Winter Anime Catalogue 2015
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There really isn’t a whole lot to say because me and Jrow and several Metanorn writers had plenty of things to talk about on our A.Z mini-talks! I just hope this second half can finally put to rest the question of who lived and who actually died because I for one can honestly say I really do not care if the princess or Inaho survived after the events of episode eleven; however one thing is certain I am prepared for a wild ride as we see earth defend itself from more martians and who knows maybe a new main character will rise to become better than Inaho? I guess we won’t really know until it airs.
Here’s what I’ll say: If the princess isn’t alive, then I’ll feel like I got totally ripped off from the whole first season, because the best part of that show was the end of the OP when she pulls a gun on someone. I wanted to see that, and instead I got sh*mmfffmmmfsmmm*…
All right, I’ll just say that I didn’t care for the ending of the first series. And I do hope that they bring back the Princess and Inaho, who were interesting characters, but Slaine can die in a fire.
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The school has a new teacher: a yellow alien octopus with strange powers and super strength. Even worse, he just destroyed the moon, and he’s going to destroy the Earth next… unless someone in the class can stop him. This show has a ton of characters, maybe borrowing from the Girlfriend (Beta) idea of fitting everyone in by having the teacher (Koro-sensei, lit. Murder-Teacher, voiced by Jun Fukuyama) just go around talking to different students, but I worry about them actually having any kind of plot with this show. It almost seems like it should be a short, but I doubt it is.
The whole set-up here is rather brilliant because it combines aliens, assassins, and forming deep friendships with a weird tentacle thing. That’s pretty much it, and the manga really falls heavily into the comedy genre with the assassinations taking a bit of a back seat. I haven’t read all of it, but the source material is oddly charming because it’s so zany that you can’t help but crack at a smile at this colour-changing alien who so sweetly teaches his students…and how his students try to backstab him in kind. Seiji Kishi, the king of video game to anime adaptations (Persona 4, Devil Survivor), will be directing. This is usually a bad thing, but he usually has pretty good timing with comedies (such as Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita) so this might work. It’s a simple show and like Highway says, don’t expect the plot to be anything other than random shenanigans.
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Original Work: Masaki Tsuzuki
Producers: Seven Arcs Pictures
It’s been a few times for this show. But Shinku just loves visiting Cake and Pastry Land. Well, if you liked the first two there is little reason why you shouldn’t like this, the third outing of this rather sleepy franchise (taking place three months after the second season during fall vacation). I found the first to be fun and lively, and the second added Rebecca and a Squirrel Army!. But the show started to fall flat after a robust start. I don’t know if there is any more magic to capture at this point. But I’m willing to sneak a peak. The show never sells itself short on fanservice….Shinku and friends play at a style of sports that is the closest thing they allow to all out warfare in these lands. So expect some super shounen style moves, and since people don’t really get hurt (mooks turn into puffballs if damaged to badly) and named characters take “embarrassing” clothing damage.
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We don’t cover news on Metanorn but Durarara!! was one of the exceptions, the revival of which literally warranted a separate post. Just like Fosh said, Durarara!! is special for some of the metanorn members because we either started aniblogging because of it, flocked to the site for same reason or started our anime experience with it. Whatever the case maybe, I still remember being a newbie and reviewing Durarara!! as my first series. And after the long wait of four years, we finally have an amazing news of the continuation that will have three separate cours in between season-worth of breaks! After the first part, Durarara!!×2 Shō or “understanding” releasing this Winter. The series will take a break in Spring, after which the second part, Durarara!!×2 Ten or “motion”, will air in Summer (July 2015). After another break, the third part, Durarara!!×2 Ketsu or “conclusion” will air in Winter 2016 (January).
I highly recommend the marathon of the first season of this amazing anime, because the second season will take place half a year later from the events of the first series. We will reunite with our multi-starrer cast in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro neighborhood, where a lot of things go bump in the night. There are characters who are students but with diversified traits, then of course yakuza, crazy ass bartenders, otakus, mad scientists, doctors and even weird psychopaths. This story has everything and there will be some interesting addition to the star-studded cast in the form of some much needed sisterly love and some more crazy. I’m dying to see my old friends, how about you?
For most of the Metanorn writers, Durarara was their first step into the world of Anime blogging! For myself I started out flying solo until I stumbled upon Metanorn back in 09 and the rest is history, but what made Durarara so special? For starters it has one of the best cast of characters from the headless rider Celty, the insanely strong Shizuo, the sneaky Dollars leader and love him or hate him the main villain Izaya! I can’t even go into the other characters because we will be at it for hours! Anyway for those few that fell in love with the series when it first aired I think it is safe to say we have been waiting FOREVER for a second season and I think we are getting roughly four different seasons? At least we can finally say it is back!
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Woooooooooooooo! Hoooooooooooooo! More JOJO! I can’t wait to see my favorite characters kicking ass again as they fight stand user after stand user which ill admit got really repetitive and boring at times but for some reason Jojo makes it fun because all the fights are so over the top it keeps the fans coming back for more and the newest cast member is Misato Fukuen which I always remember as Cure Happy from Smile Precure even though I know she has done other roles; however I don’t have a whole lot to say because I never read the manga so I have no idea what is going to happen other than the eventual battle against Dio.
The 2nd season of David Production’s re-adaptation of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure was a disappointment, eschewing the breakneck pace and non-stop insanity of the 1st season for bland monster-of-the-week. And just as things were starting to look interesting with our heroes finally having reached Dio, it ended. Well, now we get that interesting part with the series villain. Here’s hoping that, with no excuse to do monster-of-the-week anymore, the series will go back to its trademark craziness that once made it so appealing.
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When Arpeggio of Blue Steel was airing, one of the first things that I heard was “KanColle is better / this isn’t as good as KanColle / KanColle girls are cuter / KanColle KanColle KanColle”. Now this hugely popular online browser card game has its own anime, with its distinctive look that, I’ll be honest, doesn’t really do it for me with the metal parts hanging off the girls. And the early PV kind of tripped the ‘whut?’ meter, with the water-skiing action. We’ll see what kind of plot they make out of this property, and whether it will meet the expectations of the legions of fans of the game.
Yes! Yes! A million times YES! I am looking forward to seeing this odd anime that takes the idea of battleships and turns them into humans which is nothing new to the world of anime even though I will admit to not having a lot of hype for this because it was supposed to air two seasons ago? From the newest PV that was released last month it certainly looks to be a series that will fall into the cute girls doing cute things style of anime or will it actually explode like Strike Witches? I really hope so! That said I only know of one character because there is ton of fan art for shimakaze.
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Original Work: Akamitsu Awamura (light novel)
Producers: Diomedea
The “campus sword & sorcery” story is set in a private high school that brings together “saviors,” youths with awakened memories from past lives. Some of them are Shirogane who fight enemies with weapons and techniques gleaned from the Puraana powers from their own bodies. Others are Kuroma who wipe out enemies, with magic to manipulate the Maana powers that surpass physics. A boy named Moroha Haimura enrolls in this school. He is the first person in history with past lives of both Shirogane and Kuroma.
What the what? Again?! Unexceptional yet Exceptional male MC enters a somewhat Normal but Magical place on the merits that he breaks the world’s rules..cause writing! Yeah, we’ve seen them spin this wheel before. <IS>, Dragonar, Blade Dance, et. al. So really, it depends on how fresh they can make the character’s and how they make the background stand out, and be a character in it’s own right. As with this season’s Fafnir, I’ll set my expectations a bit lower than normal.
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Seiyuu: Show ▼
Trailer: N/A
Milky Holmes is a pretty okay show as long as you don’t expect anything remotely clever and don’t mind that the protagonists (or more like half the cast, really) are very… stupid. The end result is pretty watchable, and now they’re throwing idols in, since those seem trendy right now. The rest of the voice cast seems to be the same as the other seasons of Milky Holmes (minus the addition of Emi Nitta as the new idol character Marine Amagi, which is fitting since she was Honoka in Love Live). The director is the same as the first season too. So really, if you’re familiar with the series, I’d expect the same. If you’re not familiar, it should be pretty easy to settle in since the jokes tend to repeat and this doesn’t require many brain cells to watch.
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Original Work: Takumi Hiiragi-Boshi
Producers: 8 Bit
After losing a loved one, Tooru Kokonoe enrolls at Kouryou Academy so as to gain a “Blaze,” a weapon that is his soul manifestation, for the sake of revenge. He was expecting a weapon… What he got was a shield… How is he to seek revenge with something that isn’t even a weapon?!
Well, 8-bit studios has something of a broken track record for me. I find the <IS> franchise to be unexceptional, along with shows like Walkurze Romance, and Fruit of the Thingy. Tokyo Ravens was OK all things considered. But they have given me the wonderful crazy fun that was Aquarion EVOL and the comfy, much loved, Yama no Susume. This is the director’s first major outing, and with some rather easy material to work with. Again, it’s super awesome power school with male MC that has that something different about him approach. We already have World Break and Fafnir this season, so I guess there’s room for more? Anyway, the source material is not terrible, and it looks like the character design has cleaned things up rather nicely. Might be a good ride…
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Original Work: Koei Tecmo Games Co., Ltd.
Producers: Tezuka Productions, TYO Animations
Seiyuu: Show ▼
Trailer: N/A
Another twist on the Warring States period of Japanese history, this story appears to focus on the Sanada brothers, members of Hideyoshi’s army trying to conquer Odawara Castle. Can the involvement by these two brothers, Nobuyuki and Yukimura, change the tide of battle? This one doesn’t look to be making too many changes or taking too many liberties with the story, but will another retelling based on a PlayStation hack-and-slash game have any interest?
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About Team Meta
We are the deadly team of Metanorn. When together, we usually come up with long, informative reviews and commentary. After all, we take fangirling seriously!
POWUH: iLurker with 1 comments
[…] >> WINTER IS HOHOHEEERRRREEE~~~°˖ ✧◝(○ ヮ ○)◜✧˖ °~~~ […]
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
So ASS I pray: UNLIMITED MOVING WORKS! 😛
It looks like this season will be a break for me. Nothing strikes me at the moment.
Re: Diomedea – they should just do sequels for their best two series: Kodomo no Jikan and Lotte no Omocha conclusions. 😀
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
It looks truly unimpressive here, doesn’t it? I’m surprised to have found anything likable at all in this seasons’ line-up. There are some lucky breaks, though. Winter season in general just reached a new level in underwhelming presentation. Here I thought last Winter seemed weak.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Maybe I’ll find something after you guys start the FIs. Unfortunately right now there isn’t a particular drive to commit to anything. A/Z and *monogatari are likely candidates but they are sequels and it means catching up on the missing stuff which I’m not too keen at the moment.
A lot of the shows appear too heavy with generic harem to my liking. 🙁
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
@DiGi I am sure you will find something next season even if you aren’t originally excited for it, but yeah I imagine after you see a few FI posts you might find a series to stick too~
@BB P much i’ll be honest and say it looks dull, but after seeing a few trailers and hunting for info about each series has me curious! I am looking forward to Death Parade, Junketsu no Maria, Koufuku Graffiti, Yuri Kuma Arashi and Rolling☆Girls.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
I expect to pick up the stripperific series Foz-sama and me. (if only it existed)
I *may* pick up Mahou Shoujo Trappu. I expect you to do as well. FKYA Magical Girls! 😛
After rereading the previews for the nth time, there might be something but there isn’t any standouts at the moment. Will let you guys do the hardwork and lay out the groundwork. 😛
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Magical boys? Nope all you buddy! I don’t want any part of that xD
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
So do we need Mahou Shouta?
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
FKYA Magical Boys! 😛
After years of exposure, you will find your tastes evolving…
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
The only acceptation is Korean zombie desk car~
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Agreed, Fosh. That’s territory I can do without treading. No thank you.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Join us on the Dark Side! 😀
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Shonen Hollywood: A lot of things they talk about are a true expose/critique on the idol industry behind-the-scenes. The handsome guys are just a bonus.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
It’s a safe bet the target audience, as in the ladies, will simply ignore the exposition and just settle for watching the show’s male cast.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
From the few episodes that I saw Shonen Hollywood was somewhat realistic in how they went about with idol stuffs! That said I prefer my idol shows like Love Live or The Idolm@ster~
POWUH: 800-899 and Mad Scientist with 814 comments
If Highway would get over his insistence on not watching trailers or looking at promo art of the season to come before it starts airing, he would know that Seylum is slated to make a return to a/z for sure. And the same might be true for Inaho, though they’re “trying” to be less obvious with that one.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Hey, I looked at plenty of trailers for stuff this season (but not for A/Z, that was just pure emotion there). I don’t know what they’re going to do, but she BETTER be pulling guns on people, or something’s gonna get broken…
POWUH: 800-899 and Mad Scientist with 814 comments
Yeah, she does have a bust-a-cap quota to fill. She’s in a wheelchair now, so it won’t be exactly like the OP. But hey, maybe having a wheelchair-bound princess gun down welps who deserve it *cough Slaine cough* will have more impact.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
The very idea of her in a wheelchair makes me cringe. I hope she hasn’t suffered so much that she’s ultimately paralyzed from the waist down.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
To quote the 6 million dollar man:
“We can rebuild her and make her better!”
With all that Martian technology, I’m sure they can give her cybernetic spiderlegs and a lightsa… err.. that’s wrong series.
I’m sure that they can at least give her cybernetics to walk again, if not genetic engineer her back to tiptop shape.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Well Tougou from Yuuki Yuuna does fine on her own with her wheelchair and for all we know the power of the Aldnoah will assist her just like Tougou in magical girl form <3
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I’ll take your word for it since I haven’t watched Yuuki Yuuna.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Just to add, for some of these shows, because we’re quite a bit earlier than usual (Go MetaTeam!) with this preview, there wasn’t much in the way of PV’s or promo stuff, so I even went to the show websites and butchered some translating.
POWUH: 800-899 and Mad Scientist with 814 comments
Congratulations on finally overcoming your allergy to previewing seasons then.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
It’s not an allergy. It’s just not something I personally find particularly compelling. 😛
The shows are going to come, or they’re not going to come. I will evaluate them on what they are when they get here. Until then, there are other shows for me to watch. 🙂
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
::imitates infamous YouTube video::
YOU LEAVE HIGHWAY ALONE! YOU LEAVE HIM ALONE ::cries::
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
ahahahahah
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 140 comments
That Seiji Kishi directed Jinrui, one of my all time favorite anime shows period, is just another thing getting me more hyped for Ansatsu.
As for lvlln, you will be disappointed, mostly because what you don’t like is what JoJo has been for the past 20 years. And if you don’t like it sorry, but JoJo is unapologetic-ally (say it in your Fabio voice) FABULOUS!
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
I am hype for more damn JOJO!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
The answer should have been:
WRRRRRYYYYY!!!!
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
I hear nothing but good things about JoJo. But as someone who’s never even seen one episode, I can’t find the motivation to start.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
True I can see that! I guess you have to be into over the top shounen like battles and crazy characters to get into Jojo.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I’m into crazy shounen-type battles like from DBZ or Naruto but I tried the Jojo franchise with the first episode of Bizarre Adventures and just couldn’t get into it. So I left the series right there and moved on.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
I was confused, so I had to check wiki… I was under the impression it was a long running series, so I never bothered. All I know is that all JoJo references are weird. Turns out its only two 2-cour seasons. Hm.
I lost interest in most shounen shows early on when I started getting into anime (and learned there was more to anime than Astro Boy, Sailor Moon, and DBZ). The only exception is One Piece. It’s in my top 3, because the power of nakama wins every time.
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 140 comments
Let me set the record straight. JoJo isn’t really a shonen fighting series. It’s about: Critical Thinking!!! Something weird and horrifying happens, innocent people (and a lot of innocent animals) die in horrible ways. But you will not see any real power ups or training montages in JoJo past Battle Tendency. JoJo might be shonen, but it has almost nothing in common with shows like Dragonball or Naruto.
POWUH: 900-999 with 915 comments
I’m so excited for this season, mainly for the return of awesome shows. I can’t wait to see more weird stuff happening and connecting in Durarara!!, and the song, too. I hope they bring awesome themes and OST.
How could I not watch A/Z 2 after that cliffhanger? I think I already discussed this about something. Ah, yeah. That was Yowamushi Pedal. Same applies for Tokyo Ghoul.
The other continuation I’m really hyped for is Kuroko Basket 3. Now that Yowamushi Pedal is near the end and Haikyuu don’t even have a second season announced yet, I need something to feel the slot.
And then, there is Tsukimonogatari. Can’t miss Monogatari Series stuff.
About Death Parade, I haven’t watched the PV until seeing it here and OMG, I remember Death Billiard from Anime Mirai. That was so awesome, I remember a lot of people saying that it could be expanded into a lot more and I’m so thankful they are doing it. Though the conflict they showed in the PV is much more complex, a couple that died together now have to “kill” each other to go to heaven… I’m expecting so much from this I’m scared.
The other stuff I’m watching are:
Kantai Collection – I just want to understand why Fosh is so hyped about this.
Absolute Duo – Here, I just chose one of the four/five exceptional boy anime that is showing this season. If I watched all of them it would get tiring.
Isuca – Seeing the description, it kind of reminded me of Rokujouma no Shinryakusha, so I’m curious about it.
Koufuku Grafitti – Shaft stuff can’t be missed as well. Head tilts, weird scenery, art shift, I love it all. I’m expecting them to make the food in an over-the-top fashion, though they could do it like anyone would do and leave their trickery of always to other parts of the show… Nooooo 8D
Saenai Heroine no Sodate Kata – Well, Highway ended up hyping me up for this. And it’s always interestng to see what noitaminA’s up to each season. Let’s just hope they don’t take a step back.
Rolling Girls – Wow, they really remind of Zvezda, specially when that gas mask appeared. And I love the character design of this thing.
Yeah, that’s about it. I actually needed to drop my anime count now that I’m trying to get into college but oh well.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
Absolute Duo It’s not quite the exception to the other ones, is it? I plan on doing all of them, just to get a feel. Fafnir looks like my sort of design, but then I felt the same way Blade Dance.
POWUH: 900-999 with 915 comments
I’m sure it’s not, but I just randomly chose one. I would choose my mind if you were to point out the best out of them.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Yeah there are quite a few returning shows and I really hope they can improve on Tokyo Ghoul! I really want it to be awesome and since Kaneki finally turned white hair mode I expect a lot of badass fights or is that going to be only activated when he is in danger?
Yes more A.Z! Expect to hear us talking about that in the MechaNORN whenever it airs <3
Kantai Collection? Yeah I honestly don't know why I am so interested in that series, but I will say you can blame the fan-artists! There is tons and tons of artwork if you ever go looking for it. As for the series itself I am expecting something like a mixture of Strike Witches meets Arpeggio of blue steel with over the top battles or is it going to be more slice of life cute battleship girls doing cute things? I have no idea but that second PV sold me~
Rolling Girls! Yes that has ZVEZDA all over it and damn that has me excited <3
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Aoki Hagane has backstory/plot
Kankore is just lolicon bait.
Thus why Aoki Hagane is better IMHO.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
I See a lot of rather busty ship girls from fanartists so I have to call you out on that comment bro! Also I am not watching it for that reason so yeah I am watching because I want to see what it is actually about.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Bust size =/= Loli.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
Wait…wuh?
POWUH: 800-899 and Mad Scientist with 814 comments
You just affirmed fosh’s point against you…
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
I realised the interpretation got lost and should have done it in the wordy way in the first place.
There is no firm relationship between bust size and the definition of loli. In fact there is no universal agreement on what defines a loli. For all intents and purposes, the majority defines it simplistically as “looks under-18 and pr0king would be illegal”. You can have busty lolis.
Similarly, there is no firm relationship between loli and bust size although the majority would say that DFC (mmmmmm) would be a feature.
Which brings us to the point which I expect skylion to answer: Is kissshotacerolaorionheartunderblade a LOLi or not? 🙂
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
The question is so obvious, I don’t even feel the need to answer…
Yeah, it’s an attraction thing. I find TRUe LOLi to be kawaii and moe, and that’s it. But LOLiesque or LEGal LOLi to be actually attractive.
Odd, that DFC for most, isn’t actually all that flat, and what some consider flat aren’t all that small…
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Thus it is exactly why I find the washboard insults in anime kinda silly unless the character is in the single digit range.
As I have said it before and will continue to do so:
OPPAI ARE FOR BABIES! 😛
POWUH: 800-899 and Mad Scientist with 814 comments
Your sermonizing is nice and all, but as fosh says, a quick search will reveal that there are non-lolis in the fleet…
POWUH: 900-999 with 915 comments
I wonder when my comment turned into a discussion about what is loli…
And yeah, I think Di Gi is probably right. Oppai doesn’t isn’t related to loli at all. Though lolicons are usually attracted to the short, pettanko type.
At the same time, I agree with skylion. Legal Lolis have their own charm. It’s weirdly attractive to see a chibi body talking stuff you wouldn’t hear from a true loli.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Once again, the Meta Team has caught me off guard. I wasn’t expecting the Winter Anime Catalogue until at least after Christmas. Now I feel so unprepared. Oh, well. Aside from a handful of notable sequels, Winter 2015 is looking very meh and lacking. I’d even go as far as saying this is the weakest anime line-up I’ve ever seen. More so than last Winter which proved underwhelming. That’s saying something, indeed.
As proof to how much this upcoming season leaves to be desired, I’ve only accumulated a number of 14 series to watch whereas my usual standard number is either 20 or 21 animes to start off. Not including ongoing animes from previous seasons. A sheer and recording breaking drop for me. Even if I added the 5 ongoing two-cour series from Fall (Akatsuki no Yona, Cross Ange, Log Horizon S2, Nanatsu no Taizai, Parasyte), it would amount to 19 in total.
High:
Aldnoah.Zero 2
Durarara!!x2 Shou
Tokyo Ghoul √A
Tsukimonogatari
Moderate:
Ansatsu Kyoushitsu
Death Parade
Isuca
Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha
Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – Exodus
Low:
Absolute Duo
Junketsu no Maria
Kantai Collection: Kan Colle
Seiken Tsukai no World Break
Yoru no Yatterman
Tokyo Ghoul √A (Tokyo Ghoul Root A): *wears badge signifying the first season was seen to the end and liked* The wait is taking its toll on me. More Ghoul society, more Touka Kirishima, more Hinami, Kaneki undergoing a harsh reconditioning to become the series’ most talked about white-haired badass. All good points. Maybe this will be better received by viewers given that the manga author Sui Ishida will personally be holding the reins for the story concept since he apparently didn’t take a liking to how the first season fared either. Plus an unconfirmed rumor flying around stating the second season will be two-cour. Should this news turn out to be true, it will get proper development and I’ll be particularly content for the next six months. Hopefully TK from Ling Tosite Sigure (or the whole band can join this time) will be singing the OP again. I’m still hooked on the first season’s OP “unravel”.
Durarara!!x2: One or two episodes of the show’s first season English dubbed episodes got a passing glance a long time ago but the talk of this show was so rampant I couldn’t stave the curiosity off any longer (These Metanorn cult fans dealt the finishing blow. It was utterly crushing. Curse you all!), so I gave in and check it out seriously almost 8 months back which I’m happy I did. I downloaded the whole lot and the addiction came quick after the first episode. I liked it so much everything in power was done to burn through the whole thing on that same day. Total success!! Now it’s sheer happiness to see a sequel on the way. Even better, more is already scheduled with two more cours of it. Second one for Summer 2015 and third for Winter 2016! Preparations are being made to scold that irredeemable, underhanded snake Izaya Orihara.
Aldnoah.Zero 2:
More Sora AmamiyaMore Alnoah.Zero is definitely demanded. I’ve been itching to see how the story continues after that cliffhanger left me with a huge question mark on the face. With Urobuchi around, it’s assured things will get ugly. As if it wasn’t already so with nearly the entire Earth and its population decimated.POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Ness and Kyo busted out the whips and made us get to work, but yeah both of them have plans in the next few weeks so we decided why not get it out earlier instead of the week of stuff premiering.
Tokyo Ghoul: Now that Kaneki has white hair I expect baddass fighting, but I know in reality he wont be that way until he trains and learns to use his full powers! So I also expect it will take a while for him to accept those powers again much like season one which to every diehard manga reader was garbage; however I am 50/50 on that it was entertaining but a bit of a train-wreck as well.
Durarararara2: YESSSS YESSSSSSS YESSSSSSSSS! I am so happy to see that getting another season at last because I miss Celty, Shizou and yes even Izaya <3
A/Z: I am not as excited anymore thanks to a facebook group I joined which killed things for me because of the constant debates WEEKLY about who was better between Inaho, Slaine, MARZ and Earth which honestly divided a bunch of them into groups which pushed a few to call each other certain names because they supported one of the characters...yeah childish arguments! Anyway ill still watch it because it will be on the MechaNORN podcast.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
Dammit, I was just forgetting bout the whips. Why did you bring up the whips?!
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Oh snap I was told not to tell anyone! I guess i’m doomed~
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Now go and receive your punishment from your masters!! 😀
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
*whips fosh*
*WHIP*
Punishment as suggested by BB. 😛
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I plead “not guilty”, your honor. 😉
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I can imagine the whips cracking right now. You poor souls. 😀
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
Stop. Stop talking about it! I’m crying now.
….your just mean!
POWUH: 800-899 and Mad Scientist with 814 comments
Fosh is lying. There were no whips. Only venomous snakes used as whips.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
…I don’t even care anymore….I got wine…
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Pfft… hahaha!! And that is supposed to be better?!
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
LOL
POWUH: 800-899 and Self-proclaimed Manga Queen with 874 comments
DURARARA!!x2 IS ALL THAT MATTERS, AHHHHHH.
Okay no, but I’m interested to see Assassination Classroom. I recently bought the manga and it’s definitely one of the best things I’ve bought lately.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Hell ya on DURARARARARARARARARARA <3
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
When Durarara!!x2 starts, it will have been 5 years since the first season. The anxiety must be killing you all who have watched while it was initially airing in Japan.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
Do the later chapters change much? I read the first four or five and it seemed more or less the same thing, different scenery.
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 140 comments
Okay, so I actually just watched Death Billards for the first time. WOW THAT WAS GREAT!!! I think I can only describe this as Kaiji in the afterlife. I am now shooting this one to the top of my list!!!!
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
It was seriously well done. I just hope it doesn’t feel like a “death thingy” a week…
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
You make it sound like Another. If the series does fall into that category, I won’t mind as long as the deaths are executed nicely.
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 140 comments
No offense to Another, but what I’m talking about is nothing like that blah show. I’m talkng about silly games with high stakes, people freaking out and sweating from every imaginable pore of their being, just all that taking place in limbo or something. I guess this is he fate of Fukumoto characters. Especially since a Madhouse makes the best gambling anime (akagi, kaiji, one outs etc)
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
Wooo, Winter season is already here~~~
Hmm, from fall I dropped 8 out of 27 I was contemplating, so 19 shows (mostly backlogged). Not too bad, I suppose. I’ve managed to trim my backlog and clear my free space to over 50GB after falling close to 20GB free space on my backlog drive (I’m doing my best to delay buying a new HDD).
This season looks pretty light, by my standards. I’m only tentatively picking up 16 shows, it’s been a while since I’ve had a sampling dish of less than 20 shows.
Potential to be the next best thing since sliced-bread Category
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Aldnoah.Zero S2 – If Asseylum-hime is dead, I’m going to bury this 10′ deep. I raged when she “died”. I hate cliffhanger endings. And when they kill off perfectly good princesses. Die Slaine die~~~
Dog Days” – Yes oh yes… I loved the first two season, low calorie highly enjoyable entertainment. I want more Yukikaze~~ I’ll just add this here (probably borderline NSFW).
DRRRRR!!x2 – Good stuff, yes good stuff. The ED (Trust Me) is still one of my favorite songs. If you don’t know what DRRRRR is about, I highly recommend watching S1! Crazy fun hijinks. Dollars 4 life.
KanColle – I really want to play this game. One of these days I’ll read through those walkthroughs and figure out how to play it in Japanese. I was semi-interested (because I like the art) until I saw the trailer, and then I was sold. If you watch anime and don’t know what KanColle is, shame on you. You’re obviously a pretender.
The Idolmaster: Cinderella Girls – The show that got me hooked on Idol anime. I’m highly interested to see where this will go. Producer-san! (Unfortunately I don’t think this will have Miki or Hibiki :sadface).
Tsukimonogatari – You either like this series or you don’t. This far in, you won’t be swayed by words. Chocolate or alcohol maybe, but not… ooooh, wine ~旦_(^O^ )
Shinmai Maou no Testament – I’ve had pretty good success with shows in this genre. Here’s hoping it’s got some potential like DxD, Ichiban Ushiro no Daimao, or Hataraku Maou-sama!
Guaranteed to be at least second base Category
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Pretty much everything in the RomComSlice category is an automatic watch for me. I inhale this stuff like a fat kid inhales donuts when he passes by (insert donut shop of choice). Except Shounen Hollywood. Love Stage made me barf rainbows.
Isuca
Juuou Mujin no Fafnir
Koufuku Graffiti
Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata
Rolling Girls – No explanation needed. You just add in at least two of Romance, Comedy, and/or Slice of Life, and I’m sold. You had me at RomCom.
Kamisama Hajimemashita 2 – A good solid showing, S1 was. Nothing fabulous, but I enjoyed it. Much more than Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha (which I struggled to finish, not quite drop, but not great either).
Junketsu no Maria – Production I.G. manning a historical fantasy? I’m in.
Potential to be dropped faster than The Interview Category
———————————————————
Seiken Tsukai no World Break – Schools and fantasy is usually an invincible combination for me, but the recent history has been a little of being the mole in whack-a-mole. Blade Dance was mediocre, and Dragonar was instant drop for me. On the flip side, Yuuki Yuuna and Inou Battle have been enjoyable, so maybe this one will manage. But totally not digging the character designs.
Absolute Duo – Not sure as the description is so vague, I don’t know what to expect. But it has a mix of genres I like so I could do worse than try this out. Like watching another episode of World Trigger.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Aldnoah.Zero S2: From what I am hearing she is alive but using a wheelchair to get around so I don’t really know what she is going to be actually doing next season, but if anything I will bet she uses the Aldnoah power to help her walk around some…
KanColle: I have’t played the games at all, but I do know of it existing thanks to fanart all over the place which generally has me very excited~
The Idolmaster: Cinderella Girls: FK YA MORE IDOLMASTER! I can’t wait even though I know nothing about the characters this season but if it is anything like the other series that won’t take long for me to like them.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
I actually got around to watching the Idolm@ster movie. I felt it focused too much on the new girls, I wish it had rather focused on the main girls (more Miki!). But overall it was decent.
I’m the same with KanColle. I’ve seen a number of doujin and fanart, and I’ve enjoyed them more than I did with Touhou (although I do have a fair number of Touhou art in my collection).
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I’ll let you in on a little secret about that. The reason it looks like and is dragging along is because that particular series will be playing for a long time. At first I thought it would be two-cour or split cour, then a find out about three days ago that World Trigger is confirmed to be 50 episodes long. A whole year’s worth of episodes.
POWUH: 900-999 with 915 comments
Wow, seriously? I could swear that wouldn’t continue for another season with such awful animation. With that said, I hate to admit that the story and the premise is interesting. I just wish they would dedicate more budget to animation…
POWUH: 900-999 with 915 comments
Also, Yuuma is just awesome.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Yeah, he’s pretty cool.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Well, it’s subtle enough I don’t mind watching. I actually look forward to each episode as the story is progressively getting better.
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
Agreed, the animation is.. um, non existent for at least 50% of the time. And the rest is eye-scratching level (for me).
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
oh lawdy, it could still be 50 episodes and less draggy. Go animation only route if you don’t have enough play material and they’re that insistent on making it a 4+ cour show.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I guess they want to be as faithful to the source material as possible if they’re willing to go in with such a number of episodes.
POWUH: 600-699 and LN Enthusiast with 623 comments
Fall series carryovers are missing Gundam Build Fighters, Garo and World Trigger.
Quite an early preview. Good job guys.
Winter is always fewer than Fall and generally considered a weak season. Though that doesn’t stop me from still picking up a lot of titles. And you’ll never know when a gem will appear so I’m always optimistic.
Very much a step down from last season with only 20 prospects for me. At least there are plenty of carryovers from Fall to add to that.
On to the listing. My top picks are:
Aldnoah Zero 2: First season ended in quite a controversy and the promo picture are also stirring quite a controversy themselves. I definitely won’t want to miss this sequel, only for the shitstorm that it causes every week.
Ansatsu Kyoshitsu: I actually got to read this when it first started getting published. I’m a big fan of the manga so I was excited to see this get adapted. It was only a matter of time after all granted that it was popular and selling a lot for a manga without an adaptation. It holds the record for the 2nd highest 1st week volume sales in WSJ(1st is Bakuman). It also won some awards as well.
The director-scriptwriter combo worries me as they’re a bit of a hit or miss but we’ll see how it goes.
Dog Days”: After about 2 years of no news, we finally get to see this sequel. It’s a relaxing and fluffy show full of top notch seiyuus. That’s good enough for me. And it has kemonomimi girls of a wide variety. You can’t argue with that logic.
Durarara!!x2: After years of wishing for a sequel to this, we finally got it. Brains Base seems adamant with their ‘no sequel besides Natsume’ policy and handed this over to a new studio. Good news is that it’s the same staff and cast so there’s hardly a difference. To be honest, I like Baccano more than Durarara but this also has its charms. And it also sold better than Baccano.
Three seasons spaced one season apart is quite a great deal we’re getting so bring it on.
Jojo: The 2nd season was pretty weak compared to the first season with it going with the monster of the week format. It also did not properly developing this generation’s Jojo. Jotaro isn’t as appealing as Jonathan or Joseph. And don’t get me started on the injuries that they receive every single fight that just magically disappears at the end of the episode. Thankfully, they arrived in Egypt and are close to confront Dio. It’s apparently where Part 3 gets good so let’s see.
KanColle: To be honest, my exposure to this franchise is only through the doujins. I did do my research afterwards but didn’t decide to play the browser game. There was just so much to do to be able to play the game that I got lazy. Plus it’s in moonrunes so I give up. It’s 2nd only to Touhou in terms of doujin output so I’m curious to its popularity. I’ve already pegged on some characters I want to see(mostly the famous ones on the doujins) so let’s see what this is about.
Kuroko s3: Production IG milking this one last time before letting it go since the manga already finished. Though I got tired of it in the last stretch due to how it got over the top more than ever. The developments just left me shaking my head every week. Let’s hope we get some decent animation and music this time. 2nd season had some ups and downs with it.
Tokyo Ghoul: The manga that skyrocketed in popularity recently. My friend keeps pushing me to read the manga before the season starts and I’ll do that in a couple of days. Season left in quite a big cliffhanger that a sequel was in order. The news regarding its content is worrying but I’ll complain after I read the manga.
Others I’m picking up:
Seiken Tsukai no World Break – obligatory harem #1
Absolute Duo – obligatory harem #2 which I’ve read the source. And while I have a high tolerance to harem and ecchi series, this one surprisingly falls below my threshold. It’s below average in terms of plot and character development. Had to force myself to finish vol2 and I’m stalled at volume 3. Let’s see if the anime could do it better. Though my expectations are totally rock bottom.
Isuca
Juuou Mujin no Fafnir
Koufuku Graffiti – SHAFT
Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata
Tsukimonogatari
Rolling Girls – Wit Studio
Junketsu no Maria
Yuri Kuma Arashi
Shinmai Maō no Testament – obligatory harem #4 and definitely MetaFap. Prepare for QUALITY though with the studio involved.
Death Parade
Picking up too much, time management, real life, etc. My usual complaints. Here’s to the new season and the new year.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
At this point, calling an anime like World Trigger a carryover is an understatement because you’re going to be seeing it every week until the end of Summer 2015. ANN posted the news a few days ago. That series is 50 episodes long.
I’m not a manga reader but will issue a little heads up. The story for the first season of Tokyo Ghoul is shaky, I’ll admit but I’d recommend it despite that for the exposition on how interesting the Ghoul society is. If you’ve seen Shiki, you’ll find there’s a fair amount of similarities. Most of all, it’ll have you questioning yourself on who you want or should take sides with.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
I have said this a few times about A.Z but yeah my original hype is dead for that not because characters might have died or not! I guess the constant back and forth about Inaho V Slaine really killed things for me! Yeah everyone is allowed to like whoever they want; however it just came off as super annoying! That said I will be watching cause A.Z will be on the MechaNORN posts <3
MORE DURARARARARARA! HELL YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS I am super excited <3
JOJO yeah same as Durarara just excited for more~
Kancolle: Yeah same doujins and fanart got me curious about it and now we are getting an anime series? I don't know what it will be about, but that has me the most curious.
I will be watching all those harems anyway LOL
POWUH: Novice (36-50) with 38 comments
I’m such a bad anime fan! I haven’t watched anything in the past year. There isn’t much this season that interests me, but maybe that’s a good thing. Perhaps taking it just a few series at a time will help me get out of this burnout.
Anyway, here is my list:
Ansatsu Kyoushitsu
Durarara S2
Kamisama Hajimemashita S2
Yuri Kuma Arashi
I’m mostly excited for a new season of Durarara! I have been waiting for a sequel since it ended and I’m so happy it’s finally here~
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
I wouldn’t call you “bad”. We all have our priorities. And I think that taking just a few shows on is a great idea. And you’ve picked some goods ones.
…I’m gonna invite Kyo’s whips and chains, but I’ve yet to watch Durararararaaaaaa. Yeah….
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Heretic! Infidel! You must be punished! Someone flog this blasphemer! 😀
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Dude watch Durarara! It is a ton of fun I know you will enjoy it~
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
Hai Hai~
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
I would give it the 3 episode thing and test the waters~
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
There shouldn’t even be a need for that rule when Durarara!! is involved.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
The Coalgirls are my friends…
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
OK. I found the first episode to be really really boring. But I am hooked by the second and third….
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
Yeah, it starts out a little slow. I remember thinking, why the hell is Mikado the main character? But motorcycles are always cool. That is truth.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
The first episode felt so by the book, perfunctory. Even Celty’s action sequence was quite wan. But it really did take off like a shot with the second having more substance in five minutes than the first episode could have dreamed of. And it kept going…
POWUH: Meta Resident with 1557 comments
I didn’t (and still don’t) care that much for Mikado and Kida. But Izaya and Shizuo, and their interactions, on the other hand… that’s the good stuff.
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
Action package is full this time…still don’t care about Aldonah(it’s a horrible mecha anime…i’m a mecha freak, but even i don’t care about it)
RomCom is a bit disappointing, kind of meh…
The Outcasts…is the best, i can’t wait to see if Hirai Hisashi is going to make a masterpiece(the designers seems to be amazing, he’s my favorite designer…because he made my beloved gundam seed) or not! *0*
go Soukyuu no Fafner Dead Agressor Exodus…even if you have Athrun Zala and Millialia look-a-like as characters, Takashi Noto is a great director too.
this anime aside, there are a few others that seems interesting, kuroko(i’m a fan strangely enough, since i don’t like many sport anime’s), the little-sister-demon-anime-romance-thingy, the one with the fat guy(the name is too hard for me to remember…Yoru no Yatterman, i think), death Parade is cool too and junketsu no maria
Mini-Series…hmm, Tales of Zestiria Doushi no Yoake seems to be a good one
Ova’s? Hyakka Ryouran, Gundam and “Date a live:Encore” seems good
Movie’s…Psycho Pass is the movie of the season, no doubt and Aoki Hagane is going to be good
The List:
*Action* –
Ansatsu kyoushitsu
Durara-rarararararararararararara
JoJo
Seiken Tsukai(AKA.Seirei Tsukai version 2)
Absolute Duo(kind of meh, but i’ll watch)
Sengoku Musou
*RomCom* –
Juuou Mujin no Fafnir (Maybe)
Kamisama(what i said when i watch the entire season…i’ll still watch and see if it can change)
*Outcasts* –
Junketsu no Maria
Dead Agressor Exodus(for short)
Shinmai Maou no Keyakusha
Kuroko
Yoru no Yatterman(seems to be so funny)
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Lol damn bold statement on A.Z being horrible, but I totally understand it is not what most mecha fans what! Then again it really isn’t a true mecha in some parts since it tends to focus on the DRAMA in and in fighting between the mars peoples oh and WAR!
Hirai Hisashi is alright I liked his work on Majestic Prince but yeah I am not interested in Fafner at all cause I just don’t like the way mechs are used in that series LOL
Seems like everyone is super pumped for more Durararara! Which they should be because wow it is a ton of fun!
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
A.Z is not all bad, some parts are neat, but it just doesn’t do justice to the branch…
Personally i liked Majestic Prince, the mechas were great, the characterization was good, it fell on…well, every other aspect
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
Wow, there is like nothing out this season…
Hmm, so I guess my load will just become a bit easier this winter.
Series that I will be following:
Aldnoah.Zero 2
Ansatsu Kyoushitsu
Rolling Girls
Series that I will be continuing from Fall:
Gundam G-Reco (I might as well finish this wonky ride…)
Akatsuki no Yona
Garo (that’s a maybe, if I like what I see once I catch up in the series)
See? Not really that much. Maybe I’ll find some new things along the way, but not seeing much as of right now.
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
Well, looking at them, Binan…Love! and Death Parade do seem funny/interesting. Does anyone know if you had to have seen Death Billiards before seeing this new series? Is it a direct sequel?
POWUH: 800-899 and Mad Scientist with 814 comments
This is just my guess, but I believe they will reintroduce the concept in the tv series so you might not need to have seen the OVA. But again, I have no real info to back this up so take it with a grain of salt.
POWUH: 900-999 with 915 comments
Yeah. And it’s not like Death Billiard will take a toll on your time. It’s a half-hour episode and it’s very interesting, so if it’s needed, there won’t be any problem at all.
Also, even though there were some neat stuff in Anime Mirai, I’m guessing it’s still something obscure, even in Japan. It wouldn’t do to need to watch something that hardly anyone saw when it first aired.
POWUH: and Athenaeum Châtelaine with 2212 comments
Oh? Is that all? Well, I can watch that I guess. I thought it was a whole series, but we’ll see.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Hopefully, this season will produce enough interesting shows to carry us all the way through. Spring is already shaping up to be good.
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 110 comments
well give looking winter anime is coming yet so far i got
dog days s3 – yea did 2 seasons of it now the trilogy is in.
yoru yatterman – new story this time Doronbo gang are main leads yet yatter are baddies alright who seen maleficent movie cause seeing info so far getting vibes on it.
as others give seen durarara & kamisama kiss yet in their dub version so wait for it s2 dub version.
yet wonder IF plan to see ansatsu kyoushitsu give Funi got with dub some time later.
overall rest wait & see give got 2 summer anime to finish then fall left-overs to see if watch.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Metanorn's Hime-chan~ with 1758 comments
I’m late as always 😀
Guess what I’m looking forward the most this season??? Kuroko no Basket! <3 less than a month away, yaaayyy~ _<
And of course I will watch Durarara. That show is so nostalgic for me as well. It was the first show I ever followed episodically, and plus I started reading Metanorn around that time as well. <3 This will be such a nice season <3 Guess it's a chance to recover after that Psycho-Pass failure TT^TT