WINTER ANIME 2011 Preview!

Resources: ANN / MAL

Woohoo! Time to kick off to another new season!
Lets see what we got this year for Winter 2011!

Dec.  19th 2010 – WINTER ANIME 2011 UPDATE V.3

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Haiyoru! Nyaru-ani: Remember my

Mr Lovecraft

Animation Company: DLE, Inc.
Website: http://ga.sbcr.jp/bunko_blog/nyaruani/
Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi
Airing Date: December 10, 2010
Summary: 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 student who is chased by aliens one night, until “Nyaruko” saves him.
Trailer: PV
Team Impression:
Eva: Sounds funny, but I’m not sure if this is something I would want to cover. We’ll see how the first impression goes.
Myst: HAHAHA OMG IT LOOKS HILARIOUS!!! The summary and the trailer don’t go together at all though, but I’m looking forward to that one.

Zero: Cool go either way between Awesomeness and absolute shit. I will need to see the first show in order to have a definite opinion on this one

Balladbird: The only thing that could make anime in general more bizarre is the addition of lovecraft themes.  XD  It’s a unique concept to be sure.
Oki: Well, the premise is interesting. And by that I mean, if I don’t laugh my ass off I’ll be let down xD. It has something cute, but I can’t help but feel it rides on the skirt tails of Haruhi. We shall see?
Possible Bloggers: Myst

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Starry☆Sky

Animation Company: Studio DEEN
Website: http://sta-ska.com/index.html
Genre: Romance, Slice of life, Reverse harem
Airing Date: December 23, 2010
Summary: The heroine, Tsukiko, enrolled to a school that was recently changed from all-boys school to co-ed. Since the area where the school is   conveniently rural and the rather exclusive curriculums the school has, up until now the heroine is the only one female who enrolled to the school.
Trailer: PV
Team Impression:
Eva: I am a sucker for these shows because I can’t play the games. I have heard about this about a year ago and have been looking forward to it. I’ll  definitely be checking it out. Other than that, the promo really doesn’t tell you much.
Myst: It looks really cool, but if it’s based on a game then unfortunately it’ll probably suck (all shows based on games suck -_-‘)

Zero: A reverse Harem? Based on a game? I’ll pass.

Balladbird: Shows based on games are a specialty of mine, but I admit, I’m not fond of harem/reverse harem series.  It would take a lot for a show with this premise to win me over.
Oki: Ok, I’ll be the first to admit I loved what I could play of this game. I’m way too excited for this anime because I felt so excluded when I finally gave up and no longer understood what my friends were into. I love reverse harem when done right so this could be my exact anime forte!

Possible Bloggers: Eva, Myst, Oki

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Wolverine

Animation Company: MADHOUSE
Website: http://www.animax.co.jp/marvelanime/wolverine/
Genre: Action,
Airing Date: January 7, 2011
Summary: Next in the four-part Marvel Anime project and broadcasts after the Iron Man anime. Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced psychical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing factor that allows him to recover from virtually any wound, disease or toxin at a accelerated rate.
Trailer: PV
Team Impression:
Eva: First Ironman now Wolverine? Seriously? WTF, and even the trailer is turning me off!!!
Myst: …Is the Marvel director going through an anime phase or what?

Zero: While I love the X-men universe, I am not too fond on Wolverine and therefore I will have to skip watching this.

Balladbird: Amerikomu sure are getting their phase over in japan now, huh?  I suppose it’s to be expected, given the worldwide success of their hollywood counterparts, but it does feel strange.  At least the art style is unique.
Oki: Holy Jesus. I should not be excited for this anime but I totally am. I will either love this or hate it because I am such a huge action/comic book fan, I will see it even if I don’t blog it.

Possible Bloggers: Oki

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Fractale

Animation A-1 Pictures & Ordet
Website: http://fractale-anime.com/
Genre: Action, Mystery, Romance, Sci-fi, Shounen
Airing Date: January 2011
Summary: The story takes place in an island, where a “Fractale system” is beginning to collapse. One day, Crane finds an injured girl called Phryne under a cliff. She disappears leaving a pendant. Crane sets out for a journey with the girl-shaped avatar Nessa to look for Phryne and discovers the secret of the Fractale system.
Trailer: PV
Team Impression:
Eva: I just found the manga and started reading it. This is very unique in many ways so I am curious how this will turn out. ^_^/ I’m all for it!
Myst: Sounds interesting! I’ll have to watch the first episode, but I’m really interested!

Zero: I’ve read the title, and that will be as far as I’ll go in this series.

Balladbird: Our hero meets a mysterious girl one day, she disappears, and despite not really knowing said girl from Adam, he embarks on a quest to find her nonetheless.  There’s a premise one never tires of.  ^^ My jesting aside, it’s actually an interesting enough summary… if only they actually explained what a “Fractale System” was.
Oki: I am hopelessly romantic, and in such I would love to give a mystery/romance a shot. The best web comics, movies, and plots I know come from a person missing behind a mysterious system.

Possible Bloggers: Eva, Myst, Oki

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Hourou Musuko

Animation Company: AIC
Website: http://www.houroumusuko.jp/
Genre: Drama, School
Airing Date: January 2011
Summary: Shuicihi Nitori appears to be a shy and quiet preteen boy, when he transfers to a new school he quickly makes friends with the tomboyish Yoshino  Takatsuki who sits next to him. It soon becomes apparent that both Shucihi and Yoshino are more than simply a sensitive boy and masculine girl, they both are  transgendered. Together they decide to take the first steps toward becoming the people they want to be.
Trailer: PV
Team Impression:
Eva: This is based off a truly amazing manga. I will definitely be checking this out – I also recommend you to read it!!!

Myst: Awww this looks really cute ^.^

Zero: This sounds quite interesting, the subject is a tough one, if oriented towards a mature audience this show might be quite interesting to watch

Balladbird: Very sensitive subject matter, a bit too much so for my personal reviewing style, though I’m glad stories like this exist, since there’s an audience for it that needs all the recognition it can get.
Oki: This is such a sensitive topic that I don’t think I’d ever want to blog it, because if it mishandles the subject matter it would definitely set back the movement and I don’t know if I could stand blogging it after that.

Possible Bloggers: Eva, Myst,

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IS: Infinite Stratos

Animation Company: 8-Bit
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/is/
Genre: Action, Mecha, Sci-Fi, Shounen
Airing Date: January 2011
Summary: Infinite Stratos (IS), a weaponized exoskeleton system, has become the dominant tool of warfare and conflict. Unfortunately for the men in society, only women are able to operate Infinite Stratos… with very few exceptions. One of those exceptions is ORIMURA Ichika, an orphan raised by his older sister who is herself a famous IS pilot. When his compatibility with IS is discovered after he accidentally touches an IS at the age of 15, he’s given a scholarship and enrolled in a school that specializes in training IS pilots. Which of course means an… intersting life surrounded by girls for this shy, unassuming boy.
Trailer: PV
Team Impression:
Eva: … Pass, I can see where this is going to go.
Myst: Harem, Boobs, robots…I’m already disinterested -_-‘.

Zero: I will watch the first few episode, but I doubt this will be my favorite show of the season.

Balladbird: I echo Myst’s sentiments, really.  The premise of super armor that only women can wear already screams “fanservice series.”  Throw in a harem and I abandon all hope of any meaningful story being told here.
Oki: Fanservice and mechs are something I never tire of. Well, I do, but I have more tolerance than anyone else probably will. Not to mention. I do love learning the new mechanics of mech systems, fangirling over the figurines, and also cosplaying in the suits 😛

Possible Bloggers: Zero, Oki

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Yumekui Merry

Animation Company: J.C Staff
Website: http://nightmare.ponycanyon.co.jp/
Genre: Action, Supernatural
Airing Date: January 2011
Summary: Ten years ago Fujiwara noticed he had a power to see multicolored auras surrounding the person’s body. Ever since then he’s been having a weird dream about a war with cats. Then one day a mysterious girl falls on top of him…
Trailer: PV,
Team Impression:
Eva: Oooh, this is perking up my interest already!!!
Myst: There seems to be much more action than what you’d expect it to have from just reading the summary… I’ll check it out I guess… (Damn, J.C. Staff ads are  great!)

Zero: Sounds a bit too random and childish for me, I’ll pass

Balladbird: I’m not sure what to make of this… the trailer and description don’t sync together well.  The premise is weird, but in a good way, so perhaps it will turn out to be pretty good.  I’ll go ahead and give it the benefit of the doubt for now.
Oki: Everything about this anime is so weird. I love it.

Possible Bloggers: Eva, Myst, Oki

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Kimi ni Todoke Season 2

Animation Company: Production I.G
Website: http://www.ntv.co.jp/kiminitodoke/
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Airing Date: January 2011
Summary: Season 2 of Kimi ni Todoke
Trailer: PV
Team Impression:
Eva: I recall on November 1, 2010 that Myst have called dibs on this one. Definitely looking forward to this!!! <3
Myst: =D SWEEEEEEEEET!!!! I was SOOOO happy when I learned that the 2nd season was in progress!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Zero: Haven’t seen the first one, so I’ll just pretend this season doesn’t exist before I finished the first season

Balladbird: I missed the first season, so needless to say I’m clueless about the second.  I’ll just look up our previous work, and see how the series plays out one episode at a time.
Oki: Haven’t finished season 1, but if it’s any bit as good as the first season I’ll be interested in watching.

Possible Bloggers: Myst

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Cardfight!! Vanguard

Animation Company: TMS Entertainment
Website: 
Genre: Action, Adventure, Demons, Game, Shounen
Airing Date: December 10th
Summary: N/A
Trailer: PV
Team Impression:
Eva: …! WHAT? WHAT IS THIS?! I DON’T EVEN-
This is just going to be pathetic. AND BESIDES WHAT’S WITH THIS POKEMON-LIKE BATTLE MUSIC?!
Myst: BWAHAHAHAHAHA YU-GI-OH RIPOFF! …Fail. And based on a game made by a Yu-Gi-Oh collaborator, Double fail. Find a new concept, dude.

Zero: FUCK YA EPIC MUSIC OF THE END OF THE WORLD, WE NEED A HERO TO SAVE US FROM DESTRUCTION!!! Oh wait nevermind…we are only playing cards.

Balladbird: I have a soft spot in my heart for anime series designed solely to push merchandise (I AM a gundam fan, after all.  :P) but I have to admit that random cardgame-based series #99874 really doesn’t hold a lot of appeal to me. Perhaps its target demographic will like it, but the genre is stale even by a child’s standards now.  I don’t foresee a second season.
Oki: Will there be any hot guys? Will the card games be cool? God, I don’t know. If you need someone, I’ll review it but I won’t take it seriously for a second.
Possible Bloggers: Don’t even ask. But if you must, Oki

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Dragon Crisis!

Animation Company: Studio DEEN
Website: http://dash.shueisha.co.jp/topics/1007_dragoncrisis.html
Genre: N/A
Airing Date: January 2011
Summary: A normal high school boy Kisaragi Ryuji’s peaceful life is turned into an adventure by the  return of his second cousin Eriko. Ryuji and Eriko seize a relic box from a black broker. In the box,  they find a red dragon girl Rose. In order to protect Rose from the black organization, Ryuji decides  to fight using his power as a relic handler.
Trailer: PV
Team Impression:
Eva: This actually looks adorable. I’m going to give this a chance this I’m pretty fond of Studio Deen’s adaptions. The quality looks fantastic, the animation is so-so, but without a doubt I’ll be taking a look.
Myst: Meh… Could be good, could be bad, it all depends on how the producers make it… It’s the kind of show that is completely dependent on the amount of plot and humor put into the story, so I can’t tell yet.

Zero: Yay naked girls, dragons, explosions…I’m in

Balladbird: Why do these previews use terms without bothering to define them?  What’s a relic handler?  Can it make a sandwich? The premise sounds as interesting as the typical “protect the girl–save the world” plot can, but this is not my cup of tea, personally.  XD
Oki: AAAAH yet another one I really want to do. That you all want to do. This looks so adorable, and also has the shounen aspects I like. I won’t be heart broken if I can’t do it but I’m super interested!

Possible Bloggers: Myst, Eva *ROCK / PAPER / SCISSORS!*, Zero, Oki *ROCK/PAPER/SCISSORS/LIZARD/SPOCK??*

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Beelzebub

Animation Company: Studio Pierrot
Website: http://www.ytv.co.jp/beelze/
Genre: Action, comedy, supernatural
Airing Date: December 10th
Summary: The story follows the “strongest juvenile delinquent”, Oga Tatsumi, a first year in “Ishiyama High”, a school for delinquents. One day while sleeping next to a river he sees a man floating down it, he pulls him to the shore and the man splits himself in half revealing a baby boy. The boy is the son of the demon king and he has been chosen as the one to raise it with the baby’s demon maid Hilda. The story follows his life with the child and at the delinquent school.
Trailer: PV
Team Impression:
Eva: Studio Pierrot covering a popular Shonen series is never a good thing, Pass.
Myst: Hm… I’ve heard that the manga is incredibly good, I’ll check it out!

Zero: Hummm, not  my cup of tea, sounds interesting though for people into those kind of story

Balladbird: The manga has such a large and devout online following, an anime was inevitable.  Perhaps I’ll look into it, since I never read the manga.
Oki: This is shounen. I love shounen. I do kind of feel iffy about the borderline themes on religion, I always get iffy when religion is brought in, but it’s SHOUNEN! It could be THE NEXT SHOUNEN! I’m in.

Possible Bloggers: Myst, Oki

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GOSICK

Animation Company: BONES
Website: http://www.gosick.tv/
Genre: Mystery, Shounen, Horror
Airing Date: January 2011
Summary: Gosick takes place in 1924 in a small, made-up European country of Sauville. The story centers on Kazuya Kujo, the third son of a Japanese imperial soldier, who is transfer student to St-Marguerite Academy, where urban legends and horror stories are all the rage. There he meets Victorique, a mysterious yet beautiful and brilliant girl who never comes to class and spends her days reading the entire content of the library or solving mysteries that even detectives can’t solve.
Trailer: PV
Team Impression:
Eva: YES I AM WATCHING THIS! Anything that involves mysteries and historical romance, I’m all for it! O_O; I saw that the novel included Horror in the genre, yet the anime didn’t so we’ll see how that turns out. *Looks at Myst*
Myst: :O Intellectual + mystery, add some romance to that 😮 Too bad Eva called it first

Zero: I decided I would be watching this the moment I saw that girl…she’s so beautiful ! Also the story looks promising.

Balladbird: Easily the most unique and interesting sounding series in the entire lineup this season.  I look forward to hearing what others think of it.
Oki: *twitch* It’….it’s horror. It’s the horror. It’s the new horror.  As in this will fill my gab. Screw the history and romance, I WANT MY HORROR RAAAR!

Possible Bloggers: Eva, if Eva’ll let her have at least part of it then Myst, Oki

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Mitsudomoe Season 2

Animation Company: DLE, Inc.
Website: http://www.mitsudomoe-anime.com/
Genre: comedy, slice of life
Airing Date: December 10th
Summary: N/A
Trailer: PV
Team Impression:
Eva: Pass – I don’t even get how this was popular in the first place.
Myst: Agreed with Eva’s comment.
Zero: Haven’t saw the first season, I will close my eyes on this one

Balladbird: Again, I missed the first season, so no clue what this is about.  Looks a little lolicon based on the image given, which is fine if you’re into that kind of thing, but I’ll have to respectfully decline to look further.   Wait, even without the lolicon aspect… the fact that “moe” is in the title is an instant mark of disinterest for me.
Oki: Pass.

Possible Bloggers: ???

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Onii-chan no Koto Nanka Zenzen Suki Janain Dakara ne!!

Animation Company: ZEXCS
Website: http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/oniichan/
Genre: Comedy, Ecchi, Romance
Airing Date: January 2011
Summary: Junior High student Nao’s brother complex is so strong, it’s almost at the point of incest. She’s determined to make her brother, High School student Shuusuke, see her as a woman. So determined, that she goes as far as going into his room to throw away all his non-incest related porn. But as she’s looking for his porno stash, she finds a photo album… and she’s not in any of his childhood pictures. What is going on?
Trailer: PV
Team Impression:
Eva: [Flips desk and walks away]
Myst: O_O INCEST… Considering how much trouble I have tolerating My Little Sister Can’t be This Cute!, I won’t even bother with this one! O_O

Zero: Yai incest ! I’m in. Also how could I pass on something that show me an upskirt before the show even started,

Balladbird: *Gasp*  She was adopted, now it’s okay for her to lust after her brother.  XD  Seriously, I’ll never understand Japan’s obsession with brother-sister incest.  Anyone who has ever had a sibling will tell you that romantic love with one is something that just doesn’t happen.
Oki: Er, I’ll try anything once?

Possible Bloggers: Zero, Oki

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Kore wa Zombie desu ka?

Animation Company: Studio DEEN
Website: http://newtype.kadocomic.jp/zombie/
Genre: Action, Magic
Airing Date: Winter 2011
Summary: Aikawa Ayumu is a normal high school boy. One day he is killed by a serial killer and revived as a zombie by a necromancer named Eucliwood Hellscythe. He starts to serve Eu as her guard but he happens to deprive the mahou shoujo Haruna of her magic power. Haruna orders Ayumu to fight against the anti-mahou shoujo system “Megalo” in her place.
Trailer: PV
Team Impression:
Eva: Whoa, put action and magic together – I’m so in!
Myst: Interesting concept!

Zero: I’m watching this; zombies, magic and chain saw, no way I’m skipping on this one

Balladbird:“Average high school students” really need to consider new occupations.  nothing good ever happens to them.  As to the series… it sounds decent, I suppose.
Oki: yes.

Possible Bloggers: Eva, Myst, Zero, Oki

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Rio – Rainbow Gate

Animation Company: Xebec
Website: http://riorainbowgate.com/
Genre: N/A
Airing Date: January 2011
Summary: Rio, a character starring in pachi-slo games, will be put into an anime.
Trailer: PV
Team Impression:
Eva: Ha! This looks so interesting!!! /sarcasm
Myst: PFFFFFFT! That’s all I’m gonna say for now. I have a feeling it’ll FAIL completely, but I’ll check it out none the less (who knows, it might be good!)

Zero: Errr…*looks around* is this a joke or something?

Balladbird: There is justice in the world!  The star of  Pachi- Slo gets her own anime!  Nothing qualifies someone for their own series more than starring in a series of pachinko video games.
Oki: This looks cute. Ridiculous, but cute! XD

Possible Bloggers: Myst

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Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica

Animation Company:  SHAFT
Website: http://www.madoka-magica.com/
Genre: Magic
Airing Date: January 6th 2011
Summary: Upcoming original anime by Studio SHAFT.
Trailer: PV
Team Impression:
Eva: I like SHAFT’s productions, so I will check this out.
Myst:Well then… It doesn’t say much but it looks really childish too me :/


Zero: Not my type, I’ll pass on that

Balladbird: I don’t know from SHAFT, but I do know that the mahou shoujo genre is so tired and played out that the odds of this one offering anything unique and worthwhile are slim.  I’ll pass on this one.
Oki: Not feelin it.

Possible Bloggers: Eva

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Freezing

Animation Company: A-C-G-T
Website: http://freezing.tv/
Genre: Action, Drama, Ecchi, Romance
Airing Date: January 8th 2011
Summary: Set in a slightly futuristic world where Earth has been invaded and is at war with aliens from another dimension called the Nova, the story follows the adventures of a Japanese boy named Kazuya Aoi who enrolls for training at a special school for genetically modified girls called Pandoras who battle the aliens, and their male partners, called Limiters, who use a special power called “freezing” to limit their opponent’s mobility. The protagonist makes the acquaintance of an unusual older girl named Bridgette L. Satellizer who appears to be the most powerful Pandora in her class, but has not yet chosen a male partner to be her Limiter, and in spite of the warnings of all his friends, he decides to be her Limiter.

Trailer: PV
Team Impression:
Eva: If it weren’t ecchi, I would check it out, but right now – for the time being, no.
Myst: I tolerate Ecchi, and so if it’s good enough I might watch it, but I’m not going to be blogging this.

Zero: Hum, meh, sounds like some good anime I saw, but I am not too sure about this.

Balladbird: Sounds a bit like Claymore.  I got no beef with ecchi, in moderation, so this series sounds okay to me.  Not great, nor terrible.
Oki: Claymore based/ripped off of, and ecchi. Two things I like. Will be seeing this.

Possible Bloggers: Oki
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Level E

Animation Company: Studio Pierrot + David Production
Website: http://pierrot.jp/title/level-e/
Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi, Shounen
Airing Date: January 10th 2011
Summary: Tsutsui Yukitaka was a freshman who had just entered a high school, and he was hoped to be a good baseball player. When he moved to a new apartment, there was a man in the room. He said he was an alien and lost his memory.
Actually, he was the first prince of Planet Dogra, and he was the man who had the best brain and the worst nature.
Trailer: PV
Team Impression:
Eva: . _ . Wait… What?
Myst:Huh?

Zero: Err?

Balladbird: How curious.  XD  I admit, I find myself intrigued.  A pity I can’t blog current series.
Oki: Do…want? Or don’t? I’m not sure but I kind of want to see it. But even the mention of sports turns me off.

Possible Bloggers: Oki
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Suite PreCure ♪

Animation Company: Toei Animation
Website: http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/suite_precure/
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Magic, Shoujo
Airing Date: February 6th 2011
Summary: New Pretty Cure anime in the franchise by Izumi Todo. Based on the title logo, the series theme will be related to music.
Trailer: PV
Team Impression:
Eva: =_= How and why is this “Pretty Cure” series still going? Immediate Pass for me folks.
Myst:Well, you know, I have never watched Pretty Cure and it looks a little too childish for me, however the fact that it was made by Toei… Ok, I’ll shut my One Piece addictions right now.

Zero: No thanks

Balladbird: I’m not a young girl.  Nor for that matter, am I a moe obsessed Otaku, or a perverse old man.  Hence, I give the series a pass.
Oki: Pass.

Possible Bloggers:

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Last Notes:
Eva: Overall this season may have some unexpected surprises. There’s a few here and there that have some great potentials. As for OVAs, although we didn’t list them here I wanted to mention that I will be covering Angel Beats! extra episode (OVA) since I have watched the series before and am extremely eager about this coming out. FYI, I do plan to cover Angel Beats! in the future. It is one of my top favorites, and if you haven’t watched it, DO IT. NOW. IT’S AMAZING!
Myst: I’m actually excited for this season. First of all, Kimi ni Todoke’s second season is coming out!!!!!! As for the other shows, I find most of them have a really good potential, it all depends on how they’re going to be made. Of course, there’s a couple of shitty shows that I’m sure will be shitty, but overall I’m more excited than I was for the Fall season, and the Fall season ended up having some amazing shows. In the OVA’s, nothing really caught my attention, I’ll probably watch the first episodes of the new ones coming out anyways (GRRRRRR WHY ISN’T HELLSING ULTIMATE EPISODE 8 COMING OUT YET?!?!?!)
Zero: This season looks even better than the last one, There are a lot of show with a lot of potential in there. Even If I’ll be covering only one or two of those, I will still be watching most of them. Most of my favorite kinds of anime are there, the one talking about serious social issue that makes you think and criticize society, mysterious/action movie for pure entertainment and an anime about incest to finish the day.
Balladbird: Seems like a pretty typical season to me.  Most of the titles are niche, and I don’t see any of them jumping the pond into American or European markets, but the lineup has more than a few interesting selections… even if the majority sound derivative and bland
Oki: Looks like we’ve got some typical plays on the popular here. Zombies are in, so there are zombies. And the addition of popular shounen makes sense too. I’m not sure if anything beyond 2 or 3 really capture my interest, but there are definitely a large variety I’d check out for the sake of review.