SPRING ANIME 2019 PREVIEW

RESOURCES
AniList, ANN, CR, MAL, MoeTron

ON-GOING TITLES
(Bolded: On-Going Coverage)
Dororo, Fairy Tail Final Series, Karakuri Circus, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure – Golden Wind,
Star Twinkle Precure, Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari, Yu-Gi-Oh VRAINS,

Titles Excluded in Spring 2019 Preview
Hi no Tori: Dogo Onsen-hen, Cardfight!! Vanguard: Zoku Koukousei-hen, Youkai Watch!,
Bakugan: Battle Planet,Kiratto Pri☆chan S2 , Beyblade Burst Gachi, TV-Shorts

Spring Season Hiatus
Shadow, Aplus, Oki

• Reminder #1: Writers will only share their thoughts if they are interested in the show, or have something to say about it. This means there may be sections where there will be no reaction at all, so please do not be alarmed if you see blank sections. The reason why we decided to try this out is because we all agreed comments like,“Pass,” “no thanks, “omg no” have little to no value in the preview. Our main objective is to help you learn more about our writers and their tastes. We have started this format in the Fall 2018 Preview, and we are still experimenting as we go to see what fits us best.
• Reminder #2: TV-SHORTS are not included in this due to the lack of general interest from the team.

MANGA ADAPTIONS

One Punch Man 2
ワンパンマン
Source: MANGA
Animation Company: J.C. Staff
Website: http://www.onepunchman-anime.net/
Premieres: April 2, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Supernatural
Synopsis:
Second season of One Punch Man.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
TEAM IMPRESSION
Berry: I blogged One Punch Man before and I loved it. But then Mob Psycho came out and I was curious how that would compare and…I feel I can’t compare. I’m still looking forward to One Punch but I can’t lie when I say I prefer Mob’s storytelling to One Punch’s, but I’m still going to go into this and expect some fun. Though I am curious how J.C. Staff will handle it.
MidnightDevont: I’ve said it once and i’ll say it again, Mob Psycho is my favorite of One’s works. However, I do at least mildly enjoy One Punch Man. Not enough to cover it, but i’ll be watching it at the very least. I’m hopeful that the new studio can pull through and make this something special.
Fuzzy: J.C Staff has a lot to prove with season two of One Punch Man, Madhouse’s season one is definitely a hard act to follow up on. Nevertheless, I’m hopeful for this adaptation and I hope it shuts all the dissenters up.
Ruru: Despite reading and enjoying the first bit of the manga when it came out, I have actually never seen the One Punch Man anime, and I’m not sure why because I know I’d like it. Last season I decided on a whim to binge Mob Psycho 100 S1 in time to watch S2 and ended up loving it, so I think I’ll do the same with One Punch Man. I’m not expecting it to be quite as good, but I’ve got pretty high hopes!
Possible Bloggers: Fuzzy

Shingeki no Kyojin 3 Part 2
進撃の巨人 3
Source: MANGA
Animation Company: Wit Studio
Website: http://shingeki.tv/
Premieres: April 2019 (JST)
Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery
Synopsis:
The second cour of Shingeki no Kyojin’s third season. There is peace again within the Walls, and the Survey Corps prepare for a new expedition to Shiganshina. Thanks to Hange’s new weapon, the hopes to retake the lost territory once and for all are stronger than ever. But at their old home, known and powerful enemies are awaiting and a fierce battle is coming.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
TEAM IMPRESSION
MidnightDevont: Oki and I covered the first half of season 3 and I am excited to continue to cover it, I might need to run back and watch up to where we left off for a refresher though. Hahahaha, this Hiatus seemed so long, but the second cour is here at last!
Fuzzy: Following the amazing cour that aired not too long ago, I am beyond excited for the second cour! Wit has consistently upped their game with Attack on Titan, and I’m sure this will be no exception.
Ruru: Like Midnight, I too feel like I might need to go back over what exactly happened last season before watching the continuation. Definitely looking forward finding out wtf that after-credits scene was about, though.
Possible Bloggers: MidnightDevont

Bungou Stray Dogs 3
文豪ストレイドッグス 3
Source: MANGA
Animation Company: BONES
Website: http://bungo-stray-dogs.jp/
Premieres: April 2019 (JST)
Genre: Action, Comedy, Mystery, Supernatural
Synopsis:
The third season of Bungou Stray Dogs.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
TEAM IMPRESSION
Eva: Not gonna lie, I’m kicking myself for having not watched or read the series yet. Ugh the PV looks so exciting.
Berry: I covered the first season and I liked it even though it had lots if problems. But then the second season came around and it was a HUGE improvement and I ended up loving it to bits and this third season looks like it’s going to continue the hype and I can’t wait! I should check out the movie…
MidnightDevont:  I absolutely adore Bungou Stray Dogs, I marathoned seasons 1 and 2 in a flash. I got tickets to see Dead Apple when it was in theaters and I am really hyped for the third season. The Russian Authors are here and from what i’ve seen and heard about them, I am mildly horrified. Their supernatural abilities sound horrifying and the trailer is just so intense! I can’t wait to begin watching this.
Possible Bloggers: MidnightDevont

Kimetsu no Yaiba
鬼滅の刃
Source: MANGA
Animation Company: ufotable
Website: https://kimetsu.com/ (JP) | https://demonslayer-anime.com/ (EN)
Premieres: April 6, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Supernatural
Synopsis:
The setting is Taisho era Japan. Tanjirou is a kindhearted young boy who lived peacefully with his family as a coal seller. Their normal life changes completely when his family is slaughtered by demons. The only other survivor, Tanjirou’s younger sister Nezuko, has become a ferocious demon. In order to return Nezuko to normal and get revenge on the demon that killed their family, the two of them depart on a journey. From a young talent, an adventure tale of blood and swords begins!
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
TEAM IMPRESSION
Eva: I have been meaning to read the manga, but I guess I’ll just watch this first.
Berry: This looks pretty interesting, especially with the tragic sibling dynamic. It looks gorgeous and exciting, I’m curious to see what kinds of action and adventure this anime will hold.
Fuzzy: It looks very hit or miss, and I can see it being a bit cliche, but I think it has potential. The art style is peculiar, but I think I’m on board with it.
Ruru: I agree about it looking hit or miss for sure, but I’m definitely going to give it a go, because there’s something interesting about it and I have a pretty high tolerance for garbage when it comes to historical settings in anime, anyway.
Possible Bloggers: Berry

Fruits Basket
フルーツバスケット
Source: MANGA
Animation Company: TMS Entertainment
Website: https://twitter.com/fruba_PR
Premieres: April 6, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Slice of Life
Synopsis:
After a family tragedy turns her life upside down, 16-year-old high schooler Tooru Honda takes matters into her own hands and moves out…into a tent! Unfortunately for her, she pitches her new home on private land belonging to the mysterious Souma clan, and it isn’t long before the owners discover her secret. But, as Tooru quickly finds out when the family offers to take her in, the Soumas have a secret of their own–when hugged by the opposite sex, they turn into the animals of the Chinese Zodiac!
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
Note: The new anime will be adapting the entire story of the manga.
TEAM IMPRESSION
Eva: Wow this takes me back to my childhood, I’m getting a bit emotional! I first came across the series through the original anime adaption online, fell in love with it, bought the DVDs as soon as I found them and then a few years later (because I didn’t know about it, I WAS STILL NEW TO THE INTERNET AT THE TIME OKAY AND THE LOCAL BOOKSTORES DIDN’T CARRY MANGA BACK THEN! Q___Q) began reading the manga thanks to the local librarian adding them to the collection! It wasn’t until recently I have finally been able to purchase the manga volumes (the yenpress editions). I had began re-reading it when I bought them, but I decided to put that on hold since I heard about the announcement of the new adaption. It’s a nostalgic series, so I want to go into it with as much as a blank slate as I can. That said, I am very curious to see how many episodes/seasons this going to be since they intend to re-adapt the entire story from the very beginning! (I’m gonna have to get used to the new art-style though ahahahaha;;;;;)
Berry: Back when I was in middle school, there was a channel that had a small anime block of Funimation dubs and Fruits Basket was one of them. On that channel is where I discovered Fruits Basket and fell in love with it and watched it through I think three times? I loved it so much, went to my school’s library and found some of the manga. Too bad they hardly had any. Like me, and many other people, Fruits Basket is a really special show. It’s a sweet and wholesome tale, however I only read some of the manga and don’t know the true story the original anime didn’t adapt. So this’ll be a whole new thing for me (to an extent). And not gonna lie, I teared up a bit watching the trailer. I’m going to be an emotional wreck.
MidnightDevont: Honestly, to write everything I would want to say about Fruits Basket. I would probably need an entire post, I love this story from the bottom of my heart. It was to me, the first anime that I watched that didn’t air on television. The first anime that showed me the actors behind the characters. The story and show that influenced a lot of my early life as a anime fan past what I had seen on Toonami. I’ve nearly cried at every trailer released for this, I bought tickets to the premiere the day that ticket sales opened. A long time ago, Funimation had us fold a thousand paper cranes to grant us a wish for more Fruits Basket. I folded one of those cranes with my heart full of that wish, and all of these years later our wish was granted. I am SO thankful and so blessed to see this happening at long last. I could not be more happy.
Fuzzy: As someone who’s had the original on his plan to watch list for what seems like forever, I’m excited for this one! Time to see what the hype is about.
Ruru: Confession: I only watched/read Fruits Basket for the first time in 2016. I don’t know why. I’m terrible for putting off watching the classics. Regardless, I loved it and I’m really excited for this, especially since they’re apparently covering the whole thing from beginning to end! I also am not sure about the new art style yet, but this is definitely one of the shows I’m most looking forward to.
Possible Bloggers: Eva, MidnightDevont

Hitoribocchi no Marumaru Seikatsu
ひとりぼっちの○○生活
Source: MANGA
Animation Company:
Website: http://hitoribocchi.jp/
Premieres: April 2019 (JST)
Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy
Synopsis:
Hitori Bocchi suffers from extreme social anxiety, she’s not good at talking to people, takes pretty extreme actions, is surprisingly adept at avoiding people, her legs cramp when she overexerts herself, gets full of herself when alone, will vomit when exposed to extreme tension and often comes up with plans. Now she is entering middle school and her only friend, Yawara Kai, is attending a different school. This leaves Bocchi alone, surrounded by new classmates with whom she must make friends before Kai will talk to her again.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
TEAM IMPRESSION
Eva: Q___Q Bocchi!!!!
Berry: This girl sounds like me, but a little worse off than me. Though I can relate to the social anxiety and honestly I think watching a show like this would just make me feel like crap because it reminds me too much of me. It looks sweet but…oof, no. I don’t think I could handle it. Also the name Hitori Bocchi…doesn’t that mean “loneliness” or something? Poor girl T_T
MidnightDevont: Oh look, they made an anime about me. Not sure if i’m okay with that. ahahaha ^^;.
Ruru: I too feel personally attacked by this but it looks super cute anyway so I’m sort of into it. Will most definitely be watching and possibly blogging!
Possible Bloggers: Ruru

Boku-tachi wa Benkyou ga Dekinai
ぼくたちは勉強ができない
Source: MANGA
Animation Company: Studio Silver | Arvo Animation
Website: https://boku-ben.com/
Premieres: April 6, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Comedy, Ecchi, Romance, Slice of Life
Synopsis:
His late father always said that a useless man should strive to be useful, so to that end, third-year high school student Nariyuki Yuiga dedicated himself to becoming a high-achieving student in his school, despite his history of poor grades. In order to give his destitute family a better life, his ultimate goal is to obtain the special VIP nomination, a prestigious scholarship covering all future university tuition fees. Although Nariyuki could feasibly be a shoe-in for the nomination, he is constantly overshadowed by classmates Rizu Ogata and Fumino Furuhashi in mathematics and literature, respectively.
To his delight, Nariyuki receives the nomination, but there’s a catch: he has to tutor his two star classmates, who are each hopelessly mediocre at the other’s subject of expertise! To make matters worse, the subjects they are horrible at are the same subjects they want to pursue for their future. As the time to submit university applications draws nearer, Nariyuki must find an effective tutoring method for the girls before it’s too late.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3

Sewayaki Kitsune no Senko-san
世話やきキツネの仙狐さん
Source: MANGA
Animation Company: Doga Kobo
Website: http://senkosan.com/
Premieres: April 10, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Slice of Life, Romance, Supernatural, Comedy
Synopsis:
The everyday life of Nakano, a salaryman working for an exploitative company, is suddenly intruded upon by the Kitsune, Senko-san (800 Years Old – Young Wife). Whether it be cooking, cleaning, or a special service…She’ll heal his exhaustion with her tender care.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
TEAM IMPRESSION
Fuzzy: Yikes.
 

Kono Oto Tomare!
この音とまれ！
Source: MANGA
Animation Company: Platinum Vision
Website: http://www.konooto-anime.jp/
Premieres: April 7, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Action, Drama, Romance, Music
Synopsis:
Takezou is the last remaining member of the koto club, a club dedicated to the traditional Japanese string instrument. If he doesn’t find new members, the koto club will be terminated. One day, Takezou is alone in the club room when a student barges in and demands to join. The student is delinquent Chika Kudou, a guy who even scares delinquent upperclassmen at other schools.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
TEAM IMPRESSION
Eva: So when the adaption was announced, I actually hadn’t read the manga yet, so on the whim I decided to take a look and before I knew it I was binge reading it for the next 48 hours. Once I was all caught up, I wanted to read it all over again! IT’S SO GOOD! IT GOT EVERYTHING, AMAZING CHARACTERS, STORY, ROMANCE, FEELS, MUSIC, DID I MENTION FEELS?! I hope the adaption does it justice because this series is a truly a gem, AHHHHHH I CAN’T WAIT!!! I have a lot of feelings about this series okay.
Berry: The koto is such a beautiful instrument, I didn’t think I’d ever see an anime surrounding it. Eva’s been gushing to us about the manga and honestly it looks freaking gorgeous. But I think it’s the koto itself that attracts me to this show the most, haha.
MidnightDevont: Oh hey, this sounds really good actually. I am probably going to end up watching this, seems like a few people are interested in covering it already so I’ll keep my hat out of the ring. Still though, the premise sounds strong and I 100% trust Eva’s recommendation from all the gushing she’s doing over the manga. So I am excited to give this a try, on that note…a koto huh? Such an interesting instrument to base a story around.
Fuzzy: I am also super excited for this adaptation! The preview doesn’t reveal too much, but the premise alone makes me want to watch it, since it feels like I’ve never seen an anime about koto playing, even though I adore the instrument.
Ruru: I’d never heard of this until the adaptation was announced, but it looks right up my alley and considering the glowing recommendation, I’m pretty excited for it! It’s a slice-of-life about a koto club, what’s not to like? The feels look real from that PV though. I bet this is going to make me cry.
Possible Bloggers: Eva, Fuzzy

Gunjou no Magmel
群青のマグメル
Source: MANGA
Animation Company: Studio Pierrot
Website: http://gunjyo-magumeru.com/
Premieres: April 7, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Action
Synopsis:
The fantasy series takes place in a world where a new continent named Magmell suddenly appears in the ocean, and a new age of exploration begins. Explorers venture to the island to find previously unknown lifeforms and resources, but experience one disaster after another. The manga follows the mysterious young men who make a living as relief workers who aid the explorers.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
TEAM IMPRESSION
Berry: I’m not too sure what to expect from this how, like whether it’ll be action-packed or an episodic exploring show. Sounds like it might balance both, but either way it’s caught my attention already. Looks like it’s worth checking out.
Possible Bloggers: Berry

Mayonaka no Occult Koumuin
真夜中のオカルト公務員
Source: MANGA
Animation Company: LIDENFILMS
Website: http://occultkoumuin.com/
Premieres: April 8, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Fantasy, Supernatural
Synopsis:
Arata Miyako is a new government worker assigned to the Shinjuku Ward Office’s “Nighttime Regional Relations” department. Each of Tokyo’s 23 wards has one such department, which were established to solve paranormal and occult-related events. Arata can understand non-human speech that no one else understands, and he encounters a yōkai (supernatural entity) at Shinjuku Gyoen park that calls him Abe no Seimei — the name of a historical Japanese occultist and diviner.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
TEAM IMPRESSION
Eva: Now this is an Urban Fantasy I can get behind! I am very intrigued by its premise and what was featured in the first PV, it makes me excited for what’s to come!
MidnightDevont: I really like the premise behind this one. The P.V.’s also look pretty interesting, I think I want to check out where this story is going to go.
Possible Bloggers: Eva, MidnightDevont

Mix: Meisei Story
ミックス
Source: MANGA
Animation Company: OLM
Website: https://www.ytv.co.jp/mix/
Premieres: April 6, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Sports, Drama, Romance, Shounen
Synopsis:
26 years after Meisei High conquered the Kōshien, a promising pitcher-catcher battery was formed in its middle school by the Tachibana step-brothers, Touma and Souichirou.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
Note: Spin-off of Touch
 
 
 

Diamond no Ace Act II
ダイヤのA act II
Source: MANGA
Animation Company: MADHOUSE
Website: https://diaace.com/
Premieres: April 2, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Shounen, Sports, Comedy
Synopsis: N/A
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
 
 
 
 
 
 

Jimoto ga Japan
ジモトがジャパン
Source: MANGA
Animation Company: ODDJOB
Website: https://www.shopro.co.jp/tv/jimoto-anime/
Premieres: April 2019 (JST)
Genre: Action, Comedy
Synopsis:
Tokio Abiko has left his hometown in Yamagata prefecture to enter school in the great metropolis of Tokyo. On his first day, he encounters one of his classmates, a strange boy called Japan Hinomoto. Tokio soon realizes that Japan is the master of a very peculiar martial art – Todofu-ken: the Metro-erritorial Pre-fist-ure Style with each of the 47 styles themed after a prefecture of Japan.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
 
 

Kidou Senshi Gundam: The Origin – Zenya Akai Suisei
機動戦士ガンダム THE ORIGIN 前夜 赤い彗星
Source: MANGA
Animation Company: SUNRISE
Website: http://www.gundam-the-origin.net/tv/index
Premieres: April 29, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Action, Mecha, Sci-Fi
Synopsis:
The Gundam.info portal site revealed that a 13-episode television series recompilation of the Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin anime will air on Japanese television.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
TEAM IMPRESSION
Eva: So for those who don’t know, there was a 6 Episodes OVA (60mins/episode) for the series that started in 2015 and just finished in May last year. I really want to watch it, but I have heard it because this is a prequel to the original series (the first series from 1979) , it would be best to finish watching that one first… Which I have started watching one summer, had put it on hold and and then forgot about it until now [sweats nervously] I should really get back to that…

NOVEL ADAPTIONS

Kenja no Mago
賢者の孫
Source: NOVEL
Animation Company: SILVER LINK.
Website: http://kenja-no-mago.jp/
Premieres: April 10, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Comedy
Synopsis:
A young man is reborn in another world where he is adopted as a baby by the hero Merlin Wolford and named Shin. By his 15th birthday, Shin has accumulated all kinds of power by studying under Merlin, but one thing his adoptive grandfather didn’t give him was a lick of common sense.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
 
 
 

GAME ADAPTIONS

Shoumetsu Toshi
消滅都市
Source: GAME
Animation Company: MADHOUSE
Website: https://shoumetsutoshi-anime.com/
Premieres: April 7, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery, Drama, Fantasy
Synopsis:
One day a town is annihilated. Yuki is a young woman who is said to be the only person left alive from the town after the annihilation, and Takuya is a loner and a smuggler. Together, with the letter left by Yuki’s father, they go toward the town, now called Lost, but unexpected obstacles stand in their path. The thoughts of those left behind, secret and mysterious organizations, and hidden conspiracies await Yuki and Takuya as they move closer toward the mystery behind Lost.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
TEAM IMPRESSION
MidnightDevont: This honestly looks pretty interesting. The P.V. had a lot going on with supernatural powers and from what I could tell I feel like i’m probably going to like Takuya as a character. I might do some reading up on the game, but I think I want to give this one a try.
Fuzzy: Errr, I thought it was going to be something akin to Kino’s Journey, with a pair travelling around, but it seems like it’s a fantasy, mystery thriller type of show. Hmmm, maybe I’ll give it a try anyway.
Possible Bloggers: MidnightDevont

Konoyo no Hate de Koi o Utau Shoujo YU-NO
この世の果てで恋を唄う少女YU-NO
Source: GAME
Animation Company: Genco
Website:
Premieres: April 2, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
Synopsis:
Takuya Arima is a young student whose father, a historian who has conducted various researches, disappeared recently. During a summer vacation Takuya receives a peculiar package from his missing father, along with a letter containing information about the existence of various parallel worlds. At first Takuya doesn’t take it seriously, but soon he realizes that he possesses a device that allows him to travel to alternate dimensions. Is his father alive, after all? If so, where is he?
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
TEAM IMPRESSION
Eva: I have heard of great things about this visual novel, so I really hope they do the adaption justice, so count me on checking this one out. Also for those who are unaware, Spike Chunsoft announced last summer the game has been localized PC and PS4 and will be released sometime this year. The Nintendo Switch version was announced several months after that, so hopefully it will be brought over as well!
Possible Bloggers: Eva

Hangyaku-sei Million Arthur 2
叛逆性ミリオンアーサー 2
Source: GAME
Animation Company: J.C. Staff
Website: http://hangyakusei-anime.com/
Premieres: April 4, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Synopsis: Based on Square Enix’s massively multi-player online role-playing game.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
 
 
 
 
 

Hachigatsu no Cinderella Nine
八月のシンデレラナイン (TV)
Source: GAME
Animation Company: TMS Entertainment
Website: https://anime-hachinai.com/
Premieres: April 8, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Sports
Synopsis:
In the game, the player takes the role of an unnamed former little senior league baseball ace who lost his or her baseball career after suffering an unspecified injury. The character moves to his or her grandmother’s hometown and enrolls in the local high school, resolved never to enter the world of baseball again. When the character meets Tsubasa Arihara, he or she is persuaded to be the manager of the school’s baseball team, and to take the team to the high school nationals at Koshien
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
TEAM IMPRESSION
Eva: But why must they be in skirts? …Not that it really matters, girls + sports means already guarantees I am going to watch the first episode.
Berry: I don’t get the skirts thing either, but I like the soft feeling I felt from the trailer. Every time I go into a female sports anime I hope it’s less about the moe/fanservice and focuses on a serious sports story akin to male sports anime. Just….please don’t be like Hanebado please. ;>>
Ruru: This could very easily be garbage and I don’t know a damn thing about baseball but it looks cute and potentially not too fanservicey judging by the PV (though the aforementioned skirts aren’t too encouraging) so I’m cautiously optimistic! I certainly like the premise a lot and might blog it for at least a few episodes.
Possible Bloggers: Ruru

BAKUMATSU Crisis (S2)
BAKUMATSUクライシス
Source: GAME
Animation Company: Studio DEEN
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/BAKUMATSU/
Premieres: April 5, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Action, Historical
Synopsis: Second season of BAKUMATSU
The Bakumatsu was an era in which the souls of young men burned with anxiety for their country’s future. Takasugi Shinsaku, a soldier of fortune from Choshu, sneaks aboard a government ship with his comrade Katsura Kogorou in search of a mysterious “timepiece” with the power to manipulate time that he fears the government wishes to keep for themselves. Rather than allow such power to fall into the wrong hands, Takasugi plans to destroy the artifact, but having obtained it, the artifact is quickly stolen, forcing the pair to follow the mysterious thief to the seat of government in Kyoto. However, when they arrive in the capital, they discover that the government has been overthrown and the deity Susanoo now reigns in its place. The streets of the city and the people in them are much different than Takasugi and Katsura remembered. The times may have changed but their mission hasn’t – Takasugi and Katsura resolve to reset time and save their nation from the nefarious forces trying to hijack it.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3

Namu Amida Butsu! Rendai UTENA
なむあみだ仏っ！-蓮台 UTENA-
Source: GAME
Animation Company: Asahi Production
Website: https://namuami-utena-anime.com/
Premieres: April 8, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Historical, Fantasy
Synopsis:
The story follows the Thirteen Buddha, along with Taishakuten and Bonten, who must confront the evil Māra. Māra seeks revenge against Shaka Nyorai, who had previously saved the world from suffering and conflict by achieving enlightenment.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
TEAM IMPRESSION
Berry: THERE’S TOO MANY GUYS. The premise sounded pretty good but then the PV had lots of guys and it just gave me the feeling that the show would be one of those shows where it’s mostly the hot guys (of many tropes) hanging around and being cute and less about a good plot. Though maybe I’ll keep an eye on it?

ORIGINAL PRODUCTIONS

Carole & Tuesday
キャロル＆チューズデイ
Source: ORIGINAL
Animation Company: BONES
Website: http://caroleandtuesday.com/
Premieres: April 10, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Music, Sci-Fic
Synopsis: Fifty years have passed since mankind began migrating to the new frontier: Mars. It’s an age where most culture is produced by AI, and people are content to be passive consumers. There’s a girl. Scrapping a living in the metropolis of Alba City, she’s working part time while trying to become a musician. She’s always felt like something is missing. Her name is Carole.
There’s a girl. Born to a wealthy family in the provincial town of Herschel City, she dreams of becoming a musician, but nobody around her understands. She feels like the loneliest person in the world. Her name is Tuesday.
A chance meeting brings them together. They want to sing. They want to make music. Together, they feel like they just might have a chance. The two of them may only create a tiny wave. But that wave will eventually grow into something larger…
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
TEAM IMPRESSION
Eva: This is without a doubt, is the show everyone should keep an eye on this season. With Shinichiro Watanabe behind this, it’s hard not to high expectations! There is something magical about the music in first PV, that I got the goose bumps. I am really looking forward to this one, April 10th can’t come soon enough!
[Replays the PV for the 238472981th time (THE MUSIC IS SO GOOD!!!!!)]
Berry: This looks amazing. Just amazing. This is probably one of the biggest shows of this season that I’m really looking forward to. I love the vibe it’s giving off, the music is great, the art is gorgeous. Just…ah! It looks so good!
MidnightDevont: The music from this sounds amazing just from the PV. The animation looks nice and of course, Shinichiro Watanabe’s name carries a fair amount of expectations and weight. I’m not usually huge on music animes but I will be checking this out for sure.
Fuzzy: Watanabe has always been a genius when it comes to integrating music into his shows, and I’m super excited for what he does with a show that appears to have music in its very core. I have high hopes for the show, and will almost definitely be watching it.
Ruru: I am high key looking forward to this one and have been ever since it was announced. Even before I knew it was Watanabe I completely fell in love with the art and the setting, and the PV has tipped me into full-on hype mode (that music, that animation, that everything). I’m not sure it’s the sort of show I’d be good at blogging about, but I’m definitely going to be watching with extremely high expectations.
Possible Bloggers: Eva, Berry

Sarazanmai
さらざんまい
Source: ORIGINAL
Animation Company: MAPPA
Website: http://sarazanmai.com/
Premieres: April 2019 (JST)
Genre: Fantasy
Synopsis:
The stage is Asakusa. One day, three 2nd-year middle school students — Kazuki Yasaka, Tooi Kuji, and Enta Jinnai — meet a mysterious kappa-like creature named Keppi, who forcibly takes their shirikodama (a mythical organ kappa steal through a person’s anus) and transforms the boys into kappa. Keppi informs them, “If you wish to return to your former selves, you must connect in ‘that way’ and bring me the shirikodama of zombies.” Will the three boys be able to connect as they steal shirikodama from zombies?! Meanwhile, two policemen — Reo Niiboshi and Mabu Akutsu — are up to something at the police box where they are stationed.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
TEAM IMPRESSION
Eva: Anyone who is familiar with Kunihiko Ikuhara’s works (Revolutionary Girl Utena, Mawaru Penguindrum, Yurikuma Arashi) would know instantly just after watching the PV that he’s behind this project. The way he plays with artistic symbolism and metaphors are some of the best if not one of his most distinctive qualities in the industry. However some of his works are a hit and miss for me, and Sarazanmai right now is the latter. So for the time being I am not particularly interested in checking this one out at this time.

Fairy Gone
フェアリーゴーン
Source: ORIGINAL
Animation Company: P.A. Works
Website: https://www.fairygone.com/
Premieres: April 8, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Fantasy, Action
Synopsis:
“Once upon a time, fairies were tools of war.”
Fairies possess and reside within animals, granting them special powers. By surgically removing and transplanting the organs of a possessed animal into a human, humans can partially summon the fairy and use it as a weapon. Eventually, such individuals were used for war, and were called “Fairy Soldiers.” After a long war, these soldiers lost their purpose, and had to reintegrate into society. Nine years after the end of the war, Maria is a fresh recruit of “Dorothea,” an organization dedicated to the investigation and suppression of fairy-related crimes and incidents. Even in peacetime, the government is still unstable after the war. Many criminals still have lingering wounds from the previous conflict, and there are terrorist groups bent on revenge.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
TEAM IMPRESSION
Eva: AHHHHHHHHH THIS SOUNDS SO INTRIGUING but I’m worried this might be too bloody for me! The struggle is real.
Berry: This looks badass. I don’t know what else to say other than this hypes me up. It kind of reminds me of Terraformars with the animal implantation, but not in space possibly not being a bad show. Fingers crossed!
MidnightDevont: This could either be really good or just super dark and edgy. I can’t decide which one it’s going to be, it does look rather neat though. I’ll keep an eye on it and if I hear it’s good i’ll probably end up giving it a watch.
Fuzzy: As Midnight said, looks like our seasonal dose of edge. Aesthetically the preview looks very nice though, maybe I’ll give it a whirl and see where it goes.
Possible Bloggers: Berry

RobiHachi
Source: ORIGINAL
Animation Company: Studio Comet
Website: https://robihachi.jp/
Premieres: April 8, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Synopsis:
In Neo Tokyo in the year G.C.0051, humans have known of aliens for the last 50 years and obtained super light-speed navigation technology and formed a commonwealth of planets. Self-proclaimed freelance reportage writer Robby Yarge fails at work, so his contract is cut. His girlfriend leaves him, he nearly dies in a traffic accident, and debt collectors are after him. One day, a bag snatcher steals Robby’s bag, and a young man helps him. Hatchi Kita, an 18-year-old part-time worker, catches the criminal and returns Robby’s bag. However, Hatchi turns up again in Robby’s life as a debt collector. Hatchi explains that it’s his part-time job working for the loan shark Yang. A cat-and-mouse chase begins, and Yang takes his subordinates Allo and Gras along for the ride
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
TEAM IMPRESSION
Eva: This looks like it could be a fun one. I don’t see myself covering this, but I certainly will tune in to watch it!
(Can we take a moment to appreciate how adorable the rabbit robot is?)
Ruru: This looks like a fun space buddies romp and I’m always down for one of those. So I might cover it and I’ll definitely be watching!
Possible Bloggers: Ruru

KING OF PRISM -Shiny Seven Stars
Source: ORIGINAL
Animation Company: Tatsunoko Production
Website: https://kinpri.com/
Premieres: April 2019 (JST)
Genre: Music
Synopsis: New project in the King of Prism franchise.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
 
 
 
 
 
 

Aikatsu Friends!: Kagayaki no Jewel
アイカツフレンズ！～かがやきのジュエル～
Source: ORIGINAL
Animation Company: Bandai Namco Pictures
Website: http://www.aikatsu.net/index.html
Premieres: April 2019 (JST)
Genre: Music
Synopsis: Set 2 years after the events of Aikatsu Friends!Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
TEAM IMPRESSION
Berry: For people that have seen Aikatsu Friends, is it worth watching? I had been meaning to check it out and I even heard some of the music and it was pretty damn good.
 
 
 
 

Soukyuu no Fafner: THE BEYOND
蒼穹のファフナー THE BEYOND
Source: ORIGINAL
Animation Company: XEBECzwei 
Website: http://fafner-beyond.jp/
Premieres: May 17, 2019 (JST)
Genre: Drama, Mecha, Sci-Fi
Synopsis: A new title in the Dead Aggression franchise.
Trailer: PV 1 | PV 2 | PV 3
 
 
 
 
 

OVERALL THOUGHTS
Eva: Truthfully, the majority of Spring 2019 titles feels underwhelming, but at the same time there are a handful of really hot titles to be excited for that makes up for it. Among the titles this season, Kono Oto Tomare, Fruits Basket, Mayonaka no Occult Koumuin, Kimetsu no Yaiba, YU-NO, and Carole & Tuesday, and RobiHachi are the few I will be watching or at least keeping an eye on. As much as I would love to check out Fairy Gone, I’m going to hold off that one until I hear some feedback on the nature of the show since it looks like it’s going to be a bloody one. As for the shows I hope to cover, considering the workload I’ve been having for the past few seasons, I might just settle with picking only one show of the seven I have listed above. Kono Oto Tomare is my top pick because it has been my latest obsession.  I am very curious about Mayonaka no Occult Koumuin and YU-NO (though I must admit, I am trying to avoid picking up more two-cour series just so I can have some more wiggle room for the summer!) Fruits Basket got a lot of competition, and Carole & Tuesday is the one of the bunch I have the highest expectations for. So yeah if I can have Kono Oto Tomare, I’ll be happy with just that. ^ v ^ /
Berry: WHmm, I’m not sure how I feel about this season. There’s definitely some huge shows in this season I’m looking forward to like Fruits Basket, One Punch Man, Bungou Stray Dogs, and Carole and Tuesday. There’s other shows that have caught my eye such as Fairy Gone, Kimetsu no Yaiba, and Gunjou no Magmell but then there’s quite a bit from this season that I don’t really care about, or I’m only mildly curious about so that’s kind of disappointing. Personally for me, the season is kind of in the middle for me. Even so, I think the shows I have mentioned will be just enough for me as well as the continuing shows from Winter~
MidnightDevont: Honestly, in the way of new content there isn’t a ton i’m super looking forward too. I think the one that has my strongest interest that isn’t a new season is Mayonaka no Occult Koumuin. I think that Shoumetsu Toshi has some potential as well, but compared to the sheer amount of shows I was following this winter. Spring is just coming up dry for me, unless you start counting the continuing shows. Then you have a collection of some of my all time favorites. I adore Bungou Stray Dogs and I can not wait for season 3 from the things i’ve heard about the ability users. I have been waiting on this second cour of AoT for a while now and of course, Fruits Basket. Honestly, if I had to pick one show above all others that I wanted to cover this season. It would be Fruits Basket, the show simply means so much to me. There is also going to be Jojo continuing on into next season. Glad to see a lot of this stuff coming back, but I simply wish there was more new stuff that caught my interest. Oh well, maybe in the summer.
Fuzzy: The season seems almost as solid as Winter 2019 was, which says quite a lot. The return of Attack on Titan and One Punch Man is hype alone, but the addition of Carole and Tuesday along with the readaptation of Fruits Basket wraps it all up to be amazing. Personally, I’m most excited for Attack on Titan since I’ve been a huge fan of the previous seasons, but I’m sure there’ll be more sleeper hits as there always have been. Perhaps Kimetsu No Yaiba or something calmer like Kono Oto Tomare. Overall, it sounds like a good season and I’m hopeful something surprises me.
Ruru: There’s a lot of mediocrity hanging around here, but at the same time, there’s also quite a bit for me to be excited about, and that’s the important thing anyway. I’m heavy on that Carole & Tuesday hype train, and I’m pretty pumped about the new Fruits Basket too. And really, those two alone could carry the season for me. And then there’s Attack on Titan, One-Punch Man, Kono Oto Tomare!… I might be watching quite a few more shows than I usually do in a season, if most of what I’m interested in ends up being good (which is a big “if”, but still). I’m particularly looking forward to getting first looks at Hitoribocchi no Marumaru Seikatsu, RobiHachi, all of which I can see myself really liking if they hit the right notes. This season has the potential to be one of my favourites for a while!