WINTER 2017 ANIME PREVIEW

:Resources:
Anichart, ANN, CR, LiveChart, MAL

:Excluded Titles:
Sentai Heroes SUKIYAKI FORCE; Yami Shibai 4

:Continuing Titles:
Sangatsu no Lion; ALL OUT!!; ClassicaLoid; Kidou Senshi Gundam: Tekkφetsu no Orphans 2; Monster Hunter Stories: RIDE ON; Pokemon Generations; Tiger Mask W; TRICKSTER: Edogawa Rampo “Shounen Tantei-dan” Yori; Yasamura Yasashi no Yasashii Seikai, Yu-Gi-Oh ARC-V

Last Updated: 20/12/2016

---

Hiatus Announcement from Eva

Today I will be announcing my indefinite hiatus. I am saying indefinite because I have no idea what the future holds for me, and I have yet to determine whether or not I just need a break and a change of pace. I have been managing and writing on this website for seven years now, and I have noticed as early as the end of the summer season that just how burnt out I was, and how sorely lacking the enthusiasm to participate in the upcoming seasons. The reason why I stuck around was because of two specific reasons: Finish covering Yu-Gi-Oh ARC-V and cover the second season of Gundam Tekketsu. At the time I thought my sheer determination to do so would allow me to persevere and cover some other shows along the way, but between now and then, a lot of things has happened in my life and my stamina and enthusiasm had virtually diminished. The only show that I know in my heart that I have the determination the finish covering for the sake of closure is Yu-Gi-Oh ARC-V. But it’s not only because I have invested three years of my life covering and being a passionate fan of this show, but to avoid the same fate which had befallen onto Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds no thanks to my health condition at resulted a mandatory 9 months hiatus.

I poured my entire soul into building this website, and passionately written over one thousand four hundred (and counting) entries. It is time to try something new and when life is not as havoc and my passion and interest in anime reignites, perhaps I will make a return. But until then my friends, I hope you continue to support our amazing writers who will be now taking care of the blog in my stead, and I thank you for the bottom of my heart for your love and support you have given us. It is exactly why I hope to one day be back with refreshed and ready to start again! <3

 Inb4 I cover the next YGO Series 😉 Like seriously, if it looks good, that’s going to be hard to keep away from me.

---

Vantage: My reign of terror begins here! From today, this blog shall be known as the CuteAnimeLolis Anime Blog Eva has put in a tremendous amount of effort and hard work into AAB over the years. I’m sure I speak for all of the writers in saying that she’s been a great inspiration and that we’re very unfortunate to have her leave us for now. I hope you’ll join us, either in the comments section below or in the formal Hiatus Announcement post that will follow separately, in thanking her for all of her work and wishing her the best for the future!

There are two more changes to our line-up of writers to announce. Charibo will also be taking a hiatus for the time being to focus on her studies, but please welcome Sidekick back, who will be returning for the season!

---

ACCA: 13-ku Kansatsu-ka

Animation Company: Madhouse
Website: http://acca-anime.com
Genre: Drama, Police
Airing Date: 10 January 2017
Summary: The kingdom of Dowa, which is subdivided into 13 states, is celebrating its monarch’s 99th birthday. These 13 states have many agencies that are controlled by the giant organization known as ACCA. Within ACCA, Jean Otis is the second-in-command of the inspection agency. His agency has ten people placed in each of the 13 states, with a central office in the capital city. They keep track of all the activities of ACCA across the kingdom, and keep data on each state’s ACCA office flowing toward the central office. Jean also often has business trips from the capital to the other districts to check on the situation and personnel there.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: Apparently this will be quite good. I’ve noticed a lot of interest in it.

Berry: Yeah, this looks like it’ll be good. I wasn’t sure at first but the PVs helped.

Nikolita: Meeeh. 

Oki: I love the premise of this show, based on the pv.

Sidekick: Really hoping this one will be good, the original creator Natsume Ono made some pretty neat stuff (eg. House of Five Leaves) but I will say the PVs have left me a bit cold. Art direction is a bit on the flat side, not much showy animation which I was expecting…but given that there really isn’t much this season I’m more than willing to at least give it a chance. Seems like it’ll have a good OP too. 

Possible Bloggers
Sidekick

---

AKIBA’S TRIP: THE ANIMATION

Animation Company: Gonzo
Website: http://akibastrip-anime.com
Genre: Action, Adventure, Ecchi, Supernatural
Airing Date: 4 January 2017
Summary: Akihabara, a broad-minded neighborhood where everyone from beginners to masters are welcomed. Even when you’re alone, if you go to Akiba, you’ll find someone who understands you. It’s a neighborhood where anything is possible, where anyone can do seemingly anything; a place where you can lay bare your body and soul. In this neighborhood of Akiba, which has everything including anime, games, maids, idols, secondhand parts, and cheap food, battles are fought against the “Bagurimono,” and a steadfast “boy meets girl” story begins! 

The Akiba’s Trip games take place in a reproduction of Tokyo’s Akihabara district, where the player must fight vampires by tearing off their clothes and exposing them to the sunlight.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: I know it’s supposed to be Akiba’s Trip, but it might as well be titled Akiba Strip as far as the PV is concerned. Not very interested in this at all, although oddly the art style feels like a toned-down version of the in-house style used at Trigger.

Berry: As long as their skin is touching the sunlight, it’s unnecessary to rip off their clothes. Nope!

Nikolita: No interest.

Oki: I am beyond sick of this premise in anime.

Sidekick: The games aren’t terrible but there’s nothing about it there’s going to be worth watching. 

---

Ao no Exorcist: Kyoto Fujouou-hen

Animation Company: A-1 Pictures
Website: http://www.ao-ex.com
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Shounen, Supernatural
Airing Date: 7 January 2017
Summary: Second season of Ao no Exorcist. In the late Edo Period, a demon known as the Impure King killed thousands of people. After defeating the demon, the Knights of the True Cross kept its left eye safely sealed away on Academy grounds – but now someone has stolen it! Hearing the thief has taken a child hostage, Yukio and Rin go to help. The investigation and pursuit will lead Rin and his friends to Kyoto and involve them even deeper in a sinister plot! But will his friends’ knowledge that Rin is the son of Satan drive a wedge between them?
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: It’s been quite a few years since I first watched Ao no Exorcist. My memory is really, really fuzzy, and all I can recall these days is that it became something of an entry-level series. I guess I’ll continue with it if the first episode can remind me enough of what happened last season and it’s still as interesting as it was back then.  

Berry: I plan to watch the first season someday.

Nikolita: Not a fan, pass. 

Oki: I wish I was up-to-date on the anime but I will have to pass.

Sidekick: I’m excited! I know a lot of fans didn’t like the anime original content from season 1 but I thought it was pretty serviceable. Blue Exorcist in general has a bit of a soft spot for me since I’m just a big fan of stories about familial bonds. That, and the Blue Exorcist movie released a few years back was just stunning. There’s a lot to like here, and people I know that’ve read the manga are saying this is a great arc, so I’ve got my fingers crossed it’ll be a fun watch. 

Possible Bloggers
Sidekick

---

BanG Dream!

Animation Company: Xebec
Website: http://bang-dream.com
Genre: Music
Airing Date: 21 January 2017
Summary: A next generation Girls Band Project which links characters with real live performances! BanG Dream! is a media mix project featuring animation music videos, comics, song releases, and many more. What’s more, the voice cast for the characters of BanG Dream! will also hold real live performances as the Girls Band, “Poppin’Party”.

Kasumi Toyama felt a fateful meeting with a star-shaped guitar in a pawnshop one day. There are four girls who, like Kasumi, have a dream of looking for a place that can spark them.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: I have to say, I thought this looked really endearing and sparkly until I realised that they were being quite literal about it being a multimedia project with live-action performances embedded into the anime. 

Berry: The actual show itself looks fine. If it weren’t for the live-action performances randomly thrown in, I think I would consider blogging it.

Nikolita: It looks fun but generally speaking unless it seems like something really special, I avoid idol shows because I figure I’ll lost interest. 

Oki: This looks so generic to me…

Sidekick: There’s not much about the promotional content that stands out, and the whole live-action footage thing doesn’t sit right with me. Feels kinda lazy. 

---

Chaos;Child

Animation Company: Silver Link
Website: http://chaoschildanime.com
Genre: Harem, Mystery, Psychological, Supernatural, Sci-Fi
Airing Date: 11 January 2017
Summary: In the original visual novel, after a magnitude-7.8 earthquake hits Tokyo’s Shibuya ward on November 6, 2009, a black fire spreads and causes mass panic on the day of the earthquake. The sudden disaster that becomes known as the “Shibuya Earthquake” kills 3,851 people and injures 30,927 more.

ChäoS;Child takes place in October 2015, in a reconstructed Shibuya district six years after the events of ChäoS;HEAd. A string of mysterious deaths occurs in Shibuya amidst the reconstruction. People begin to take notice as the strange events start on the same day that chaos broke out in Shibuya with a certain incident six years earlier. The events are called the “Return of the New Generation Madness.”
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: I’ve never watched or played Chaos;HEAd, but I believe the general consensus was that the anime wasn’t all that great. Silver Link isn’t particularly renowned for saving adaptations, so I haven’t exactly got my hopes up that this will be any better. Not that I can even watch it without being confused. 

Berry: Chaos;HEAd literally killed me. No way.

Nikolita: Curious, but not enough to try. 

Oki: I think I’ve heard enough about how weird this show was to pass.

Sidekick: Chaos;HEAd was terrible. Pass.  

---

Chiruran: Nibun no Ichi

Animation Company: LandQ Studios
Website: http://www.chiruran.jp
Genre: Action, Historical
Airing Date: 10 January 2017
Summary: Adaptation of the spin off manga, Chiruran: Nibun no Ichi. It follows the everyday lives of the members of the Shinsengumi, who are depicted in SD form.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: Not interested. But at least it’s got nothing to do with the Sengoku period, right? 

Berry: No thanks.

Nikolita: Art style is a huge turnoff, so pass. 

Oki: Hahah no.

Sidekick: I don’t know anything about this and the promotional art isn’t really doing anything to get me interested. 

---

Demi-chan wa Kataritai

Animation Company: A-1 Pictures
Website: http://demichan.com
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Slice-of-Life, Supernatural
Airing Date: 8 January 2017
Summary: Succubus, Dullahan and Vampire. They are known as Ajin, or “demi”s and are slightly different than the average human. They have lived alongside humans for ages under persecution. However, in recent years, they have become accepted as members of society. This manga follows a high school biology teacher who has a great interest in demis and his interaction with the various demis in his school, each with their own cute problems.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: I really like the blonde vampire. I have no idea whether I’ll even have time to watch this, but my best girl senses are tingling. Come to think of it, this is also pretty unusual fare as far as A-1 is concerned.

Berry: Looks harmless enough but this show isn’t for me.

Nikolita: You know what? It looks cute and it’s a supernatural show, so I’ll give it a try. 

Oki: Cute? Ugh….

Sidekick: Maaaaaybe…? I dunno. I’ll give the first episode a try at least, could be charming. 

Possible Bloggers
Nikolita

---

Fuuka

Animation Company: Diomedia
Website: http://fuuka.tv
Genre: Drama, Ecchi, Music, Romance
Airing Date: 6 January 2017
Summary: The story centers on a young man named Yuu Haruna who has just switched schools. He’s a bit shy, and he’s constantly glued to his smartphone so he can check Twitter. He meets a girl named Fuuka Akitsuki, who doesn’t even have a cell phone, is free-spirited, and naturally fascinates others. Yuu recently has been getting back in touch via Twitter with his childhood friend Koyuki Hinashi, who is now a popular singer. One day Yuu invites Fuuka to one of Koyuki’s concerts, and there the three meet for the first time. The story follows the love triangle between a love that started through electronics, and a love that didn’t start through electronics.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: Fuuka makes me angry. If you’re familiar with the manga, you will know why. Even if you’re unfamiliar with it, it’s not all that unlikely that you’ve independently heard about a certain truck-related plot twist that occurred in it, because at the time it all but caused an internet meltdown. I can’t remember the last time I got so pissed at a manga. Oh wait, I do. It was only the entirety of Kimi no Iru Machi, not-coincidentally also by the same mangaka. When I was compiling this preview I actually saw one source tagging this as a comedy. Maybe it’s a comedy if you find suffering funny. 

Berry: I literally know nothing about this but Vantage mentions suffering and plot twists…so I don’t know?

Nikolita: I don’t find suffering funny, I have enough drama in my life. Pass! o_O

Oki: I know the spoiler and let me say, hell no.

Sidekick: I hate everything written by Seo Kouji. 

Possible Bloggers
Vantage

---

Gabriel Dropout

Animation Company: Dogakobo
Website: http://gabdro.com
Genre: Comedy, Supernatural
Airing Date: 9 January 2017
Summary: The comedy follows Gabriel White, who graduated at the top of the class at angel school and attends a human school on earth in pursuit of knowledge, but then gets engrossed in a web game and decides its too much trouble to go anywhere.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: Wait, based Kirara made Archangel Gabriel a cute loli? Starring in her very own CGDCT? I’m in! 

Berry: No no no

Nikolita: The summary made me lol. I might watch this. 

Oki: I don’t like loli shows.

Sidekick: Dogakobo make decent comedies. I’m willing to give it a shot, but I doubt I’ll be blogging it. 

---

Gintama. (2017)

Animation Company: BN Pictures
Website: http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/gintama/index2.html
Genre: Action, Comedy, Historical, Parody, Samurai, Sci-Fi, Shounen
Airing Date: 9 January 2017
Summary: New season of Gintama.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: I’ve never watched or read Gintama, I’m afraid.

Berry: The more seasons of Gintama they make, the farther I will be and will never catch up. ;_;

Nikolita: I know nothing about Gintama, so pass. 

Oki: I’m not up to date ;_;

Sidekick: I’m in the same boat as Vantage. At this point the series is a tad too long for me to ever be willing to give it a shot. 

---

GRANBLUE FANTASY The Animation

Animation Company: A-1 Pictures
Website: http://anime.granbluefantasy.jp
Genre: Fantasy
Airing Date: January 2017
Summary: Video game developer Cygames announced during the Tokyo Game Show event on Thursday that its Granblue Fantasy smartphone game will receive an anime adaptation.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: I think I’d be a lot more interested in this if I played the mobage. Unfortunately, I’ve already sold my soul to a certain rhythm game and I don’t think KLab accepts refunds. We hope you continue to enjoy Love Live! School Idol Festival.

Berry: Oh no, this is a definite pass.

Nikolita: Paaaaaass. 

Oki: I pass.

Sidekick: IT’S HERE. I’ve been a massive fan of the game for months now and it’s pretty much consumed my life. Granblue Fantasy has a great story…. when you’re 40 chapters in. Everything about the beginning is a huge snooze fest until the crew reaches…I dunno…Amalthea Island? Which would take at least 20-24 episodes. That said, I’m somewhat hoping the fact that I’m already invested in the characters (Lyria is an angel and I will not accept any other opinion about her) will help me sit through the not so fantastic beginning arcs. 

Possible Bloggers
Sidekick

---

Hand Shakers

Animation Company: GoHands
Website: http://project-hs.net
Genre: Action
Airing Date: 11 January 2017
Summary: The anime takes place in Osaka in “AD20XX,” and revolves around the Hand Shakers — partners who can summon “Nimrodes,” weapons born from their deep psyche by joining hands. In order to grant the pair’s wish, the Hand Shakers compete with and fight other Hand Shaker pairs. The top pair will then meet and challenge “God.”

“They, the receivers of the Revelation of Babel. They, the challengers to God. They, who inevitably throw themselves into battle with their partners. What does God want from them? And did they want powers exceeding that of Gods? The chosen ones, their souls linked, join hands and head for the Ziggurat where the fighting shall ensue.”
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: This screams GoHands. Or maybe, going by everything from the eclectic colour schemes to the albino female lead and deadly competitions between various factions, some sort of weird mash-up between K and Guilty Crown. Hahahaha, remember Guilty Crown? 

Berry: The summary literally makes no sense and the PV didn’t help either. No thanks.

Nikolita: Errr…. what? 

Oki: The art, the studio, the plot…AND the weapons are one letter from being called nimrods? Sounds like that’s what the creator is.

Sidekick: GoHands consists of people that never ever learned about color theory and love blindly clicking on random photoshop filters. That and they make bad anime. 

---

Idol Jihen

Animation Company: MAPPA
Website: http://idoljihen.jp/anime/
Genre: Music
Airing Date: 8 January 2017
Summary: Part of MAGES’ multimedia “Idol Jihen” project. The story follows 47 idol members of the seven parties in the Japanese Diet elected from each prefectures and focuses on their efforts to change Japan with their dance and songs and to give smile to everyone in the country.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: Wait, let me get this straight. Japanese political parties, as entities, are being personified as idols? And they’re planning to make Japan great again through aikatsu? I’m sure I’d find it hilarious if I knew enough about Japanese politics to understand it properly.

Berry: What the actual fuck.

Nikolita: Nope nope!

Oki: I think this oversimplifies the entire concept of how to bring peace.

Sidekick: This could be really funny if they somehow….nah. Who am I kidding. 

---

Kemono Friends

Animation Company: Yaoyorozu
Website: http://kemono-friends.jp
Genre: Comedy, Action, Fantasy
Airing Date: 11 January 2017
Summary: The anime’s story takes place in Japari Park, a “gigantic integrated zoo.” In the zoo, due to the mysterious “sand star” substance, the animals start turning into human-shaped creatures called Animal Girls. Japari Park is a place where many people visit and have fun at, but one day a lost child wanders into the park. The lost child starts a journey to return, but because so many Animal Girls join in on the quest it becomes an unexpected grand adventure.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: It’s like someone took a safari park landscape and crudely stuck an anime girl with ears and a tail on top of it using MS Paint. I have to say though, Yaoyorozu sounds like the comfiest studio ever. 

Berry: God no

Nikolita: Way too cutesy for me. 

Oki: No thanks ugh!

Sidekick: I don’t really like the zoo. 

---

Kirakira☆Precure À La Mode

Animation Company: TBC
Website: http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/precure_alamode/
Genre: Fantasy, Magic, Slice-of-Life
Airing Date: 5 February 2017
Summary: The website teases the premise: “Make food! Eat! Fight!”
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: That feel when you suddenly realise that there’s no-one more capable of filling Eva’s shoes than Eva herself.

Berry: I watched some of Go! Princess Precure and was really enjoying it but then I fell behind like I always do with kid shows. This Precure sounds adorable because it sounds like desserts will be involved but…I’m scared. Eva literally has a Precure following and I’m afraid that if I decide to blog this show and screw up, Eva’s fans will come into my house and kill me. Ok maybe I’m exaggerating…maybe. I’d maybe be willing to cover it.

Nikolita: Never seen anything Precure.

Oki: I think only Eva can do Precure justice.

Sidekick: I’ve tried getting into Precure tons of times but it’s just not really for me. I do hope the fans find this new series enjoyable though. 

---

Kobayashi-san Chi no Maidragon

Animation Company: Kyoto Animation
Website: http://maidragon.jp
Genre: Comedy, Shoujo-Ai, Slice-of-Life, Supernatural
Airing Date: 12 January 2017
Summary: Miss Kobayashi is your average office worker who lives a boring life, alone in her small apartment–until she saves the life of a female dragon in distress. The dragon, named Tohru, has the ability to magically transform into an adorable human girl (albeit with horns and a long tail!), who will do anything to pay off her debt of gratitude, whether Miss Kobayashi likes it or not. With a very persistent and amorous dragon as a roommate, nothing comes easy, and Miss Kobayashi’s normal life is about to go off the deep end!
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: I have no idea why Kyoani have decided to abandon all recent precedent and adapt something as unusual as a supernatural slice-of-life comedy (cf. Lucky Star). Kyoani will still probably find a way, as always, but I have no doubt that this would get almost zero attention without their brand attached to it. As far as I’m concerned, I’m just counting down the days until Violet Evergarden saves anime. 

Berry: Sorry but this sounds really dumb. Also that girl is definitely not a D-Cup.

Nikolita: Not interested in shoujo-ai, so pass. 

Oki: They made everyone look too young for me to be cool with this.

Sidekick: I’ve developed a soft spot for Kyoani comedies over the years. They’re nice and pleasant. This should prove to at least be watchable. 

---

Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! 2

Animation Company: Studio DEEN
Website: http://konosuba.com
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
Airing Date: 12 January 2017
Summary: The second season of Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!

The popular “alternate world home comedy” centers around Kazuma Satou, a hikikomori (shut-in) die-hard fan of games, anime, and manga. A traffic accident brings his disappointingly brief life to an end … or it should have, but he wakes up and sees a beautiful girl who introduces herself as a goddess. “Hey, I have some good news — would you like to go to an alternate world? You may only bring one thing you like with you.”

He responds, “…So, I’ll bring you.” With that, he is transported to another world and his great adventure subjugating the demon king begins … but first the hard work of finding food, clothing, and shelter begins. Kazuma wants to live in peace, but the goddess raises one problem after another, and then the demon king’s army has its eyes set on him.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: Exactly this time last year, a legend was born. Despite the shoestring budget allocated to it by Studio DEEN, Konosuba created a sales phenomenon out of nowhere. It was a commercial success. It made Amamiya Sora relevant after Sony stopped feeding her sometime last year. It introduced me to my one true goddess, Megumin. In other words, it made anime great again. You could even say it won bigly. And it’s going to keep winning. It’s going to win so much, you may even get tired of winning. And when you tell Studio DEEN that you can’t take it any more, that all this is too much winning, they’ll say no! Konosuba must win some more! 

Berry: I know for a fact that this show’s comedy is not my taste. Nope.

Nikolita: Vantage wins the internet today. 

Oki: I love how much Vantage loves this.

Sidekick: Haven’t seen the first season, but good for the fansVantage.

Possible Blogger
Vantage

---

Kuzu no Honkai

Animation Company: Lerche
Website: http://www.kuzunohonkai.com
Genre: Drama, Romance, School, Seinen
Airing Date: 13 January 2017
Summary: 17-year-old Awaya Mugi and Yasuraoka Hanabi appear to be the ideal couple. They are both pretty popular, and they seem to suit each other well. However, outsiders don’t know of the secret they share. Both Mugi and Hanabi have hopeless crushes on someone else, and they are only dating each other to soothe their loneliness. Mugi is in love with Minagawa Akane, a young teacher who used to be his home tutor. Hanabi is also in love with a teacher, a young man who has been a family friend since she was little. In each other, they find a place where they can grieve for the ones they cannot have, and they share a loneliness-driven physical intimacy. Will things stay like this for them forever?
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: Is this the next iteration of Keit-Ai? While the two chase their respective loved ones, will DRAMA ensue as they begin to fall in love with each other instead and question the NATURE of LOVE? In all seriousness, this looks really good. I haven’t come across it before, but I’m feeling a sense of impending angst. Also tears everywhere. And Hanabi is super cute.

Berry: Hey it’s something I’m actually interested in. Sounds like lots of drama and I like me some drama. Interesting how it’s both of them in love with someone else and not just one. Hoping this will be a good watch.

Nikolita: Is the ending as predictable as it sounds from the summary?

Oki: I like the premise and the pervert in me is interested.

Sidekick: I read the manga a few months back and honestly? It’s just an average teenage drama that tries a little bit too hard. Characters are so immature they hate themselves over nothing, and the entire story is revolved around that. It also has this really….infantile view of the adult world in general. I don’t hate it, but it’s not very good. If you want a manga where the characters really are scum and really screw themselves over go read Himegoto: 19sai no Seifuku instead. 

Possible Bloggers
Berry, Oki

---

Little Witch Academia (TV)

Animation Company: Trigger
Website: http://tv.littlewitchacademia.jp
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Airing Date: 9 January 2017
Summary: TV series of Little Witch Academia. The story revolves around Akko, who as a child watched the witch Shiny Chariot perform a show, and from then on dreamed of becoming a witch. She enters the Luna Nova Academy, a school for witches that Shiny Chariot attended. In this new town she meets new friends and starts a new school life. At the school she has lessons on riding brooms and the wonder of magic, but Akko and her friends Lotte and Sucy keep getting wrapped up in tumultuous events.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: I have a confession to make. I’ve never seen the original animated short for Little Witch Academia. But I do know that it’s supposed to be amazing, and that a full-length TV series may well have the potential to save anime before Violet Evergarden ever gets round to doing so.

Berry: And the other thing I’m interested in! I’ve waited a thousand years for this show to finally get a proper TV anime. If the anime is going to be as good as the movies then I’m all in.

Nikolita: Another big no. I’m not a huge Trigger fan either. 

Oki: This sounds like pure joy.

Sidekick: Little Witch Academia is the formula for pure joy. If there’s anything to look forward to this season, it’s this. A shame the art direction took a huge step down from the specials but I guess it’s to be expected. 

Possible Bloggers
Sidekick, Berry

---

Marginal!#4 KISS Kara Tsukuru Big Bang

Animation Company: J.C. Staff
Website: http://marginal4-anime.com
Genre: Music
Airing Date: January 2017
Summary: The anime follows the Marginal#4 idol unit, who made their debut at Pythagoras Production on February 13. The members give their all for their fans in their idol activities, but they are also normal high school students. The anime will follow both their everyday lives as high school students and their lives as idols.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: Why separate the two occupations? Wouldn’t it be more convenient to become, for example, a school idol? 

Berry: They’re cute but I hate their hair colors.

Nikolita: Idol? Pass!

Oki: Nope. No thanks.

Sidekick: I’ve kind of grown out of my otoge and male idol loving phase, sadly. The character designs look nice, at least. 

---

Masamune-kun no Revenge

Animation Company: Silver Link
Website: http://masamune-tv.com
Genre: Comedy, Ecchi, Harem, Romance, Slice-of-Life
Airing Date: 5 January 2017
Summary: As an overweight child, Makabe Masamune was mercilessly teased and bullied by one particular girl, Adagaki Aki. Determined to one day exact his revenge upon her, Makabe begins a rigorous regimen of self-improvement and personal transformation. Years later, Masamune re-emerges as a new man. Handsome, popular, with perfect grades and good at sports, Masamune-kun transfers to Aki’s school, and is unrecognizable to her. Now, Masamune-kun is ready to confront the girl who bullied him so many years ago and humiliate her at last. But will revenge be as sweet as he thought?
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: I remember reading this manga quite a while ago. It’s a perfect fit for Silver Link! Will definitely watch it if I can find the time to. 

Berry: The main dude has the most generic anime guy appearance holy shit. I hate the premise too.

Nikolita: I don’t like the concept, so pass. 

Oki: I would like this more if his harem didn’t exist and this was a story about forgiveness and growth.

Sidekick: Friends that’ve read the original material have told me it gets kinda nasty and misogynistic, and based off the summary I think it’s quite evident. Pass. 

---

Minami Kamakura Koukou Joshi Jitensha-Bu

Animation Company: J.C. Staff
Website: http://minakama-anime.jp
Genre: Sports
Airing Date: 7 January 2017
Summary: The story begins with Hiromi Maiharu, a girl who moved from Nagasaki to Kamakura. She begins her new life in Kamakura and her first day in high school by bicycling to her school, but she has not ridden a bicycle since she was young. On the way to the ceremony for the first day, she meets Tomoe Akitsuki, and Tomoe helps her train to be better at bicycling.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: I remember looking at Shakunetsu Takkyuu no Musume during the Fall season preview with amusement and thinking it might be fun since I enjoyed Ping Pong. I sure didn’t expect to get a sweat-filled, sports-oriented version of Saki with copious amounts of yuri. I’m going to try this hoping for something similar. 

Berry: There’s a better cycling anime this season, no thanks.

Nikolita: Also still not a fan of sports shows. I know I know, I’m so boring!

Oki: I hate sports.

Sidekick: Could be somewhat pleasant, and I’m always up for good shipping. More likely to be kind of bland but there’s not enough anime this season for me to be picky. 

---

Onihei

Animation Company: Studio M2
Website: http://onihei-anime.com
Genre: Historical, Seinen
Airing Date: 10 January 2017
Summary: The historical novel series depicts Heizō Hasegawa, who metes justice on wrongdoers and supervises the crackdown on arsonists and robbers in Japan’s Edo period (1603-1868).
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: Again, I’m not too interested but anything other than Nobunaga must be a welcome change of pace for any fans of historical Japan.

Berry: I usually don’t watch historical stuff so no.

Nikolita: Historical is not generally a genre I frequent. 

Oki: I DO love history.

Sidekick: I do like me some historical anime, and this one’s based off a novel so it could be decent. Will give it a shot. 

---

Reikenzan: Eichi e no Shikaku

Animation Company: Studio DEEN
Website: http://reikenzan.net
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
Airing Date: 8 January 2017
Summary: The second season of Reikenzan: Hoshikuzu-tachi no Utage. In the 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 Ōriku (Lu Wang in the original novel), 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

Vantage: I didn’t know that anime series based on Chinese web novels were even a thing. When are we getting an adaptation of I Shall Seal the Heavens?

Berry: Don’t know how the first season did so idk about this.

Nikolita: Say what?

Oki: I think that a premise this serious deserves having gags means I will hate it.

Sidekick: I’ve never heard of this in my life? 

---

Rewrite 2nd Season: Moon-hen/Terra-hen

Animation Company: 8bit
Website: http://www.rewrite-anime.tv
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Supernatural
Airing Date: January 2017
Summary: Second season of Rewrite. It will cover the Moon and Terra routes of the original game by Key. Moon is the penultimate route of the visual novel, which unlocks after the five heroine routes are finished. Moon gives focus on the mysterious Moon Kagari, her relationship with Kotarou, the nature of Aurora and the Theory of Life. Terra is the final route which unlocks after Moon is finished. The route focuses on Kotarou’s struggle to belong, while shedding some light on the personality of Earth Kagari and giving an answer to what the ‘good memory’ she has been looking for is. “In this dark world, you were the only thing that ever seemed truly bright to me.”
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: Meet Bond. Kazamatsuri Bond. The legendary spy, UMA-hunter and saviour of the Earth. When he’s not fighting in Middle Eastern civil wars or stopping Greenpeace terrorists from committing genocide with their army of dinosaurs, he goes to bed at 9 PM every night. In the future, he’d like to become a civil servant and get married. His hobbies include knitting on weekends, bullying little girls and making case-by-case decisions. Join Bond as he tries to save the world by turning into a tree, building a canoe using his wood, flying to the Moon and terraforming it! It’ll be fun. I promise.

Berry: Nopey nope no.

Nikolita: Have fun Vantage!

Oki: God speed Vantage.

Sidekick: Didn’t see the first season and don’t intend to. That said, good for the fans. 

Possible Blogger
Vantage

---

SCHOOLGIRL STRIKERS Animation Channel

Animation Company: J.C. Staff
Website: http://sgs-anime.com
Genre: Action, School
Airing Date: 6 January 2017
Summary: An adaptation of Square Enix’s smartphone “light novel-style RPG” app Schoolgirl Strikers. The game is set in Goryōkan Academy, a new private senior/junior high school for girls with a vast downtown campus. This highly popular school has “another face” — a secret hidden side. It organizes and trains the special unit Fifth Force to protect the world from invisble supernatural entities known as “Oburi” that are devouring the world. A team of five trained with powers against the Oburi is to be chosen from the student body to perform missions. A new team leader has been appointed to assenble the five students.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: Why does that synopsis feel so much more substantial than the key visual? If I were made to guess what this was about based solely on the latter, I’d have said it was something like a CGDCT about five girls in an art club. 

Berry: I’m so bored.

Nikolita: Animation looks ok, but I have no interest in the premise. 

Oki: I like school girls doing cool things, but I’m not sold.

Sidekick: Wow. What a ground-breaking, unique concept. Schoolgirls…that fight! Wow!! 

---

Seiren

Animation Company: Studio Gokumi
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/seiren/
Genre: Romance
Airing Date: 6 January 2017
Summary: An original TV animation. The anime is an omnibus work that will consist of four-episode arcs focusing on each of the main heroines. The three planned story arcs will focus on Hikari Tsuneki, Touru Miyamae, and Kyouko Touno. The love stories take place in the summer of the main characters’ second year of high school. The protagonist Shouichi is anxious about growing up, and his homeroom teacher calls him to talk about his career plans. Shouichi meets various girls and heads to an unknown future.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: If it looks like Amagami, sounds like Amagami and tastes like Amagami, is it Amagami? I know this is supposed to be its spiritual successor in all but name, but it’s so eerily similar that I’m not sure how to react. The only differences appear to be that the main character now looks like the male lead in a Korean drama and that there’s no best girl Ai-chan. 

Berry: Not for me.

Nikolita: This was one of the shows I was interested in. I do not know what Amagami is, but I’m curious about this one. 

Oki: I will pass for I do not like school girl stories.

Sidekick: I dunno, this kind of stuff is usually not my thing. 

Possible Bloggers
Vantage, Nikolita

---

Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Sukeroku Futatabi-hen

Animation Company: Studio DEEN
Website: http://rakugo-shinju-anime.jp
Genre: Drama, Historical, Josei
Airing Date: 7 January 2017
Summary: Second season of Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu. 
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: I haven’t watched the first season, but I’ve heard very, very good things about this from a friend whose judgment I respect a lot. 

Berry: I watched the hour long first episode and loved every second of it. I’m definitely going to catch up so I can watch this!

Nikolita: I know nothing about this series, so pass. 

Oki: No.

Sidekick: OH BOY, OH BOY IT’S HERE. THE SAVIOR OF THE SEASON. Rakugo Shinjuu is such an incredible series, and season 1 is easily my favourite anime of 2016. While the focus will be shifting from Yakumo (such a fantastic character, excuse me while I cry a bit) to Yotarou, I’m confident it’ll ride on all of season 1’s buildup perfectly. A guaranteed watch from me, and what I’ll most likely be blogging this season. 

Possible Bloggers
Sidekick

---

SUPER LOVERS 2

Animation Company: Studio DEEN
Website: http://superlovers-anime.com
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Shounen-Ai, Slice-of-Life
Airing Date: 12 January 2017
Summary: Second season of SUPER LOVERS.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: I remember this! It’s that shounen-ai about the dude who fell in love with a little boy, right? 

Berry: I was hoping that the main guy wouldn’t fall in love with his adoptive little brother. WELL GUESS WHAT HAPPENED? I didn’t watch it, I just heard. Why did this get another season? ;_;

Nikolita: WHY DOES THIS HAVE A SECOND SEASON?? >:(   You know what would be an awesome BL adaption? That manga I covered awhile back, The Rule of Standing on Tiptoe. 

Oki: NOPE.

Sidekick: When are we going to get the good BL adaptations? Where’s my Dear Mr Hatter anime? 

---

Tales of Zestiria the X 2

Animation Company: ufotable
Website: http://toz-thex-anime.tales-ch.jp
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural
Airing Date: 8 January 2017
Summary: The second season of Tales of Zestiria the X.

Sorey is a human youth who grew up among the seraphim, spiritual beings not visible to humans. Sorey believes in the folklore that says “long ago, every human was able to see the seraphim” and dreams of unraveling the ancient mystery to make the world a place where people and seraphim can live together in peace.

One day, Sorey visits the human capital for the very first time. He becomes embroiled in an incident during which he pulls out a holy sword embedded in a rock and ends up becoming a Shepherd, one who casts away calamity from the world. He begins to realize the gravity of his mission, and his dream of coexistence between mankind and the seraphim becomes more intense—

And thus, the Shepherd embarks on a journey with his companions.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: I need to watch this. I’m sure I would have loved playing through it if I had the hardware to.

Berry: Haven’t played the game or watched the first season.

Nikolita: I’m in the same boat as sidekick, so pass. 

Oki: Is it good? I’ll never know.

Sidekick: I didn’t watch the first season and haven’t played the game, so I’ll have to pass. 

---

Urara Meirochou

Animation Company: J.C. Staff
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/urara/
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Historical, Slice-of-Life
Airing Date: 6 January 2017
Summary: The story is set in Meiro-chou, a town where all-female diviners (uranaishi) live and where girls from all over the country yearn to become the top diviner — “Urara.” Today, a solitary girl named Chiya enters the town’s gates. However, she has another purpose coming here, besides becoming the Urara. Chiya’s days as an apprentice diviner begin as she meets three friends — the earnest Kon, Koume who is a fan of Western culture, and the shy Nono.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: I’m getting serious Aria vibes from this. Replace the word ‘diviner’ with ‘undine’. In fact, it feels like a comfy blend of Aria and Kiniro Mosaic with maybe a touch of Gochiusa. It’s even a serialisation in Manga Time Kirara. By definition, that would make this the cutest and the best. If this is what I think it is, I may not be able to physically live without it this season.

Berry: P A S S

Nikolita: Looks cute, but pass. 

Oki: Nope.

Sidekick: It could be cute and pleasant I guess. I realize I’ve said this for like 3 anime now but honestly there’s not much to go by with series like these. 

Possible Bloggers
Vantage

---

Youjo Senki

Animation Company: NUT
Website: http://youjo-senki.jp
Genre: Magic, Military
Airing Date: 6 January 2017
Summary: The novel series centers on a young girl who fights on the frontlines in war. She has blonde hair, blue eyes, and nearly transparent white skin, and she flies through the air and mercilessly strikes down her opponents. Her name is Tanya Degurechaff, and she speaks with a young girl’s lisp and commands the army. Tanya used to be one of Japan’s elite office workers, but because of a wrathful god, was reborn as a little girl. Tanya prioritizes optimization and career advancement above all, and she will become the most dangerous entity among the Imperial Army’s sorcerers.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: This loli scares me. But I tried out the few chapters of the light novels that have been translated, and really enjoyed what I read!

Berry: This actually slipped past my radar. Kinda hard to take seriously because a little girl is taking charge, but this sounds creepy and just something I’d watch. I’ll check it out.

Nikolita: The key visual for this show legit scares me. O_O

Oki: I am terrified of this little girl.

Sidekick: The key visual’s interesting but I’m worried it’ll be kind of creepy and perverse. 

Possible Bloggers
Berry

---

Yowamushi Pedal: NEW GENERATION

Animation Company: TMS Entertainment
Website: http://yowapeda.com
Genre: Drama, Sports, Shounen
Airing Date: 10 January 2017
Summary: The third season of Yowamushi Pedal. Sakamichi Onoda is a rather timid, anime-loving first-year student at Sohoku High School. Since the fourth grade, he had been riding his commuter bicycle 90-kilometers to and from Tokyo’s otaku hot spot, Akihabara after school. Upon entering high school, he tried to join the anime research club, after meeting Imaizumi Shunsuke, a renowned cyclist since middle school, and Naruko Shoukichi, who swept the Kansai cycling championship, he ended up joining the competitive cycling club. All kinds of trials and rigorous training awaited Onoda, but with the support of his many friends and upperclassmen, the talented road racer inside him began to awaken!
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: What the fuck happened to Izumida’s hair? I’m definitely watching (but not blogging) this, Yowapeda is super exciting. I stopped following the manga scanlation since its translation speed slowed to a crawl once the first Inter-High was over, so I know pretty much nothing about any events past that point. 

Berry: Love Yowapeda but I’m not blogging this. Some episodes go slow and I know I’d have a hard time.

Nikolita: Didn’t watch the first season and have no interest, so pass. 

Oki: I haven’t read or seen any of it.

Sidekick: I never finished season 1 of Yowapeda. 

---

ēlDLIVE

Animation Company: Studio Pierrot
Website: http://eldlive.tv
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Shounen, Space
Airing Date: 8 January 2017
Summary: Chuuta Kokonose is an orphan who lives with his aunt. For as long as he can remember he’s had a voice in his head, but other than that he’s a normal boy – right until the day when a strangely-looking thing follows him home and teleports him to a place filled with more fantastic creatures. It’s a space police station, and Rein Brickke, the Chief of Solar System Department, tells him that he’s been chosen by the computer as a possible candidate to join the police force, although Misuzu Sonokata, a girl from Chuuta’s school with an angelic face and ill temper who turns out to be one of Rein Brickke’s subordinates, doesn’t think him suitable for such a job. Chuuta, who was shocked at first, decides to take aptitude test after being urged by the voice in his head and to prove Misuzu wrong.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: I might give the first episode a go, but honestly this doesn’t really interest me.

Berry: Not interested.

Nikolita: Doesn’t really interest me either. 

Oki: I feel bored by this premise.

Sidekick: Woah, it’s like we’re back to 2006 with this! Has a real old-school shounen vibe, which may not be a bad thing. I’m long past my Reborn phase but I’m hoping this will at least be mildly entertaining. 

---

Ai Mai Mi: Surgical Friends (TV Short)

Animation Company: Seven
Website: http://www.dreamcreation.co.jp/aimaimi3/
Genre: Comedy, Slice-of-Life
Airing Date: January 2017
Summary: Third season of Ai Mai Mi. 
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: What a wholesome Christian anime. How has this escaped my attention for so long now?

Berry: Why are they naked?

Nikolita: …?

Oki: I love the boobs but I’ll pass.

Sidekick: I’ve never seen Ai Mai Mi but it seems pretty bonkers. 

---

nyanko-days (TV Short)

Animation Company: EMT Squared
Website: http://nyanko-days.com
Genre: Slice-of-Life, Comedy
Airing Date: 8 January 2017
Summary: The four-panel manga follows a shy girl named Tomoko who comes home from school and is greeted by her three (personified) cats.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: Could be cute. But not as cute as Urara Meirochou.

Berry: Sounds cute but nah.

Nikolita: I love cats, but no.

Oki: I have literally no interest!

Sidekick: No thanks. 

---

One Room (TV Short)

Animation Company: Typhoon Graphics
Website: http://oneroom-anime.com
Genre: TBC
Airing Date: January 2017
Summary: The series will tell “three stories raised in your (one) room”.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: This looks lewd. It kind of reminds me of Tawawa on Monday from last season. 

Berry: No…

Nikolita: One of the shows I was interested in. Will give it a try at least. 

Oki: I ….  no.

Sidekick: Pass. 

Possible Bloggers
Nikolita

---

Piace: Watashi no Italian (TV Short)

Animation Company: Zero-G
Website: http://piace-anime.com
Genre: Comedy, Slice-of-Life
Airing Date: 11 January 2017
Summary: High schooler Morina Nanase starts work at Trattoria Festa, an Italian restaurant filled with various and sundry quirky characters…and where through its unique cuisine, she will begin to mature as a person.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: Cute. If this ever gets subbed (it’s certainly not getting picked up by the Crunchyroll machine) I’d like to watch it.

Berry: I might watch it because it sounds sweet.

Nikolita: Pass. 

Oki: Much comic such slice.

Sidekick: Ehhh. It seems harmless enough, but I almost never watch shorts unless they’re Teekyu. 

---

Fate/Grand Order: First Order (TV Special)

Animation Company: Lay-Duce
Website: http://anime.fate-go.jp
Genre: Magic
Airing Date: 31 Dec 2016
Summary: The story is set in the year 2015, during the final era over which magic still held sway. The humanity survival and security organization Caldea was established to observe the world that can only be seen by magic and the world that can only be measured by science — as well as to prevent the final extinction of mankind.

Thanks to the efforts of many researchers, the path of human history has been ensured for 100 years into the future. However, without warning, the realm of the future that was under constant observation by Caldea vanished. The extinction of humanity in 2017 was observed — no, confirmed.

The apparent cause of the extinction was in the Japanese city of Fuyuki in 2004. In that city, there was an “unobservable realm” which had never existed until now.

Caldea issued the Grand Order for a “Holy Grail Expedition,” to investigate, uncover, and possibly destroy the singularity that apparently will cause the extinction of humanity.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2

Team Impression

Vantage: I’ll watch this since it’s part of the Fate franchise, but I know nothing about the game. 

Berry: So this is separate from the main Fate story? UBW was okay, Fate/Zero was great, I’ll probably check this out.

Nikolita: Never seen anything from the Fate franchise, so pass. 

Oki: FINALLY SOMETHING I WANT TO COVER! In fact, shotgun.

Sidekick: I hate this game, but I adore Nobunaga Shimazaki and will watch this for him. Just for him. 

Possible Blogger
Oki

---

Overall Thoughts

Vantage: Looks like it’ll be a dry season. Winter has always traditionally been quite dry, but recently there hasn’t been enough tanoshii in anime. I’m probably most interested in blogging Konosuba and Rewrite, but both of those are sequels. To be honest, almost everything worth watching this season is probably a sequel. There’s hardly any new stuff that genuinely excites me, with the few exceptions being Little Witch Academia (if that even counts as new), Youjo Senki and possibly Seiren (if it ever manages to stop being compared to Amagami) and Kuzu no Honkai. Urara Meirochou will also be my much-needed IV drip of CGDCT that will drag me through the next three months. And it’ll be entertaining to watch people reacting to Fuuka. I’m just hoping that the airing dates for Violet Evergarden will be announced soon. I don’t think I can take it much longer. 

Berry: This season is poop. The winter season is always poop. I’ve never been so uninterested in so many shows before. For I really only care for Kuzu no Honkai, Little Witch Academia, and maybe even Youjo Senki. Other than those, I don’t think I’m going to watch many shows. I might check out the first episodes of some shows but I think I’m going to use this season to catch up on shows I fell behind in summer and this past fall because of work and school. Good job Winter season for always being poop.

Nikolita: There are a couple of shows I’m curious about enough to try blogging, but the only show that’s really got me captivated is the next season of Berserk, which airs in the spring. In the meantime I think two main shows and one short should be enough to fill my days and entertain me, providing I like them enough to keep blogging them. I don’t know, maybe I’m just too picky? As for which show in the winter season that has me the most curious, I’d have to say honestly it’s One Room, despite being a short. 

Oki: This season sucks so hard. I honestly went through the catalogue and almost picked nothing. Thank God for Fate or I’d be stuck with cat girl shit and 50 slice of life’s.

Sidekick: I picked a bad season to get back into blogging but eh. Aside from Rakugo S2 and Little Witch Academia there isn’t much. I’m trying my best to stay optimistic about the Granblue Fantasy anime but I get the feeling I’ll most likely just…go back to playing the game instead of actually watching it. Also hoping ACCA and Kobayashi-san will be good.