Spring Anime Season 2013 Preview


Spring is here, and so is our overview of what is being aired this season!









Brains Base
Genre: Comedy, Romance, School
Description: The story revolves around an antisocial high school student named Hachiman Hikigaya with a distorted view on life and no friends or girlfriends. When he sees his classmates talking excitedly about living their adolescent lives, he mutters, “They’re a bunch of liars.” When he is asked about his future, he responds, “Not working.” A teacher gets Hachiman to join the volunteer “service club,” which happens to have the school’s prettiest girl Yukino Yukinoshita.
Bern's Thoughts: I read the available chapters, and saw the first episode as well. I think I'll keep following this.
Djr7's Thoughts: I’m always drawn in by the antisocial and twisted characters. Chances are I will be picking this up and perhaps make weekly posts on it if it’s any good.  
Pearz' Thoughts: I read a few chapters of this, probably follow it a bit and see how it goes.
Ouros’ Thoughts: Read a couple chapters of the manga adaption, enjoyed the comedy in it. Will check this one out.




Otona Joshi no Anime Time - Short Story Adaption


The Answer Studio Co.
Genre: Drama, Slice of Life, Josei
Description: A program to present stories for women. Its first installment deals with a woman returning from America to her hometown for the first time in five years with her four year old son and pondering what could have been and the man she could have been with.  
Bern's Thoughts:
Djr7's Thoughts: Meh, I don’t think i’ll be watching this, sounds like it might just be a lame attempt of a gender specific set of stories.
Pearz' Thoughts: Nope
Ouros’ Thoughts: Already finished, only four episodes. Rare chance of me watching this, doesn’t really grabs my attention. Probably because they’re “stories for women.”










P.A. Works
Genre: Fantasy, School Life, Thriller, Seinen
Description: The story revolves around Izumiko Suzuhara, a girl raised within the confines of Tamakura Shrine, one of the Kumano shrines that are part of a World Heritage site. However, after Izumiko spent practically her entire life at Kumano until middle school it was decided that she and her childhood friend Miyuki would enroll in Houjou High School in Tokyo. On a school trip to Tokyo, a mysterious entity known as Himegami appears and a terrible accident occurs. Izumiko’s family carries a great secret that Izumiko is about to learn.  
Bern's Thoughts:
Djr7's Thoughts: Promising, I will be checking this one out, but it will either come down to how deep these characters are or if it the “secret” is well delivered, plenty of shows that tease some sort of “surprise” or “secret” end up being poorly delivered or no one actually cares.
Pearz' Thoughts: From the description, I wasn't planning on watch it. I do love PA works for having the best quality, not going to drop a PA works now!
Ouros’ Thoughts: Several pre-release episodes already out by FFFpeeps and Commie. Haven’t gotten to them yet, but will probably give this one a watch.




AIC PLUS+
Genre: Mecha, Romance, Sci-Fi, Shounen
Description: In the story, a boy named Sido (Shidou) Itsuka meets a spirit girl who has been rejected by a devastated word. The girl, who Sido names “Tohka,” happens to have wiped out much of humanity 30 years ago, and now she is back. The only way to stop her is to date her.
Bern's Thoughts:
Djr7's Thoughts: This sounds amazing, the idea itself could be very funny, I will definitely check this one out, the description alone makes me laugh.
Pearz' Thoughts: As terrible as this will probably be, I will watch it. Gotta keep up with the main stream stuff.
Ouros’ Thoughts: Don’t really watch this kind of stuff. I’ll have to hear from what people say about this show later on before deciding to watch this.



Karneval - Manga Adaption 

Mangaglobe
Genre: Action, Mystery, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Shoujo
Description: Nai searches for someone important to him, with only an abandoned bracelet as a clue. Gareki steals and pick-pockets to get by from day to day. The two meet in a strange mansion where they are set-up, and soon become wanted criminals by military security operatives. When Nai and Gareki find themselves desperate in a hopeless predicament, they encounter none other than the country’s most powerful defense organization, “Circus”.
The Circus is a Defense organization that works for the government. They perform raids to capture criminals and solve crimes that the Security force otherwise cannot handle. After their raids, they put on shows as an apology for scaring the citizens. Their group consists of the strongest, most capable fighters that use a special type of bracelet, knows as Circus I.D., to fight.
Bern's Thoughts:
Djr7's Thoughts: I’m a little on the fence about this one, the long description makes it sound like it might be trying to hard but I will have to see it and judge it then. The art style irks me slightly, I’m not sure why but overall I’m not expecting much.
Pearz' Thoughts: Glanced over it and didn't really look like I would enjoy it.
Ouros’ Thoughts: I don't know about this show.. it feels like it has potential. Probably won’t pick this up right away.




Studio Gokumi
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Romance, Seinen
Description: The story revolves around Kiri Haimura, a boy who loves to cut girls’ hair. He happens to meet Iwai Mushanokouji, a girl with long, beautiful hair who is known as the “Queen of Hair.” Her hair has been cursed to be forever uncuttable, but Kiri happens to have “Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge” - scissors that have the mystical ability to cut her cursed hair. Kiri finds himself protecting Iwai from descendants of murderers wielding “Killing Goods.”
Bern's Thoughts:
Djr7's Thoughts: I recall hearing about this show awhile back, it sounds interesting and I will be taking a look at it but I’m not too sure what to expect. I am curious to see how they present the murderous, whether they are trying to murder the girl or just her hair is what confuses me.
Pearz' Thoughts: Seemed kind of interested but alas, I will not be watching it based on the genre tags.
Ouros’ Thoughts: From the synopsis, the show seems pretty weird. But, you know you can’t judge a book by its cover. I’ll have to hear what people say about this show before deciding.



Madhouse Studios
Genre: Romance, School
Description: The story is about an ordinary second-year high schooler named Kazuya Maeda who gets a single-lens reflex camera at the end of summer vacation. He begins taking pictures of the girls at his school, and the photos may lead to romance.
Bern's Thoughts:
Djr7's Thoughts: Totally watching this, camera pictures that lead to romance, it is so ridiculous that I shall watch it.
Pearz' Thoughts: I never was into cameras, I just use my phone to snap pictures, this will mean nothing to me.
Ouros’ Thoughts: Adaption from dating sim, most likely going to this one a try. Probably won’t like it if they the “dating sim” element.




White Fox
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Shounen
Description: In another dimension, the Devil King Sadao is only one step away from conquering the world when he is beaten by Hero Emilia and forced to drift to the other world: modern-day Tokyo. As “conquering the world” are the only skills the Devil King possesses - and are obviously unnecessary in his new situation - he must work as a freeter to pay for this living expenses.
Bern's Thoughts: I watched the first episode and found it quite funny. This also read the available chapters afterwards. I want more.
Djr7's Thoughts: White Fox oh yea! To be honest it seems like we get a show about this whole “dropping into modern day Japan from some alternate dimension” every year, so unless this is actually funny and not about how Sadao adapts to modern day Tokyo then maybe I’ll give it a shot.
Pearz' Thoughts: What is with all the demon lords lately? Seems a bit too over the top, don't think I will watch this.
Ouros’ Thoughts: Maybe.. only thing convincing me to watch this is that it’s by White Fox.







Dogakobo / Orange
Genre: Action, Mecha, School, Sci-Fi, Seinen
Description: The story follows humanity after it expanded its frontier into space in a quest for resources. Advances in genetic engineering research allow humans to adapt to the new frontier, leading to the advent of evolved children such as the protagonist Izuru. Izuru enrolls in an academy city called Gurantseere to fulfill his mission of “protecting humanity” with robotic mecha.
Bern's Thoughts:
Djr7's Thoughts: Protecting humanity with mecha, seriously, do we really need more of these types of shows? It does sound interesting with the whole leaving earth to expand its frontier, so I might watch it just to see what the show is about, but the whole mecha and saving earth and whatnot is a little annoying to hear.
Pearz' Thoughts: I think my time is too limited, need to cut back on yet another show.
Ouros’ Thoughts: Seems interesting, I’ll check this one out. And the producers of Gj-Bu, Dogakobo, is making this.. how could I say no? (I know its a completely different genre, I just really really like Gj-Bu)



Aku no Hana - Manga Adaption

Zexcs
Genre: Drama, Romance, School, Psychological
Description: The “corrupt pure-love story” revolves around Takao Kasuga, a bookish boy who loves the poems of Charles Baudelaire (the original author of the poetry collection Les Fleurs du mal, or Flowers of Evil). One day after school, he discovers and steals the gym clothes of Nanako Saeki, the girl he has a crush on. However, he learns that Sawa Nakamura, a girl he loathes, happens to catch him in the act. Nakamura blackmails Kasuga into a “contract,” or else she will reveal his secret.
Bern's Thoughts: I read the first 10 chapters or so long ago, but ended up dropping the manga. I'm not gonna watch this. This anime is rotoscoped by the way.
Djr7's Thoughts: Love psychological shows, and this one definitely seems like Nakamura will be the central character of my focus for the show. Will be picking this one up with hopes of covering it.
Pearz' Thoughts: The most talked about one. I will probably jsut pick up the manga for this one.
Ouros’ Thoughts: Psychological.. I’ll check this out. And from the synopsis, it seems pretty interesting




Bridge
Genre: Supernatural
Description: The setting of Devil Survivor 2 spans the whole county of Japan. It tells the story of Japanese high school students who received an email from a website foretelling deaths. Mysterious creatures invade the country, and the students enter a pact, enabling them to summon demons. They plot may unfold differently depending on the player’s actions.
Bern's Thoughts:
Djr7's Thoughts: I’m not too sure but I think I’ll just give in and watch it. I still haven't beaten the first Devil Survivor game but I do enjoy it’s story, the description is identical so it should be a great show to watch.
Pearz' Thoughts: I loved the game, see how well they do the adaptation.
Ouros’ Thoughts: Don’t know much about the games, will have to hear other’s opinions.



Arms
Genre: Action, Comedy, Ecchi, Romance, School
Description: The story takes place in Japan in the early 21st century in an alternate reality where the Tokugawa Shogunate has remained in power. In this reality, student councils are tasked with oppressing schools. Yagyuu Muneakira is a hig school student who rebels against his student council with the help of girls who’ve had the names of famous samurai heroes passed on to them.
Bern's Thoughts: I actually watched first season, but I don't really have interest in it anymore.
Djr7's Thoughts: I watched the first season and I enjoyed the humour, the one thing I really liked was the ink added to the art style, I will be watching this and if its half decent I might write about it.
Pearz' Thoughts: Not sure why I dropped first season, one day maybe if I pick up the first season.
Ouros’ Thoughts: Didn’t watch first season. So no.




A-1 Pictures
Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life, Seinen
Description: Sequel to the Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai TV series. Living on the shadow of his prodigious younger sister, Kyousuke Kosaka conducts a normal lifestyle until he accidentally finds out that shes hides a secret. In addition to being smart, pretty, and popular; Kirino Kosaka is also is also an obsessive consumer of anime and eroge. After being assured that Kyousuke is committed to not mock her and keep this concealed from their parents, she starts to share a bit of her world with him.
Bern's Thoughts: I enjoyed watching the first season for the most part, sans some of the drama. I always felt that this anime was very well produced, so I'll keep watching this. I don't have any particular bias on which girl I want to "win," so I just want to see what ends up happening
Djr7's Thoughts: i haven’t seen the first season but I know I need to get around and do that.
Pearz' Thoughts: I hate every minute of it, but I will watch it anyways to fit in.
Ouros’ Thoughts: Enjoyed the first season, will watch the second.




Gonzo
Genre: Fantasy
Description: Meteorites suddenly bring forth evil creatures that threaten all living things on the planet. The fairy Syrup assembles the Aquafall Defence Force, with three girls of the dragon clans as recruits. The story follows Syrup and the dragon girls Leviathan, Bahamut, and Jormungandr as they work together to battle enemies and grow up.
Bern's Thoughts:
Djr7's Thoughts: Yeah I’m really not sure, maybe if I find myself bored one day I’ll take a look but I doubt I’ll pick it up unless someone says anything good about it.
Pearz' Thoughts: Dragon girls, sign me up!
Ouros’ Thoughts: Idk, maybe.. need other’s opinion.




Wit Studio
Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy
Description: Eren Jaeger lives in a city surrounded by monolithic walls. Outside dwell human murdering Titans.  For decades members of the Scouting Legion have been the only humans who dared to leave the safety of the walls and gather information on the Titans. Every time they return, many of them are dead. Freedom loving Eren has no greater wish than to join them.
Bern's Thoughts: This is probably one of the more hyped shows of the season. The trailer also looked pretty good. I'll check this out.
Djr7's Thoughts: This sounds quite awesome, I will definitely check it out and I do have high hopes.
Pearz' Thoughts: Sounds interesting I will give this the 1 episode test run.
Ouros’ Thoughts:




Xebec
Genre: Comedy, Parody, Sci-Fi
Description: Sequel to the Haiyore! Nyaruko-san TV series. The story centers around Nyaruko, a formless Cthulhu deity who can take on the shape of a seemingly ordinary silver-haired girl. Mahiro Yasaka is a normal high school boy who is chased by aliens one night, until Nyaruko saves him.
Bern's Thoughts: I didn't watch the first season, so I won't be watching this.
Djr7's Thoughts: I loved the first season, its basically a mocking of other shows with pure comedy and wacky twists. Definitely going to watch this.
Pearz' Thoughts: I wish I watched the first season, but alas the stars failed to align.
Ouros’ Thoughts: Didn’t watch the first season. So no.




Xebec / AIC
Genre: Sci-Fi
Description: The year is 2199. The human race has been crushed in their war with the Gamilos, driven into underground cities buy the invader’s assault. Scientists estimate they have only a year left. The young officer Susumu Kodai and Daisuke Shima receive a mysterious capsule from a ship that made an emergency landing on Mars and return with it to Earth. It contains humanity’s last hope: the planet Iscandar on the other side of the Magellan Galaxy has the technology to defeat Gamilos and restore the planet. The space battleship Yamato is entrusted with this task, but they have only one year before humanity ends.
Bern's Thoughts:
Djr7's Thoughts: My friend tells me this is a decent show so I think I will look into it more and watch it.
Pearz' Thoughts: Nope.
Ouros’ Thoughts: Interesting.. I’ll check this one out




Satelight / JM Animation
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Shounen
Description: In a mythical world where humans and gods co-exist, Arata has the unfortunate honor of being the successor to the matriarchal Hime Clan. This means he has to pretend to be a girl or face death if his true gender is discovered. On the day of his inauguration, an assassination plot forces him to flee and somehow winds up in modern-day Japan. Meanwhile, a boy name Arata Hinohara gets sucked into the first Arata’s world and finds himself dealing with people after his life.
Bern's Thoughts:
Djr7's Thoughts: No idea, I think too many other shows will take up my time so I doubt i will bother checking this one out, I’m not a big fan of the whole dropping in and out of dimensions thing.
Pearz' Thoughts: Maybe see if it gets lucky that I watch an episode.
Ouros’ Thoughts: I don’t mind gender benders.. but I really don’t know what to say about this. Not sure if I’ll be watching this one.




Kinema Citrus
Genre: Comedy, School, Seinen
Description: The story follows the school life of three girls in the data processing club, Yuzuko, Yukari, and Yui.
Bern's Thoughts:
Djr7's Thoughts: I’ll take a look at it, I do enjoy some mindless comedy shows on the side.
Pearz' Thoughts: I hate these type of shows.
Ouros’ Thoughts: If I have the time, maybe.




LINDENFILMS
Genre: Comedy, School, Slice of Life, Shounen
Description: The story centers around Amays, Iwasawa, and Uehara - three “annoying, spirited high school girls with zero motivation” - and their classmates. Their daily life is “what happens when there is nothing happening?”
Bern's Thoughts:
Djr7's Thoughts: I might look into it and see if it’s any good. It will probably take a backseat to everything i want to watch.
Pearz' Thoughts: See above.
Ouros’ Thoughts: Probably not. But theres a small chance that I’ll watch



Kakumeiki Valvrave - Original Work

Sunrise
Genre: Mecha
Description: The story is set in an era when 70% of the human race lives in space due to the development of space cities. between two major powers - the Dorushia Military pact Federation and the Atlantic Ring United States (ARUS) - there is a small neutral nation called Jiouru that has prospered economically. The protagonist Haruto Tokishima, a high school student who lives in Jiouru, encounters the mysterious humanoid weapon “Valvrave” when the Dorushi army invades.
Bern's Thoughts:
Djr7's Thoughts: Original series is always interesting to see, but this practically resembles Gundam so I remain skeptical.
Pearz' Thoughts: Well sunrise is known for Mecha. Guess I can give it a chance.
Ouros’ Thoughts: Can’t really say no to an original series... well except for GC.




J.C. Staff
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Shounen
Description: Sequel to the Toaru Kagaku no Railgun TV series. The story will follow the Sisters arc from the source material. Academy City is a highly developed place in terms of technology. The focus of studies here is directed towards esper powers. Misaka Mikoto, one of the top level espers in town shares a room with Kuroko Shirai, another high level esper who is a member of Judgment, a law enforcing agency composed of students.
Bern's Thoughts: I watched Index, but never saw any Railgun. I don't think I'll be watching this.
Djr7's Thoughts: Oh man, I really should finish watching the rest of index and Railgun before I watch this. I’m so backlogged as it is with older shows I find it hard returning to them.
Pearz' Thoughts: I watched railgun and found it decent, then index was crap and I dropped everything else about this. I occassional pick up the manga to raed a chapter or 2 to see if they ever anounce the rest of the level 5s...
Ouros’ Thoughts: Watched some of Toaru Kagaku’s seasons but never followed the Railgun Arc... so no.





J.C. Staff
Genre: Comedy, Romance, School, Seinen
Description: The story centers around a second-year high school boy named Youto Yokodera. Youto is always thinking about his “carnal desires,” but no one acknowledges him as a pervert. He learns about a cat statue that supposedly grants wishes. The boy goes to pray that he will be able to express his lustful thoughts whenever and wherever he wants. At the statue, Youto encounters Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi, a girl from his high school with her own wish - that she would not display her “real intentions” so readily.
Bern's Thoughts: I've read most of the available manga chapters, so I'll probably be checking this out.
Djr7's Thoughts: Totally going to watch this, it sounds pretty interesting.
Pearz' Thoughts: Sounds like my guilty pleasure of the season.
Ouros’ Thoughts: Yes, yes, yes, yes. I’ve been waiting..




Uta no Prince-sama - Maji Love 2000% - Manga Adaption

A-1 Pictures
Genre: Comedy, Romance, School, Harem, Shoujo
Description: Sequel to the Uta no Prince-sama - Maji love 1000% TV series. Nanami Haruka wants to be a songwriter, so she attends an idol training school filled with beautiful bishounen. The school pairs each aspiring songwriter with aspiring idol, but Haruka finds herself  paired with 6 bishounen idols. To make things more difficult, Nanami is also not allowed to date any of her beautiful partners.
Bern's Thoughts: I'll pass.
Djr7's Thoughts: Read the description and thats as far as I’ll go.
Pearz' Thoughts: Ha, nope.
Ouros’ Thoughts: Didn’t watch first season, and wouldn’t watch it anyways. Just read the damn synopsis..





Production I.G
Genre: Sci-Fi
Description: In the distant future, the Human Galactic Alliance has been constantly fighting for its survival against beings called “Hidiaasu.” During an intense battle, the young lieutenant Redo and his humanoid mobile weapon Chamber are swallowed up into a distortion of time and space. Waking from his artificially induced hibernation, Redo realizes that he has arrived on Earth, the planet on the lost frontier. On this planet that was completely flooded by the seas, people live in fleets of giant ships, salvaging relics from the seas’ depths in order to survive. Redo arrives on one of the fleets called Gargantia. With no knowledge of the plant’s history or culture, he is forced to live alongside Amy, a 15-year-old girl who serves as a messenger aboard the Gargantia fleet. To Redo, who has lived a life where he knows nothing but fighting, these days of peace continue to surprise him.
Bern's Thoughts: Based Urobutcher will come through.
Djr7's Thoughts: I really love the art with this, it sounds interesting and I really want to see it.
Pearz' Thoughts: Turn battle into slice of life, that should bold well...
Ouros’ Thoughts: Saw the trailer of this. Really liked the color pallet, it reminds me of older shows like Now and Then, Here and There. And Gen Urobuchi is writing this! Definitely watching this one.





Passione
Genre: Comedy, Supernatural
Description: Sequel to the Haitai Nanafa series. The story of Haitai Nanafa revolves around an engergetic middle school girl named Nanafa Kyan. Nanafa lives in Okinawa with her grandmother who runs the “Kame Soba” soba shop, her beautiful older sister Nao who is in high school, and her younger sister Kokona, who is in elementary school and has a strong ability to sense the supernatural. One day, Nanafa witnesses a seal fall off a chinese banyan tree and three sprites who live in that tree are unleashed. These spirits include Niina and Raana, who are “jimunaa” spirits. The third spirit is Iina, who is an incarnation of a Okinawan lion statue. As spirits start appearing one after another, the peaceful life of Nanafa and her family begins to change.
Bern's Thoughts: Nope, I'll pass.
Djr7's Thoughts: I think I’ll be passing on this, I never picked up the first season and i’m too far behind on a lot of great shows.
Pearz' Thoughts: Nope second season.
Ouros’ Thoughts: Didn’t watch the first season. So no.





Hotline
Genre: Comedy
Description: The story revolves around Sayuri Satou, the new front desk worker at the Sparrow’s Hotel - “The closest hotel to Heaven.” Her special features are her large breasts and her skills of assassination. She takes down people who cause trouble in the business hotel with those skills, but she is in fact very unskilled when talking to her male hotel manager, and often bites her tongue.
Bern's Thoughts:
Djr7's Thoughts: Pretty much a guarantee watch for the first season, it might turn out to be utter crap but I think the first episode is worth a look.
Pearz' Thoughts: What?
Ouros’ Thoughts: Hell yes! Who would say no? I would.




Miyakawa-ke no Kuufuku
Ordet / Encourage Films
Genre: Slice of Life
Description: Anime adaption of Kagami Yoshimizu’s Lucky Star spinoff manga Miyakawa-ke no Kuufuku. The story centers around big sister Hinata Miyakawa and little sister Hikage Miyakawa’s impoverished daily life at home (due to Hinata’s wasteful habits) and Hikage’s life at elementary school.
Bern's Thoughts: Nope, no interest in anything Lucky Star.
Djr7's Thoughts: I need to watch Lucky Star, so I’m not too sure if I will get around to this one, i might pick it up if i have time.
Pearz' Thoughts: Everything about this is everything I hate about Lucky Stars.
Ouros’ Thoughts: Maaaybe.


Movies


Steins;Gate: Fuka Ryouiki no Deja vu

Bern's Thoughts:
Djr7's Thoughts: Hell yes!
Pearz' Thoughts:
Ouros’ Thoughts: WhyNot?





Bern's Thoughts:
Djr7's Thoughts: Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni + Kai were amazing, but the OVA’s Rei and Kira were horrible extras that did nothing but explore terrible spinoffs for fun. Kaku sounds like it will return to Higurashi’s roots of actually being good, I have high expectations for this and cannot wait.
Pearz' Thoughts:
Ouros’ Thoughts: Haven’t watched the original series. So no.



There are quite a few shows that interest me so it might be hard choosing which ones I keep up to date on.

Shows I anticipate to stay on top of:
Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru
Date A Live
Hataraku Maou-sama!
Aku no Hana
Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Bride
Shingeki no Kyojin
Haiyore! Nyaruko-san W
Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko
Suisei no Gargantia

Shows that i will try and watch:
RDG Red Data Girl
Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge
Photo Kano
Yuyushiki
Devil Survivor 2 The Animation
Kakumeiki Valvrave
Aiura
Sparrow’s Hotel

Good chance the first episode for each show will determine if I stick with it.

~Djr7