WINTER ANIME 2013 PREVIEW

Winter is already here! Boy time sure flies by, oh hey look we better be alive by January, the world can’t end yet!

MAL, ANN, Crunchyroll

NOTE

Train Hero “Poster” is photoshopped by Tenderfoot for the fun of it because she felt sad that it was the only one without it since we can’t locate the official one for the time being.

Last Updated: December 27th 2012

Savanna Game is supposedly Canceled, and Train Hero has been moved to the Spring 2013 *FACPALM*

Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai NEXT

Animation Company: AIC Build
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/haganai/
Genre: Comedy, Romance, School, Seinen
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: The second season of Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai. Hasegawa Kodaka has transferred schools, and he’s having a hard time making friends. It doesn’t help that his blond hair tends to make people think he’s a delinquent. One day, he runs into his bad-tempered solitary classmate Yozora while she’s talking animatedly to her imaginary friend Tomo. Realizing that neither of them have any actual friends, they decide that the best way to alter this situation is to form a club and start recruiting.
Trailer: PV 1, PV 2
Team’s Impression:
Eva: … >_>; I haven’t finished watching the first season yet… haha…
Vantage: I had fun blogging the first season, and I’m a fan of the light novels too – so I’ll happily continue to blog this. I was kinda surprised they announced a sequel in the first place…but anyway, expecting more Meat, Rika and hopefully some Taka x Sora.
Oki: The only reason I might even check in is for BOOBIES. Do you know how many people draw this chick on the internet?
Linzz:I don’t think this exists on my to-watch list anyway. XD
Tenderfoot:…Haven’t seen season one, so this is a no for me. 
Kaitou: This is too much the anime version of Friends. No thanks.
Possible Bloggers: Vantage

Minami-ke Tadaima

Animation Company: Feel
Website: http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/minami-ke/4/
Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: The fourth season of Minami-ke
Trailer: PV 1, PV 2
Team’s Impression:
Eva: Couldn’t get into it. Never got past the the first season.
Vantage: Haven’t watched the first three seasons, but I plan to do so in the future. Apparently it’s a really good series.
Oki: NO I AM WAY TOO EASILY DISTRACTED FOR THIS
Linzz: I’ve graduated from Slice of Life after Clannad so… no. XD
Tenderfoot: Too many prior seasons for me to really consider it, and I’m not really the Slice-of-Life/comedy type.
Kaitou: Too many past seasons, same as Tenderfoot.
Possible Bloggers:
 

Chihayafuru 2

Animation Company: Madhouse Studios
Website: http://www.ntv.co.jp/chihayafuru2/
Genre: Drama, Sports, Game, Josei
Airing Date: January 11th 2013
Summary: Second season of Chihayafuru. Chihaya is a lighthearted tomboy, who’s not especially good at anything in particular. Her dream has always been for her sister (an aspiring model) to become the number one beauty of Japan, or perhaps of the world. But then one day she meets someone who tells her that a dream is something that should concern only herself – and something she has to work hard for as well. At the same time, Chihaya discovers a passion for the old Japanese game hyakunin isshu, also called “karuta”.
Trailer: PV 1
Team’s Impression:
Eva: I CANNOT CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT FOR THIS!! IT’S FINALLY HERE, IT’S FINALLY HERE!!!!!
Vantage: OMG CHIHAYAFURU SEASON 2! *wipes a tear* Now my Tuesday evenings have meaning once more…this will be a phenomenal ride guys.
Oki: I’LL WATCH IT AFTER EVA MAKES ME
Linzz: Well, there’s still one series that I will get to watch this season. 8D
Tenderfoot: Aaaaahhh! IT’S BACK! Yessssss! My babies! ARATA! I love this show, so yup, I’m pretty excited for season two.
Kaitou: I need to finish season one, but I keep hearing good things about it, so I’ll get to it after exams. TEH DRAMAS OF CARD GAMES.
Possible Bloggers: Eva, Vantage
 

Senran Kagura

Animation Company: Artland
Website: http://senran.tv/
Genre: Action, Ecchi
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: TV anime project of Marvelous AQL’s action game series Senran Kagura.
Trailer: PV 1 (R-18+),
Team’s Impression:
Eva: Default Pass.
Vantage: I love how the trailer has an 18+ rating warning on it.
Oki: I am oddly considering this.
Linzz: Right…. I has no words for ecchi now.
Tenderfoot: This looks too…jiggly for me. 
Kaitou: OPPAI=MANIA!! So instead of Senjou on the Horizon of Tits, we have Sengoku Broobies. T_T
Possible Bloggers:
 

~Da Capo III~

Animation Company: Kazami Gakuen Kōshiki Dōga-bu
Website: http://www.hatsunejima.com/
Genre: Drama, Ecchi, Romance, School
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: Third season of Da Capo.
Trailer: PV 1
Team’s Impression:
Eva: Uhh… You know I had I really hard time understanding anything about the first two seasons, but that was YEARS AGO. Even so I don’t’ even remember if I finished the second season- I ought to watch the series all over again…
Vantage: I know it’s a visual novel, and I know it’s good…but there’s two seasons worth of catchup to do =_=
Oki: This art style makes boobs look tacked on and legs look sewed on like a doll ew.
Linzz: I dunno, this field is not my forte at all. D:
Tenderfoot: Nope. Again, there’s like two whole seasons I’d have to watch and yeah…I’m mostly lazy. Plus it just doesn’t seem like something I’d enjoy, even for the LOLZ.
Kaitou: My reaction is -> -_-Zzz No interest in the game, card game, or anime.
Possible Bloggers

GJ-bu Chuutou-bu

Animation Company: Dogakobo
Website: http://www.ntv.co.jp/gj/
Genre: Comedy, School, Slice of Life
Airing Date: January 9th, 2013
Summary: TV anime adaptation of the GJ-bu moe light novel series, dubbed as the “first four-panel novel”, where each story is only four pages long with illustrations.
Trailer: PV 1
Team’s Impression:
Eva: Ehhh I’m a bit familiar with the ‘first four-panel novel‘ stuff… Hm, I am not sure if I’m that interested though. It will really vary on the stories.
Vantage: This is one of those 4-koma things that are usually a style of manga…but there are light novel versions too? I don’t know, I might watch it.
Oki: But…. . . . but my attention span!
Linzz: Moe… DID I JUST READ MOE?!?!?! *backs off*
Tenderfoot: For some reason, I read part of that as G.I Joe, and then I started thinking about a moe version of G.I Joe and I got distracted because that would be weird and cute and probably more interesting for me than this show.
Kaitou: If there’s cute guys in it, and the cute guys outnumber the girls, I might try it.
Possible Bloggers: Eva
 

Ore no Kanojo to Osananajimi ga Shuraba Sugiru

Animation Company: A-1 Pictures
Website: http://www.oreshura.net/
Genre: Comedy, Romance, School
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: Eita enters high school aiming for the National University School of Medicine. Because of his parents’ divorce–and his goal–he shuns anything to do with romance or love. One day Masuzu, the school beauty with the silver hair, who’s just returned to the country, enters his life in a most unexpected way. Chiwa, his childhood friend since elementary school, will not let this go without a fight!
Trailer: PV 1, PV 2
Team’s Impression:
Eva: You know the routine: Romantic Comedy = Automatic Sign Up
Vantage: Knowing me, I’ll probably watch it, but I don’t think it’s something I see my self investing time towards to blog weekly.
Oki: Before Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun I had faith in romantic comedies, BUT I DONT KNOW ANYMORE /sobs
Linzz: We get another romedy here. I will watch it after I’m done with the others and perhaps, I dun think I can handle blogging another series for now.
Tenderfoot: Eh…I’m not feeling it. Harem shows like this where a bunch of girls fight over one semi-useless/uninterested guy annoy the shit out of me most of the time, so I tend to avoid them.
Kaitou: This sounds like the rest of the other shows about childhood friends, come on, give me something new already!
Possible Bloggers: Eva,
 

Sasami-san@Ganbaranai

Animation Company: Studio SHAFT
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/sasami/
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: The story follows a hikikomori named Sasami who is unmotivated about even changing clothes or eating. Her brother takes care of her, even though she despises his slave-like nature. Sasami spends her days viewing the outside world via a “Brother Surveillance Tool” on her computer. In the outside world, the three beautiful Yagami sisters and Sasami’s brother are in the middle of relationships worthy of a romantic comedy.
Trailer: PV 1, PV 2, PV 3
Team’s Impression:
Eva: *COUGH* Story of my life *COUGH* SHAFT + RomCom = Guaranteed to Watch
Vantage: Oh god, I did some searching around and it’s apparently directed by Akiyuki Shinbou – just his name (and SHAFT’s) is enough of a mention to want to blog this, as all of his other works that I’ve watched are stunning. It’ll be my shotgun of the season.
Oki: We all know Vantage will make out with this show while I quietly read doujins of it. . . .
Linzz: I wonder….. LOL Too much romedy kills me too, you know. XD
Tenderfoot: First one that I might actually be interested in. It seems like it’ll be maybe a different take on a rom-com, and even if the story ends up shitty, with SHAFT doing the animation, at least it’ll look good. Plus, story of my life blah, blah, blah you know the drill.
Kaitou: Rom-com? OK, the hikkikorimori part was a bit alluring, but pass.
Possible Bloggers: Vantage

Senyuu

Animation Company: Ordet
Website: http://senyu.tv/
Genre: Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Shounen
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: Satan Rchimedes returns to the earth after being sealed for one thousand years by a hero. The King tries to seal Satan once again by dispatching descendants of the hero. However, it’s troublesome to find the genuine descendants, the king chooses 75 hero-like people. This is an adventure of Alba, the hero No.45, and an his monitoring fighter Ross.
Trailer: PV 1
Team’s Impression:
Eva: Hmm… It doesn’t particularly catch my interest.
Vantage: It might have potential, but there have been an awful lot of hero shows around lately. I might see how this one fares in comparison.
Oki: Okay I’m just going to look at this for a second. Guys you don’t even just get this.. . . .  this art style is horrible and the plot is so stupid I just. LETS SEAL SATAN. Are they for real? This show is legit. . .  and theres… . .  there’s a cat and shit. . .  I just…what? Why? Why is this a thing? The look on my face is of pure HORROR.
Linzz: Ohhhh¬ So after Ao no Exorcist, another series that involves Satan in. 8D Might gonna check this out of curiosity though. HOHO /sarcasmattackhere
Tenderfoot: Maybe if I was a twelve-year-old boy, I’d be interested. But since I’m not (thankfully) I’ll skip this.
Kaitou: The summary doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, I’m skipping this too. The weird RPG style doesn’t win me over at all.
Possible Bloggers:
 

Vividred Operation

Animation Company: A-1 Pictures
Website: http://www.vividred.net/
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Ecchi
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: An original sci-fi action anime featuring a 14-year-old girl. The story takes place in a peaceful island filled with nature and technology.
Trailer: PV 1, PV 2,
Team’s Impression:
Eva: Hmm… So it’s going to be a lot like Strike Witches. I haven’t watched that series at all, though I am curious to see what’s so great about it besides the ‘ecchi’ and constant ‘panty-shots’ and all. I’ll take a look at this one when it comes out.
Vantage: This is literally the spiritual successor to Strike Witches, complete with the same director, sci-fi mashed with ecchi and that dramatic ass shot that opens the PV. I’m interested in the plot, I swear!
Oki: I hated the crap out of Strike Witches so this is probably not a good idea for me XD
Linzz: *sneaks out*
Tenderfoot: Nothing about this even remotely interests me, so I’ll pass. 
Kaitou: The plot summary looks interes- ooooo, pantsu. * distracted *
Possible Bloggers: Vantage
 

Ro-Kyu-Bu! SS

Animation Company:*TBA
Website: http://www.ro-kyu-bu.com/
Genre: Comedy, Ecchi, School, Sports
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: Second season of Ro-Kyuu-Bu.
Trailer: PV 1
Team’s Impression:
Eva: NOPE. Not even over my dead body.
Vantage: Um…I made it to around 3/4 of the way through S1, and even then I had serious moral issues with starting each episode. Pass.
Oki: But I hate sports
Linzz: Ecchi and Sports is not a nice formula for me. OTL
Tenderfoot: Didn’t see season one, and I can’t really say I’m interested. Pass.
Kaitou: MOELOLIBLOBBU.
Possible Bloggers:
 

Cuticle Tantei Inaba

Animation Company: Zexcs
Website: http://www.cdinaba.com/
Genre: Action, Comedy, Mystery, Shounen
Airing Date: January 4th, 2013
Summary: Private Detective Hiroshi Inaba is an artificially-created being, formed by splicing the genes of both a human and a wolf, who gains information by tasting and examining people’s hair, and pretty much has a hair fetish. He can transform into a more wolf-like form, and also gain special powers and perform different attacks depending on the type or colour of hair he eats. Formerly employed by the police and partnered with an officer, he now runs his own private detective agency with the help of his sadistic, cross-dressing secretary Yuuta (often mistaken for a girl), and Kei (a *relatively* normal teenager working part-time at the office. Ogino, the officer formerly partnered with Hiroshi, also often helps out with cases. His arch-enemy is Don Valentino, an evil mastermind goat with a taste (literally) for money, and a variety of messed up but extremely devoted henchman, including gentleman samurai Laurence, who always wears a bag over his head. Most chapters are individual stories revolving around Hiroshi and his friends trying to arrest the Don, always failing miserably.
Trailer: PV 1
Team’s Impression:
Eva: This look pretty crazy as I can’t help but feel some Yondemasu yo Azazel-san vibes (I doubt it’ll be anywhere close to it’s perverted humor though), it’s because probably because the evilllll master-mind goat. Besides that, it’s been a while (besides Kuroko no Basuke) since I  have watched, let alone cover a Shounen- so I’ll check this out and sign up for the hell of it.
Vantage: This looks hilarious, it’ll definitely be a good entertainer for the season. What’s up with all the random descriptions though – a gentleman samurai, an evil mastermind goat and a sadistic, cross-dressing secretary?
Oki: Errybody all up in this grill, lets be fo ‘real we know who’s got this (it’s Kaitou if you dont mind spoilers)
Linzz: I’ll watch this because of the mystery. HOHO Hopefully it won’t fail me like Gosick did. XD
Tenderfoot: Hair Fetish? Gains powers…by eating hair? *shudder* Nope. Nope. I can’t deal with that, that just…bleh, it makes me anxious and uncomfortable. So just…Nope. Other than that, it also strikes me as very run-of-the-mill, and since my Shounen quota is currently being filled, I’ll let this one go. 
Kaitou: Meee!! I have this serious moe for detectives and detective agencies, so I’ll definitely be watching this. Feels like a Bobobo x infinity and Yondemasu yo, Azazel-san cross-over! Yeah! Furry boy detectives, what could possibly go wrong!? XD
Possible Bloggers: Kaitou
 

Kotoura-san

Animation Company: AIC
Website: http://kotourasan.net/
Genre: Comedy, Romance, School
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: A school love comedy. Kotoura Haruka is a 15-year-old girl who can read people’s minds. She has been suffering from troubles caused by her mind-reading ability, and her parents got divorced as a result. She moves to a new high school but tries to keep away from her classmates. Manabe Yoshihisa, one of her classmates, accepts and appreciates her ability and she begins to interact with her friends with his help
Trailer: PV 1,
Team’s Impression:
Eva: I admit it, I am not particularly fond of the character designs, but I will give it a whirl.
Vantage: Reading people’s minds as in…literal mind-reading? The vibes I’m getting are drama ones, but if the tags say comedy and romance, then I guess we’re in for comedy and romance.
Oki: I dunno, the art is really really really bad. I’m talking they should hire ME bad and as an artist I hate everything I draw. I just. . .  I want to watch it but the art is SO BAD LOOKING
Linzz: Pass. No more need of words here.
Tenderfoot: The character designs all look really young for some reason? Like for being 15, she look more like she’s 11. Kinda creeps me out. Anyway, this looks like not something for me. Just the music in the PV alone made me exhausted…
Kaitou: Boringgggg. Zzzzz.
Possible Bloggers: Eva
 

Mangirl!

Animation Company: Dogakobo
Website: http://comic-earthstar.jp/author/detail05.php
Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: Girls without any manga editing experience launch a new manga magazine.
Trailer: PV 1
Team’s Impression:
Eva: PFFTHHHH!!!!! This should be rather amusing! It appears I am the only one here who was not aware of what other meanings this title holds.
Vantage: Mangirl. Oh god, I know it’s a portmanteau of manga and girl, but they should really have called it something else…
Oki: Yeah no if I wanted manga I’d read Bakuman.
Linzz: WAIT THIS NEEDS A POSTER OR SOMETHING. If the illustration for the anime is in my taste, why not? XD Ohhh there shit all girls. *runs away*
Tenderfoot: Their eyes! I’m going to fall into their soulless eyes! I’m scared…(seriously though, what is with all the “groups of cute girls doing cute things” shows this season?)(Okay, and: WTF is up with the name? Mangirl? Pedophiles, that’s what up. DO NOT search for that in google, because I’m pretty sure the feds will come for you before you can even blink.)
Kaitou: What’s with this ecchi-mangagirl stuff? If you want real manporn manga-editing, watch Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi. Manga-editing is serious bzns.
Possible Bloggers:
 

Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai Kara Kuru So Desu yo?

Animation Company: Diomedea
Website: http://mondaiji.tv/
Genre: Fantasy, Supernatural
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: Izayoi Sakamaki, Asuka Kudou, and You Kasugabe have tremendous psychic powers and are bored with the regular world. An envelope arrives for each person, and when each opens their envelope, they are stunned to see the scenery around them change to a world they had never encountered before. They’ve been summoned by the Black Rabbit to help the community “No Name” to overthrow the Devil King.
Trailer: PV 1
Team’s Impression:
Eva: I… I think I’m interested. As long as it doesn’t become an eechi fest, I’ll probably be checking this out.
Vantage: Bishoujo-style fantasy with characters in a supernatural world? I’m on the fence with this one, but from an initial impression it looks pretty cool.
Oki: Huh. I might give it a whirl if Eva and Tenderfoot explode from boobies. You all know I love boobies.
Linzz: Girls… I need bishounenssssss LOL
Tenderfoot: I’m going to watch one episode and do at least a first impression review, because every now and then I like to torture myself take chances. The art looks kinda nice? We’ll see.
Kaitou: WHERE ARE THE MEN. NUUUUUU- Pass.
Possible Bloggers: Eva, Tenderfoot,
 

Yama no Susume

Animation Company: 8bit
Website: http://www.yamanosusume.com/
Genre: Slice of Life
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: The title tells the story of the childhood friends Aoi, a girl who prefers staying inside and who has acrophobia, and Hinata, a girl who loves mountains. The two decide to climb a mountain in order to once again see the morning sun from its peak as they did when they were young.
Trailer: PV 1
Team’s Impression:
Eva: Hmm this sounds pretty sweet. I’ll check it out. :3
Vantage: To be honest, this is the kind of show I’ll end up covering, and I’m honestly saying this because of the potential heartwarming feels that I get to experience, which I’ve actually seen with various other similar shows that have a slightly bittersweet tone and storyline. Also, the art looks gorgeous.
Oki: WHO NEEDS HEARTWARMING FRIENDSHIP AND DREAMS, NOT I, SAYS OKI, NOT I.
Linzz: Too good for a Slice of Life which will probably gonna make me squishy. So, no.
Tenderfoot: Cute girls doing cute things! The black hole I call my heart is way too cynical and twisted for that, so I’ll leave it for better souls than I. Also, I’m willing to bet that there will be no actual mountain climbing/hiking going on.
Kaitou: Friend bonding on a mountain? I don’t even…sigh. I suppose it is a bit original in its premise, but are they even going to get to climbing that mountain in this season?
Possible Bloggers: Eva, Vantage

AKB0048 Next Stage

Animation Company: Satelight
Website: http://akb0048.jp/
Genre: Music, Sci-Fi
Airing Date: January 5th
Summary: Second part of AKB0048. In the beginning of the 21st century, a world war breaks out over interplanetary travel tech. The environment is pretty much destroyed so mankind leaves Earth, settling on other planets, and starts Star Calendar 00. Entertainment and songs become heavily regulated and eventually banned on several planets due to their power to move people, but a brave idol group puts on guerrilla performances in these systems in the name of a famous act from earlier times that sang to Earth’s bitter end, AKB48. Famous throughout the galaxy, the group’s name is AKB0048.
Trailer: PV 1
Team’s Impression:
Eva: I am definitely watching this, I absolutely loved the first season. I will definitely consider covering it if I have the opportunity to take part of the coverage.
Vantage: Excellent, round two – I’m in xD I originally decided to blog S1 purely to replace the gap left by Idolm@ster, but I realized really quickly that it’s an amazing show that should not be taken at face value at all – because it’s got drama, angst and everything that shallow idol shows don’t have. If you never watched S1, give it a try.
Oki: No.
Linzz: What? No. Too much girls. LOL And I didn’t get to watch the previous one anyway since I… nvm.
Tenderfoot: I…don’t…know. On the one hand, I haven’t seen season one, it look too cute, and I’m not really an idol person? On the other hand, everyone says it’s good, so I’m torn…But my gut is telling me that I don’t think this would really hold my interest (also I’m lazy and don’t want to watch a whole season to catch up.)
Kaitou: AITAKATTA, AITAKATTA, AITAKATTA, YES! If I tank season one, I’ll watch this one. The mechs at concerts last season won me over, and I have to admit it is really, really cute. Plot? What plot?
Possible Bloggers: Vantage

Train Hero

Animation Company: Charon Animation
Website: http://tpo-tokyo.co.jp/index.php/work
Genre: *TBA
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: The story of Train Hero deals with a rescue team that handles disasters on the high speed trains criss-crossing the world. The team undergoes transformation sequences to respond in times of crisis. (*not * the official art, in case you couldn’t tell…)
Trailer: PV 1
Team’s Impression:
Eva: Oh so it actually be released after all this time? Am I going to watch this? LOL NOPE.
Vantage: No.
Oki: ^
Linzz: It’s funny how would Vantage say “No.” right away. lol
Tenderfoot: Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha yeah, no.
Kaitou: How old are we again? Hahahaha.
Possible Bloggers:
 

Savanna Game

Animation Company: *TBA
Website: http://estar.jp/.pc/publish/savannagame/
Genre: Action, Fantasy
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: The story follows a young man named Kazuya Shibuya who receives an anonymous email message out of the blue one day: “Won’t you join the Savanna Game?” The message is an invitation to a state-sanctioned killing game — a deadly role-playing game designed to motivate the inhibited youth of modern Japan. Shibuya and his two friends Kotegawa and Kudou find themselves in bizarre battles that span the space-time continuum, with everything from dragons to the Shinsengumi force of the shogunate era.
Trailer: PV 1
Team’s Impression:
Eva: This sounds rather interesting,  it has my attention. However since it’s based on killing I am a bit concerned about what kind of bloodbath we’ll be seeing- that is, if there is going to be any. So I will check it out, but not take part of blogging.
Vantage: I’m interested in watching it, but I’ll be staying away from blogging any role-playing killing games for a while – I’m happy with my dose of love, friendship and magic that Winter is offering me.
Oki: I already read Mirai Nikki / Battle Royale.
Linzz: If it do gets my attention on the first episode, why not continue on? XD
Tenderfoot: Yet another entry into the Battle Royal/ Hunger Games/ Sword Art Online/ Btoo0m! etc. etc. etc. forever genre. I’ll give this one a shot just for fun, but I don’t have high expectations. 
Kaitou: I started BTOOOM! this season, and after the certain scene in episode 5, I dropped it. I’m not too big of a fan of survival games, bit if there’s Shinsengumi in it, I might try it, but I doubt I would enjoy it.
Possible Bloggers: Tenderfoot,

Maoyuu Maou Yuusha

Animation Company: Arms
Website: http://maoyu.jp/
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: The anime adaptation of a light novel originally posted on the 2ch message boards. The story revolves around the Hero and the Demon Queen, who have to work together to try and find the best solution as to how to end the war between their two peoples by delving into the reasons and politics that are behind it all in a Spice and Wolf meets Dragon Quest way.
Trailer: PV 1, PV 2
Team’s Impression:
Eva: Oh my god! *SQUEALS* Okay this is the kind of stuff I love!!! However I am a bit skeptical about Arms taking charge of the production…  Hopefully it will turn out good, so sign me up!
Vantage: Wow, the plot looks really deep…peaceful negotiations and verbal interaction is something not too common in anime nowadays – I really see where the comparison to Spice and Wolf is coming from. As for blogging…maybe. Maybe.
Oki:  . . . . . . . . MINE
Linzz: I…Wait what- the woman is the demon?! Ermmm… I don’t know but… really, if it weren’t for that boobie animation, I might have fallen into it already. DAMN IT THIS IS LIKE ROMEO X JULIET, ISN’T IT?! But… Maybe I’ll try watching it. LOL Then Oki scratched everyone else out. XD
 
Tenderfoot: I’m tentatively excited about this. It seems like it explores the nature of conflict as shades of grey and not just black and white. When you add a little hint of romance to that kind of world-building/ thought-based storyline well…what can I say, I’m a sucker for that type of show. Seeing as I enjoyed the hell out of Spice and Wolf, I’m hoping that I’ll be able to enjoy this just as much.
Kaitou: I don’t like Spice and Wolf, but the animation looks really good, and the story appears to have a lot of political thought in it. Sign me up! …what’s with the breasts? You almost had me there! Why? WHY DOES JIGGLY FAT BLOBS DEFEAT A MAN WITH A SWORD. ARGHHHHHH.
Possible Bloggers: Eva, Tenderfoot, Vantage (maybe), Kaitou, Oki
 

Amnesia

Animation Company: Brains Base
Website: http://www.anime-amnesia.com/index.html
Genre: Romance, Shoujo
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: After waking up one day only to find that she has no memories, our nameless Heroine meets a spirit named “Orion” who says he’ll help her remember her past. With his help, she struggles to regain her memories. When she gets a mysterious phone call, she goes to meet her “boyfriend”…the only problem is she doesn’t remember his face! (in case you couldn’t tell from that summary…this is based off of an Otome game.)
Trailer: PV 1, PV 2
Team’s Impression:
Eva: WHOA! I’M SHOCKED, I DIDN’T THINK IT WAS COMING OUT THIS SEASON! SIGN ME  UP! LETS SEE HOW IT TURNS OUT! ;w; I have the game but lolz, I haven’t played it yet hahaha….I wonder which route they are going to do if they are going to follow one.
Vantage: Otome game adaptation – I’ll leave it to the girls.
Oki: Otome game adaptation- I like leaving my dignity and insertion fantasies in tact, thank you very much.
Linzz: KH DASJFLKAS JDASLFHSALKD JAKLS JFLAS JDL I AM WATCHING THIS. I DON’T EVEN CARE IF THE PLOT IS NOT GOOD. LMAO THIS IS ANIME. LOTS AND LOTS OF BISHIESSS THIS IS IT, MAN.
Tenderfoot: Mmmmmm….I don’t know. I’m not a big Otome game person, and the story sounds “eh”, but the art looks nice (i.e. cute guys in a season full of cute, cute girls? Hey, ya’ gotta do what ya’ gotta do, right?) I’ll take part in the first impression, but I don’t think I’ll end up sticking with this unless it’s blows me away with awesomeness.
Kaitou: YESYESYES. BRING IT ONNNNNNN!!! Let the man doki-doki festival begin! Oh, I really hope the main character isn’t a useless Mary Sue that everyone falls for! But who cares, there’s guys to be watched~ I can’t wait- I haven’t played the game, so this is my way of making up for it. Yay~
Possible Bloggers: Eva, Tenderfoot, Kaitou

Puchimas!: Petit iDOLM@STER

Animation Company:Gathering
Website: http://puchimas.com/
Genre: Comedy, Music, Slice of Life, Seinen
Airing Date: January 1st 2013
Summary: From the popular game “THE IDOLM@STER”, comes a petit spinoff cute and soothing 4-koma! The setting is the same 765 Production from the games. One day, 765 Pro idols Ami and Mami bring in the mysterious Petit-dols “Afuu” and “Yukipo”!? More and more Petit-dols gather at the offices where everyone works. Leisurely enjoy their daily lives full of laughs and happenings.
Trailer: PV 1
Team’s Impression:
Eva: It is only going to be two minutes long shorts so I’m not even going to bother covering it, let alone even take a look at if it pops up for us to be able to watch in the first place.
Vantage: I liked the anime last year, but the designs of these…things remind me too much of Touhou yukkuris.
Oki: WHY SO MUCH MOE SHIT OKAY IT’S ONE THING TO HAVE KIND OF MOE STUFF BUT I AM LEGIT PUKING MY SOUL OUT WITH ALL THIS MOE SHIT
Linzz: *runs away* NO CUTIESSS PRZZZZ *cries*
Tenderfoot: Gimme an “N”! Gimme an “O”!
Kaitou: “No.”
Possible Bloggers:
 

Hakkenden: Touhou Hakken Ibun

Animation Company: Studio DEEN
Website: http://hakken-den.com/
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Shoujo, Supernatural
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: Five years ago, almost every villager of Ootsuka died due to a tragic plague. But mysteriously enough, three survivors: a girl and two boys, emerged. Now living in a church, the three live in isolation, hidden from those who may seek to find them. Shino, one of the survivors, has control over the power of Murasame, the blade of life. But when the imperial church seeks to take the Murasame for themselves, their peaceful life becomes a thing of the past…
Trailer: PV 1
Team’s Impression:
Eva: Why am I so sure I heard of this before? I can’t put my finger on it, but I swear I know of this… it sounds familiar… Either way I am definitely interested as long as there isn’t gore.
Vantage: This doesn’t look half bad – I’ll give this a spin.
Oki: I mean it looks good artwise but I’m not really interested.
Linzz: Man, I wanna pick this up too but… I’m not sure if I can cover more shounen and action. LOL
Tenderfoot: I knew this sounded familiar! It’s based on a manga written by the same person who does Super Lovers (let’s just fast-forward over the part where you judge me for reading knowing about that title) I’ve actually read a bit of it, but I don’t think it really impressed me. The art was really pretty though? Er…I’m on the fence. I’ll watch an episode and check it out.
Kaitou: …isn’t Super Lovers a yaoi? I’ll bite. There’s some super old anime that pops up with this name when I search for it, it’s probably not that.
Possible Bloggers: Eva, Kaitou
 

Youkai Watch

Animation Company: *TBA
Website: http://www.youkai-watch.jp/
Genre: Comedy, supernatural
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: An anime of Level 5’s new game.
Trailer: PV 1
Team’s Impression:
Eva: No.
Vantage: Eh?
Oki: But.  . .  why? . . .
Linzz: GIMME THE WATCH!!! D8 But no…
Tenderfoot: I’m running out of ways to say no to things. 
Kaitou: No, thanks.
Possible Bloggers:
 

gdgd Fairies S2

Animation Company: *TBA
Website: http://gdgdfairy.com/
Genre: Comedy
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: Continuation of the 1st season. gdgd Fairies is a short animation about a trio of fairies who live in the Forest of Fairies, and whatever trivial and queer subjects they decide to ramble about.
Trailer: PV 1, PV 2
Team’s Impression:
Eva: I don’t even recall having ever heard of the first season… Either way it’s a pass for me.
Vantage: Still a better love story than Twilight.
Oki: ^, also no.
Linzz: *ducks* WHY IS IT THERE ARE A LOT OF SERIES OF SOME GENRES I AM NOT A FAN OF?!?! WHYYY?!?!
Tenderfoot: Fa la la la la No. The preview image alone looks extra shitty and like it would be connected to an ultra-sugary children’s breakfast cereal.
Kaitou: * runs away *
Possible Bloggers:
 

Bakumatsu Gijin-den Roman

Animation Company: TMS Entertainment
Website: http://roman-anime.com/ | http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/roman/
Genre: Fantasy, Historical
Airing Date: January 7th 2013
Summary: The story takes place in Kyoto in the late 19th century. Manjiro has two faces. During the day, he works as a helper for people in Kyoto, but he also acts in secret to get back people’s properties from the men of power. As a get-backer “Roman”, Manjiro is getting involved in a nationwide conspiracy.
Trailer: PV 1
Team’s Impression:
Eva: Oooooh this is actually about a thief who gives back to the people without any super powers-I think? Okay sign me up! Regardless whether he has powers or not, I love stories like this! He looks almost exactly like Lupin though LOLOLOL are they supposed to be related in some way?/RUNS AWAY
Vantage: Yeah it reminds me of Lupin – but then again I never watched Lupin, hahahaha.
Oki: Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh.
Linzz: LUPIN?!?!?! D8 Sorry, seriously the poster said that to me. LMAO
Tenderfoot:So…this is based off of a pachinko game. Let’s just put that out there. Monkey Punch, of Lupin the III fame, did the character designs for the original game, so I guess that’s why they though it should be an anime? I mean, I like Lupin (a lot actually), but…really? Do we need this? I’m very, very skeptical of how good and/or absolutely horrible this could turn out. I’ll watch an episode just to see what it’s like but I don’t think I’ll want to blog about it.
Kaitou: Looks like Lupin III, but will pass.
Possible Bloggers: Eva,
 

Ai Mai Mi

Animation Company: SEVEN
Website: http://www.takeshobo.co.jp/sp/tv_aimaimi/
Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life 
Airing Date: January 3rd 2013
Summary: The series follows girls in a manga club, Ai, Mai, Mi and Ponoka-senpai – who might be fighting evil invaders threatening Earth, facing off against rivals in tournaments, and dealing with other absurd situations when they are not drawing manga.
Trailer: PV 1
Team’s Impression:
Eva: … LOL WHAT? This sounds absolutely ridiculous.
Vantage: “Absurd situations”. Watch Nichijou, then tell me whether they’re still absurd.
Oki: I was enjoying this idea until they added the last sentence. SORRY ONLY COMIC PARTY AND BAKUMAN CAN DO THE MANGA THING WITHOUT PISSING ME OFF
Linzz: Ugh, save me…. T____T
Tenderfoot: A group of cute girls working on a manga? Ya’ don’t say? What originality! But wait…didn’t I already read about an anime with this same story, the only difference being that it had an absolutle cringe-worthy title? AND it’s also going to be on this season? 
Kaitou: Will they even get to drawing manga with all the stuff going on? And is that tentacles in the promo image? * squints *
Possible Bloggers:
 

Zettai Karen Children: The Unlimited – Hyoubu Kyousuke

Animation Company: Manglobe
Website: http://unlimited-zc.jp/
Genre: Supernatural
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: An original spin-off series of Zettai Karen Children centering around Kyousuke Hyoubu.
Trailer: PV 1
Team’s Impression:
Eva: Uhhhhhh *thinks way back and checks MAL list* … No, I don’t think I ever watched Zettai Karen Children so… I don’t know, I’ll pass and wait for the show to finish before deciding whether I will ever watch it.
Vantage: Never watched Zettai Karen Children.
Oki: Naaaaaaaaaw man it looks so boring and shit.
Linzz: I don’t even… /dies
Tenderfoot:Nah, I didn’t see the original series so, Imma gonna pass.
Kaitou: Nope.
Possible Bloggers:
 

Ishida to Asakura

Animation Company: *TBA
Website: http://www.yte.co.jp/program/ishiasa/
Genre: Comedy
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: A gag series about two boys in high school. The co-lead Asakura “wants to become a teacher at a girls school in the future” while Ishida “wants to become a florist with Asakura in the future”.
Trailer: PV 1
Team’s Impression:
Eva: … No.
Vantage: Wait, what?
Oki: You know, I may be an anime blogger who sells her art for pennies and writes dirty fanfiction, but even I have some dignity.
Linzz: I…. GAWWDDDD…
Tenderfoot: I don’t think so. 
Kaitou: I don’t understand.
Possible Bloggers:
 

Tamako Market

Animation Company: Kyoto Animation
Website: http://tamakomarket.com/
Genre: *TBA
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: As an anime original story, Tamako Market tells the tale of childhood friends Tamako and Mochikura, who are the daughter and son of rival mochi shop owners. On Tamako’s birthday (which just so happens to be New Years Eve) Mochikura is determined to hand her the birthday present he hasn’t been able to give her in years past. When a wonderful exotic bird shows up, it’s the start of a year unlike any other!
Trailer: PV 1, PV 2
Team’s Impression:
Eva: Kyoto Animation + Yamada Naoko as director? There’s no way I am passing this.
Vantage: Dat K-ON! art style gives me hopes that cute girls shall be doing cute things.
Oki: Even I am kind of interested! I’ll be watching too.
Linzz: I wonder why… After Tari Tari, I dunno if I’ll be watching this but I might try on it.
Tenderfoot: Mmmm…It’s kinda hard to judge with so little info. I’ve been secretly/not-so-secretly hoping to see KyoAni step outside their comfort zone a little, and it doesn’t seem like this show will really do that, but what do I know? I’ll give it a whirl and see how it fares. At least the animation will be nice, right?
Kaitou: Too little detail, and it looks moe. Pass. 
Possible Bloggers: Eva, Vantage, Tenderfoot,
 

Nekomonogatari: Kuro

Animation Company: SHAFT
Website: http://www.nekomonogatarikuro-anime.com/
Genre: Comedy, Supernatural
Airing Date: December 29th 2014
Summary: Adaption of the 6th book in the Monogatari series, containing the Tsubasa Family Arc and featuring Hanekawa Tsubasa. A preview of the series will be aired on December 29.
Trailer: PV 1,
Team’s Impression:
Eva: I haven’t watched any of the Monogatari series (I know I know I REALLY NEED TO WATCH IT!) so it will be on hold for me ;w;
Vantage: o.O I swear the release date for this had been pushed back to 2013 the last time I checked…but fine, no reason to complain. Nisemonogatari was a blast to blog, so hopefully this carries over to both the Kuro and Shiro parts of Nekomonogatari. I’ll pick this up.
Oki: …
Linzz: What?! I got too much cats holding into anyway…

Tenderfoot: I haven’t seen any of the Monogatari series either (some day I’ll do it I promise), so I’m probably not going to watch this.
Kaitou: LET’S BRUSH OUR TEETH TOGETHER, ONII-CHAN…no. That was my only impression of last season, and that is all I need to know.
Possible Bloggers: Vantage
 

Love Live! School Idol Project

Animation Company: Sunrise
Website: http://www.lovelive-anime.jp/
Genre: Music
Airing Date: January 2013
Summary: Anime series of the fan-voted idol project that already inspired several animated music videos.
Trailer: PV 1, PV 2
*BLOGGER’S IMPRESSIONS WILL BE ADDED SOON*
Team’s Impression:
Eva:  This isn’t the first time I’ve heard of them and I have seen glimpses of their animated music videos- which were well done. I liked how they balanced the CG and the hand drawn animation for their dances- so I’m hoping they will continue with that strategy during the show (because the dancing feature is pretty much inevitable). I am curious how this will turn out since I’ve learned with AKB0048 and The Idolm@ster not to underestimate the possibilities of Music based Animes.
Vantage: Maybe this’ll be interesting. Maybe. I’ll have my hands full with AKB, so it’s unlikely I’ll blog it.
Oki: .
Linzz: Idols = UtaPuri = win. Girls…. no.

Tenderfoot: I think I can firmly say that this show is something I won’t be watching. Idols of any gender are just not for me. 
Kaitou: The only idols I like are manly idols.
Possible Bloggers: Eva

Overall Thoughts:

 
Eva: Well I am rather surprised there aren’t any series I am desperate to claim a Shotgun for… I am most interested in Bakumatsu Gijin-den Roman, Hakkenden: Touhou Hakken Ibun, Amnesia, Maoyuu Maou Yuusha, Sasami-san@Ganbaranai, and of course  AKB0048 Next Stage. On the other hand I am absolutely fired up for Chihayafuru 2, I WAS CHECKING ALL OVER THE PLACE DAILY AFTER THE FIRST SEASON ENDED FOR ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE SECOND SEASON AND I WAS SCREAMING AND CRYING AT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE I AM SO FUCKING EXCITED FOR THIS!!!!
Vantage: As with every season, it’s a mixed bag. Out of the new shows, there are many that have quite a lot of potential, though it’s really hard to tell with first impressions – it’s never good to base too much of your opinion on them because the actual anime can go off on a complete tangent when it airs, or give off a completely different feel. Or it can just be really, really disappointing (remember everyone’s hype over K?) Others are pretty much guaranteed to be on a downward slope from the start, either because they’re towards a niche audience (Ro-Kyu-Bu, if you’re into that sort of thing) or things like Train Hero, which I’m sure I saw on a season chart a while back, hahahaha it got cancelled. Sequels in the form of AKB0048, Haganai and especially Chihayafuru are ones to look out for, but overall, in a season full of cute girls hopefully doing cute things (Sasami-san, Vividred Operation), how wrong can you go? This coming from the only guy in an anime blog otherwise staffed by girls.
Oki: Okay I’ll be forward with you. I like a lot of types of anime, but most of my interests involve badass fight scenes, giant robots, comedy, and attractive art. I am all for romance and I generally find a good romance invigorating- but I am not likely to sit through a boring story where people learn to be friends. Hey guess what? I do that everyday. I want shit in my anime I can’t get normally. Hey, throw in a magical curse with transforming animals! And when there is no escapism it needs to be GOOD. I’m talking bring in some Michiko to Hatchin or bust me out some Lovely Complex. And none of these shows are that! They are boring and stupid and even the ones with fantasy are just not that interesting. I don’t like harem shows normally, it doesn’t change because there’s a million angsty guys going after one girl. I prefer one girl and one guy, or one guy and two girls (but I dont like it nearly as much). Why Winter season? Where are my boobies? Where are my awesomes to make up for my soul crushing dedication to Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun. Which will be the only thing I’m covering into Winter. WHY ANIME SEASON, WHY, I JUST WANT GOOD ANIME. WHERE ARE MY ROBOTS. WHERE ARE MY BAMF ACTION BASTARDS. WHERE’S MY HUMOR? Oh well, no big, Sailor Moon in oneeeee more seaaasooooon /sunglasses
Linzz: KILL THEM KILL ALL THOSE MOE SHOWS OMGAAAWWWDDD. At least, Amnesia saved me. Thank you, bishies. Thank you shounens. Thank you. Aside from that, and if I’m still a child, I WOULD HAVE BEEN HAPPY TO WATCH ALL OF THEM WITH NO ECCHI. Seriously Blue Dragon was more worth to watch, imo. LOLOLOL Well, since this is the Winter Season’s list, I didn’t really expect some epic shows although a lot have been looking forward to Amnesia ever since the announcement of its anime adaptation. BUT NO LESS GIRLS PLEASE. THIS SEASON NEEDS MORE GUYYYSSSS!!!
 
Tenderfoot: So. Many. Cute. Girls. Sweet Baby Jesus. I counted 14 in total with that set-up. That is a little more than exactly half of the whole winter season. Maybe it’s just me, but that seems like a lot? Like do we really need so many? Anyway, not a lot I’m really looking forward to this season. Chihayafuru and Sasami-san@Ganbaranai are the only two that I can say I’m even remotely excited about seeing. Maoyuu Maou Yuusha, Savanna Game, and maybe, just maybe Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sou Desu yo?  and Tamako Market look like they might be interesting, but I’m not really in the mood to get my hopes up for something that will let me down in the end. Again, lot’s of cute moe girl shows, and a lot of them seem to go into the ecchi side of things, and I never find those shows to be to my taste. On the other side of that fangirl/boy coin, you have Amnesia and (I’m assuming) Hakkeden which are aimed at a very specific female audience (which can be hit or miss for me, most of the time miss.) Everything else seems like it’ll be run-of-the-mill at best. We shall see if I end up picking up any of the new shows, but with Shin Sekai Yori, Magi, and Zetsuen no Tempest carrying over, I should have plenty to keep me busy and blogging. 
Kaitou: Well…looks like the coming year is going to be just like the last one, with a bajillion girls and school outfits, and one or two “maybe” shows. I’ll be banking on Amnesia being my pick of the season, which doesn’t say very much about the anime,considering my low expectations of otome game adaptations in general. The Cuticle Detective show looks decent in terms of art and jokes, but I’m really annoyed that everything is the same-old, same-old. I haven’t really invested in shows like Chihayafuru, despite all the good things I heard about, and watching AKB0048 for jokes is too much of a time-waster. If Sword Art Online Imouto Time continues into the new year, I’ll watch it, and if Psycho-Pass has more than 12 episodes, I can die a happy otaku.