WINTER ANIME 2016 PREVIEW

Many thanks to Charibo for the assistance of preparing the preview!

:RESOURCES:
Anichart, ANN, CR, LiveChart, MAL

:On-Going Titles:
Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans, Haikyuu 2 !! Heavy Object, Osomatsu-san
Utawarerumono: Itsuwari no Kamen,World Trigger, Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V

:Winter Anime 2016 Preview Excluded Titles:
Ganbare! Lulu Lolo S3, Ketsuekigata-kun! 4, Teekyuu 7

Last Updated: December 31th, 2015

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Active Raid: Kidou Kyoushuushitsu Dai Hakkei

Animation Company:  Production IMS
Website: http://activeraid.net/
Genre: Mecha, Police, Sci-Fi
Airing Date: Jan 7, 2016
Summary: Set in a part of Tokyo that has descended into a quagmire, the story follows Unit 8 of the 5th Special Public Security Section’s 3rd Mobile Assault Division, popularly called “The Eighth,” who don powered armor “Willwear” exoskeletons to counter the rise in crime.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: I read the director of Code Geass is in charge of this project, it’s an original and the CGI looks pretty damn solid, so that’s a plus! Count on me to check this one out!

Vantage: I’ve heard of this. I’ll try it because of the credentials, but I’m not really feeling like much mecha these days, so count me out. 

Berry: I don’t care for mecha but the plot sounds cool because of the police part so I’m checking this out.

Hideki: Oh boy! It’s generic suit anime #43125!

Nikolita: Way too much mecha.

Charibo: YEAH MECHA! What a great way to start the season. 
Oki: This looks good, and I missed out on some great mecha last season! I’m interested in taking a look.

Possible Bloggers:
Eva, Oki

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Ajin

Animation Company: Polygon Pictures
Website: http://www.ajin.net/tv/
Genre: Adventure, Horror, Mystery, Seinen, Supernatural
Airing Date: Jan 16, 2016
Summary: Ajin are humans that cannot die. Seventeen years ago, they first appeared on a battlefield in Africa. From then on, more of their kind are discovered within the human society. Their rarity in appearance means that, for experimental purposes, the government will generously reward anyone who captures one. In the present day, for what a certain high school student expects to be a typical summer holiday, his life is about to turn unexpected…
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: *Packs up bags and flees*

Vantage: This looks excellent, and it’s perfectly capable for a great story to trump the use of CG (see Rokka, Sidonia). I can’t guarantee it’d be something I’d end up blogging, though.

Berry: I actually don’t mind the CG because this sounds amazing. This looks right up my alley!

Hideki: See…you had me…then you lost me at “normal high schooler gets pulled in”. I am SO TIRED of that trope.

Nikolita: Looks good, but – horror. ><

Charibo: I love the manga but I hate CGI animation. WHY HAVE THEY DONE THIS TO US ?!
Oki: It looks really good as a premise but CGI animation makes me feel like butts.

Possible Bloggers:
Vantage, Berry

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Akagami no Shirayuki-hime 2

Animation Company: BONES
Website: http://clarines-kingdom.com/
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Shoujo
Airing Date: 2016
Summary: Second cour of Akagami no Shirayuki-hime
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: I admit to be guilty of having failed to watch beyond the first episode of the season. Welp. It’s been on hold ever since…

Vantage: I felt like the first season was too shoujo for me, and yet there were times when it reminded me of my most favourite anime ever, Aria. It’s a nostalgic feeling. I see no reason to stop watching now though, objectively the first season was just fine.

Berry: The first season started out strong but then went to episodic plot-less episodes. I’m giving up my coverage and letting Nikolita take over. I suppose I’ll watch this, but if it continues to be the same as the first season I’m just going to drop it.

Hideki: What’s that thing called? Oh yeah. Didn’t see the first one. Don’t care.

Nikolita: I have some hesitation after Berry’s reviews last season, but I want to give it a shot. I’m a sucker for pure shoujo shows/manga sometimes. 

Charibo:  I don’t know how many times I tried to finish the first season… I guess Shoujos aren’t really my thing…
Oki: eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey it’s another shoujo where things look like they’re going to be perfectly offensive if they continue from where they left off get it guuuurl.

Possible Bloggers:
Nikolita

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Ansatsu Kyoushitsu S2

Animation Company: Lerche
Website: http://www.ansatsu-anime.com/
Genre: Action, Comedy, School, Shounen
Airing Date: 2016
Summary: The second season of Ansatsu Kyoushitsu.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: I probably won’t watch this season until it’s over. It’s something I would rather just marathon in one go.

Vantage: The first season was okay. I wonder how it sold? It must have done pretty good if it’s getting a second season, but at the same time the subject matter is a little touchy these days. If you’re living in freedom land, just don’t go around wearing a meme shirt with ‘Keep Calm and Kill Your Teacher’ on it. 

Berry: I covered the first season and I’m curious to see what’s going to happen next, so looks like I’m back on board.

Hideki: I saw a lot of season one but….meh. not even want or desire to cover season 2.

Nikolita: Nope, no interest.

Charibo: Even if I’m in love with Karma, I don’t know if I’ll have the time to watch this new season. I might, later… If I miss the Red-hair psychopath too much
Oki: Well, if no one else covers it, I have seen a lot of it. As long as the first few episodes are good there is a chance I will get in on this.

Possible Bloggers:
Oki, Berry

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Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm

Animation Company: Gonzo
Website: http://aokana-anime.com/
Genre: Drama, Romance, School, Sci-Fi
Airing Date: Jan. 11, 2016
Summary: In a world where flying is as simple as riding a bicycle, there is a popular sport called “Flying Circus.”
The protagonist once had a bright future ahead of him in that field of sports but due to an overwhelming defeat in addition to a certain other reason, he has left that field. However, he meets the transfer student Kurashina Asuka and regains his passion as he teaches her how to fly. With his situation changed, he participates once again in the Flying Circus. Just how high will he be able to fly this time with Asuka at his side?
This is a love story about the two who met while soaring in the skies, and the friends surrounding them.
*Episode 1 will previewed at an event at Togeki Cinema in Tokyo on December 26, 2015. Regular broadcasting will begin in January 2016.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: I like the premise…. so I’ll give this show a whirl to see what it is like.

Vantage: Asuka has the exact same face as Chisato from KoiChoco (if anyone still remembers that anime, its visual novel was recently fully fan-patched into English) but hopefully she won’t be as cancerous. It also feels more like harem than romance, but we’ll see. Premise looks nice, and Gonzo haven’t had any major fuck-ups lately, right? 

Berry: You know those scary flying dancer toys where you pull the string and the toy flies up and spins? Sky Dancers. Yeah for some reason, with their long hair and those long sleeves and the fact that they fly, this just reminds me of those. Oh, Oki mentioned them. Anyway I actually really like the look of this, it looks fun and cute.

Hideki: So…it’s like if Quidditch Met Kaleido Star?

Nikolita: Hideki beat me to it – it reminds me too much of Kaleido Star. 

Charibo: Don’t lie to me description ! This is another Harem anime right ? Just with flying chicks this time…
Oki: It sounds so fucking adorable and reminds me of something even more ancient than could ever be recalled: fucking sky dancers.

Possible Bloggers:
Eva, Vantage

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Boku Dake ga Inai Machi

Animation Company: A-1 Pictures
Website: http://bokumachi-anime.com/
Genre: Psychological, Seinen, Supernatural
Airing Date: Jan 8, 2016
Summary: Struggling manga author Satoru Fujinuma is beset by his fear to express himself. However, he has a supernatural ability of being forced to prevent deaths and catastrophes by being sent back in time before the incident occurred, repeating time until the accident is prevented. One day, he gets involved in an accident that has him framed as a murderer. Desperate to save the victim, he sends himself back in time only to find himself as a grade-schooler one month before fellow classmate Kayo Hinazuki went missing. Satoru now embarks on a new quest: to save Kayo and solve the mystery behind her disappearance.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: I’ll pass this for now, but if it get good ratings I will marathon it at a later date.

Vantage: I call shotgun. I haven’t read the manga in quite a while, but I remember it was a hell of a good story. With A-1 producing on noitaminA and Itou Tomohiko (Sword Art Online, Silver Spoon) directing, its production values are super amazing. And freaking Kajiura Yuki (Madoka Magica, Sword Art Online, Fate/Zero) is doing the music, with an OP by Asian Kung-Fu Generation! Kayo is even voiced by my eternal seiyuufu, Yuuki Aoi. You should be sold on the name brands alone. I can’t wait to hear Aoi doing her deadpan loli voice! 

Berry: Kinda mad Vantage took this because this looks pretty damn great. >:(

Hideki: Well, i was going to try this show. lol never mind. I’ll skip watching it too.

Nikolita: I’ll probably watch it at some point.

Charibo: I heard that this is a really good mystery story (for once). I’ll watch it for sure.
Oki: I can’t blame Vantage for shooting this in the face like a zombie horde, what a good choice. Sounds like it will be a fun watch!

Possible Bloggers:
Vantage

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Bubuki Buranki

Animation Company: SANZIGEN
Website: http://bbkbrnk.com/
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Airing Date: Jan 9th, 2016
Summary:  When Azuma Ikki returns to Japan after 10 years, he gets assaulted by a group of armed men and becomes their prisoner. Kogane Asabuki, a childhood friend, saves him with a weapon on her right hand known as Bubuki, a weapon with its own mind. Azuma Ikki, who is a Bubuki user himself, learns about the existence of Bubuki and goes on a journey alongside the companions he has found in an attempt to find and revive Oumai, a Buranki (titan) who sleeps underground.
An original TV anime produced to commemorate studio Sanzigen’s 10th anniversary.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2.
Team Impression

Eva: Despite the lack of earlier information, I had never expected the characters to be young kids… unless they are suddenly going to have this time skip and bam! growth spurt! Anyhow, this studio is known to produce CGI animation, such as: Arpeggio of Blue Steel and Black★Rock Shooter. And looking at the trailer, even though I’m not CGI fan, I have to say it’s not too shabby.

Vantage: Wow, these characters look a lot younger than the synopsis makes them sound. And I’d literally never heard of Sanzigen until I looked it up just now. If they did BRS and Arslan they can’t be all bad, right?

Berry: Like Vantage said, the characters look a lot younger than I imagined they would look. Plot sounds okay but I’m not particularly interested in it.

Hideki: This sounds very very lame in a very big way.

Nikolita: Attack on Titans meets Parasyte? *shakes head*  No thanks!

Charibo: MEH, not really my thing.
Oki: Holy generic genre, batman! I’m too old for this .
 

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Dagashi Kashi

Animation Company: Feel
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/dagashi/
Genre: Comedy, Shounen, Slice of Life
Airing Date: 2016
Summary: Shikada Kokonotsu’s father owns a rural sweets shop, and his plan is for Kokonotsu to take it over one day. However, Kokonotsu wants to be a manga author instead! One day in summer, the cute but weird girl Shidare Hotaru, from the famous sweets company, comes to pay a visit. Apparently, Kokonotsu’s father is famous and she wants him to join her family’s company. However, he will only agree if she can convince Kokonotsu to take over the family business!
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: I might enjoy this, but I don’t know…. Will look at the first episode, but I already know there is no chance in me covering this show.

Vantage: If you’re looking for the next Non Non Biyori or Gochiusa, you won’t find it here, sadly. It’s an okay manga, but it’s really nothing special. It’s not even a gag manga or a real slice-of-life, but instead an informative-type of series where you learn about a new dagashi each week. In exchange, you get to stare at Hotaru, a top-tier semen demon. I swear, if or when this gets licensed overseas, foreign rating boards will mark up the recommended age category just because of her expression on the front cover.^{Why is she so perfect?} 

Berry: This actually sounds okay, I’ll at least check out the first episode.

Hideki: I wonder if I smother myself in this pillow I can forget i even read about this show (tries it) nope, now i just can’t remember 3rd grade math.

Nikolita: Yes, let’s force people to do things they clearly don’t want to do, all in the name of family. Ugh. 

Charibo: That’s funny, the girl in the picture is making the exact same face as me when I was reading the synopsis.
Oki: Wow this premise might sound generic but I can’t get over how good this art style is. . .just up my alley. . .so pretty.

Possible Bloggers:
Vantage

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Dimension W

Animation Company: Studio 3Hz
Website: http://dimension-w.net/
Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi, Seinen
Airing Date: 2016
Summary: In the year 2071, the world’s energy problems seem solved by a network of cross-dimensional electric-field inductors- “coils” -that extract energy from a seemingly infinite source. That source is the W dimension, a fourth plane that exists beyond the X, Y, and Z dimensions.
In this world, unofficial “illegal” coils harness powers that the police can’t hope to counter. Dealing with these coils is the job of coil-hating repo man Kyoma, whose run-in with the unique coil android Mira leads the two to form a reluctant partnership.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
Team Impression

Eva: I for one am already loving the style of the animation. But while the summary is a bit confusing to take in, the promos are enough to make me interested in checking out the first few episodes.

Vantage: I mean, there’s a loli but… it sounds so confusing. It’s like a cross between Expelled from Paradise and Plastic Memories with a bit of Dennou Coil. Studio 3Hz is very new, and has only done Sora no Method as far as I know, so hopefully there’s potential.

Berry: Agreed, the synopsis is confusing but look at that animation! That really catches my eye.

Hideki: I actually fell asleep reading that synopsis.

Nikolita: Interesting concept, but no thanks.

Charibo:  Je.. Je.. Hum.. I… No, I … If I can’t find anything to say about the synopsis that is not a good sign. 
Oki: Actually this sounds really fun. I might check it out, but no promises on covering!
 

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Divine Gate

Animation Company: Studio Pierrot
Website: http://www.marv.jp/special/divinegate/
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Airing Date: Jan 8, 2016
Summary: When the Divine Gate opened, the living world, the heavens, and the underworld became connected, ushering an era of chaos where desires and conflict intersect. To restore order, the World Council is formed. As peace is restored, the Divine Gate becomes an urban legend. In that world, boys and girls deemed fit by the World Council are gathered. They are ones who aim to reach the gate for their personal objectives. Those who reach the gate can remake the world. What lies beyond the gate? When they reach the door, will the world change? Will it be the past that changes, or will it be the future?
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: I don’t have much of an opinion of it. I need to watch the premiere figure out this one.

Vantage: It feels very shounen and a little chuuni as well. At least it’s not a light novel adaptation though, right?

Berry: This doesn’t interest me in the slightest.

Hideki: I’m already covering a show about a gate, thanks.

Nikolita: Title reminds me too much of Steins;Gate. Too many gates. 

Charibo: Based on a mobile game eh ? I dunno.. I’ll go with the 3 episode rule then….
Oki: Look, everyone here loves Gates. Gates are awesome. There are even invisible gates nowadays! But tell me, when have gates gone too far? When do the gates end? Where will the gates finally stop?
 

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Durarara!!x2 Ketsu

Animation Company: Studio Shuka
Website: http://www.durarara.com/
Genre:  Action, Mystery, Supernatural
Airing Date: Jan 9, 2016
Summary: Third and final cours of the second Durarara!! season.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: I’m wayyyy behind, I haven’t even started the second season yet.

Vantage: I liked the second cour more than I did the first cour. I still don’t think it’s captured the magic of the first season, but it’s definitely still watchable. 

Berry: Not a DRRR!! fan anymore.

Hideki: When are they going to STOP with Durara crap?! oh my god… it’s not that good!

Nikolita: I know nothing about Durarara, so pass. 

Charibo:  I have to finish the second cour first 
Oki: I want to watch this show a lot, but until recently no one wanted to watch it with me. Wayyyy too far behind to catch up in time!
 

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Fairy Tail Zero

Animation Company: A-1 Pictures
Website: http://www.fairytail-tv.com/contents/special/zero/
Genre: Fantasy, Magic, Shounen
Airing Date: 2016
Summary: The beginning of many things!! The adventure guided by magic and companions…
The prequel series depicts the founding of the Fairy Tail guild.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: PSA: Do not dismiss Fairy Tail Zero as a filler because it is NOT A FILLER!
Fairy Tail Zero covers one of the most important backstories of Fairy Tail, which leads to and reflects the present on-going arc ordeals. I for one am looking forward to this, but at the same time- I know I am going to have a heartache all over again. I won’t beat around the bush with you, it is freaking tragic. With that being said: Due to this story containing major spoilers which are only revealed later on in the manga, I strongly advise newcomers to skip this, and watch or read the main series first before jumping into this one.
Now will I be up to cover it? I’m not entirely sure yet, but I might be up to it if no one else is interested.

Vantage: Is Zero even long enough for an anime? I only read it casually, so I was completely oblivious to the plot twist until it was too late. It’s good though. I’m not interested in blogging it, but I will definitely watch for the cute magic-wielding lolis. 

Berry: Haha no thanks.

Hideki: Oh boy… a prequel…i wonder if things will happen that will lead to things that have already happened. Oh wait. it will…because it’s a prequel. I don’t really like prequels.

Nikolita: Not a Fairy Tail fan.

Charibo:  Arf, I stopped watching Fairy Tail after the Grand Magic Games arc…
Oki: Aaaaaaay prequel! If Eva wasn’t already on board it sounds pretty interesting.

Possible Bloggers:
Eva

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Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri 2

Animation Company: A-1 Pictures
Website: http://gate-anime.com/
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Military, Seinen
Airing Date: 2016
Summary: The second season of the Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri anime which will cover the Fire Dragon Arc.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: I fell behind around episode eight of the first season, I need to catch up before watching this one- and I probably will.

Vantage: As weirdly nationalist as this sometimes was, it was fun. The Rory scenes were the best, as well as the Akeboshi Rockets OP. I’ve definitely missed them since they did Strike the Blood. I guess we’ll now go from MUH JAPAN to MUH FIRE DRAGON? 

Berry: I didn’t watch the first season.

Hideki: Yep….yep. I’m back to cover the show this season as well. I wonder if he’ll actually have sex with the 900 year old gothic lolita this season….

Nikolita: Still too many gates.

Charibo:  Never watched the first season…
Oki: See? Gates. The gates will not end, the gates know no boundaries. The gates will end us all. . . AAAAAH DARKER THAN BLACK SYNDROME!!

Possible Bloggers:
Hideki

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Hai to Gensou no Grimgar

Animation Company: A-1 Pictures
Website: http://grimgar.com/
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Airing Date: Jan 11, 2016
Summary: Living, isn’t easy.
When Haruhito awakens, he’s in the dark.
He doesn’t know where he is, why is he here, and where he came from.
Around him there are several men and women who have the same circumstances.
Together, they advance forward away from the darkness, and a world they’ve never seen before called “Grimgar” spreads out before them.
Memories, money, special powers — This is the reality we who have none of those things have obtained.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
Team Impression

Eva: This story sounds cool, the animation is absolutely stunning, this show has so much potential that I hope it can deliver!!! PLEASE BE GOOD!

Vantage: Is that Hosoya’s voice? It’s Hosoya! I want to marry his voice. Even if this was a shitty light novel harem fanservice adaptation with zero budget, I would still watch it for his sake (cf. AntiMagic).

Berry: Animation is gorgeous, so I’ll check out the first episode just for that. I don’t usually watch much fantasy.

Hideki: He doesn’t know why he’s here? Good. I don’t have to be there either then.

Nikolita: I’ll admit, this synopsis piqued my curiousity, though not enough to blog it. I miiiight watch it, I’ll have to see. 

Charibo:  Even if it’s not really what I’m used to watch, this show looks really great. I felt in love with the Art, those water color backgrounds! DAMN! Sign me in !
Oki: This looks so pretty and I hope it turns out as good as it looks. If not, please return to sender, or blame the gates.

Possible Bloggers:
Eva, Charibo

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Haruchika: Haruta to Chika wa Seishun Suru

Animation Company: P.A. Works
Website: http://haruchika-anime.jp/
Genre: Mystery, School, Romance, Slice of Life
Airing Date: 2016
Summary: Anime adaptation of the Haruchika Series novels by Sei Hatsuno which revolve around two high school students named Haruta and Chika, who are members of a wind instrument club that is on the verge of being shut down. The two are childhood friends, and they spend their days practicing hard while also trying to recruit new members. When a certain incident happens within their school, they work together to solve it.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: I am on the fence on this one.  I will take a look at the first episode to get a feel of the show, but for now I don’t have any interest in covering this.

Vantage: I was initially going to laud this as the second coming of Hibike! Euphonium, otherwise known as the start of the KyoAni revival era featuring high-budget smiles and lesbian band girls (i.e. a return to top form after a… dip in the other side of the pond, if you know what I mean), but a real second season for that has already been confirmed. So sucks to be you, Haruchika. I bet you were green-lit now to take advantage of the UFO bandwagon. I guess it looks nice though, it reminds me of Tari Tari a few years ago – which was also by P.A. Works, and which also featured a club trying to keep themselves afloat. 

Berry: So shiny…this looks like it could be a nice watch. Mystery with instruments, I never thought I’d see that together.

Hideki: Oh boy. a SAVE THE ____ club series. You know what, if GHIBLI can’t make that shit interesting then this show has no chance. (aka from up on poppy hill)

Nikolita: Reminds me of Chihayafuru, which looks infinitely better than this. Pass!

Charibo: The eyes of the heroine are freaking me out. It’s like she can see right through my soul. Yeah I have nothing to say about that show. I have no interested in that kind “school club” show. I think the only one that I watched entirely was the first season of Clannad. And to be honest, it was pretty boring. 
Oki: Slice of life makes me gassy.

Possible Bloggers:
Vantage

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Koukaku no Pandora: Ghost Urn

Animation Company: Lantis (double-check to confirm)
Website: http://www.k-pandora.com/
Genre: Action, Comedy, Ecchi, Sci-Fi
Airing Date: Jan 8, 2016
Summary: In an age when large-scale natural disasters frequently happen all over the world, when cyborgs and autonomous robots are beginning to appear on the market in technologically advanced nations, and major world powers compete for technology and resources, the divide between rich and poor grows and the future for the poor looks bleak. In this transitional stage, everyone wanders around in a self-indulgent daze and the way out isn’t clear… This is the story of how two cybernetically enhanced girls meet.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: No thanks, not my cup of tea.

Vantage: If you had asked me to judge this based on the promo image, I would have said Touhou. If you had asked me to judge this based on the synopsis, I would have said… I don’t know, Chobits crossed with a politics-type Spice and Wolf? The list of genres ruins it all. Really, it does. This won’t be Herb and Fox S3, nothing to see here guys.

Berry: Ummmm……..no.

Hideki: Wow. It’s like…now in America…but with Chobits!

Nikolita: o_o  What the…?

Charibo: DO YOU HEAR THAT ? IT’S THE MOE ALERT! That also means that I have to run away from this. 
Oki: wow would you look at the time!  (Takes the daper as fuck umbrella and Mary Poppins’ outta this bitch)

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Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!

Animation Company: Studio Deen
Website:  http://konosuba.com/
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural
Airing Date: Jan 14, 2016
Summary: The life of Satou Kazuma, a hikikomori who likes games, all too soon came to an end because of a traffic accident… It was supposed to, but when he woke up, a beautiful girl who called herself a goddess was in front of his eyes.
“Hey, I have got something a little nice for you. Wanna go to another world? You can take only one thing of your choice along with you.”
“…then I’ll take you.”
From here on, the great adventure of subjugating the Demon King will begin for the reincarnated Kazuma… Or so one would think, but it’s the labor for obtaining food, clothing and shelter that begins! Despite Kazuma wanting to live in peace, the goddess keeps causing problems one after another, and eventually, they attract the attention of the Demon King’s army!?
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: Ehhhhh, with this kind of summary I don’t really know what I think. There’s a voice in the back of my head thinking, “Meh…This can either be really bad or… at best, decent.”

Vantage: This is it, guys. It’s the start of the fabled reincarnation anime wave. It’s Studio Deen, so clearly it’s a trial run with an shitty expendable budget studio, but it’s really here at last! In a few years, we’ll get a Mushoku Tensei anime, and the industry will be saved. 

Berry: Shut in passes out, wakes up to a pretty girl, is in a new world, gets a harem. How many fucking times have I seen this?

Hideki: Like I said. I’m already watching a series about another world with a gate.

Nikolita: Pass pass pass. 

Charibo:  MEH, too many little and potentially annoying girls for me.
Oki: This makes me think of Bikini Warriors. Is this their loli apology for bikini warriors? I mean from all anime, not any studio. Is this the anime world saying ‘no this time we’ll be TOO subtle, we’re so sorry’ Because it isn’t enough anime world. It will never be sorry enough for Bikini Warriors.
 

Kono Danshi, Mahou ga Oshigoto Desu

Animation Company: N/A – TBA
Website: http://www.konodan.com/wizard
Genre: Fantasy, Magic, Shounen Ai
Airing Date: Feb 5, 2016
Summary: Chiharu Kashima is the captain of the Wizard Bureau’s Crisis Countermeasures Division. One day, he meets a friendly man named Toyohi Utsumi at the bar he frequents. Soon after the meeting, Utsumi confesses, “I’ve fallen in love with Kashima-san.” Kashima is taken aback, but the two soon begin to spend more time together.
Extra Note: Only 4 Episodes
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: f
Vantage: Is there a reason why this is airing a month later than everything else? I’m sure there is a fanbase for this sort of thing, and I’m sure they will be butthurt over this decision (there’s a joke in there somewhere, I will leave you to figure it out). 

Berry: Why is shonen-ai/yaoi art always so ugly? Sorry, I’ll pass.

Hideki: Pffffffff! hahahahahahaha! (wipes tear from eye) no. no.

Nikolita: Not a huge fan of the art style, but I will check this out at some point. 

Charibo: Looking at this picture reminds me all the freaking Yaoi art pieces of my favorite shows that I’ve sadly seen on the internet. It’s giving me chills… Not in the good way
Oki: HOLY HOMOSEXUAL, BATMAN. I’m good. Looks fun, but almost like a trope and I’m iffy on that.

 

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Luck & Logic

Animation Company: DogaKobo
Website: http://luckandlogic-animation.com/
Genre: Action, Fantasy
Airing Date: Jan 9, 2016
Summary: In L.C. 922, people faced a sudden crisis. In Tetra Heaven, the land of legend, a hundred years of war had come to a close. The gods who lost the war searched for a new place to live, and found it in Septpia, the human world, which they proceeded to attack. The Logicalists attached to ALCA, a special police agency whose duty it was to protect cities from assaults by foreigners (angels), were compelled to act in defense of cities, whether they wished to or not. And depending on their ability, Logicalists could initiate trance with goddesses from the other world, and stand a fighting chance on the battlefield. A civilian named Yoshichika Tsurugi, who lacked “Logic” and lived happily with his family, was caught up in an attack, and took shelter along with many people. He meets a beautiful goddess named Athena. In her hands, she had the “Logic” that Yoshichika lacked. Now both Yoshichika and Athena head to their destiny.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: This sounds pretty neat to be honest. I will definitely be checking this one out.

Vantage: I’m confused, and I’m not interested enough in it to think about it further. Looks pretty cute though, and Dogakobo tend to churn out fairly good stuff.

Berry: Looks like it came from a game. I have no idea what the hell the synopsis was trying to say, and the PVs still don’t attract me.

Hideki: D’aw it’s so cute I think i’ll- NO.

Nikolita: I got burned by Comet Lucifer being a big disappointment last season, and this looks a lot like that. No thanks.

Charibo:  I kinda like the fact hat they can merge and evolve with funky outfits. But again, seems like an Harem anime to me. Too many girls.. way too many girls…
Oki: It looks cool but it’s too mainstream for me. Not enough gates.

Possible Bloggers:
Eva

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Mahou Shoujo Nante Mouiidesukara

Animation Company: Pine Jam
Website: http://mouiidesukara.com/
Genre: Comedy, Magic
Airing Date: 2016
Summary: Yuzuka Hanami is a young girl who has few friends but who can do anything. One day, Yuzuka gets accosted by a strange creature named Miton who is digging through a trash dump. Miton tells Yuzuka, “you have the makings of a magical girl” and seems extremely suspicious. When Yuzuka is suddenly transformed into a magical girl, she’s wearing a bathing suit.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: I like magical girl series, but I’m not too sure about this one… >_> her magic uniform is a bathing suit? Really? REALLY?  I’ll be skipping this.

Vantage: I think this is a pre-Madoka type of magical girl show. It absolutely has to be, right?

Berry: NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO. FUCK THIS. THIS IS SO STUPID. STOP SEXUALIZING LITTLE GIRLS, JAPAN, YOU SICK FUCKS.

Hideki: No. no. I…no. it sounds like the start of a bad hentai.

Nikolita: NO. NO NO NO. Ugh this poster looks creepy, and like a bad ripoff of Puella Magi Madoka Magica. The little winged mascot even looks like Kyubey. 

Charibo: How old is she anyway ? No wonder that people think you’re weird Japan if you continue to produce this type of show. I can already see huge amount of body-pillows created with the body of that 10 years old girl on it. Creepy…
Oki: Look I’m too old for this I don’t want to go to jail.

 

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Mahou Tsukai Precure

Animation Company: Toei Animation
Website: Coming Soon
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Magic, School, Shoujo, Slice of Life
Airing Date: Feburary 7th, 2016
Summary: Mirai is a 13-year-old girl who lives in the human word. One day she witnesses a mysterious object fall from the sky into the park. Excitedly, she brings her stuffed bear Mofurun with her to see what it was. When she gets there she sees a girl named Riko flying on a broom. Riko is of the same age and from the magical world. Mirai has a lot of questions, and Riko explains that she’s searching for a jewel with strong powers called “Link Stone Emerald.” Then Batti, an ally of the dark magic users Dokurokushi, appears before them and demands that Riko hand over the “Link Stone Emerald,” which Riko herself had been looking for. To make things worse, Batti uses dark magic to create a monster known as a Yokubaru! Mirai and Riko join hands and with the magic words “Cure-up Rapapa!” they transform into the legendary Pretty Cure.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: I was initially planning to take a break from covering Precure, but then this happened. HOW COULD I POSSIBLY PASS A WITCH SERIES?!?!?!?! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN SINCE (NOT INCLUDING LITTLE WITCH ACADMIA!) I HAVE WATCHED AN ANIME WITCH SERIES?! THANK YOU TOEI ANIMATION THANK YOU! Gosh I hope this will be just as good as the previous two series!

Vantage: I only know of Precure as the only show other than Gochiusa where you get to play rock-paper-scissors with the characters at the end of every episode. I know nothing else about it, but if there’s a feature like that it’s pretty cool.

Berry: I was watching Go! Princess Precure but I somehow got behind so I need to marathon that, because I really liked it. But this one has witches so…..hell yes.

Hideki: Dear sweet jesus no more pretty cure. PLEASE. I haven’t ever seen a single episode of ANY.

Nikolita: I know nothing about Precure, so pass.

Charibo: I’ve never heard of the Precure series before Go! Princess Precure. Apparently that’s a big thing in Japan and even overseas. My japanese teacher (who is 40) is still watching it. Too bad that I don’t really like Magical girls shows…
Oki: So we know who is covering this. . .and it’s definitely not Eva! Jeez. What a change in things.

Possible Bloggers:
Eva

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Musaigen no Phantom World

Animation Company: Kyoto Animation
Website: http://phantom-world.com/
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural
Airing Date: 2016
Summary: The story takes place in the near future, in a world born of human imagination. What humans would call ghosts or monsters appear, and they come to be called “phantoms.” The main character, Haruhiko Ichijo, is a first year at Hosea Academy along with his upperclassman Mai Kawakami, who fights phantoms with the ability “Spirit of Five Elements,” Izumi Reina, who has the ability “Phantom Eater,” and Koito Minase, who fights phantoms in solitude. They experience the ups and downs of high school life before a certain incident leads them to the truth of this world.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: Kyoto Animation sure loves the Supernatural genre. I wonder what I will think of this one since their last few super natural productions has been a bit of a miss for me.

Vantage: KyoAni aren’t particularly well-known for taking risks, are they? This looks like Kyoukai no Kanata with updated visuals. Still, as a die-hard KyoAni fanboy I need something to tide me over until Hibikek S2. Money. Money everywhere.

Berry: I don’t like almost everything Kyoani makes. I thought Kyoukai no Kanata would be great when Kyoani wanted to do something different and serious, but it was crap and I feel like this’ll be crap too. So I’ll pass.

Hideki: I have an ability too. It’s called “the Phantom not-watcher”

Nikolita: Way too generic, though it looks pretty. 

Charibo:   Why does all those shows look the same for me? I’m so bored of that kind of stuff that I don’t even want to watch the first episode. I like the graphics though. 
Oki: So I guess human imagination is why some of these girls have giant melon racks for a chest, amirite?

Possible Bloggers:
Vantage

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Nijiiro Days

Animation Company: Production Reed
Website: http://rainbow-days.tv/
Genre: Comedy, Shoujo, Slice of Life
Airing Date: 2016
Summary: The series details the lives of four main characters named Natsuki, Tomoya, Keiichi, and Tsuyoshi. They spend their days trying to have fun by finishing their studies and debating about romance. Natsuki, one of the main characters, has a crush on a girl named Anna at school, while others often get involved in their relationship.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: They… really does look like Free… except for the brownhaired guy, you’re not Makoto, where’s Makoto?

Vantage: Looks like Free. I mean, that’s not a bad thing. I watched (and covered a few episodes of) the second season willingly after being forced to sit through the first. But I did it for the high-budget swimming, honest. 

Berry: I love it when shoujos focus on the guy instead and not on the girl so I’m really looking forward to this one.

Hideki: Hahahaha ah….no. no not a chance.

Nikolita: I’m a sucker for shows that focus on relationships, especially from a different POV (ie not from a young female), and I’d love to cover another show with Charibo. So win-win! 

Charibo: FINALLY! Basic shoujos aren’t my thing at all. It’s really refreshing to see the guys’s point of view in love stories. Also, there’s no annoying main heroine so that’s a good point. I like all the characters (That’s something for me)… Oh wait! There’s one character that I can’t stand but this show is still worth it. PS: It’s nothing like Free! I can assure you those guys are not closet homosexuals at all!
Oki: I feel like the shades of pink really foreshadowed how much Niko and Char would want to cover this. They are just too kawaii not to do this.

Possible Bloggers:
Charibo, Nikolita

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Norn9 Norun + Nonetto

Animation Company: Kinema Citrus & Orange
Website: http://norn9-nonet.com/
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Shoujo
Airing Date: 2016
Summary: The story takes place a little in the future. Guided by one particular song, young elementary school student Suzuhara Sorata, from the Heisei Era, is warped through a time skip to an unfamiliar place that looks much like the towns from the Meiji or Taishou period from his textbooks. In this world, he meets three young ladies and nine young men and joins them on a journey aboard the mysterious Norn ship, a giant globe that floats in midair.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: I have been recently playing Norn9, but I’m not very far into it because I have been so busy lately. I have been really forward to this adaption though ever since it was announced. I hope it’s done well and most of all I am curious how they will do this since there are actually three heroines, each with their own set of love interests (which is way more practical than having a dozen love interests for one girl).

Vantage: It’s not for me. 

Berry: Someone help me pronounce this damn title. Interesting to see three main girls so that should be a nice change. Calling it right now, my fave is gonna be the ponytail blue-haired guy.

Hideki: I’ve already seen Fushigi Yuugi…and Escaflowne. and only the second one was any good.

Nikolita: Wtf is up with the title?

Charibo:  9 guys for 3 girls? Even if I haven’t played it, I think it makes sense in the game because each girl can choose between 3 guys. So I wonder how everything will turn out in the anime adaptation.
Oki: It looks so pretty, but I’d really have to see more before deciding.

Possible Bloggers:
Eva

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Nurse Witch Komugi-chan R

Animation Company: Tatsunoko
Website: http://www.ntv.co.jp/komugir/
Genre: Fantasy, Magic
Airing Date: Jan 10, 2016
Summary: Komugi Yoshida is a somewhat clumsy second-year middle-school student whose strong point is her spiritedness. She performs as an idol like Kokona Saionji (her classmate and close friend) and Tsukasa Kisaragi (an idol who dresses in male clothing). However, unlike Kokona whose popularity is skyrocketing and Tsukasa with her charisma in male attire, Komugi’s only gigs are low-end ones like those at the local shopping district. Still, Komugi has her “dream” as she lives her dual lives as a idol and a middle school girl. One day, a mysterious injured creature named Usa-P appears before Komugi. Komugi gives Usa-P medical treatment, and Usa-P, in consideration of Komugi’s kindness, asks if she wants to be a Legendary Girl who can use magical powers. Having become a reluctant Legendary Girl, Komugi battles strange masked figures who suddenly appear! As a newly deemed Magical Nurse, she fights still more waves of masked figures. Meanwhile, a Magical Maid, a Magical Sister, and more also appear to make it a three-way battle!? Can Komugi handle the three roles of middle school girl, idol, and Magical Nurse? And, what lies ahead in these battles and her “dream” …!?
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: I have a faint memory of encountering the OVA, many years ago- but I don’t think I ever watched it…

Vantage: A magical… nurse, maid and sister? 

Berry: So she’s an idol and magical nurse? This sounds ridiculous but this might be something I like.

Hideki: SHOTGUN! This is my show this season. I remember when I first started watching anime on Anime Network I saw this OVA like 10 years ago. it’s weird, but I absolutely adored it. I can’t believe they’re bringing this show back! it’s like a friend you haven’t seen in a long time. Except..you know…that friend’s on crack. WHOO! NURSE WITCH KOMUGI!

Nikolita: Way too much pink. My eyes!

Charibo: AHAHAHAHA. HELL NO!
Oki:  . .but are there really any gates? Are there any gates in this bunny show? There aren’t. So I can’t watch it. . . alas, there is NOTHING else keeping me from watching this hyperactive bunny nurse show because there is nothing about this that does not have my name on it. I mean, this is definitely up my alley. Man, curse that guy, he took my show from me! Yeah…what a sad day in the neighborhood.

Possible Bloggers:
Hideki

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Ooyasan wa Shishunki!

Animation Company: Seven Arcs Pictures
Website: http://ooyasan-anime.com/
Genre: Comedy, Seinen
Airing Date: 2016
Summary: The story follows a boy whom has gained an independent life. After moving into his rented apartment, he meets his landlord. The landlord has the physique of a little girl, and she does the cooking and housework while attending middle school with her friends.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: Wait, what?

Vantage: You’re going to have to do better than that. Even I have standards, you know. ^{I’ll try out the first episode but no promises} 

Berry: Kill me.

Hideki: Oh god. No…no. just…..why? no! why?

Nikolita: Cree-py. I can guess where this show might go. 

Charibo:  Ladies and gentleman, a perfect example of an empty, meaningless void.
Oki: Sometimes God blesses us all with anime that touch our hearts and make us remember why we go on living. Then sometimes the Devil takes it from us and crushes us in a soulless abyss.

 

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Oshiete! Gyaruko-chan

Animation Company: Feel
Website: http://galko.jp/
Genre: Comedy, School, Slice of Life
Airing Date: 2016
Summary: The manga follows the everyday lives of three high school girls who are close friends: Galko, Otako, and Ojou. Galko is a slightly foul-mouthed but good-natured girl who is popular in her class. Her hobby is film appreciation. Otako is a girl who sits in the corner of the classroom, but for some reason is good friends with Galko. Ojou is an airheaded girl who often talks with Galko and Otako. Each of the girls’ names refers to their type. Galko is a pun on gyaru or gal, which is a term used to describe a type of street fashion where women in their teens and 20s bleach their hair and wear highly decorated nails and a lot of makeup. Otako is a pun on otaku, and Ojou refers to a girl who is a daughter of a high-class family.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: *yawn* This sounds boring to me unless it can shine with its humor, as it’s supposed to since it’s a comedy.

Vantage: Galko isn’t gyaru enough, and Ojou is definitely not ojou enough. Otako looks about right. If this was a short, I might have watched it. 

Berry: *slams fist on table* BOOBS CAN’T DO THAT.

Hideki: I wonder how much bleach i’d have to drink to….ok. that answers that question. (dies)

Nikolita: Just no.

Charibo: How does the girl in the middle still manage to stand straight ? Boobs like that aren’t real, I bet she’s suffering a lot with those giant airbags. Oh… Sorry, I forgot the Anime physic basic rule: Boobs are filled with air, that’s why they look like giant balloons that can jiggle every time you move. 
Oki: What…what happened to her boobs? Is she okay? Is everyone okay? Do we all need help now? I’m worried for her safety. . .can someone reach out to that rack and possibly take the guns off of it?
 

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Phantasy Star Online 2: The Animation

Animation Company: Telecom Animation Film
Website: http://phantasystar.sega.jp/psportal/pso15anniversary/animation/
Genre: Sci-Fi
Airing Date: Jan 8, 2016
Summary: Anime to commemorate the 15th anniversary of Phantasy Star Online. The Phantasy Star Online 2 The Animation series will have a completely original story, and the story will take place on Earth in the near future
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: Ah, it looks like Phantasy Star Online 2 is the next one to rise to the challenge… will this one be spared from the curse of videogames adaptions?
Considering it will have a completely original story, I guess that’s a start? Now its fate rests in the director and the writing team…

Vantage: No. No, it will not be spared from the video game curse. I’ve been burned too many times to have any hope left with this stuff. A good rule of thumb is that anything with ‘The Animation’ at the end of it is most likely going to be shit.

Berry: I can’t do this. I don’t care if this has an original story, it’s based on a game, so it’s inevitable that it’s going to be shit. No no NO.

Hideki: There was a 1?

Nikolita: I know little to nothing about Phantasy Star Online, other than I think it used to be an MMORPG…? Maybe?

Charibo: Never heard of it…
Oki: I already covered a very pretty video game show two seasons ago. It was a lie.
 

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Prince of Stride: Alternative

Animation Company: Madhouse
Website: http://pos-a.jp/
Genre: Sports
Airing Date: Jan 5, 2016
Summary: The series revolves around a closed-down “Stride” club at Hounan Academy. First-year high school students Takeru Fujiwara and Nana Sakurai attempt to restart the club, but they must recruit six members for the team. They ask Riku Yagami to join, but he turns them down by saying that Stride is the one thing he doesn’t want to do. However, Takeru and Nana drag Riku into the clubroom to try to convince him.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: Running… Free?
  ……..It wouldn’t hurt to check it out since its a Madhouse production..

Vantage: I’m less averse to sports than I was in the past. And of course, it’s Madhouse. But still… the hell is ‘stride’?

Berry: Cute guys, sports, vibrant colors, and Madhouse. I fucking want this.

Hideki: I’m with Eva. This is like Free…on land. And I had no interest in Free so….

Nikolita: Sports anime are a no-go for me. Not enough interest. Besides, it’s yet another “team recruitment show.” 

Charibo: I don’t know why but this show reminds me Free! way too much. Ooh ! Looks like they brought back Haru-chan, now he enjoys running around the city… What happened to you Haru-chan? Eh… Wait a second… looks like the main blond guy is about to put his hand on Haru-chan’s ass. LOL. I can hear Haru-chan saying: ¨Please, Nagisa, not in public, we’ll save that for later”.
Oki: Sports are for people that move! moving is for chumps.

Possible Bloggers:
Eva, Charibo, Berry

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Reikenzan: Hoshikuzu-tachi no Utage

Animation Company: Studio Deen
Website: http://reikenzan.net/
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Magic
Airing Date: Jan 2016
Summary: In the anime’s story, a comet falling will bring about a great calamity, and in order to choose a child fated by the falling comet, the family of the “Reiken” clan with a long storied history is once again resuming its entrance examination process to find disciples. The protagonist, who possesses a special soul that is only available once in a thousand years, decides to take the exam, and he starts down the path toward becoming an exceptional sage. Studio DEEN notes that the anime will be full of gags.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: When I first heard this was an adaption off a Chinese Novel, I was really excited, but now that I learned about how it will be full of gags, it is obviously not what I had hoped it to be. Oh well, who knows it? Maybe I might enjoy it anyways!

Vantage: fI was really excited when I heard it was a Chinese novel too. I love historical stuff, just like that time they made an anime out of various stories in karuta cards, Uta-Koi. But there was no need to tell us it would be full of gags, because that’s already guaranteed with Studio Deen. The entire studio is one big fucking joke. Huhah!

Berry: I’m…not too sure about this. The part with it having gags will just ruin it so I’m worried.

Hideki: I don’t really want another actiony series with comedy this season. I have Ushio & Tora and Gate for that.

Nikolita: Still reluctant to touch anything with “comet” in the title, or is about a comet. Pass!

Charibo: Not interested at all
Oki: I’m torn because full of gags could make this really funny, or it could ruin the beautiful show it might’ve been.
 

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Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut

Animation Company: Lerche
Website: http://saijaku.jp/
Genre: Action, Ecchi, Fantasy, Harem, Romance, School, Supernatural
Airing Date: Jan 2016
Summary: The story of the light novel series revolves around Lux, a former prince of an empire named Arcadia that was overthrown via a rebellion five years earlier. Lux accidentally trespasses in a female dormitory’s bathing area, sees the kingdom’s new princess Lisesharte naked, and incurs her wrath. Lisesharte then challenges Lux to a Drag-Ride duel. Drag-Rides are ancient armored mechanical weapons that have been excavated from ruins all around the world. Lux used to be called the strongest Drag-Knight, but now he’s known as the “undefeated weakest” Drag-Knight because he will absolutely not attack in battle. After his duel with Lisesharte, Lux ends up attending the female-only academy that trains royals to be Drag-Knights.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: The summary indicates this will likely be anothe generic “the only guy in female dorm” trope.
Yeah I’m done with those. NEXT!

Vantage: I’m a battle-scarred veteran of this season’s never-ending ‘school battle harem’ war between AntiMagic, Asterisk and Rakudai. As of the time of writing, my chosen side has suffered a series of humiliating defeats, and I really don’t feel like tackling another one of these for a couple of seasons at least. I’ll pick a best girl or something though, just for the record.

Berry: This isn’t the Bahamut I want.

Hideki: HOW MANY TIMES CAN A GUY RANDOMLY WALK INTO A BATHING AREA?! Seriously? Is that like…a common occurrence that leads to harem situations in Japan? Because like every third harem show involves that.

Nikolita: I’m really torn on this one. If no one picks it up, I might do a First Impression for it. I like ecchi and harem shows as long as they’re done tastefully. 

Charibo: Ecchi and Harem in the description, so that’s a no for me 
Oki: STOP THROWING THE WORD BAHAMUT INTO THINGS TO MAKE ME INTERESTED IT WORKS!
 

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Schwarzesmarken

Animation Company: Ixtl & LIDEN FILMS
Website: http://schwarzesmarken-anime.jp/
Genre: Action, Drama, Mecha, Military, Sci-Fi
Airing Date: Jan 10th, 2016
Summary: The events in Schwarzesmarken take place in 1983, the East German Army 666th TSF Squadron “Schwarzesmarken” (Black Marks) are a special-forces unit tasked with assaulting BETA forces through unconventional tactics; specifically, they target Lux and Magnus Lux to deny the BETA the advantage of ranged firepower. Their orders are given the topmost priority, such that it is common practice for the 666th to ignore allied distress calls that will result in deviation from their original mission, even if only for a short moment.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: Believe it or not, I actually watched the previous series despite how horrific and gory it was. How I pulled it off? I don’t even know myself besides the fact I had been covering my eyes 80% of the time. That being said, I am probably going to watch the first episode, but… at the same time I don’t want to because I know now how gorey this series can be soooo, NO THX.

Vantage: I have no idea what the summary is supposed to mean. 

Berry: The synopsis was confusing, but the PV actually looked cool so I’ll check this out just to branch out from the usual things I watch.

Hideki: That lady’s not wearing any pants.

Nikolita: Mecha and military? Double fail!

Charibo: Did I read mecha ? Yup I did. 
Oki: woman….mecha…military….horrible.  ..there still aren’t any k’s in there to say it’s got my name on it, but I’ll still watch it! (Maybe)
 

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Shoujo-tachi wa Kouya wo Mezasu

Animation Company: Project No.9
Website: http://shokomeza.com/
Genre: School
Airing Date: Jan 7, 2016
Summary: In the story, Buntarou is a student who wants to be something, but doesn’t know what. One day his female classmate Sayuki announces she is working on a bishoujo game. Sayuki scouted him because he wrote a good script for drama club, but Buntarou doesn’t know anything about bishoujo games.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: Hm, this can be good if executed properly. I’ll take a look at it, but I don’t think I would end up covering it.

Vantage: It’s reverse-Saekano! I really didn’t get the hype over that, by the way – sure, it was decent, and the tropes it subverted were fun, but it wasn’t the next Evangelion or anything.

Berry: I don’t know why this interests me, but it does. It wouldn’t hurt to check this one out.

Hideki: (holds head in hands) ugh….i’m getting flashbacks of Saenai no heroine. Ow..ow fuck my head…ow. That show was so fucking terrible. I should know. I reviewed it. I can’t chance that again.

Nikolita: Haha, kinda reminds me of Welcome to the NHK. I saw that show once and don’t need to see anything like it again. 

Charibo:  NEEEEEEXT
Oki: I looked at this cover and went “I know you. I’ve walked with you once in a thousand animes. And if I know you, I know what I’ll do- I watch episode 1, then drop it at once, the way I did once, last season.”

Possible Bloggers:
Berry

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Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu

Animation Company: Studio Deen
Website: http://rakugo-shinju-anime.jp/
Genre: Drama, Historical, Josei
Airing Date: Jan 9, 2016
Summary: When a certain man is released from prison, he knows exactly where he’s heading first. After falling in love with a traditional comic storyteller’s rendition of the story called “Shinigami,” he is determined to become his apprentice. The performer, Yakumo, has never taken an apprentice before, but to everyone’s surprise, he accepts the eager ex-prisoner, nicknaming him “Yotaro.” As Yotaro happily begins his new life, he meets others in Yakumo’s life, including Yakumo’s ward Konatsu. Konatsu was the daughter of a famous storyteller, and Yakumo took her in after her father’s tragic death. Konatsu loved her father’s storytelling, and would love to become a performer in her own right–but that path is not available for women.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: I definitely can see myself enjoying this type of historical show. I look forward to it!

Vantage: Hey, this is exactly what I wanted from that show up above until I saw it was being produced by that unspeakable studio. Except this is being produced by Deen too, the fuckers. I’ll probably watch it, but at this rate I won’t have time to blog it. Unless Eva, you’re up for sharing?

Berry: My heart flutters whenever I see a josei because there are hardly any, and the ones I have seen I loved. They always have more mature stories, which I love, so this looks like it’ll be a treat.

Hideki: That path is not available for women? wow. Short series.

Nikolita: Also not my thing.

Charibo: That look depressing as hell… But also like a great story. I might check this out.
Oki:  I’m…getting feels just reading this. . .

Possible Bloggers:
Eva, Oki

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Ojisan to Marshmallow (TV SHORT)

Animation Company: Creators in Pack
Website: http://www.dreamcreation.co.jp/ojimasyu/
Genre: Comedy, Seinen, Slice of Life
Airing Date: Jan 8, 2016
Summary: The story centers around Kusaka, an older man who loves marshmallows, and Wakabayashi, an OL (office lady) who loves Kusaka. The manga follows as their relationship unfolds at their office
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: Not a fan of TV Shorts in general, but it looks cute.

Vantage: kek

Berry: Um…okay?

Hideki: I’m…moderately intrigued by this? So i’m going to say……maybe?

Nikolita: Cute, but nope.

Charibo:   huuummm… NO.
Oki: Naw man. I ain’t got time to play play.

Possible Bloggers:
Hideki

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Sekkou Boys (TV SHORT)

Animation Company: LIDEN FILMS
Website: http://sekkoboys.com/
Genre: Comedy, Music
Airing Date: Jan 8, 2016
Summary: Sekkō Boys is a unit of four stone figures — the military saint and group leader Saint Giorgio, history’s original celebrity Medici, the strikingly handsome and multi-talented Hermes, and the god of war Mars who is earnest about love — who become idiosyncratic idols. The story depicts their efforts to make it in the entertainment world with their female manager Miki Ishimoto, who just graduated from college
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: PFFTTHHHH, this… I have no words, but I expect it to ridiculiously hilarious.

Vantage: AOTS. No, AOTY. Sekkou Boys will follow in the footsteps of its universally praised spiritual predecessors, Ninja Slayer and Inferno Cop. It will undoubtedly be a generator of memes and a work of art. Watch this space, because you are looking at the next YEART YEART YEART YEART YEART

Berry: WHAT IS THIS?

Hideki: The Fuck?

Nikolita: I can’t describe how hard I headdesked when I saw this show. Really.

Charibo: What the hell is that ? This show looks AMAZING ! Aren’t they super-handsome with their little ribbons? 
Oki: I really respect Charibo for her reaction and not mine. (Runs outside into a bus)

Possible Bloggers:
Charibo

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Sushi Police (TV-SHORT)

Animation Company: KOO-KI
Website: http://sushi-police.com
Genre: Comedy, Police
Airing Date: Jan 7, 2016
Summary: With the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games around the corner, there’s also a worldwide sushi boom!
But what to do with all the bastardized sushi out there?
The Japanese government’s urgent response is to team up with other ruling powers around the world to establish the World Food-culture Conservation Organization (WFCO) to protect and promote authentic local cuisine. And so the WFCO deploys its 9th Division to oversee Japanese cuisine abroad. The 9th Division, a.k.a. Sushi Police, is notorious for their aggressive conduct and they hassle anyone serving unauthentic Japanese food in the U.S., Russia, France, China, etc. They will resort to any means necessary to eliminate bad sushi. Soon they are despised by restaurant proprietors around the world.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: You know, I just said I don’t watch TV SHORTS… but this, I might just watch this.

Vantage: This sounds hilarious. What to do with all the bastardized sushi out there?!

Berry: I understand seeing foods from your culture being unauthentic shit and I’ve heard that displeasure from other people too, so I like the concept. Sounds funny too, but I don’t know if I’ll watch it.

Hideki: It looked interesting until i saw the trailer and saw cgi. no thanks

Nikolita: “Bastardized sushi” is my new favourite term. But pass. 

Charibo: I’ve already signed up for a  weird TV Short. One is enough, I have a reputation to maintain you know…
Oki: It could be worse. They could be much more…….fishy.  [audible wink]
 

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Yami Shibai 3 (TV SHORT)

Animation Company: ILCA
Website: http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/yamishibai/
Genre: Horror, Supernatural
Airing Date: 2016
Summary: A picture-story style of animation whose motif is surrounded and based off the rumors, and urban legends throughout the history of Japan.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: Horor? Default Pass.

Vantage: top kek

Berry: There are other seasons which I haven’t seen.

Hideki: ugh. it looks so ugly

Nikolita: Looks like a show featuring all the demon monsters from Berserk. Pass!

Charibo:  To creepy for me 
Oki: Who made this, Hieronymus Bosch??

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GOD EATER (Ep 10 – 13)

Animation Company:  ufotable
Website: http://www.godeater.jp/anime/
Genre: Action, Demons, Fantasy, Military, Supernatural
Airing Date: Jan 2016
Summary: Continuing where the story left off.
The Far East, 2071. The domain of the mad gods. In the early 2050s, unknown life forms called “Oracle Cells” begin their uncontrolled consumption of all life on Earth. Their ravenous appetite and remarkable adaptability earn them first dread, then awe, and finally the name “Aragami”. In the face of an enemy completely immune to conventional weapons, urban civilization collapses, and each day humanity is driven further and further toward extinction. One single ray of hope remains for humanity. Following the development of “God Arcs”—living weapons which incorporate Oracle cells—their wielders are organized into an elite force. In a world ravaged by mad gods, these “God Eaters” fight a desperate war…
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2
Team Impression

Eva: I hope the decision for the delay pays off….

Vantage: It wasn’t so much a delay as it was them being forced to stop after a combined entire month’s worth of not completing episodes promptly left them with no more air time for the season. It was too late to book any for Fall 2015, so they had to wait until Winter 2016 to clean up their embarrassment of an experiment. I will finish what I started this summer, and after this entire fiasco these episodes better be fucking perfect. 

Berry: I didn’t watch this so lmao. *pats Vantage’s back* We’re here for you, man.

Hideki: i wasn’t even interested in watching the first part of god eater so..no.

Nikolita: I know nothing about God Eater, and have zero interest in it, so pass. 

Charibo: I remember seeing the first episode of this show a while ago and then entirely forgetting the existence of it. 
Oki: [laughs in Vantage’s general direction]

Possible Bloggers:
Vantage

 

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Overall Thoughts

Eva: I have to say, Winter 2016 Season doesn’t seem to have a whole lot of titles I am interested in- which kind of works in for me since I will be busier in the winter.  There are a lot of sequels, most of them I haven’t watched or finished the first season, so that helps narrow things down. Right now the only show I can  almost guarantee I will be covering at least three episodes of is Mahou Tsukai Precure. The few titles I am keeping my eyes out for are: Active Raid: Kidou Kyoushuushitsu Dai Hakkei, Hai to Gensou no Grimgar, Norn9 Norun + Nonetto and maybe Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu depending on how it turns out (will definitely be willing to share with Vantage or Oki, or pass it off to the two of them to share if it turns out to be good). The rest I am curious about will likely follow, but I might pick any of them up if I seen potential.

Vantage: I remember feeling super excited when I first scanned through the list this season, but for some reason I felt more disillusioned the longer I looked at it. Still looks like it’ll be a quality season though, especially for Winter. Hai to Gensou no Grimgar, Haruchika and Myriad Colors Phantom World are the offerings from what are often regarded as the ‘better’ production studios (A-1, P.A. Works and KyoAni) and all of them look like they’ll be solid titles, innovation not guaranteed. I’m most interested in blogging the latter two, in addition to Boku Dake ga Inai Machi (which will save anime) and Dagashi Kashi (which will be super hot). Others to watch out for include Ajin, Ao no Kanata no Four Rhythm and, of course, the undisputed AOTY Sekkou Boys. 

Berry: I will say that this Winter season looks a lot better than previous Winter seasons because they’re usually really bad. There’s only a few shows I’m interested in covering like Prince of Stride, Ajin, and the bishoujo game one. Also Assassination Classroom because I covered it last time. Lately I’ve been trying to watch shows I don’t usually watch which is what I’m trying to do this time, which is why I didn’t decide to cover some of them because it’s experimental. But a lot of these shows deserve at least a quick watch of the first episode because they can end up being good. So, it’s not terrible like other Winter seasons. I’m giving more chances.

Hideki: Save for a few shows, this season looks very very generic. True it’s better than last year’s Winter however…that’s not saying a whole lot. It seems that every show is either dystopian or “goes through a gate” or generic harem show. Why oh why can’t they EVER have a harem show with a twist? Let’s see. i’m going to pull one out of my ass now. Um… okay. So this guy has this crush on the main female character, but she doesn’t like him. Then something magical happens and he realizes that he only idol worshipped her and didn’t really love her. Now other girls are in the picture and she realizes she loves him but it’s too late as the other girls fall for him, and one of the girls still loves him even after he loses his magic and the original girl has to go off and have a sad ending because she was a tsundere bitch. Bam. There. I just made a brand new harem show that doesn’t suck. Oh. and one of the girl/guy final romance is a foreigner. But I am getting off topic. The point is, this season isn’t going to win any awards with me. I am happy that GATE is coming back, but this is the season of continuations. I have Gate, Ushio and Tora, and World Trigger. (Maybe Osomatsu if it stops sucking). The only series i’m REALLY excited for is Nurse Witch Komugi because this show has a special place in my nostalgia heart and I can’t wait to see if they kept the feeling from the original OVA. Am I excited for the pick this season? Meh. But, I have enough to keep me busy. So there’s that….NURSE WITCH KOMUGI!! WHOO!!

Nikolita: I have my hands full with life right now, so if I have only two or three shows to watch, then that’s fine with me. I did notice that there were only a handful of shows this season that interested me, which I’m a little disappointed in, but that just means that hopefully the shows I do review will be quality. I’ve been saying since last season that I was waiting for another season for two shows, and Akagami no Shirayuki was one of them, so I am very happy about that release. Nijiiro Days has me the most excited, both because of what the show is about and because I will hopefully be sharing it with Charibo. Let the winter season begin!

Charibo: Wow. So many generic shows this season. Like Vantage I remember being super excited when I saw the first titles of this season. They had Nijiiro Days, Ajiin, Hai to Gensou no Grimgar… My life was amazing! And then I learned that Ajin was getting CGI animation… WHY ?! this is my biggest disappointment. I will check the anime for sure because I love the story so much… but yeah, I’m crying inside. I will probably end up blogging about Nijiiro Days (that’s a must watch for me), Hai no Gensou no Grimar and Prince of stride (because I’m still not over my Free! period for some reason). Of course I’ll still continue to review Haikyuu!!. Wait a second… I feel like I’m forgetting one show… Could it be… SEKKOU BOYS OF THE DOOM!!! AAAHH I’M SO HYPED ABOUT THIS!! WHY?! WHY AM I SO EXCITED ABOUT A TV SHORT ON FREAKING IDOL STONE FIGURES?!Anyway, this show looks amazing, exactly my type of humor. Count me the hell in!
Oki: Wow, this season makes me remember why I blog. Even if I look at twenty shows and go ‘wow that’s boring’ I can still find something intriguing or motivating to look for. While this season isn’t perfect and I can feasibly only cover 2-3 shows, I am very invested in what can happen this season,.  ..even if it’s only surviving until one that makes me excited comes up again. But hey, maybe less gates? Or do we need more gates? Really, it’s up to the gates to decide. Where would we be without gates?