nothing, it could inspire some interesting historical posts about the time period from people who will rail against its inaccuracies :p). Also notable as the second series in the Anime no Chikara timeslot -- which is dedicated to anime-original stories -- after [b]Sora no Woto[/b].

-- [URL="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=9700"][b]Rainbow[/b][/URL]: People don't seem to be much interested in this because the story appears to be fairly depressing, but I am unafraid of depressing works, so soldier on I shall! I'm artsy-fartsy like that. Plus apparently Megumi Hayashibara is acting as the narrator -- now there's a name you don't see too often these days!

-- [URL="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11176"][b]House of Five Leaves[/b][/URL]: Interesting look, also a noitamina series. Sold.

-- [URL="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11200"][b]Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei[/b][/URL]: The other noitamina series of the season, from Masaaki Yuasa, the eccentric director of [b]Kaiba[/b], [b]Kemonozume[/b] and [b]Mind Game[/b]. I'm always up for something different, although obviously there's the potential of crazy artwork being used to dress up something boring. But for now I am all in.

[b]Series I am kind of interested in watching:[/b]

-- [URL="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11189"][b]Giant Killing[/b][/URL]: I kind of feel like getting more into sports anime; plus, soccer isn't actually half bad, though it's only good when watching in person (this of course is the opinion of someone who is not invested in any particular team).

-- [URL="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11266"][b]Heroman[/b][/URL]: Just to see if it is as goofy as it seems, or if it could be sneaky good. I am starved for mecha, can you tell? Plus, it has that Eureka Seven look to its character. Good sign, right??

-- [URL="http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=10885"][b]Angel Beats![/b][/URL]: Seemingly a different type of story for Key, so I'm interested in what they pulled out of their hat for this one. I also love that even after death, you can't escape student councils. Only in anime.

That's about all for me. Anyone else?

[joanaugusts]

I thought spring was more rocking that this... Anime industry must really be on it's deathbed huh? I mean, Ikkitousen & Shin koihime 3rd seasons? WHY? And to make it worse they are about the same thing. There's so much good manga out there I'll probably good stock up of fantasy novels and ignore anime for a while.

[Magus]

[color=green][FONT="Franklin Gothic Medium"]I'm surprised this was posted this late, mainly because I do recall seeing this at another site around December (Might've been January)

On that seasonal chart, though, I think Iron Man is missing from it since the last time I saw that chart, I'm pretty certain that I saw it on there, but that's just a minor hiccup.

I must admit that there are more shows that I'd actually check out this season compared to previous seasons. Seriously, I think for the last 3-4 seasons there were almost nothing but shows that seemed like they were just for people into fanservice or comedy. Give or take that those still seem to dominate this chart, at least there are more action oriented shows that look like it might suit me.

I can't guaranttee that I'll actually watch anything, but these are the shows I'm definately curious about:

[b][i]Iron Man[/b][/i] - While I'm not big on Iron Man at all, I do want to see how Madhouse will handle the comic. The artwork (coverwork) already looks great.

[b][i]Romance of the Three Kingdoms[/b][/i] - I'm a sucker for chinese and japanese history stuff (despite me not watching Samurai Warriors... It seemed too comedic for its own good)

[b][i]Hakuouki: Shinsengumi Kitan[/b][/i] - Shinsengumi. Nuff said.

[b][i]House of Five Leaves[/b][/i] - Manglobe = Samurai Champloo, although I am a little suspicious with this one since I didn't particularly care for their last title (Michiko to Hatchin) and hearing that the main character is on the naive side makes me a little uneasy since I can't stand those type of characters.

[b]Tales of Symphonia[/b]
[b]Super Street Fighter IV[/b][/FONT][/color]

[Shinmaru]

[b]Iron Man[/b] was delayed until the fall season, which is why it was taken out of the chart. Definitely a series I was interested in watching, so that's a bit disappointing.

[rotlung]

so i just caught Heroman and it wasn't terrible but i did catch the Stan Lee cameo. It is interesting to see what the Japanese think about us Americans and to see what sterotypes they have us.

[Shinmaru]

So I've seen at least one episode of everything I'm interested in watching this season. Some quick thoughts!

[b]Angel Beats![/b]: Wasn't huge on the first episode, but the subsequent episodes have been pretty damn good, particularly when it comes to mastering the overall tone of the series. There are some interesting bits and pieces about the world and characters coming into play; I'm interested to see where everything is going.

[b]Arakawa Under the Bridge[/b]: Again, not terribly into the first episode, but 2-3 are both quite funny. I love how Kou/Recruit's interactions with all the crazies subtly tear apart his own obsessive, workaholic lifestyle. Nino is really cool in her nonchalant way (score one for Maaya Sakamoto), I love the star dude and his crazy range of facial expressions and Takehito Koyasu as a burly man masquerading as a nun is a home run.

[b]Giant Killing[/b]: Solid sports series so far; has a good shot of falling into the normal cliches and developments, but Tatsumi is a good lead character, so I don't really mind right now. I need more sports anime in my life, anyway.

[b]Heroman[/b]: Pure Saturday morning cartoon fluff, and I am greatly enjoying it so far. Sometimes you just need a hulking giant robot to kick some ***. IN AMERICA.

[b]House of Five Leaves[/b]: I enjoyed the feel and tone of the first episode, but not much about the story or characters particularly excited me. But I get the feeling that will change pretty soon.

[b]Kaichou wa Maid-sama[/b]: Liked the first episode and thought the second stagnated, but the third develops Misaki and Usui's chemistry to the point that they're an effortlessly enjoyable pair, even if neither is totally breaking free of their stock types so far. Chemistry is the important thing in romantic-comedies, though, so good on this show for nailing that early.

[b]Rainbow[/b]: I'm in the middle with this series -- I think it could develop into a strong, gritty story, but I'm not ready to jump on the "potential anime of the year!!1!1!11!" bandwagon yet, nor am I ready to decry it for being depressing and/or pretentious. (Though the narration has to be scaled back; ep2 seems to do this, which is good.) The part where the boys eventually get out of the prison is probably where the series will really shine.

[b]Senkou no Night Raid[/b]: People are watching this like a hawk due to the time frame it is set in; I didn't see anything too objectionable in the first episode (just a guy acting like you'd expect a deluded Japanese higher-up to act), but it doesn't seem as if any subbers want to touch this at all, which is a shame. Maybe all the history and politicospeak are driving people away.

[b]The Tatami Galaxy[/b]: Seems like there's plenty to like, but damn, the dialogue -- particularly the speed at which it is delivered -- just about gave me a headache. Probably not too bad if you understand Japanese (like listening to Robin Williams speak nonstop), but I found it a bit tough to read the subs on Funi's site and appreciate the visuals at the same time.

[Desbreko]

[color=#4B0082]I guess I'll post some quick thoughts in here.

[url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11262][b]K-ON!![/b][/url]
Mmm... Cute, soft, and fluffy moe blobs. There aren't many other series I know of that are on the same level as K-ON in this area.

[url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11037][b]Kaichou wa Maid-sama![/b][/url]
Pretty generic high school romantic comedy so far, but still plenty fun. It looks like it could turn into one of the better series of its kind.

[url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11188][b]Arakawa Under the Bridge[/b][/url]
My weekly dose of SHAFT WTFery. There's lots of Zetsubou Sensei-esque vibes coming off this one, which I like.

[url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11017][b]Working!![/b][/url]
More moe blobs, or at least one. I doubt this'll turn out to be particularly great, but it's cute and funny.

[url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11249][b]Hime Chen! Otogi Chikku Idol Lilpri[/b][/url]
Magical girl sparkles 'cause I gotta feed the addiction. But it hasn't been very good so far. My main complaint is that the the girls have barely done anything with their power since initially getting it. In ep2 and 3 you get, like, thirty seconds of transformation sequence and CG dancing and singing, and then bam, everything's resolved. Hopefully some more interesting stuff will happening soon.

[url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11286][b]Hakuouki[/b][/url]
The first couple episodes are pretty slow, but it's got my interest piqued. I'm looking forward to seeing where the story goes.

[url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11228][b]Senkou no Night Raid[/b][/url]
Same as Hakuouki, only I've just seen the first episode as yet.

[url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11199][b]B Gata H Kei[/b][/url]
Mindless, fanservicey fun. It's been kind of cute, but I wonder how well they can keep it going without getting stale.

[url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11219][b]Yutori-chan[/b][/url]
I've taken a liking to these odd, little short episode series. The fact that a full length ED is included in such short episodes baffles me, however.

[url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11215][b]Shin Koihime Musou ~Otome Tairan~[/b][/url]
Cute girls with big weapons. Also: lolis... Some of whom also have big weapons. I watched the first two series without getting bored enough to drop them, so why not a third?

[url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=10885][b]Angel Beats![/b][/url]
Neither the characters or setting particularly interest me, but I'm giving it a shot because it's from Key and I've liked their other stuff.[/color]

[Magus]

I checked out 8 episodes of [b]Hakuouki: Shinsengumi Kitan[/b]. It's not as much action as I thought would be in it. If anything it's similar to Peacemaker with the characters being the strong point. It also seem like it's going to build up into one huge war and that's when we'll see the action break though. Whatever fights that has been shown, while it's nothing spectacular it does put Samurai Deeper Kyo to shame. (That was the last Studio DEEN animation product I've seen) Like I said, it's mainly a character driven series that looks more like all the females will go giddy over because all the males look like those pretty boys that'll get bent out of shape if you mess with their hair or something. But overall it's been a decent experience. It might not be for everyone though.

[size=1]The Summer anime releases looks like it's gonna be crap.[/size]