Anime Q1 & Q2 2016

New anime

Active Raid

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Active Raid: Kidō Kyōshūshitsu Dai-Hakkei (アクティヴレイド 機動強襲室第八係 Akutive Reido Kidō Kyōshūshitsu Dai-Hakkei, “Active Raid: Special Public Security Fifth Division Third Mobile Assault Eighth Unit”) is an anime television series produced by Production IMS and Orange. It is scheduled to air from January 2016 with 12 episodes.

Opening & Ending Themes:

1. “Golden Life” by AKINO with bless4
2. “Toumei na Yozora (透明な夜空)” by Yuuka Aisaka

Set in a part of Tokyo that has descended into a quagmire, the story follows Unit 8 of the 5th Special Public Security Section’s 3rd Mobile Assault Division — popularly called “The Eighth” — who don powered armor “Willware” exoskeletons to counter the rise in crime.

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Anime Q3 & Q4 2015

New anime

Akagami no Shirayukihime

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Akagami no Shirayukihime (赤髪の白雪姫 Akagami no Shirayukihime, “Red-Haired Snow White”) is a fantasy shōjo manga written by Sorata Akizuki. It was serialized in Hakusensha’s monthly shōjo manga magazine since 2006, LaLa DX but has since moved to LaLa and is published in collected volumes by Hakusensha. As of May 2014, 11 volumes have been published in Japan. The eleventh volume ranked 21st in Oricon’s weekly manga ranking for the week of January 6, 2015. The anime television series has been announced for July 2015 with a total of 12 episodes. A second season has been announced to air in January 2016.

Opening & Ending Themes:

1. “Yasahii Kibou (やさしい希望)” by Saori Hayami
2. “Kizuna ni Nosete (絆にのせて)” by eyelis

Shirayuki is a normal citizen of the kingdom of Tanbarun with one unique feature: her red hair. When the foolish, prince of Tanbarun (Raji) orders her to become his concubine because of this, she cuts off her hair and escapes to the neighboring kingdom of Clarines. On her way there, she meets and befriends Prince Zen and his two aides. When Zen is poisoned by an apple meant for her, Shirayuki successfully obtains the antidote and decides to accompany the trio to Clarines. Shortly thereafter, Shirayuki passes an exam for a position to train in the palace as a pharmacist. The story follows Shirayuki and her friends as she finds her place in Clarines and carries out her duties as a court pharmacist (while hunted by Prince Raji).

– get a room already :p –

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Anime Q1 & Q2 2015

New anime

Arslan Senki

arslanSenkiThe Heroic Legend of Arslan (アルスラーン戦記 Arusurān Senki) is a fantasy novel series. The author, Yoshiki Tanaka, wrote the novel in 1986 and is still writing it as of 2008, with the current number of books at 14 novels. It was adapted into a manga, which caught up with the novel and then received an original ending, and ran from November 1991 to September 1996. It also received two anime film adaptations, and a four-part, unfinished anime OVA. In 2013, a second manga adaptation started serializing at Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine, with illustrations by Hiromu Arakawa. An anime television series based on the Arakawa manga premiered on April 5, 2015 with a scheduled 25 episodes. [Tanaka sensei’s novels have no relation to the 1976 novel called Arslan written by M. J. Engh which is set in the present.]

Opening & Ending Themes:

1. “Boku no Kotoba Dewanai Kore wa Boku-tachi no Kotoba” by UVERworld
2. “Lapis Lazuli” by Eir Aoi

In the prosperous kingdom of Pars lies the Royal Capital of Ecbatana, a city of splendor and wonder, ruled by the undefeated and fearsome King Andragoras. Arslan is the young and curious prince of Pars who, despite his best efforts, doesn’t seem to have what it takes to be a proper king like his father.

At the age of 14, Crown Prince Arslan goes to his first battle against neighboring nation Lusitania. Unbeknownst to them, the battle is rigged from the inside by the King’s most trusted retainer, leaving only heavy lost and bloodshed behind. However, it is Arslan’s destiny to be a ruler, and despite the trials that face him, he must now embark on a journey to reclaim his fallen kingdom with the aid of his loyal servant Daryun (Arslan’s general) and Narsus, the tactician (wanna-be-painter).

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Anime Q3 & Q4 2014

New anime

Aldnoah.Zero

aldnoahAldnoah.Zero (アルドノア・ゼロ Arudonoa Zero) is an anime series produced by Nitroplus and animated by A-1 Pictures and TROYCA. This mecha-sci-fi series is scheduled to air in July 2014.

Opening Theme:

1. “heavenly blue” by Kalafina

A princess from the Vers empire (human settlers on Mars) comes to earth on a peace mission, but is “killed.” Seems her countrymen want more than just remaining on Mars. Earth is in their sights!

Protagonist Inaho Kaizuka is definitely emotionless and a stoic character, even after seeing his friend killed in front of him. Pretty interesting plot line so far.


“Let justice be done, though the heavens fall.”

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Anime Q1 & Q2 2014


Spring 2014

Winter 2013 – Spring 2014 Anime

New anime

Akuma no Riddle

Akuma no RiddleRiddle Story of Devil (悪魔のリドル Akuma no Riddle) is a Yuri (love between women) and action manga series written by Yun Kōga and illustrated by Sunao Minakata. It started serialization in 2012 issue of Newtype. An anime adaptation directed by Keizō Kusakawa will be produced by Diomedea on April 4, 2014 with 13 episodes.

Opening & Ending Themes:

1. “Soushou Innocence (創傷イノセンス)” by Maaya Uchida
2. “Paradox (パラドクス)” by Ayaka Suwa as Tokaku Azuma (ep 1)
3. “Kinou, Kyou, Ashita (昨日、今日、明日)” by Hisako Kanemoto as Haru Ichinose (ep 2)
4. “Concentration” by Manami Numakura as Otoya Takechi (ep 3)
5. “Across The Fate” by Haruka Yoshimura as Kouko Kaminaga (ep 4)

The story is set at Myoujou Academy, a private girls’ boarding school. The 10th year’s Kurogumi class has 12 assassins, disguised as students, with their sights on one target: Haru Ichinose. Tokaku Azuma is a recent transfer student (and assassin) who is also targeting Ichinose, but she gradually develops feelings for Ichinose. Instead of fulfilling her duty, she decides to protect Ichinose instead.

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Anime 2013 Q1 & Q2

New anime

Aku no Hana

Aku_no_hana_volume_1_coverThe Flowers of Evil (惡の華 Aku no Hana) is a manga series written and illustrated by Shūzō Oshimi. It was serialized since September 9, 2009, in Kodansha’s Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine. An anime adaptation of the series is being developed by Zexcs and aired on April 5, 2013 with a scheduled 13 episodes.

Ending Theme:

“~花~ A Last Flower” by Asa-Chang

Bookworm Kasuga Takao’s favorite book is Charles Baudelaire’s Les fleurs du mal (of which the series is named after). The story begins with Takao receiving an F on his math test. His day quickly turns from bad to worse when in a moment of weakness, he steals the gym clothes of his crush and classmate Saeki Nanako. Unfortunately for him, Nakamura Sawa, a sadistic girl with a chip on her shoulder, catches him red-handed and proceeds to blackmail him into a “contract.” Should he try to win over the girl of his dreams while confessing his misdeed or continue acting as a BFF to a sadist?

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Anime 2012 Q1 & Q2

New anime

Another

AnotherAnother (アナザー Anazā) is a mystery horror novel written by Yukito Ayatsuji, published in October 29, 2009. A manga adaptation by Hiro Kiyohara was serialized from May 2010 to January 2012. The anime series came soon after airing January 10 to March 27, 2012 with a total of 12 episodes. The live-action film will be released August 4, 2012.

Opening & Ending Themes:

1. “Kyōmu Densen” (凶夢伝染 Nightmare Contagion) by Ali Project
2. “Anamnesis” by Annabel

Sakakibara Koiichi is a middle schooler transferring back to his mother’s old school. Things are not what it seems in the odd Class 3-3. The unfortunately named Misaki Mei, Sakakibara’s classmate, is ignored by everyone and treated as if she doesn’t exist! Soon enough, his classmates began to drop like flies, facing gruesome, senseless deaths.

In 1972, a student named Misaki died partway during the school year of Class 3-3. Devastated by the loss, the students and teachers of the class agree to carry on as if Misaki was still alive. Eerily, she was even present in the graduation photo. The tradition repeats itself every year since: whereby a dead appears as one of the students of Class 3-3 (but no one know that person is dead), but a living person is treated as non-existent (to account for the “extra”). If this is not done, students and teachers of that class dies off one by one.

What a chilling yet riveting who-done-it mystery series! It was quite eerie throughout the series. Realizing who was “dead” at the end was such a kicker! The opening theme song is just a tad wacky and out of sync enough to match this series.
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Anime 2012 Q3 & Q4

New anime

Campione!

Campione!Campione! (カンピオーネ! Kanpione!) is a light novel series by Jō Taketsuki, which was adapted into manga in 2011 and later into anime series in July 6, 2012 with a planned 12 episodes.

Opening Theme:
“BRAVE BLADE!” by Megu Sakuragawa

Ending Theme:
“Raise” by Yui Ogura

Sixteen-year-old Kusanagi Godou is sent on a trip to Sardinia, Italy to return a stone tablet to a long-lost love Lucretia Zola. His life quickly takes a turn when he is caught in the middle of warring gods, and ends up killing Verethragna, the Persian God of Victory. Unknown to him, an old curse surrounds the killing of gods by mortals: whereby the mortal who kills a god gains the abilities of the killed god and become known as Campione.

He obtains Verethragna’s 10 forms: Bull, Ram, Camel, White Stallion, Goat, Boar, Raptor, The Wind, The Youth, and The Warrior. He is protected by his knight in the form of Erica Brandelli, wife #1, and member of the Copper Black Cross. As he returns home to Japan with his new-found title and powers, he not only enmasses “wives” (Yuri Mariya, wife #2, is a Hime Miko, Liliana Kranjcar, wife #3, childhood friend of Erica and member of the Bronze Black Cross, Ena Seishuin, wife #4, and the strongest Hime Miko of Japan) but enemies (in the form of humans, “kings” and gods alike) and war scars too.

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Anime 2011 Q1 & Q2

New anime

Beelzebub

beelzebubBeelzebub (べるぜバブ Beruzebabu) is a manga written and illustrated by Ryūhei Tamura. It was first published in Weekly Shōnen Jump’s 2008 volume 37-38, then serialized in 2009 and is ongoing. An OVA was announced in July 2010, while the anime adaptation by Studio Pierrot aired from January 9, 2011 (Sunday) with a scheduled 12 episodes.

The opening and ending theme are:
1. “DaDaDa” (だだだ) by Group Tamashii
2. “Answer” by no3b

The story is an action-packed, supernatural, comedic series starring protagonist Tatsumi Oga, the “strongest juvenile delinquent” in a school filled with delinquent.

During a trouncing of thugs by Oga at the riverbank, he finds a man (a transporter between worlds) floating down a river and pulls him to shore. The man promptly splits in half and a baby boy emerges. The baby is the son of the Great Demon King who the transporter, Alain Delon, has chosen based on his prowess as an “evil” human. Later, Baby Beel chooses Tatsumi as his guardian and care giver when the heir to hell’s maid, Hildegarde, comes to retrieve him. It then becomes Tatsumi’s quest to find a replacement caregiver for baby Beel. But first, he has to find someone from school more evil and stronger than him.

Watched the premier episode in Japan with no clue what it was, but found it extremely interesting and adorable. Didn’t realize that these new series are aired at the weirdest hours, most likely for insomniacs. Definitely will continue with the series.
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Anime 2010 Q3 & Q4

New anime

Amagami SS

Amagami (アマガミ Gentle Bite), is a dating simulation game developed for PlayStation 2 released on March 19, 2009. The anime adaptation  Amagami SS begun airing on July 1, 2010 with a planned 24 episodes.

Opening and ending themes are:

1. “i Love” by azusa DOWNLOAD
2. “Kimi no Hitomi ni Koishiteru (キミの瞳に恋してる)” by Shizuka Itou
3. “Kitto Ashita wa… (Surely Tomorrow…)” by Rina Satou DOWNLOAD
4. “Kitto Ashita wa… (きっと明日は…)” by Rina Satou
5. “Anata Shika Mienai (I Only See You)” by Hiromi Konno
6. “Anata Shika Mienai (あなたしか見えない)” by Hiromi Konno
7. “Koi wa Mizu-iro (恋はみずいろ)” by Yukana
8. “Koi wa Aserazu (恋はあせらず)” by Ryoko Shintani

Tachibana Junichi, a second-year high school boy, is put in an uneasy situation during Christmas due to a past incident. This Christmas will be his last chance to ask out a graduating senior Morishima Haruka, a popular senior student with many adoring fans.

OR he can ask out one of several other classmates. There is class representative Ayatsuji Tsukasa, a seemingly kind and friendly hard worker but is really a manipulative and cunning person. There is Sakurai Rihoko, a girl with a huge appetite, Tanamachi Kaoru his childhood friend, Nakata Sae and Nanasaki Ai.

Pick any or pick all, what’s there to lose? A guy can only wish.
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