Winter Anime Season 2012 Preview

Here is the 2 most popular charts for the previews, the credits to the makers can be found on their chart:


Wow I am busy, I was suppose to start this post much earlier then I actually did. This post always by far the longest post I make. I am just so busy lately to dedicate so much time for this huge post ontop of doing so many episodic posts. I know I won't be picking up many new series with almost everything I picked last season being 2 cour. Spoiler Alert: There is nothing good this season anyways.


It'll be the same thing as last time(s). I won't include the description of anything that's Season 2, since anyone that watched it before will already know what it's about. Anyone that hasn't watched it yet will probably look for the first season before watching the second one, anyway. I have also left out the 2 webcast this season due to it never being subbed, they looked semi interesting too. Also, I am leaving out the 2 reruns.

I'd also like to mention Aaro has been extremely busy lately, hence the lack of posts. He will add his stuff later.


Natsume Yuujin-Chou Shi - Manga adaptation [trailer]
Genre: Comedy, Supernatural
Pearz' thoughts: Pretty sure Aaro loved it, didn't even bother with one episode. I'm sure Aaro will do stuff for this one.
Bern's thoughts: I haven't seen the first three, so I don't think I'm going to start now.
Djr7's thoughts: Aiding spirits who have been trapped while rest of society wants em gone. I don’t know, it could be good, but I don’t care so much for “society acceptance” type of shows, unless they are about being a bad-ass in some way or involve eerie characters and some form of violence, which I doubt this has.
Envy’s thoughts: The picture is so alluring. Haven’t watched any of this yet, but I’m sure I’ll grab it off Aaro this winter when I see him. He raves about it so and I haven’t watched anything mystical in a while.


New Prince of Tennis - Manga adaptation [trailer]
Genre: Sports, Shounen
Description:
This continues what happened in the "Prince of Tennis ", after the end of the tournament . In "The New Prince of Tennis," Ryoma and the others (team members and teams they faced) begin a new adventure when they are the only 50 middle school students to be invited to the Japanese High School Representatives Selection Camp where only the top potentials in the Japanese tennis world train.
Pearz' thoughts: Another anime I'm sure Aaro will love. I never read manga but I still know random physics bending tennis techniques they like to use. Solid No.
Bern's thoughts: I remember back in high school, a classmate loved watching this. I never got into it, so I won't be watching this.
Djr7's thoughts: Not a fan of sports based shows
Envy’s thoughts: I loved the first half of PoT (sigh, Fuji!), after which it became expoentially ridiculous. I have read bits and pieces of NewPoT and will be following this. I can’t pass up the opportunity to reminisce on the glorious crack that was the PoT fandom “back in the day”.


Milky Holmes 2 - Anime Original [trailer]
Genre: Comedy
Pearz' thoughts: God, more second season stuff, so many this season... zzzzzzzzz
Bern's thoughts: Didn't watch the first season, so I won't be watching this.
Envy’s thoughts: It seems to be the sugary, moe, disappointing shojo love child of Sailor Moon and Tantei Gakuen Q. I won’t touch this unless I’m morbidly bored and looking to kill time.


Recorder to Randoseru - 4 Koma adaptation [trailer]
Genre: Slice of life, Comedy
Description: Miyagawa Atsushi is an 11-year-old boy. Since he is 180 centimeters tall and has a grown-up looking build, he has always been running into troubles. On the other hand, his 17-year-old elder sister Atsumi is only 137 centimeters tall and has a childish looking build. Atsumi takes good care of Atsushi, who acts his true age.
Pearz' thoughts: Seems too slice of boring life for my taste.
Bern's thoughts: After watching so much anime, I know Japan can make anyone into a little girl. But after looking at the character design of the 11-year-old boy, I was quite taken aback. I doubt I'll be watching this though, since I generally don't watch yonkoma adaptions.
Djr7's thoughts: It seems like a dumb idea to me, just thinking about it makes me want to steer clear of it.
Envy’s thoughts: I’ll watch this because slice of life is a favorite genre. It doesn’t sound like a rehashed plot or character set for anything I’ve seen.


High School DxD - Light novel adaptation [trailer]
Genre: Ecchi, Comedy, Fantasy Harem, School Life
Description:
The story follows Issei Hyodo, a dim-witted, lecherous second-year high school student who is killed by a girl on his first date ever. Issei is reincarnated as a devil, and from that day forward, he serves as an underling of Riasu, a high-level devil who is also the prettiest girl on Issei's campus.
Pearz' thoughts: Oh god that was a painful trailer to watch. It is like Qwaser - some ecchi + shit = High school DxD. Do not want.
Bern's thoughts: This has the makings of your generic supernatural action harem anime. Reading the first two chapters of the manga helped me solidify that sentiment. The character designs sort of remind me of Ichiban Ushiro no Dai Maou.
Djr7 thoughts: Looks like Rosario Vampire, but with more action. Good chance ill watch it if not right away, I sometimes find some enjoyment in these types of shows, but rarely if the characters are flat.
Envy’s thoughts: This will be my Maken-ki of the season. How much I’ll watch it will depend on how much time I have to waste on typical harem amusement.
OkamiSan's thoughts: Read the two available manga chapters. It was...Interesting.


Area no Kishi - Manga adaptation [trailer]
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Shounen, Sports
Description:
Believing himself to be useless at football, Aizawa Kakeru opts to become the manager of his school's football team, while his brother Suguru is its ace, and is even good enough to represent Japan. However, Kakeru may be harbouring a strong talent within himself that only Suguru can see, and the two often get into arguments over Kakeru's denial of his skills. Things are made more complicated with the return of Seven, an old playmate of theirs that Kakeru has a crush on. Join the brothers in their journey to the national and even international championships!
Pearz' Thoughts: More sports stuff! I hate sports anime because I hate sports. Not because I am bad at them, but because it reminds me of a time I could go outside and frolic about! That is a lie, I am just bias towards sports anime because they butcher the shit out of the sport for no reason.
Bern's thoughts: I'm usually okay with sports anime, the ones I usually like don't have sports as their main focus, such as Cross Game and One Outs. I followed Giant Killing, but things are always different with high school students. Not sure if I'll be watching this.
Djr7's thoughts: Same thing with Prince of Tennis, I will not be watching it.
Envy’s thoughts: Sports...brothers...unrequited love... this type of stuff is usually right up my alley. I tend to like sports anime quite a lot and haven’t watched one in a long time. Although I may wait till the season ends, I’ll watch this. I surmise it’ll be a rehash of Touch, but I’m hoping against the odds. I will probably also be thoroughly disappointed from the lack of Hiruma. Ah~ Hiruma. <3


Zero no Tsukaima F - Light novel adaptation [Trailer]
Genre: Tsundere, Shounen, Fantasy
Pearz' Thoughts: I think they meant F as in final but I can only think F for fail. More crazy tsunderes that I do not want to see.
Bern's thoughts: As was with Shana, I watched this ages ago, and I don't remember anything that happened. I'll probably check out the first episode to gauge how much I can remember, but it's likely I'll just drop it like I did Shana.
Djr7's thoughts: I watched the first episode of the first season and haven’t gone back to it.
Envy’s thoughts: Not in the foreseeable future.
OkamiSan's thoughts: Yes!! Finnally!! Gonna love this one.


Poyopoyo Kansatsu Nikki - 4 koma adaptation [trailer]
Genre: Slice of Life
Description:
A slice of life anime about the Sato family, who keeps a round shaped cat named "Poyo".
Pearz' thoughts: Sounds ridiculously boring. Unless the cat is spherical for tons of physics jokes, I doubt that would sell though. Even then, that would only be funny for one episode. Another one that will not even get one episode.
Bern's thoughts: I'm with Pearz; it sounds boring. Another yonkoma adaption I won't be watching.
Djr7's thoughts: No.
Envy’s thoughts: This is like an anime spin-off of the adventures of the momoneko from Tamyura. I will watch it just for the cute; unless it is boring fail. Then I will still watch it to emo over the wasted potential of cute.
OkamiSan’s thoughts: The neko in Mashiro-Iro Symphony was way cuter.


Daily Lives of High School Boys (Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou) - Manga adaptation [trailer]
Genre: Slice of Life
Description:
High school boys are really simple and curious creatures. They want one and only one thing: girls. But they haven’t got a clue about them. Male teenagers are dumbfounded by the girls’ thought process, actions, appearance and everything in between. They spend countless hours amongst themselves discussing and arguing their theories which are usually completely off base. If only they had the courage to ask them instead of screwing around and talking about nonsensical things, they might get somewhere.
Pearz' thoughts: Sounds like it could be funny. The have set themselves up nicely for some good humour.
Bern's thoughts: I watched the first four "previews." It's pretty much a gag comedy, which can really be hit or miss. I might watch this, since I found a few of those skits funny.
Djr7's thoughts: It could be interesting, it could also be a waste of time. I will probably never check it out unless someone says its worth the watch.
Envy’s thoughts: Ah, this is one I do not need to have thoughts on. Aaro will likely watch this because it’s another “all boys” series and he loved Kimi to Boku so very much. I’ll get a play-by-play and if it sounds good (or if Aaro won’t stop flailing unless I watch it) I will pick it up. If not, it’s fate will lie with my boredom. I love not having to think.




Another - Novel adaptation [Trailer]
Genre: Mystery, Horror
Description:
26 years ago, in a third-year classroom of a middle school, there was a student named Misaki. As an honors student who was also good at sports, the charming girl was popular with her classmates. When she suddenly died, her classmates decided to carry on as if she was still alive until graduation. Then, in the spring of 1998, a boy named Sakakibara Kouichi transfers to that classroom, and he grows suspicious of the fearful atmosphere in that classroom. In particular, there is a beautiful, aloof girl named Mei Misaki who wears an eyepatch and is always alone drawing pictures.
Pearz' thoughts: I am generally a fan of PA works, 1 of 2 studios I care about. The premise and genre are definitely to my liking. 1 of 2 shows I am definitely following this season.
Bern's thoughts: After watching the trailer, I felt that the atmosphere and the color palette used really were effective. This is definitely one of my more anticipated shows of the season; I hope it doesn't disappoint.
Djr7's thoughts: Very mysterious and eerie, definitely promising. I’m looking forward to this one to satisfy my psychological thrills.
Envy’s thoughts: I saw mystery and thought “yes!”
OkamiSan’s thoughts: Please save this season!


Rinne no Lagrange - Anime original [Trailer]
Genre: Mecha, Comedy
Description:
Kyono Madoka is a 17-year-old girl, who loves her home town Kamogawa and likes to help people in trouble. She rides a robot called Woks in her jersey wear and fights against aliens.
Pearz' thoughts: Being anime original and mecha based does peak my interest. I doubt it will be any good but worth a shot when it is anime original.
Bern's thoughts: I generally avoid mecha and all-female casts, so I doubt I'll be watching this.
Djr7's thoughts: Looks like a girly happy version of Evangelion. Might watch first episode.
Envy’s thoughts: I’ll eventually watch this, the way I eventually watched Mai-Hime.


Black Rock Shooter - Anime Original (based off a song) [Trailer]
Genre: Action, Drama, School, Slice of Life
Description:
Special Black Rocks are shot from guns in crazy poses in a way no one will ever understand. No seriously, I have no description for this cause no one has any idea wtf this will be about, heck the OVA was just a jumble of random scenes together.
Pearz' thoughts: I found the OVA pretty nonsensical but I know Djr loved it. I'll probably watch it jsut to see if it gets better but leave it for Djr for blogging.
Bern's thoughts: I didn't watch the OVA, and I'm not an avid listener of Japanese music. I don't think I'll be watching this.
Djr7's thoughts: YES! this is my most anticipated show for next season, I really enjoyed the movie and there’s a good chance I’ll pick this up for posting if it’s as good as the movie.
Envy’s thoughts: Drama and Slice of Life rarely mix. I do not like descriptions that lie. I will likely peruse through a few episodes to haughtily mock the fail of what seems like an unplanned plot peacocking as drama-slice of life.
OkamiSan’s thoughts: Didn’t watch the movie but I heard its got bad reviews. The only thing its got going for itself was the visuals and design. The movie got too much unnecessary publicity but I’ll see how the series goes...




Amagami SS+  - Visual novel adaptaion [trailer]
Genre: Harem, Slice of Life
Pearz' thoughts: I thought they went through all the girls already? How is there a second season? I couldn't finish the first season after the whole "each girl has a sensitive spot I have to kiss repeatedly" moment. Combined with the absolute fail main character made things very brutal. Maybe if I finished the first season first.
Bern's thoughts: I watched the first season, but I have no idea how they can make a sequel since they kind of did small epilogues at the end of each girl.
Djr7's thoughts: Nothing interesting from what I can see.
Envy’s thoughts: Not right away, but probably eventually. My goal is to watch all things slice of life eventually.
OkamiSan's thoughts: Why’d they even bother. Guess there are a lot of guys in Japan that support such a generic theme. Then again, I’ll probably watch this to kill some time just like Mashiro-Iro Symphony.



Kill Me Baby - 4 koma adaptaion [Trailer]
Genre: Comedy, Slice of life
Description:
Follows the comedic life of a typical school girl Yasuna and her assassin classmate Sonya. Sonya's attempt to fit in often fails when her natural assassin instincts kick in and Yasuna's attempt to be more friendly with Sonya often gets her hurt or intimidated.
Pearz' thoughts: I tried picking up this manga a while back. I just can't get into 4-koma style anime, they are just too disjunct for me. I need a flowing plot.
Bern thoughts: After watching the PV, I can't imagine myself watching this.
Djr7's thoughts: It might resemble Mayo Chiki, so it’s a possible decent humor to watch.
Envy’s thoughts: Sounds cute and funny. I’ll watch it.



Mouretsu Pirates - Light novel adaptation [trailer]
Genre: Fantasy, Space
Description:
The story centers around a spirited high school girl named Marika. She keeps herself busy with the space yacht club and her part-time job at a high-class retro café. One day, two men suddenly appear and claim to be subordinates of her dead father. They demand that she assume command of the space pirate ship Benten Maru. A privateer ship's compact was made during a war of independence a century ago, and according to that compact, the ship must be inherited by the captain's next direct descendant. Marika finds herself embarking on a new life as a space pirate.
Pearz' thoughts: It didn't look any good from first glance but the trailer changed things. It is looking pretty good, I have a good feeling about this show.
Bern thoughts: I'm not too sure about this. The only space opera I've seen is Cowboy Bebop, so I might check this out to look more into the genre.
Djr7's thoughts: Yarrr I’m a pirate.
Envy’s thoughts: I’m getting flavours of treasure planet. I’ll file this for when I’m in the mood for vicarious adventure.


Inu x Boku SS (Youko x Boku SS)- Manga adaptation [trailer]
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Shoujo, Supernatural
Description:
The Shirakiin house's daughter, Shirakiin Riricho, who has a complex about being unable to live independently and unprotected, feels the need to move out and live on her own under the condition of residing in the mansion named "Ayakashi Kan." In this mansion, only those who have cleared a very strict examination could reside in it, and for each resident, they are accompanied with one agent of the Secret Service (S.S.). Although Riricho has rejected the company of the S.S., while residing in the mansion she finds out that the agent dedicated to protecting her is actually the Fox Spirit whom she previously rescued.
Pearz' thoughts: Flipped through the first 2 chapters so I have a very vague idea what it was about. It seemed mildly interesting, I'll give it a shot.
Bern's thoughts: I usually say "no" to anything shoujo, so this is will probably receive the same verdict.
Djr7's thoughts: Really not sure what to think at this point, it looks interesting so I may give it a chance.
Envy’s thoughts: I’ll watch it end season probably. Following shojo week-to-week makes my teeth grind.
OkamiSan’s thoughts: Though its shoujo, I’ll see how this ends up being...


Papa no Iukoto o Kikinasai! - Light novel adaptation [trailer]
Genre: Comedy, Ecchi, Harem
Description:
The story explains the day-to-day of a college freshman just starting a new life in the School of Literature Department of Tama University. While he grew up with his sister, he left and lived by himself when she got married who had two daughters from a previous marriage. He tried to distance himself from that family was the reason that the moved out to live on his own. About 3 years later he was asked by his sister to visit and babysit the girls which suddenly turned his life upside down when a plane ride with which the girls' parents went missing. He now has to live with three daughters of his sister; with which two (from a previous marriage) are not related by blood: a tsundere (14 years), a little demon (10 years) and a small girl (3 years). In a six tatami mat size room.
Pearz' thoughts: Well, here is some staple ecchi, I read 2 chapters of the manga. Nothing like a small room with 3 different lolis for lots misunderstandings. I'll give it a chance I guess since I got so far in the manga.
Bern's thoughts: I think I've read up to the scanlated chapters, which means it kept my interest. I'll probably check this out.
Djr7's thoughts: I’ll have to wait and see what other’s say about it, it will either be pretty funny or just a silly idea.
Envy’s thoughts: I can afford only one of this genre per season and since High School DxD was first on the list it will get watched unless I hear about this in my non-ecchi channels.


Brave 10 - Manga adaptation [Trailer]
Genre: Action, Adventure, Ecchi, Historical, Seinen
Description:
The main protagonist is a Iga ninja named Saizou, who meets an Izumo priestess and protects her on her short journey to Sanada Yukimaru. Sanada Yukimaru is a powerful warlord in the Sengoku era. Sanada wants to gather 10 warriors, a party unrivaled in skill and power, to set his still secret plan into action.
Pearz' thoughts: Seems nice and action based. Might give it a watch to see how well animated the battles are.
Bern's thoughts: Even though the ecchi tag is there, for some reason I got fujoshi bait vibes from watching the trailer. I haven't watched an action adventure anime in a long time; I might watch this. 
Djr7's thoughts: This actually interests me, if the characters have some depth then I might do weekly.
Envy’s thoughts: I will watch it, likely at end season. I surmise the ecchi will be along the lines of GetBackers where Hevn’s humps and lumps would get loads of scandalous screentime. That sort of interjected ecchi is funny.
OkamiSan’s thoughts: The pic and the trailer just give two very different vibes. Never the less it’s a battle series...



Aquarion EVOL - Anime original [Trailer]
Genre: Mecha, Romance
Description:
The story will take place 12,000 years after the first Aquarion television series at a city modeled after Hong Kong. A new cast of characters, piloting a new Aquarion robot, will fight enemies from another dimension.
Pearz' Thoughts: I heard good things about Aquarion but I still think I should always watch shows in sequence.
Bern's thoughts: Even though this doesn't look like a direct sequel to the first one, I don't think I'll be watching this because I haven't watched the first.
Djr7's thoughts: It looks pretty good, I will definitely watch the first episode then see if it captures my attention and holds a spot to post about.
Envy’s thoughts: No. I tend not to get sucked into mecha frans like Gundam.
OkamiSan's thoughts: Watched the first season, was VERY weird. But since this one’s not really a sequel I’ll give it a chance. I just hope they don’t get the same director from the first series....


Senhime Zesshou Symphogear - Anime original [trailer]
Genre: Action, Music, Supernatural
Description:
Humans have been menaced by mysterious monsters called "Designated Aberrant Disaster: Noise". Tsubasa and Kanade are a popular vocal unit "Twei Wing". They wear the new weapon "Symphogear" and fight against Noise to save the earth
Pearz' thoughts: Not much info about this one yet, but it seems interesting. Look forward to watching where this is going.
Bern's thoughts: I'm not really a fan of music anime, nor a fan of all-female casts. I think the only thing close to a music anime I've watched is Macross Frontier. I don't think I'll be watching this.
Djr7's thoughts: Fight enemies and save the earth, sounds cheesy, but I think they do it by singing? It seems weird but weird enough to watch.
Envy’s thoughts: ...lol.


Nisemonogatari - Light novel adaption [Trailer]
Genre: Slice of life, Comedy, Supernatural
Pearz' thoughts: I been waiting for this one ever since it was announced. I loved Bakemonogatari and can't wait to see the sisters in action.
Bern's thoughts: This is probably my most anticipated show of the season because Bakemonogatari is one of my all-time favorites. A must watch for me.
Djr7's thoughts: I loved Bakemonogatari, totally looking forward to this.
Envy’s thoughts: OH NOES! I haven’t finished waching Bakemonogatari yet. T^T Winter project. Oh, I’ll watch at season’s end.
OkamiSan's thoughts: Dibs! Bakenomogatari was a fantasic series. The way they made the seires was very... unique. Looking forward to this. I wonder how fans would react to their new hair styles though...


Ano Natsu de Matteru - Anime original [Trailer]
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Description: 
Onegai Teacher/Onegai Twins story creator Yousuke Kuroda and Onegai franchise character designer Taraku Uon are collaborating on a new original anime called Ano Natsu de Matteru. The anime will be an adolescent romantic comedy. The three main characters are the two girls Ichika Takatsuki and Remon Yamano, and the boy Kaito Kirishima. (seriously can't find a better descrip D:)
Pearz' thoughts: I'll give it a try since it has some big name people, not much hope though.
Bern's thoughts: I'll probably be watching this for my romcom fix this season. The only thing that I'm skeptical about is that it's produced by JC Staff.
Djr7's thoughts: For any romance comedy show the animation and art style somehow has an impact on whether I like the show or not, but yea not really digging the art style so I probably wont bother watching.
Envy’s thoughts: Uh....
OkamiSan's thoughts: Great art style...watching.




Gokujyo - Manga adaptation [trailer]
Genre: Comedy, Ecchi, School Life
Description: 
A story about the humorous misadventures of Akabane Aya, an arrogant high school girl who's constantly trying to outdo her classmates in everything (especially sex appeal), only to make a fool of herself in the process. Since the story takes place in an all-girls school, expect lots of yuri fanservice innuendos without much seriousness.
Pearz' thoughts: I looked through first chapter, not even hiding this is nothing but an ecchi manga... At least try?
Bern's thoughts: Flipped through a couple pages of the manga, it's not my cup of tea.
Djr7's thoughts: No idea what to think.
Envy’s thoughts: I’ll eventually have to get to it since it is slice of life, but I’m not waiting with bated breath for that day.


Smile Precure! - Anime original [trailer]
Genre: Magic girls, Action
Pearz' thoughts: WAYYY too long running series to pick up. I have too much backlog as it is...
Bern's thoughts: Not a big fan of magical girl series, and I haven't seen any of the previous ones, so I won't be watching this.
Djr7's thoughts: Wtf?
Envy’s thoughts: I like to think I’m too old for Sailor Moon type stories.

So final list of anime I am interested in, much shorter then any other season:
Mouretsu Pirates
Papa no Iukoto o Kikinasai!
Nisemonogatari
Another

Things I have semi hope for:
Rinne no Lagrange
Black Rock Shooter
Brave 10
Ano Natsu de Matteru
Senhime Zesshou Symphogear
Inu x Boku SS

Hopefully it won't be to much of a disappointing season.

~Pearz