LAST UPDATED
12/21/2018
Resources
AniList, ANN, CR, MAL, MoeTron
ON-GOING TITLES
(Bolded: On-Going Coverage)
Captain Tsubasa (2018), Fairy Tail (2018), Gyakuten Saiban: Sono “Shinjitsu”, Igi Ari! S2, Hinomaru-Zumou,
JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken: Ougon no Kaze, Karakuri Circus, Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru, Kiratto Pri☆chan
Radiant, SAO: Alicization, Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken, Toaru Majutsu no Index III, Yu-Gi-Oh VRAINS
Titles Excluded in Winter 2019 Preview
TV-Shorts, Flying Babies, Mannaka no Rikkun, Virtual-san wa Miteiru,
~*~
Season Updates & Announcements
-
Winter Season Hiatus: Oki, Fuzzy
Both writers will continue their on-going coverage from Fall 2018 Season! - NEW! Comment Section Policy Page: if you haven’t checked it out already, please do!
- THE TEAM PAGE IS BACK! As you may have noticed, we had taken down the Team page a while back. It was terribly out of date and I wanted to make it look better
MANGA ADAPTIONS
 Mob Psycho 100 II モブサイコ100 II Source: MANGA Animation Company: BONES Website: http://mobpsycho100.com/ Premieres: January 7, 2019 (JST) Genre: Action, Comedy, Supernatural Synopsis: The second season of Mob Psycho 100. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Berry: Mob! I loved One Punch Man but I really fell behind on the manga, and I do admit that it can get a little repetitive. I personally do love Mob Psycho much more and I’m SO excited it’s coming back again! This is a popular one so I won’t even bother signing up for it but you bet I’m gonna watch this. MidnightDevont: -shrieks- I love Mob Psycho 100. I am one of the few people I know to truly believe that it is the superior one of ONE-sensei’s works. Not to say I don’t like One Punch Man, but Mob is just better to me. I have been hyped as hell since I heard there was going to be a new season. I’ll gladly pick this up! Shadow: MOB IS FINALLY BACK AND I AM SO EXCITED. While everyone seems to be hyped over One Punch Man season 2 to come out later, I’m honestly more excited to get Mob first since I do enjoy it more. After watching the preview, things are going to be epic and I would love to blog about this one if possible. Aplus: More Mob means more Reigen, which brings me great joy. I look forward to seeing Mob’s stoic, emotionless face as well as his unconscious, unyielding rage. Possible Bloggers: MidnightDevont, Shadow |
 Kakegurui ×× (S2)賭ケグルイ×× Source: MANGA Animation Company: MAPPA Website: https://kakegurui-anime.com/ Premieres: January 9, 2019 (JST) Genre: Drama, Game, Mystery, Psychological, School, Shounen Synopsis: The second season of Kakegurui Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Berry: Nikolita won’t be joining me this time around so I’ll have to handle this one on my own. I did have my issues with the first season but I still enjoyed watching it because of how…weird and entertaining it was. Also, Yumeko is awesome so more of her is great. MidnightDevont: This is another show I absolutely adored the first season of. Though I believe Berry and Niko had the first season covered. I’ll leave this to them, but i’ll be watching it for sure. Aplus: Season 1 was good, but not as good I was hoping. I’ll give this season a shot for sure though so here’s to a better season 2! I think I still have a shot of one of Yumeko’s amazing reaction faces as a background for one of my electronics. Possible Bloggers: Berry |
 Yakusoku no Neverland約束のネバーランド Source: MANGA Animation Company: CloverWorks Website: https://neverland-anime.com/ Premieres: January 10, 2019 (JST) Genre: Mystery, Psychological, Supernatural Synopsis: Emma, Norman and Ray are the brightest kids at the Grace Field House orphanage. And under the care of the woman they refer to as “Mom,” all the kids have enjoyed a comfortable life. Good food, clean clothes and the perfect environment to learn—what more could an orphan ask for? One day, though, Emma and Norman uncover the dark truth of the outside world they are forbidden from seeing. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Eva: I plead guilty for not reading this manga yet, but maybe it will be an advantage to me. I have been wanting to get around to it, so maybe I’ll just watch the anime first before I do. Berry: I’m not a manga reader for the most part but I’ve always wanted to read this manga because it sounds so amazing. This innocence splashed with something darker and strange always catches my attention. Cloverworks has not had a good track record so far, but this series looks so cool that I’m going to give it a shot. Maybe I’ll check the couple volumes my local library has~ Shadow: I honestly was interested in it judging from the art style since it looked interesting. However, after the creepy vibes I got after the first few seconds of the PV before it plunged into horror, showing it’s more psychological tone, I got too freaked out and noped out of it real quick because I’m a scaredy baby. Ruru: I’d heard of the manga before but didn’t really know anything about it until I read the previews for this season. It looks pretty interesting though, I might end up watching it. I’m kinda into “isolated group discovers horrifying secret” stories. Aplus: Literally never heard of this, but the PV is children, chains, and fire. Sounds good to me. It looks dark and a mystery + psychological tag combo is almost a guaranteed watch from me. Possible Bloggers: Eva, Berry |
 Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunousenかぐや様は告らせたい～天才たちの恋愛頭脳戦～ Source: MANGA Animation Company: A-1 Pictures Website: https://kaguya.love/ Premieres: January 12, 2019 (JST) Genre: Comedy, Psychological, Romance Synopsis: Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane are the members of the incredibly prestigious Shuichi’in Academy’s student council, asserting their positions as geniuses among geniuses. All the time they spend together has caused the two of them to develop feelings for each other, but their pride will not allow them to be the one to confess and become the submissive one in the relationship! Love is war, and their battle to make the other confess begins now! Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Eva: Wow I actually read this earlier this year, but then I completely forgot about it. It’s a doozy that’s for sure. Berry: This is unusually intense lol. It looks like it could be pretty fun. It’s an interesting take on a love story so I’d like to see how it plays out. MidnightDevont: This looks and sounds really hilarious, I kept giggling during the PV and the character designs are nice. So I think i’m at least going to give this a shot. Shadow: Wha… What the heck is this??? At first I was uncomfortable from the creepy vibes from the PV and then went into WHAT THE HECK AM I WATCHING. The premise could be interesting and with there seemingly more than one couple, I may wanna take a look at it. Ruru: This actually looks like a lot of fun and I think I’m probably going to give it a try. The narrator in the PV is hilarious, he reminds me of the Kaiji narrator. Aplus: Cute girls, handsome guys, and a nice animation style. If it manages to actually be funny too I have no reason not to watch. The premise in the PV sounds interesting too, hopefully it’s not just marketing and they actually deliver on it. Possible Bloggers: MidnightDevont, Shadow |
 Dororoどろろ Source: MANGA Animation Company: MAPPA & Tezuka Productions Website: https://dororo-anime.com/ Premieres: January 7, 2019 (JST) Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy Synopsis: Dororo, a young orphan thief, falls into the company of Hyakkimaru, a powerful demon-hunting Rounin. Before Hyakkimaru’s birth his father, a greedy feudal lord, made a pact with 40 demons and let them each take a piece of his unborn son’s body, in return for granting him great power. Hyakkimaru was born without arms, legs, eyes, ears a nose or mouth, a barely human creature, and his father had him thrown in the river. He was rescued and raised by Dr. Honma, who made him artificial limbs and helped him learn to fight the demons – each time he defeats one he reclaims one piece of his body. Now he and Dororo travel together through the war-torn countryside. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Eva: The premise has my attention, but I think I’m just going to wait and see what the others say about it because I’m worried it’s going to freak me out too much, especially if it’s too graphic. Berry: Yo, this looks sick as fuck. The main guy’s design is super cool and it just looks like it’ll be a crazy ride and I’m all for it. Shadow: Hmmm, I feel like this one could be really interesting or underwhelming. Or maybe even depressing judging from the synopsis. However, being the fantasy lover than I am, I’m willing to give this a few episodes. Hopefully it’s not too graphic… Ruru: This isn’t my usual cup of tea at all but I’m strangely intrigued by it? The fact that it’s based on a Tezuka manga sort of makes me want to watch. It kinda gives me Devilman Crybaby vibes. I’ll probably try it out. Aplus: This seems like it will my action/adventure quota quite well. Samurai Champloo, Afro Samurai vibes. I’m pretty excited. Possible Bloggers: Shadow, Ruru, Berry |
 5-Toubun no Hanayome五等分の花嫁 Source: MANGA Animation Company: Tezuka Productions Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/5hanayome/ Premieres: January 10, 2019 (JST) Genre: Harem, Comedy, Romance, School, Shounen Synopsis: One day, a poor high school second-year named Futaro Uesugi comes across a private tutoring gig with good pay. But his pupils are his classmates!! And they’re quintuplets!! A-and they’re all gorgeous girls, but they’re also troublemakers who hate to study and are on the verge of flunking out! And his first task is simply gaining the sisters’ trust?! Every day is a party! The curtain is rising on the Nakano quintuplets’ quirky romantic comedy with five times the cute!! Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 |
 3D Kanojo 23D彼女 2 Source: MANGA Animation Company: Hoods Entertainment Website: http://www.3dkanojo-anime.com/ Premieres: January 9, 2019 (JST) Genre: Romance, Slice of Life, Comedy, Shoujo Synopsis: The second cour of 3D Kanojo. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Shadow: While the first half of the series was… quite low par due to the terrible animation, rather terrible characters and just underwhelming plotlines, I’m hesitant to continue this. HOWEVER, I did skim through the manga and… it had it’s moments. I’m even embarrassed to say I teared up at one point. So I’m honestly am curious as to how this will go and if they can redeem itself. SURE, I guess I’ll throw my hat into the ring on this one. Possible Bloggers: Shadow |
 Domestic na Kanojoドメスティックな彼女 Source: MANGA Animation Company: diomedéa Website: http://domekano-anime.com/ Premieres: January 12, 2019 (JST) Genre: Romance, Drama, Shounen Synopsis: High schooler Natsuo is hopelessly in love with his cheerful and popular teacher, Hina. However, one day at a mixer, he meets a moody girl by the name of Rui and ends up sleeping with her. Soon after, his father announces that he’s getting remarried to a woman with two daughters of her own. And who shows up in tow, other than both Hina and Rui?! Natsuo’s outrageous new life starts now! Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Eva: I read a bit of this one. I didn’t make it past Chapter 5, it’s not my cup of tea. I wonder how they plan to pace it considering this series now has over 200 chapters… Ruru: Well this looks like hot garbage and therefore I am definitely going to watch it. I’m hoping for a real clusterfuck of shitty behaviour and ~misunderstandings~. If it can manage to not be completely forgettable, I’ll consider myself satisfied. Aplus: Yeah, I’m with Ruru. I’m going in with low expectations and a bit of shame, but I enjoy shows like this from time to time. The untranslated PV wasn’t too helpful but the general setup reminds me a bit of Scum’s Wish which I very much enjoyed. Possible Bloggers: Ruru |
 Mahou Shoujo Tokushusen Asuka魔法少女特殊戦あすか Source: MANGA Animation Company: LIDENFILMS Website: http://magical-five.jp/ Premieres: January 12, 2019 (JST) Genre: Drama, Magic, Seinen Synopsis: When the Earth is threatened by the sudden appearance of undead creatures, a group of young women blessed with powers from a mysterious source rose to defeat them. Now, after three years of apparent peace, the same malevolent creatures have resurfaced. Five magical girls are once again conscripted to war as the Magical Girl Special-Ops force, to defend mankind from an unholy nemesis. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Berry: Badass magical girls? Yes please. MidnightDevont: Undead creatures, magical girls. Magical Girl special-ops, seems legit. I’m in. Aplus: I’ve been waiting for another attempt at an interesting take on the magical girl genre. If this show can manage to actually deviate/parody without getting sucked in, like how I feel a lot of other shows do, then good on them. I’m looking forward to at the very least checking it out. Possible Bloggers: MidnightDevont, Berry |
 Fukigen na Mononokean Tsuzuki (S2)不機嫌なモノノケ庵 續 Source: MANGA Animation Company: Pierrot Plus Website: http://mononokean.tv/ Premieres: January 5, 2019 (JST) Genre: Comedy, Supernatural Synopsis: The second season of Fukigen na Mononokean. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 |
 Piano no Mori 2ピアノの森 2 Source: MANGA Animation Company: Gaina (formerly: Fukushima Gainax) Website: http://piano-anime.jp/ Premieres: January 2019 (JST) Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music, Seinen Synopsis: Second cour of Piano no Mori Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Aplus: Once upon a time I kinda covered season 1 of this. Unfortunately, I had to stop midway due to family stuff but I did enjoy the hardwork vs talent theme. Reminiscing on the series, I just feel like it fell short. I liked the characters enough, but the competition b/w Amamiya and Kai lacked intensity. The entire show being piano, the music gets old. The imagery and conflict is what made shows like Your Lie in April so great. I know that’s a high bar to compare every series with piano’s too, but this show fell flat on emotions. It definitely had cool imagery, but I didn’t feel like it was enough to really draw me in. |
 Ueno-san wa Bukiyou上野さんは不器用 Source: MANGA Animation Company: Lesprit Website: http://miss-ueno.com/ Premieres: January 7, 2019 (JST) Genre: Comedy, Ecchi, Romance Synopsis: The story centers on Ueno, a genius inventor who is in the third grade at her junior high school. She also serves as the head of the school’s science club and secretly falls in love with one of its members, second grade student Tanaka. Using her eccentric inventions, Ueno tries to confess her love to him indirectly. But her attempt always ends in failure. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Berry: This sounds like it can be cute and fun but I feel like I might get bored of it because it might get repetitive. Still, I can at least check out the first episode and see if I still feel that way. Aplus: I agree with Berry on this one too. Comedies are unique in that the plot can seem amazing but, if it’s too repetitive or it doesn’t hit it’s mark often enough, it doesn’t matter. I am excited to check it out though. Even if it does get repetitive, this could be one of those shows I YouTube a highlight reel for after it’s done airing and laugh my ass off at. |
 Watashi ni Tenshi ga Maiorita!私に天使が舞い降りた！ Source: MANGA Animation Company: Doga Kobo Website: http://watatentv.com/ Premieres: January 2019 (JST) Genre: Comedy, Shoujo Ai, Synopsis: The four-panel comedy manga’s story centers on Miyako Hoshino, a shy college student and otaku. Miyako’s younger sister Hinata, who is a fifth grader, has a classmate and friend named Hana. When they meet, Miyako falls for Hana at first sight. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Aplus: No one else on the team has commented… Am I degenerate enough to watch this show? Depends on the percentage of comedy vs ai. UzaMaid has kept me entertained enough to keep watching despite not really relating to the main character (those muscles are 👌 though). I’m gonna watch the first episode of this, I know it. It’s my destiny. |
 Doukyonin wa Hiza, Tokidoki, Atama no Ue.同居人はひざ、時々、頭のうえ。 Source: MANGA Animation Company: Zero-G Website: https://hizaue.com/ Premieres: January 9, 2019 (JST) Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life Synopsis: Mystery writer Mikazuki Subaru, who isn’t good at dealing with people, finds them to be a disturbance when it comes to building his imaginary world. One day, he chances upon a stray cat and feels inspiration strike, so he brings the cat home as his muse. Can watching the inexplicable behaviors of a cat form material for a novel? Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Eva: Now this was something I was looking forward to when it was first announced! But since it’s a slice of life and a comedy, it would probably be hard to cover. I’ll see how it is though to keep my options open! Shadow: I am all about cats and I feel like I could get a lot of feels from this series. However, I’m not confident I could blog about it. Though I’ll be definitely watching it and probably drowning in cat feels. Ruru: This looks like a 3-gatsu ripoff in terms of the vibe they’re going for but I’m semi-here for it. I could see this being underwhelming but worst-case scenario it’ll still be a mildly cute series featuring a cat, so I’ll be watching. Aplus: What’s this? A show about an antisocial guy who thinks people are just there to get in his way? We-he-ell, am I gonna have to sue somebody, because I don’t remember licensing a biopic. I have no basis for this, but I feel like this show is going to be good and/or possibly make me tear up. I’m also a cat person who was coerced into growing up surrounded by dogs and I’m still just a tad bit bitter about it. Possible Bloggers: Eva, Ruru |
NOVEL ADAPTIONS
 Date a Live IIIデート・ア・ライブⅢ Source: NOVEL Animation Company: J.C. Staff Website: http://date-a-live-anime.com/ Premieres: January 2019 (JST) Genre: Comedy, Mecha, Romance, Sci-Fi Synopsis: The third season of Date A Live. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Aplus: My life’s fulfillment. This show is going to make me recall all the bad life choices I was making when I watched seasons 1 and 2, 4-5 years ago, when I was but a mere anime-watching baby (at least that’s how it feels now). This was my jam. Hopefully this jam is still full of preservatives and hasn’t gone bad just yet. Possible Bloggers: Aplus |
 Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari盾の勇者の成り上がり Source: NOVEL Animation Company: Kinema Citrus Website: http://shieldhero-anime.jp/ Premieres: January 9, 2019 (JST) Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Seinen Synopsis: Naofumi Iwatani, an uncharismatic Otaku who spends his days on games and manga, suddenly finds himself summoned to a parallel universe! He discovers he is one of four heroes equipped with legendary weapons and tasked with saving the world from its prophesied destruction. As the Shield Hero, the weakest of the heroes, all is not as it seems. Naofumi is soon alone, penniless, and betrayed. With no one to turn to, and nowhere to run, he is left with only his shield. Now, Naofumi must rise to become the legendary Shield Hero and save the world! Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Eva: The Rising of the Shield Hero, now this is a series I am quite surprised it hadn’t gotten an adaption sooner. This is one of the many books I am actually reading at the moment (but I am only on the first volume!). So I do plan on watching this, but I’m not really sure if this is something I would cover. Berry: Hey, look. Another isekai. Wow. I’ve seen a lot of people hyped as hell about this, and since Slime turned out to be a pleasant surprise in the mess of the isekai genre, I guess I can give this one a whirl too. I guess it helps that it doesn’t seem to be a harem? MidnightDevont: I went through three emotions while watching this “Yay fantasy”, “Boo overdone genre of Otaku in fantasy world.”, “SHIELD HERO? PEFFT!!!! Lame but also hilarious. My interest is peaked.” this looks like a anime that could be good or just could be another drop in the isekai anime genre. I’ll keep an ear to the ground about it. Shadow: This honestly piked my interest when I saw it was in a fantasy world… but then I saw that it’s another isekai anime with an otaku protagonist and my interest kind of settled a bit. I may give it a look just to see if it can differentiate itself from the others. Though I do admit the action scenes looks pretty epic. Aplus: Looks clean, sounds generic af. It’s really a tossup whether the creators are just cashing in on the isekai genre popularity or are actually wanting to make a legitimately cool show. Shows like Knights & Magic, where the protagonist has a heart attack or something in the first 30 seconds and the only thing we learn about him is that he is a great programmer, just shouldn’t be isekai. Just make a fantasy anime… Still, if it CAN break out of the rat race that is isekai, I’m 100% on board and the action by itself is probably enough to get me interested. Possible Bloggers: Eva |
 Boogiepop wa Warawanai (2019)ブギーポップは笑わない (2019) Source: NOVEL Animation Company: MADHOUSE Website: http://boogiepop-anime.com/ Premieres: January 4, 2019 (JST) Genre: Horror, Mystery, Psychological Synopsis: There is an urban legend that children tell one another about a shinigami that can release people from the pain they may be suffering. This “Angel of Death” has a name—Boogiepop. And the legends are true. Boogiepop is real. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Berry: Again I say, yo this looks sick as fuck. I’m also in the camp that I’ve never seen the original Boogiepop but have always wanted to. I love horror and psychological shows so this one has been on my radar and I can’t wait to watch it. MidnightDevont: I never got around to watching the original Boogiepop Phantom anime, I always kind of wanted too though. I think i’ll toss my hat into the ring for this one and give myself a chance to witness this story. Ruru: Ooh, I’ll definitely give this a go. I also have never seen the original (but I stumbled upon the ED a couple of years ago and it’s a complete banger and I listen to it a lot) and I’ve always been mildly interested so this seems like the perfect excuse to jump in. Aplus: Madhouse plus a horror/thriller seems like a great idea to me. I’m instantly on board with this and the PV just kinda backs that up. Man, we really need some more good horror anime. Please let this be good! Possible Bloggers: MidnightDevont, Berry |
 Girly Air Forceガーリー・エアフォース Source: NOVEL Animation Company: Satelight Website: http://gaf-anime.jp/ Premieres: January 10, 2019 (JST) Genre: Action, Sci-Fi Synopsis: In the novels’ story, mysterious flying creatures known as Zai suddenly appear, and in order to fight the creatures, mankind creates fighter aircraft called “Daughters,” as well as the automatic fighting mechanism “Anima,” which are shaped like human girls. The story centers on a young man named Kei Narutani, who yearns to fly in the sky, and an Anima considered to be humanity’s trump card, a girl name Gripen. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Eva: You have my attention! I really dig these types of series, so I’m looking forward to it! Aplus: Maybe this is only because I just watched Dragon Pilot, but this seems right up my alley. I’ll be looking forward to watching this. Possible Bloggers: Eva |
GAME/MUSIC ADAPTIONS
 BanG Dream! 2nd SeasonBanG Dream!（バンドリ！）第2期 Source: GAME/MUSIC Animation Company: SANZIGEN Animation Studio Website: https://anime.bang-dream.com/2nd/ Premieres: January 2019 (JST) Genre: Music Synopsis: Second season of BanG Dream! series. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Berry: So…I’m a huge BanG Dream! fan. I play the game on my phone religiously every day, I love the music, the gameplay, I love the characters too. I’ve even watched both TV shorts. I did see the first season of the anime and it….wasn’t that good. It was kinda enjoyable, but mostly wonky (i hate Twinkle Twinkle Little Star now). But the writing in the game is actually very good and some characters are unusually deep that I would kind of rival the game’s writing with Idolish7. I love this series a lot and I know the full CG move is different but from the MVs we’ve gotten in the game, I’m actually looking forward to it. I just hope the writing for this anime is just as good as the game’s writing, and not bad like the first season’s. So here’s hoping! Also, Aya is best girl. Possible Bloggers: Berry |
 Kemono Friends 2けものフレンズ2 Source: GAME Animation Company: Tomason Website: https://kemono-friends.jp/ Premieres: January 2019 (JST) Genre: Adventure, Comedy Synopsis: Second season of Kemono Friends. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 |
 Grimms Notes The Animationグリムノーツ Source: GAME Animation Company: Brain’s Base Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/grimmsnotes/ Premieres: January 11, 2019 (JST) Genre: Action, Adventure, Magic, Fantasy Synopsis: Takes place in a world created by a beings known as “Story Tellers.” At birth, all inhabitants of this world are bestowed with a “book of fate” where all their lives are written in advance. However, rogue Story Tellers known as Chaos Tellers are writing bad events into people’s books without them knowing. It is up to the holders of blank books of fate to seek out the Chaos Tellers and restore the world. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Eva: I like the premise of the story and want to see where it goes, so color me interested. Berry: I’m all about fairy tales, I love them a lot but I don’t know how to feel about this one. The premise sounds cool and I think it has the potential to be really good but the PV doesn’t do anything for me. I have a bad feeling that it couldn’t easily be terrible, or at least a mediocre show. Hmm. MidnightDevont: This has some potential, the animation is cute and the synopsis sounds pretty interesting. I’ll jump in and give it a look. Shadow: I feel like this is one of these shows that can be really good or really bad. The synopsis makes it sound interesting, but judging from the PV, this could very well just be all looks rather than substance. I’ll give it a few episodes, but I’m not getting my hopes up. Though I do think the main protag looks cute… Aplus: This sounds pretty cool. That was quite an underwhelming PV though. It would be nice if they background music changed to actually match the intensity of the scene they were showing. I’m digging the concept enough to check it out. Possible Bloggers: Eva, MidnightDevont |
 Pastel Memoriesぱすてるメモリーズ Source: GAME Animation Company: Project No.9 Website: http://www.pastel-memories.com/anime/ Premieres: January 2019 (JST) Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Synopsis: The story takes place in a future Akihabara where otaku culture has declined. Players play as a shopkeeper of an otaku shop. Together with the heroines who are in fact otaku girls, the shopkeeper start helping people claim their lost otaku memories back. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Aplus: Take away a man’s otaku memories and he’s left with nothing. I’m confused, but not necessarily in a bad way. The action/adventure tag with the synopsis don’t really make sense to me on a first glance. Unless it’s like Akiba’s Trip where it’s a comedy too, I don’t know how seriously I can take a show about helping former otaku’s getting their ‘otaku memories’ back. I can’t help but be interested though. |
 Meiji Tokyo Renka明治東亰恋伽 Source: GAME Animation Company: TMS Entertainment Website: http://meikoi.com/tv-anime/ | Premieres: January 9, 2019 (JST) Genre: Historical, Fantasy, Romance, Shoujo Synopsis: On an evening lit by a crimson full moon, an ordinary high school girl named Mei Ayazuki meets a self-proclaimed magician named Charlie at a festival. Through Charlie’s magic, she time-travels to the Meiji era in Tokyo, where she meets and falls in love with various great historical figures from that time period. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Eva: EEEEEE~ SO EXCITED! I have been wanting to watch this adaption for years now. Back in 2015 and 2016 there were two movies produced by Studio Deen, but I don’t think it was ever translated. Although it’s not Studio Deen animating this (which is a bit of a shame), I am really looking forward to this one since I can finally watch the damn thing! Hopefully it will be good… haha...haha...haha… Please don’t disappoint me. Shadow: This looks like another reverse harem. And while I have a soft spot for reverse harems, I may be getting a little too tired of them, especially since I feel like all the guys’ designs are super generic. Not to mention it feels like they’re just slapping really popular VA’s to these guys to try and make it more appealing. But I guess I can take a look to see if it’s something to fuss over. Ruru: I am super into this premise and I will definitely watch, I hope it’s not disappointing. I’m all for anything involving historical figures in anime (or in anything else to be honest) and I love the Meiji period so if this doesn’t suck I will be very happy. Possible Bloggers: Eva |
 Circlet PrincessCIRCLET PRINCESS（サークレット・プリンセス） Source: GAME Animation Company: SILVER LINK. Website: http://cirpri-anime.jp/ Premieres: January 8, 2019 (JST) Genre: Action, School, Sci-Fi, Sports Synopsis: People’s lives have changed because of VR and AR, and an competitive sport has born from these technologies called CB (Circlet Bout). CB can be competed between two schools and became an e-sport that decides the wealth of the schools. It also became the real ability of the school, which depends on not just the students’ academic skills, but also on the data based on the sport ability, art, skills, etc. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Eva: The fact e-sports is a theme in this series immediately caught my attention, but when I watched the PV, it felt flat and boring. For the time being, I’ll keep my eye out on what the others think of this one. Berry: E-sports anime? Okay then. That alone has me interested so I think I’ll check it out. MidnightDevont: I honestly can’t tell if this is going to be good or bad, I am mildly interested from the synopsis. Maybe I should look up the game? Oh dear lord, I just watched the trailer and I just. I have no idea how I feel. Ya know, I think I am going to put myself down as a possible for a first impression because -laughs- that weapon. Oh god that weapon! Aplus: DID SOMEONE SAY SPORTS! And featuring e-sports, something even I could conceivably do? Hell yeah. I’m going to go into this blind, but Midnight’s reaction to the game trailer is giving me hope. Possible Bloggers: MidnightDevont |
 B-PROJECT: Zecchou*Emotion (S2)B-PROJECT～鼓動＊アンビシャス～ Source: MUSIC Animation Company: Bandai Namco Pictures Website: https://bpro-anime.com/ Premieres: January 12, 2019 (JST) Genre: Music, Shoujo Synopsis: Second season of B-Project: Kodou*Ambitious. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Eva: I watched and covered the first season up until Episode 6, before I dropped it, and forgot about it until now. I wonder if it got any better after that? |
ORIGINAL PRODUCTIONS
 Kouya no Kotobuki Hikoutai 荒野のコトブキ飛行隊 Source: ORIGINAL Animation Company: GEMBA Website: https://kotobuki-anime.com/ Premieres: January 2019 (JST) Genre: Action, Military, Adventure Synopsis: In a barren frontier where people trade goods with each other in order to help each other survive. The Kotobuki Squadron are bodyguards for hire, led by a strict but beautiful squadron leader, an unreliable commanding officer, and a true artisan of a crew chief. Alongside pilots who don’t lack for personality, they take to the air in dogfights, letting the engine noise of their Hayabusa fighters ring out in the skies. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Eva: I don’t know why, but I love aviation themed stories, but as soon as I saw this is in CG, it effectively killed my interest… Ugh. I can’t help it, it’s just not my preference… I really should give this at least one episode. Berry: It looks cute. I really don’t think that I can blog this because it looks like it might lean more slice of life with only little bouts of action. I feel like I’ve been blogging slice of life more than usual so I kind of want to take a break from that anyway. Aplus: I’m a big fan of aviation related anime. No idea where that stemmed from but I just really enjoy it. The CG looks better than most too. Well, at least compared to some of the stuff I’ve seen. *cries in Berserk* But it honestly even looks better than Ajin or Knights of Sidonia from the PV so I’m wholeheartedly looking forward to this. |
 Revisionsリヴィジョンズ ( Source: ORIGINAL Animation Company: Shirogumi Website: http://revisions.jp/ Premieres: January 10, 2019 (JST) Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Mecha Synopsis: “This is a prophecy for you, where five people will meet huge adversaries, and only you can protect everyone.” Daisuke Toujima is a second-year high school student who was abducted when he was young. He was involved in a special phenomenon—Shibuya Drift—with his childhood friends Gai, Ru, Marimari, and Keisaku. They were transferred to the center of Shibuya over 300 years into the future. What’s waiting for them is endless wilderness and forest, Interspersed ruin, future citizens, and “Revisions” which are huge mechanical monsters. Trampled by the monsters without understanding the situation, a girl who has the same name as the person who saved Daisuke when he was abducted, Miro, provided a mobile suit “String Puppet” and told them to save Shibuya. With separated paths, adversaries, destined prophecies, the boys, and girls are on their journey to return to their original time. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Eva: Ugh, here we have yet another interesting series I would probably like, but again it’s CG…. It’s like the universe is testing me…. Shadow: Another series that could either be really good or really bad. However, as soon as I saw that it was CG, I was immediately turned off. I’m not dissing CG however, I just watch anime because I love 2-D animation. However, there are some really interesting things going on from what I can see from the PV. And while I hear one of my favorite voice actors, Nobunaga Shimazaki talking, I don’t think that’s enough to get me to watch. If I do hear good things about the plot later down the line, I may give this a watch despite my reservations for CG. Aplus: Huh, another acceptable CG show. Now if the plot’s good and not a generic hunk of garbage, it might just be alright. I’m super wary of sci-fis, especially mechas. When they’re good they’re great but when they’re bad, wow they are really, really bad. I’m up for possible coverage. Possible Bloggers: Aplus |
 Endro!えんどろ〜！ Source: ORIGINAL Animation Company: Studio Gokumi Website: http://endro.jp/ Premieres: January 13, 2019 (JST) Genre: Slice of Life, Magic, Fantasy Synopsis: Naral Island, a continent with swords and magic in which humans and monsters coexist. The terrible Demon King lives there. In ancient times, the first-generation hero defeated the Demon King. Over the many successive generations since then, the Demon King has been resurrected, and the hero who opposes him has likewise reappeared. Girls attend a school for adventurers in order to defeat the Demon King when he appears again. Though a bit absent-minded, Yusha has the body of a hero. The holy elf Seyla’s trouble never ends because she is too serious. The cheerful warrior Fai loves to eat. Mei is a quiet otaku magician. As the four girls aim to be in the hero party, they live relaxed fantasy lives and show no sign of defeating the Demon King no matter how much time passes. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 (snuck in by Aplus because she’s adorable and deserves her character’s version) | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Eva: Ahaha, so I guess the heroines are really procrastinators, who aren’t really that interested in defeating the evil Demon King. At least, that’s the impression I get from it. It looks and sounds super cute and fluffy, but if nothing actually happens, then I suspect I will get bored of this really quick. Aplus: Wow, that synopsis just straight up told us nothing is going to happen in this show, didn’t it? I’m all for a good SoL, but at least give me the illusion that things will happen in it. If it can make me laugh I’ll probably stick with it. I’m also a fan of a few of the voice actresses in it, so that’s another thing it’s got going for it. It’ll all come down to the character dynamics for me. |
 Kemurikusaケムリクサ Source: ORIGINAL Animation Company: Yaoyorozu Website: http://kemurikusa.com/ Premieres: January 9, 2019 (JST) Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi Synopsis: N/A Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 |
 W’zウィズ Source: ORIGINAL Animation Company: GoHands Website: http://wz-anime.net/ Premieres: January 5, 2019 (JST) Genre: Action, Music Synopsis: Yukiya is about 14 years old. He spends his time DJ-ing alone. Due to his father’s influence, he’s listened to house music since he was young, and he uploads videos online. He wants to convey something to someone. He wants to be recognized, and become important. But getting hurt is scary. One day, while trying to get more views, he does something that can’t be undone. And he sees a live broadcast from “that world.” Yukiya believes he can’t do anything alone, but that he could accomplish something if he were doing it together with someone else. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Shadow Just looking at the style I was immediately like: This looks like Hand Shakers… that infamously badly rendered and animated anime. And lo and behold, it was made by the same studio. Judging from the PV, I feel like they were trying to fix the issues they had with Hand Shakers, yet they seem to be really hanging onto their strangely rendered cg mixed with 2-D and their very crazy and fast camera movements that make you dizzy. Who knows, maybe they can do a better job with this anime. Maybe… Ruru: This looks, uh… bad. And seriously, what is with GoHands’ crazy swoopy camera work? This has it, K-Project has it, apparently Hand Shakers has it (though I’ve never seen it), even Seitokai Yakuindomo doesn’t completely escape. What are they going for? What is their endgame? But yeah anyway I’m probably going to watch it. The concept of a house DJ anime is funny enough for me to give it a chance. Strongly wish it were more slice of life than action though. Aplus: Handshakers version 2. This time with music. Handshakers has some of THE WORST dynamic camera shots I’ve ever seen, but I feel like maybe it’s experimental enough to not completely disregard it from the start? If this show tries the same thing I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it through the season. I couldn’t help but make fun of the show the whole time I was watching. Possible Bloggers: Ruru |
 Egao no Daikaエガオノダイカ Source: ORIGINAL Animation Company: Tatsunoko Production Website: http://egaonodaika.com/ Premieres: January 4, 2019 (JST) Genre: Military, Slice of Life, Drama, Fantasy Synopsis: On a planet far from Earth, there is a kingdom full of smiling faces. Princess Yūki is 12 years old, and about to enter a sensitive age in a person’s life. Everyday, she cries, laughs, and sometimes, her heart throbs with excitement. All the while, she lives merrily in the royal palace. Filling her days with color are her loyal vassals: her tutor Reira, Izana who assists in political affairs, the leader of the chivalry Harold and then, there is her childhood friend and aide Joshua. Stella is 17 years old and a capable, reserved soldier. However, she is always smiling for smiling is essential to living. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Eva: Hell yeah! I have been missing my dose my mecha series for a while now! I am surprised by the adorable character characters, but I don’t mind it! I find the synopsis a bit weird. It focuses a lot on the whole “smiling faces”, so it’s hard to get a sense of which direction this series will be going. I’ll have to watch the first episode to get an idea of what to really expect. Berry: This looks very pretty. It sounds very sweet with some action, though the mechas kind of turn me away. I’ll sign myself up for this and I’ll check it out at least. The princess is adorable~ Aplus: PV didn’t really give me much to work with and that synopsis kind of sounds like a 5 year old wrote it. Military-fantasy anime are always fun though. Usually nothing amazing, but almost always entertaining. That alone gives me enough incentive to at least check it out. If you haven’t noticed yet, I’m pretty easy to please. Possible Bloggers: Eva |
 Bermuda Triangle: Colorful Pastraleバミューダトライアングル ～カラフル・パストラーレ～ Source: ORIGINAL Animation Company: Seven Arcs Pictures Website: https://colorful-pastrale.com/ Premieres: January 2019 (JST) Genre: Music, Fantasy Synopsis: Mermaids are known worldwide as bewitching mythological creatures of the sea. Despite their charms and otherworldly powers, daily life for these beings comes with everyday problems. But there’s nothing that can’t be overcome with the support of friends. Follow the adventures of five young mermaids as they explore their town and the world around them in this delightful slice-of-life series that takes viewers to an enchanting world beneath the waves. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Eva: Hmmm, been a while since I watched a mermaid show, so why not? 😀 Berry: Why are they wearing dresses and skirts over their mermaid tails? I don’t get it, w-what are they hiding? This doesn’t look interesting or good at all, but one interesting thing I can say about this is that the OP song for this anime is going to be “Wonderland Girl” by Pastel*Palettes, one of the bands from BanG Dream. That’s alone is not going to make me watch this anime, but I think it’s good that the BanG Dream bands are spreading out from Bushiroad. Aplus: I agree with Berry, make them naked or we riot. |
 Dimension High SchoolDimensionハイスクール Source: ORIGINAL Animation Company: Polygon Pictures (*3D Graphics) Website: http://dimension-hs.com/ Premieres: January 10, 2019 (JST) Genre: School Synopsis: The high school boys transferred to an anime world while they are in cramming school. Since then, they start school life in the anime world they transferred in. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Eva: I litterally did a double-take because I was terribly confused. Good grief, I’ve never been a fan of these type of hybrid shows, eek, I don’t recall ever enjoying any since I was a kid. MidnightDevont: It honestly had me at the badly animated flying rock talking to them but it continued to amuse me deeply as the guy felt himself and was freaking out about how his hands were phasing through his body. I just, I don’t even know what I just watched but I was nearly crying with tears of laughter. If it doesn’t take itself seriously, this has all kinds of beautiful potential. I’m not even joking, i’ll look into this. Aplus: This… this isn’t right. God help us all. Possible Bloggers: MidnightDevont |
 Virtual-san wa Miteiruバーチャルさんはみている Source: ORIGINAL Animation Company: Lide Website: https://virtualsan-looking.jp/ Premieres: January 10, 2019 (JST) Genre: Music, Comedy Synopsis: N/A Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Ruru: Holy shit I can’t believe how annoying some of their voices are. Between that and the CG (which to be fair is far from Berserk 2016-tier but I still am not a huge fan), I am sensing that this is not for me. But the cover is so bizarre and the PV tells us so little that I’ll probably end up looking more into it. Aplus: No PV, it’s not ‘daijobu desu’ and please for the love of god never whisper into my ear like that again. I promise I’ll watch your show if you promise to never speak to me like that again. Lord, I just looked at the cover. Why is there a gorilla and a man on his hands and knees in a horse mask and why doesn’t the PV mention any of that. Possible Bloggers: |
 Star ☆ Twinkle Precureスター☆トゥインクルプリキュア Source: ORIGINAL Animation Company: Toei Animation Website: N/A Premieres: Feburary 3, 2019 (JST) Genre: Action, Magic, Fantasy, Shoujo Synopsis: Hikaru meets aliens Lala, Prunce, and Fuwa while watching the night sky. She learns of the “Star Palace,” where the 12 Star Princesses of the constellations kept the balance of the universe until they were attacked. Lala is searching for the legendary Precure warriors to help find the 12 scattered “Princess Star Color Pens” and revive the princesses. When Fuwa is captured by an enemy, Hikaru wishes to save Fuwa, and a Star Color Pendent and a Star Color Pen appear to allow her to transform into Cure Star. From then on she works to collect the pens and raise Fuwa, who is the key to reviving the princesses. Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3 TEAM IMPRESSION Eva: I sincerely hope this series will have better character developments. Hugtto Precure had a lot of potential, but its lack of focus and how they neglected Homare’s and Saaya’s characters really disappointed me. Here’s to hoping this Star Twinkle Precure will be a stronger one! I’m looking forward to it! Possible Blogger: Eva |
OVERALL THOUGHTS
| Eva: Whelp, it looks like this is mostly a dry season for me. Many of the adaptions are series I have already read/watched and dropped due to the lack of interest, or was too difficult for me to cover, so I really didn’t have much to say. But at least there are a few I am excited for, and at the end of the day, that’s all you really need. The titles I have my eyes set to potentially cover this season are Egao no Daika, Girly Air Force, Meiji Tokyo Renka, and Star Twinkle Precure, and the ones I will be watching on the side and may also pick up are Yakusoku no Neverland, Doukyonin wa Hiza Tokidoki Atama no Ue, Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai, Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari. Berry: Wow I signed up for a lot of stuff this time haha. Not as many shows in this season but there are a lot of big name sequels this season along with other hyped things. A lot of shows have caught my interest obviously and I’m pretty excited in checking them out. I actually had no idea what would be airing this Winter season so I didn’t have any expectations but it looks like it’ll be a fun one. I’m happily going to blog BanG Dream! Season 2, along with Kakegurui xx (S2), but I’m also really looking forward to Dororo, The Promised Neverland, and Boogiepop Phantom. I’m also interested in maybe checking ou Mahou Shoujo Tokuchusen Asuka and Egao no Daika but those are only possibilities. And to top it all off, Mob Psycho is back and really that’s all I need. MidnightDevont: MOB PSYCHO 100 II!!! Kakegurui xx (s2)!!!! Two of my most anticipated anime season two’s. This season is going to be hype as hell for these two titles alone. Aside from those, I put myself down for a few shows I have a vague interest in. The one I have the most interest in is Mahou Shoujo Tokuchusen Asuka followed by Boogiepop wa Warawanai. I really want to cover Mob Psycho 100 II, but if I can’t, I will be happy with Mahou Shoujo or Boogiepop. The one I am most unsure about is Circlet Princess. Overall, it’s a rather dry season for shows that I am really excited about but there is enough to get by. Shadow: I honestly wasn’t too excited for this season, but as soon as I saw Mob in the line up I got SUPER EXCITED. But only for Mob because this series deserves all of the hype. I may just pick up one series from this season due to Radiant continuing into the season but hopefully I can find a good diamond in the rough. I think the one I would really like to cover is Mob Psycho 100 II. Though I will be also looking to see where Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunousen, Dororo and 3D Kanojo 2 go. Ruru: Well, there’s a decent amount here that I’m willing to give a chance, but I can’t say I’m too enthusiastic about this season overall. Not a ton is jumping out at me as something I think I’m going to absolutely love. I am, though, looking forward to watching and possibly covering Doukyonin wa Hiza Tokidoki Atama no Ue, which I could see being really sweet and fun, and Dororo, which I arbitrarily have a good feeling about. Other than that, I hope Domestic na Kanojo and W’z are messy enough for me to have fun with them. I’ll probably also watch Meiji Tokyo Renka, Yakusoku no Neverland, and Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunousen. Aplus: Smaller season than normal + no social life = I’ll probably be giving everything on this list the good ol’ college try. I can’t say I’m expecting anything amazing from this season in particular. A lot of coin flips and a lot of ‘meh, if it’s this or go outside I guess I’d rather watch this’. Mob Pyscho, Kakegurui, and Boogiepop stand out to me the most as potential front-runners for the season. That being said, I think Revisions will be a nice roll of the dice, Date A Live III is either going to reignite and invigorate my entire being or ruin me. A boy can dream though. A boy can dream. |
Funny thing about 5-Toubun no Hanayome, it author is a newcomer and this manga was pretty under the radar at the beginning. But then it suddenly gain popularity after it first few chapters was badly translated, people start to read it to see how bad the translation was and eventually get suck in.( like My Little Pony and the bronies)
I’m really interested in reading your reviews on The Promised Neverland.
To answer your question Eva, B-project ended on a mediocre, confusing note. If I’m gonna watch it, then it’ll be for the music. The story had a sudden curveball with no hint whatsoever… they tried to hard to have a working plot but that ended in epic fail. Ugh otome adaptions with several endings are tricky to make them successful- Norn9 and Cardia are exceptions to the rule.
Nothing new this season for me either- but that gives me time to focus on more important things in life.
Out of all of these shows, Pastel Memories sounds like an interesting concept, though the poster does make it seem a little too fan-servicey for my personal taste. If it’s not that good, I think I’ll porbably wait until the season premiers of Aggretsuko, Made in Abyss, & My Hero Academia later in 2019 (or wait & see if they announce a season 2 &/or an OVA for Zombieland Saga).