Been waiting for this chart to come out, also took me some time to begin writing this up (that's why it's later than when I normally post these threads):
What I do intend to watch:
>>Highschool of the Dead: definitely watching this, love the manga and very very much looking forward to the anime. It's pretty much Resident Evil and Dawn of the Dead rolled into an anime with some Japanese twist - instead of adults the focus is on highschool students. There is quite a bit of fan service in the manga, but the story and execution of it is very nice. Survival horrors are quite entertaining, especially when it's something like Resident Evil - always good to see how people act when the world they know gets screwed over and comes to an end, and how characters with different personalities work together to survive through these situations.
The characters are also another great aspect of HSotD, they all have personalities which are fleshed out well, they display emotion, they get angry, they get confused, but even in this chaos they move forward - the emotional shift in this disaster doesn't feel out of place. Also you will find out when reading/watching this series, some people are idiots (the ones who don't want their reality crumbling and those who just do stupid things). One of the notable characters is Hirano Kohta, seems to be based on the mangaka of the same name (Hellsing's author), the two even look similar =D. Kohta is badass, a gun otaku, his love for military weapons comes very much in use in the story - a character which seems useless in the start, but nooo you are quickly proven wrong (him creating a gas pressurised nail gun he used to fend off the zombies was cool). Kohta himself even realised that what has happened has changed who he is, he admits he likes the new him, the self that is useful. Saeko is my favourite character, swordsman are awesome, well in this case swordswoman (she will be voiced by Sawashiro Miyuki =D). Will also be looking forward to the manga coming off hiatus in July.
>>Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin: I can't say no to mystery, and this is supernatural mystery, mmmmm. Lol typical anime setting to have teenagers. Looking forward to how the school comedy story will play out in this supernatural mystery.
>>Sengoku Basara Two: =). As Date Masamune would say in English "let's party!" Hahah can't wait for more adrenaline pumping quality fight scene's between these legendary historic figures and maybe even learn more about Japanese history O.o. Preview
>>Shiki: This caught my eye a while back - the horror/mystery element does indeed intrigue me. Also like I said before, reminds me of Higurashi - isolated mountain village, strange incidents, mystery. In the Noitamina time slot, looking forward to it. Trailer
>>Kuroshitsuji 2: this season deals with different characters from the first season. I have watched the first season, it was pretty good, the setting in the start reminded me of Hellsing - a rich family heir contracts with a demon (vampire in Hellsing). Season one was surprisingly dark, you wouldn't expect such a series to and even when watching I underestimated how dark the story could be - the end of the season shocked me. The characters from the trailer don't seem to be as badass as Ciel and Sebastian from season 1 =(, but anyway I'm sure Claude will be one hell of a butler, just like Sebastian. Trailer
May watch:
>>Densetsu no Yuusha no Densetsu (The Legend of Legendary Heroes): trailer looks interesting - Trailer (Lol the graduation music really doesn't fit the trailer).
>>Nurarihyon no Mago: I did start reading the manga, but I stopped at chapter 3 - put it on hold for later, but later has still not arrived =(. Trailer
>>Sekirei ~Pure Engagement~: I already read the manga so I know what will happen, will probably end up watching this season anyway - Funimation streaming free subbed episodes if you want to watch season 1 - here.
Trailer
Other series:
>>Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakamatachi: That girl on the right side of the image really does look like an older version of Taiga from Tora Dora. Trailer
>>Shukufuku no Campanella: Trailer
>>Amagami SS: Trailer
>>Mitsuomoe: Trailer
>>Strike Witches 2: Trailer
>>Asobi ni Iku Yo: Tailer - I'm quite surprised at the animation quality, looks better than most.
>>Seitokai Yakuindomo: Trailer
>>Tono to Issho: [no trailer released yet]
>>Osaka Hamlet: [no trailer released yet]
>>Digimon Xros Wars: [no trailer released yet]
Series that may air during this season or next:
>>Hyakka Ryouran: Samurai Girl:
The story is set in the early 21st century - except in this alternate world, the Tokugawa shogunate never lost power and Japan maintained its enforced seclusion from the rest of the world. The 25th shogun assumed the mantle of Japan's leadership 20 years ago, and the student council enforces the suppression of rebellious elements at a giant academy for children of military families at the foot of Mt. Fuji. The girls Yukimura Sanada and Matabei Gotou battle the mostly female members of the ruling student council faction such as Sen Tokugawa ("Sen-hime"), Hanzou Hattori, and others. A 16-year-old male student named Muneakira Yagyuu and a female Juubei Yagyuu are caught in the middle. (based on ANN synopsis).
The trailer looks awesome, the thick ink outlines and drips in the trailer reminds me of the Street Fighter IV animation and I very much liked that. Trailer
>>Togainu no Chi:
The anime is based on a boys-love eroge originally released in 2005 by Nitroplus' branch Nitro+CHiRAL, about a post-apocalyptic street fighter named Akira. He is the young champion of a street fighting tournament called Bl@ster, and is suddenly arrested for a crime he didn't commit. He makes a deal with a mysterious woman to get out of prison on one condition: to defeat the strongest man, the Il-Re, in a deadly game called Igura, which is taking place under the rule of a drug ring in the abandoned remains of Tokyo. (based on ANN synopsis).
Trailer
Movies:
>>Mardock Scramble:
The original novel is about a girl who dies as her body is burned by "the bad guy". However she resurrects, and sets herself on a path for revenge. The trilogy will begin in Japan this autumn, with the anime film titled Mardock Scramble: The First Compression.
I am so looking forward to this. Animation and setting reminsent of Ghost in the Shell and Akira. It really does look like an anime from the 90's in modern time =). Trailer
>>Welcome to the Space Show:
Five children save the life of a dog-like alien while at a self-run summer camp. He attempts to reward them by taking them to an alien colony on the Moon. Events take a turn for the worse when his report on that attack that injured him causes passage from the Moon to the Earth to be banned, and children are stranded in space. The children need to find a way back home before camp ends and their parents discover that they are missing. They also have to avoid the poachers that injured their alien friend, and now seem to be stalking them all.
I like what I see from the trailers, looks like some quality work and an amazing adventure.
>>Gaiking: Watch the trailer, it's impressive.
Currently in pre-production at Toei Animation, this CG film project is based on the classic 1970s mecha anime series, and will take advantage of the Light Stage technology - one of the CG production tools used for James Cameron's Avatar film. The final movie is not expected sooner than 2012, or even 2013.
>>Gothicmade: Trailer
>>Planzet: Trailer. You can watch the first 9 minutes here. The story is set in 2053 when mankind faces annihilation from space.
OVA:
>>Queen's Blade OVA: 6 episodes of OVA planned. Trailer
>>Cat Shit One: Hahah wow, the trailer was entertaining, looks like it will be an awesome show.
The manga follows three American soldiers � Bota, Perky and Rats � during the Vietnam War. The trio just happen to be cute animals in the Cat Shit One recon group.
The planned 12-episode anime series of "real and fierce combat by cute and fluffy animals" updates the manga's premise by making the three soldiers part of a modern private military company. In the first episode, the three attempt to rescue hostages, but end up surrounded by guerrillas demanding the withdrawal of United States Armed Forces in the area.
>>Black Rock Shooter: Trailer
>>Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail: yes please, Roberta is great, the anime is gonna be so awesome. Trailer, Promo
Anime from China:
>>Ksitigarbha:
The animation film Ksitigarbha, coming from the Chinese studio Vasoon Animation, tells a futuristic story with a Buddhist flavor. The film's setting is an extremely corrupted and completely commercialized overseas city, where most of the residents are Chinese with great polarization between the rich and the poor. Feng, though a cold-blood gangster, is actually a dutiful son. In a trance he vaguely saw his passed-away mother having a happy life in the Paradise. But not long after, he discovers that his mother had been driven to hell because of him... Experiencing a confusing and feverish pursue, Feng has to dig for the answer with his heart and blood.
Wow impressive animation: Trailer
>>Legend 333:
The animation project Legend 333, or Kuiba, is being created by the Chinese studio Vasoon Animation as what appears to be a feature film planned for a December 2010 premiere, followed by a TV series from December 2011. The setting is a fantasy world where a mysterious and horrible creature - called Kuiba - is reborn every 333 years, bringing disaster to the whole universe each time it appears. The story begins in the the year of Kuiba 1664, when this abomination is about to be reborn into Manji - a lovely youngster who wants to become the most powerful spirit. To that end, Manji is enlisted to fight Kuiba; but what he doesn't know is that the one he's aiming to kill is himself. How would he face his fate and accept who he is by destiny? This is a children's story about friendship, love and destiny.
Looks quite interesting: Trailer
--Syphin--
.
