The List of 2006 Winter's New Anime

[SSJVegeta]

Here is a list of new anime which will premiere in Japan in the winter of 2006 (to be more exact, from late December 2005 through March 2006).

A. TV Anime

12/24 Gundam Seed Destiny Final Plus (http://www.gundam-seed-d.net/) / CBC / Sat.27:50 / Sunrise
12/26 Minami no Shima no Chiisana Hikouki: Birdy (The Small Plane in the South Island: Birdy) (http://www3.nhk.or.jp/anime/birdy/) / NHK:Edu / Mon.18:10 / Studio DEEN
12/29 Soukyuu no Fafner -RIGHT OF LEFT- (http://www.starchild.co.jp/fafner/) / TV Tokyo / Thurs.26:25 / XEBEC
01/03 Magikano (http://www.magikano.com/) / UHF Local / Tue.25:30 / Tokyo Kids
01/03 Kagi-hime Monogatari Eikyu Alice Rondo (The Story of Kagi-hime: Perpetual Alice Rondo) (http://www.kagihime.jp/) / UHF Local / Tue.25:45 / Trinet Entertainment, Picture Magic
01/04 Amaenaideyo!! Katsu!! (Don't presume on our goodwill!! Katsu!!) (http://www.vap.co.jp/amae/) / AT-X / Wed.11:00 / Studi DEEN
01/05 Rakugo Tennyo Oyui (http://www.rakugo-tennyo.com/) / UHF Local / Thurs.26:00 / TNK
01/06 Fate/stay night (http://www.staynight.com/) / UHF Local / Fri.25:30 / Studio DEEN
01/07 Wanwan Celepuu Soreyuke! Tetsunoshin (http://www.tv-aichi.co.jp/tetsunoshin/) / TV Tokyo / Sat.08:00 / Studio Comet
01/07 Tactical Roar (http://www.tactical-roar.com/) / UHF Local / Sat.24:30 / Actas
01/07 Kage Kara Mamoru! (http://www.aniplex.co.jp/kagemamo/) / TV Tokyo / Sat.26:50 / Group TAC
01/08 Yomigaeru Sora -Rescue Wings- (http://www.rescue-w.jp/) / TV Tokyo / Sun.25:30 / J.C.STAFF
01/08 Lemon Angel Project (http://www.lemon-angel-project.com/) / UHF Local / Sun.25:30 / RADIX
01/09 Clay Anime: Taiko no Tatsujin (2nd season) (http://www.nikkatsu.com/times/column/taiko/) / Kids Station / Mon.06:55 / Atsuko Koguma
01/09 Bakukyu Hit! Crash Beedaman (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/crash_b-daman/) / TV Tokyo / Mon.18:00 / Nihon Animedia
01/09 ~Ayakashi~ Japanese Classic Horror (http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/ayakashi/) / Kansai TV / Mon.25:30 / Toei Animation
01/09 Oroshitate Musical: Nerima Daikon Brothers (http://www.ndbrothers.com/) / TV Tokyo / Mon.25:30 / Studio Hibari
01/09 Play Ball 2nd (http://www.anime-playball.com/) / Kansai TV / Mon.26:00 / Eiken
01/10 Funny Pets (http://pets-cganime.com/) / KBS Kyoto,TVK / Tue.25:30 / Ryuji Masuda
01/11 KA.SI.MA.SI ~girl meets girl~ (http://kasimasi.com/) / TV Tokyo / Wed.25:30 / Studio Hibari
01/12 Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora (looking up at the half-moon) (http://www.hantsuki.com/) / WOWOW / Thurs.24:30 / Group TAC
01/22 Meine Liebe -wieder- (http://www.meineliebe.jp/) / Animax / Sun.23:30 / Bee Train
02/02 REC (http://www.tbs.co.jp/rec-aka/) / TBS / Thurs.25:55 / SHAFT
02/02 Binchotan (http://www.tbs.co.jp/bincho/) / TBS / Thurs.26:10 / Studio DEEN
02/05 Pretty Cure Splash Star (http://www.asahi.co.jp/precure/news/15.html) / TV Asahi / Sun.08:30 / Toei Animation
02/09 Papillon Rose New Season (http://www.ayaya.co.jp/) / TVQ / Thurs.27:23 / Kelmadick
02/25 ERGO PROXY (http://www.ergoproxy.com/) / WOWOW / Sat.19:00 / manglobe
03/02 Shinigami no Ballad. ~momo the girl god of death~ (http://www.momo100100.com/) / WOWOW / Thurs.24:30 / Group TAC
03/18 DaiMahouTouge (http://www.punie.jp/) / TVK / Sat.24:00 / Studio Barcelona
*03/-- erico (http://www.tbs.co.jp/erico/) / TBS / ? / Frameworks Entertainment


B. OVA

12/17 Saint Beast ~Ikusen no Hiru to Yoru~ Vol.1 (http://www.wonderfarm.co.jp/contents/info/sb0508021.html) / Madhouse
12/21 Papa to KISS IN THE DARK Vol.2 (http://www.threefatsamurai.com/animation/papa.html) / TNK
12/21 Majokko Tsukune-chan Vol.5 (http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/tsukune/) / XEBEC
12/22 School Rumble OVA Ichigakki Hosyu (supplemental study for the first semester) (http://www.school-rumble.net/) / Studio Comet
12/23 Super Robot Wars Original Generation The Animation Vol.3 (http://www.suparobo.jp/srw_lineup/ova/index.html) / Brain's Base
01/27 Kaleido Star Legend of phoenix ~Layla Hamilton Monogatari~ (http://www.rakuten.co.jp/gonzo/678053/704345/) / GONZO
02/10 HELLSING I (http://www.geneon-ent.co.jp/rondorobe/anime/hellsing/) / Satelight
02/22 Artoneliko ~Sekai no Owari de Utai Tsuzukeru Shoujo~ (http://ar-tonelico.jp/) / Trans Arts
02/24 Tales of Phantasia Vol.4 (http://www.ova-top.com/) / Actas
*02/24 I"s Pure Vol.3 (http://www.liverp.co.jp/dvd_video/is_vol3.html) / Rivapool
03/24 TANK S.W.A.T.01 (http://tank-swat.jp/) / DoGA
*03/24 Kyou no 5 no 2 (http://www.5-2.jp/) / Shinkukan
*03/24 Top wo Nerae2! Vol.5 (http://www.top2.jp/) / GAINAX
03/24 Eien no Aseria Vol.2 ~Ugoki Dashita Syukumei~ (http://www.aseria-jhv.com/) / Studio Matrix
03/29 Memories Off #5 Togireta Film (http://memories-off5.jp/) / Doga Kobo
*03/29 Full Metal Alchemist Premium Collection (http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Animation/hagaren/) / Bones
--/-- BALDR FORCE EXE Resolution (http://www.trinet-ent.com/baldrforce/) / Satelight


C. Anime Movies

12/17 The King of Beetle "Mushiking" ~Road to the Greatest Champion~ (http://www.mushi-x.com/mk.html) / TMS Entertainment
12/17 Black Jack ~Futari no Kuroi Ishi~ (http://blackjack.jp/movie/) / Tezuka Production
01/07 Gin-iro no kami no Agito (http://www.gin-iro.jp/) / GONZO
03/04 Zeta Gundam III ~Hoshi no Kodou wa Ai~ (http://www.z-gundam.net/) / Sunrise
03/04 Doraemon "Nobita no Kyoryu 2006" (Nobita's Dinosaurs 2006) (http://dora2006.com/top/) / Shinei Doga
03/11 Cho-Gekijo ban: Keroro Gunso (http://www.kerozoro-movie.net/) / Sunrise
03/11 Kaiketsu Zorori: Nazo no Otakara Daisakusen (http://www.kerozoro-movie.net/) / Sunrise
03/11 Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the Northern Star) Raoh Den Junai no Shou (http://www.hokuto-no-ken.jp/) / TMS Entertainment
03/-- Cream Lemon New Generation (http://creamlemon.jp/new/index.html)

* The list of previous season: The List of New Anime This Fall Season (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=110364)

Edit1: I corrected several errors and added some new links and dates to the list.
Edit2: The link to Wanwan celepuu Soreyuke! Tetsunoshin's official website was added to the list.
Edit3: addition to the list / erico, I"s Pure Vol.3, Top wo Nerae2! Vol.5, Kyou no 5 no 2 and Full Metal Alchemist Premium Collection

[MKTerra]

Wow, are you assembling all these links yourself? :eek:

[Steve]

Very time consuming and I applaud him for it.

[Hiromi]

Cool, looking forward for the second and third Gundam Zeta movies.

[NinjaJJ]

-Kagi-hime Monogatari Eikyu Alice Rondo- Looks pretty, so its a possibility.
-Fate/stay night- I like the game, so Its a must see for me.
-Rakugo Tennyo Oyui- looks nice again...I'm a sucker for cute art.
-Bakukyu Hit! Crash Beedaman- Something about it makes me want to see it.
-Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora- Looks cool
-Binchotan- I already have a poster from megami magazine hagin up in my room. Its looks to cute to pass up.
-Shinigami no Ballad. ~momo the girl god of death~ - Looks interesting.
-DaiMahouTouge- A magical girl with a candycane? Looks like fun.

[SSJVegeta]

01/03 Magikano (http://www.magikano.com/) / UHF Local / Tue. 25:30 / Tokyo Kids

This TV series is an anime adaptation of comedy manga created by Takeaki Momose (http://www007.upp.so-net.ne.jp/ta-momose/), which is serialized in Monthly MAGAZINE Z. Momose is known as an author of police gag manga Miami Guns that was already animated in 2000 (well, AN is the licensee of this in the US).

Magikano manga is a slapstick magical girl comedy. According to Magikano anime's project proposal, they will try to produce "ultimate moe anime" http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/9123/blink0hy.gif It seems the comedy series will be filled with fan services. The series director is Seiji Kishi who did Yugo and Cho Positive Fighters, and other members are IZUMO (http://www.trinet-ent.com/izumo/index.html) production staff. It's an interesting, rather odd combination. I can't predict whether or not they're going to do well. I'll have to wait and see how the show goes.

[SSJVegeta]

Kagi-hime Monogatari Eikyu Alice Rondo (The Story of Kagi-hime: Perpetual Alice Rondo) (http://www.kagihime.jp/)

STAFF

Director: Nagisa Miyazaki
Producer: Saburo Omiya, Takashi Nakanishi, Kousaku Sakamoto
Series Composition: Mamiko Ikeda
Character Design: Toshiko Sato
Art Director: Shigeru Kawamoto
Sound Director: Yasunori Ebina
Production Studio: Picture Magic, Trinet Entertainment

CAST

Alice Arisugawa: Ai Shimizu
Kiraha Kirihara: Mari Kanou
Aruto Kirihara: Toshiyuki Toyonaga
Kisa Misaki: Miyu Matsuki
Kirika Kagarigi: Shiho Kawaragi
Riddell: Masumi Asano
Alternate Takion: Takehito Koyasu
Alice Twins: Mika Kanai, Tomoko Kaneda
Tsukaima: Tomokazu Seki

This TV series is an anime adaptation of serial manga created by Kaishaku, which is still ongoing in Comic Dengeki Daioh. Almost all of Kaishaku's manga have been animated, such as UFO Princess Valkyrie, Steel Angel Kurumi, Magical Nyan Myan Taruto, Kannazuki no Miko and now Eikyu Alice Rondo. Eikyu Alice Rond is relatively serious among Kaishaku's works.

Watching the first episode, I had an experience of deja vu.

ability to convert one's memory into a book - "Heaven's door" from Jojo's Bizarre Adventure and many others
Cute girls fight against each other among them for some purpose - D4 Princess and many others
fulfilling any wildest dream If it completes things - The Law of Ueki, Dragon Ball and many many others
Cosutume design - Collector Yui and many others
A part of stage setting - Princess Tutu and many others
Alice genre - Alice SOS, Alice Tanteikyoku, of course Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and many others
the concept of Alice Royale - Alice Game from Rozen Maiden and some others
the power to create closed space normal human can't move/go into - X, Shakugan no SHANA and at least more than 100 shows.
use a key as a weapon - Kingdom Hearts and some others.
scrambling for fragments of the lost story - MADLAX and many others

Kaishaku's manga almost always weave the straigt love with shoujo-ai/yuri, and this anime is no exception. The animaton quality of the first episode is average. Music is fairly good. The OP song and animation are neither very good nor very bad. The ED theme is a bit odd, but it's okay. The character design in this show reminds me of Hachiyosho ~Haruka naru Toki no Naka de~. Alice and Kisa have really big breasts for an 13 or 14-year old. There are some fan services in ep.1, but it's nothing to speak of fan servicing.

If the storyline of this TV series is faithful to the original manga, it would be going to be rather serious anime. Ep.1 generally has a bad reputation in Japanese anime forums, but somehow it basically goes over well with anime blogs. Personally I don't dislike this type of anime. I could enjoy watching ep.1, though I admit it doesn't have very high quality.

[SSJVegeta]

Rakugo Tennyo Oyui (http://www.rakugo-tennyo.com/) / TV Saitama / Thurs. 26:00

http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/rakugo-tennyo-oyui01.jpg

STAFF

Director: Norihiro Takamoto
Scenario: Kouji Yoritsune
Conceptual Character Design: Kazune Horikoshi
Character Design: Miwa Ohshima
Animation Director: Miwa Ohshima
Production Studio: TNK

CAST

Yui Tsukishima: Saori Goto
Miyabi Asukayama: Yukiko Kojima
Tae Yanaka: Miyuki Sawashiro
Suzu Koishikawa: Ai Shimizu
Ryo Sengoku: Yuu Kobayashi
Akira Naito: Junko Noda
Sanyutei Encho: Takao Horiuchi
Ukyo Kotsukahara: Akira Ishida
Katsura Utamaru: Katsura Utamaru

What is Rakugo?

As for Rakugo, see Rakugo form Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakugo). Recently rakugo is edging up in popularity again in Japan. Regardless of the popularity of rakugo in itself, a number of rakugo entertainers are familiar to Japanese TV viewers because they're on several TV variety programs. (Tennyo means a celestial woman or an angel)

First Impression

This is the first-ever anime that deals with rakugo, and Katsura Utawaka, the original author of this, is an active rakugo entertainer. Unique combination of rakugo and bishoujo/moe drew the attention of informed anime fans. Rakugo Tennyo Oyui is produced through full coordination with Rakugo Artist Association (RAA) (http://www.geikyo.com/index.html). RAA president Katsura Utamaru, one of the most famous rakugo entertainers in Japan, appears in the show as an anime character, and he does voice acting of the role of Utamaru in person.

The protagonist of the show is Yui Tsukishima, a high school girl belonging to the rakugo club in her school. She really loves rakugo and she adores Katsura Utamaru passionately. She finally tries to be apprenticed to Utamaru...

Many things are overcrowded in the first episode, and so the storyline rather defocuses.

-a high school girl trying to learn rakugo
-cute girls fighting against monsters/villains with using words/powers
-the girls who go back and forth between the present and the past by a mysterious fatality

They should have focused on any one in ep.1. The character design is okay. Anime version Utamaru wears more bushy hair than life :p The animation quality is neither very good nor very bad. I hope they'll increase the ratio of rakugo-related scenes, it's the main sales point of this series.

[SSJVegeta]

Yomigaeru Sora -Rescue Wings- (http://www.rescue-w.jp/) / TV Tokyo / Sun. 25:30

STAFF

Director: Katsushi Sakurami
Series Composition: Fumihiko Takayama
Scenario: Kiyosuke Mizukami
Animation Director: Yutaka Karyu
Character Design: Tetsuya Takeuchi
Mechanic Design: Keishi Hashimoto
Art Director: Toshiyuki Tokuda
Music: Hayato Matsuo
Sound Director: Masafumi Mima
Production Studio: J.C.STAFF

CAST

Kazuhiro Uchida: Issei Miyazaki
Megumi Hasegawa: Mamiko Noto
Shujiro Hongo: Unsho Ishizuka
Ryunosuke Murakami: Mitsuaki Hoshino
Kazumi Nishida: Rumi Kasahara
kazuhiko Hirata: Atsushi Ii
Daigo Nihonmatsu: Masaya Onozaka
Takashi Kosaka: Tomoyuki Shimura
Misae Uchida: Hisae Takamura

Synopsis

There are various types of rescue teams in Japan like other countries. Air Rescue Wing (ARW) in Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) (http://www.jda.go.jp/jasdf/indexe.html) is the best rescue team in Japan. ARW engages in the most difficult rescue operation as the last playing card, because they have highly-trained rescue workers and high-performance equipments such as UH-60J helicopters. This anime is human drama depicting ARW rescue team's endeavors.

JASDF pilot officer Kazuhiro Uchida, the protagonist of the series, has desired to be a jet fighter pilot since his childhood. But he was reassigned to a training unit for a rescue helicopter pilot against his wishes, and then he's assigned to Komatsu Rescue Squadron in Komatsu Air Force Base. The first day in a new duty station he reports for duty to the base, but...

First Impression

The first episode made a good impression on me. The storyline, screen-directing and script-writing are fairly well-done, though ep.1 is considerably low-key. It's like a live-action TV drama dealing with a rescue theme. The story and setting are very real, organizations and place-names appearing in the show are all existing. Nearly every characters are guys, only a few female characters appear in the show. Megumi Hasegawa, a heroine of the series, didn't appear even on the screen, only the voice on the phone. It's pretty unusual for a protagonist to speak Okayama dialect. Masaki Tenchi comes from Okayama, but he never spoke Okayama dialect in the shows.

The animation quality is good, especially of jet fighters and mechas. The background pictures are well drawn and beautiful. Music and voice acting by seiyuu are okay. The character design is a bit plain, but I don't mind. The causes for concern in this anime is the director Katsushi Sakurami. It's notorious that he did a bad job of directing some works. His directing this series is a great opportunity to remove the blot on his name. I decided to follow this show at least for a while.

[SSJVegeta]

Oroshitate Musical: Nerima Daikon Brothers (http://www.ndbrothers.com/) / TV Tokyo / Mon. 25:30

STAFF

Director: Shinichi Watanabe
Series Composition: Yoshio Urasawa
Character Design: Takamitsu Kondo
Musical Supervisor: Kazushige Yusa
Screen Directing: Tokuaki Saito
Sound Director: Yasunori Ebina
Sound Production: Takatoshi Hamana (Magic Capsule)
Music: F*CK
Music Producer: Shuichi Kurita, Toshiyuki Watanabe
Production Studio: Studio Hibari

CAST

Hideki: Shigeru Matsuzaki
Ichiro: Shotaro Morikubo
Mako: Ayano Matsumoto

What is Nerima Daiko?

Nerima is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo, Japan. Ranma manga/anime and Doraemon take place in Nerima.
Daikon means a radish. Nerima Daikon is one of the famous products of Nerima.
Oroshitate means "freshly-grated." The title of the show Oroshitate Musical is a pun for Oroshitate no Daikon (freshly-grated radish).

First Impression

I was surprised to watch the first episode. Probably this show would be the best/worst baka anime in this season. Nerima Daiko Brothers (NDB) is a musical comedy, and about ten new songs sung by main/sub characters are used in each episode. It's very hard to do musical TV anime series because it involves extra efforts and time to make. I have to tip my hat to brute courage of the director Shinichi Watanabe (Nabe-shin) and his crew.

Ep.1's gags are unspeakably ignoble, it includes a lot of blue jokes. Shigeru Matsuzaki playing the role of Hideki showed his excellent skill as a singer. He's not a voice actor but one of the top veteran singers in Japan. Other voice actors' songs hardly match up to his. The audition scene reminds me of Hideo Azuma's manga. I don't care whether the animation quality/character design is good or not, NDB is elaborate grade-B anime you should see over a jug of beer.

It seems people either like this type of anime or don't like it. The reaction for NDB in Japan is just split in two. Personally I found ep.1 fairly amusing, though I didn't think it's insanely funny.

BTW, I laughed my head off when I knew the meanings behind the title of ep.1 "Ore no Nerima Daikon wo Osawari kudasai" ("Please Touch My Nerima Daikon"). It's a really filthy title :p

[SSJVegeta]

Bakukyu Hit! Crash Beedaman (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/crash_b-daman/) / TV Tokyo / Mon. 18:00

STAFF

Director: Yoshiaki Okumura
Series Composition: Sukehiro Tomita
Character Design: Takeshi Kimura
Mecha Design: Takenori Uchida
Art Director: Nobuto Sakamoto
Production Studio: Nihon Animedia

CAST

Hitto Tamaga: Kaoru Sasajima
Kodoh Kuraki: Urara Takano
Konta Tsukino: Misato Fukuen
Teruma Kamioka: Hiroshi Kamiya
Nana Sendo: Akemi Kanda
Jubee Sanada: Rikiya Koyama

Bakukyu Hit! Crash Beedaman (BHCB) is the sixth TV anime series of Beedaman.

1st: Bakukyu Renpatsu!! Super Beedaman
2nd: B.Beedaman Bakugaiden
3rd: Bomberman Beedaman Bakugaiden V
4th: B-Legend Battle Beedaman
5th: B-Legend Battle Beedaman Fire Spirit

What is Beedaman?

Beedaman anime is based on the Beedaman toy series developed by Japanese major toy company Takara. The latest Beedaman toy (Crash Beedaman) is a customizable marbles launcher for a versus game. The first Beedaman toy series came to market in 1993. Since then, new series has been being released every year. Beedaman toy series is one of Takara's leading products.

First Impression

Same as previous five TV series, this is the show for children to promote the Beedaman toy and its related products. The fundamental framework for the story is not much different than something like Beyblade or Pokemon. The animation quality and music aren't bad, the OP and ED are okay. The story of ep.1 is more interesting than that of B-Legend series. I prefer BHCB's character design to previous series'. The leading male character Hitto Tamaga who is a 11-year-old boy is cheerful, daring and undaunted. He's a rather stereotyped character who is frequently seen in shounen adventure anime, but he seems to be a more likable boy than the protagonist of previous series Yamato Daiwa. Nana Sendo (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/contents/crash_b-daman/images/chara_nana.jpg), a 13-year-old girl who is a heroine of the show, cute and has a bit wild personality.

The first episode is fairly amusing. Probably this series wouldn't get so worse, but I think I won't follow this show any longer because it's not my thing.

[SSJVegeta]

KA.SI.MA.SI ~girl meets girl~ (http://kasimasi.com/) / TV Tokyo / Wed. 25:30

STAFF

Original Manga: Satoru Akahori (script), Yukimaru Katsura (picture)
Conceptual Character Design: Sukune Inugami

Director: Nobuaki Nakanishi
Series Composition: Jukki Hanada
Character Design: Tomoko Iwasa
Sound Director: Hitoshi Aketagawa
Music: Toshimichi Isoe (ZIZZ), Sohshi Hosoi (hosplug), Hitoshi Fujima (Elements Garden), produced by Aifmade+
Production Studio: Studio Hibari

CAST

Hazumu Osaragi: Kana Ueda
Yasuna Kamiizumi: Yui Horie
Tomari Kurusu: Yukari Tamura
Ayuki Mari: Masumi Asano
Asuta Soro: Daisuke Ono
Jan Puu (Jean Poo): Ryoko Shintani
Hitoshi Sora: Keiji Fujiwara
Namiko Tsuki: Yuuko Mizutani

http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kasimasi01-01.jpg

Kasimasi and me

In recent years Satoru Akahori was a mere shadow of his former self. He used to be a mega-selling novelist, script writer and original author of manga/anime. In those days he had one smash after another, but none of his recent works was very attractive. I stopped to expect much from his new work. Last December I happened to find Kasimasi manga vol.1 at a bookstore and browsed it without meaning anything. To my utter surprise, it was really interesting even though an original writer of that manga was Akahori. I bought it immediately.

Synopsis

The story is set on Kashima City in Japan today. Hazumu Osaragi, the protagonist of the series, used to be a high school boy having a girl's face. One night he's hit by a space ship from outer space. Hazumu's body is revived with a hyper-space-technology, but his body is completely changed from male anatomy to female anatomy. Hazumu has become a girl overnight...

First Impression

I really enjoyed the first episode, I'd say they did a good job in anime adaptation of the manga. The first episode was pretty faithful to the original, though they added a number of new scenes to the show. The opening scene from ep.1 will affect the viewers. Seeing the opening scene, almost all the viewers will think this must be shoujo-ai/yuri anime. It's not exactly wrong, but Kasimasi is a rather irregular shoujo-ai show because it focuses on emotional swing of two girls Yasuna and Tomari who first realize they have had romantic feelings for Hazumu before he becomes a girl. It's a really interesting situation. There aren't so many scenes that emphasize a gender gap as compared with other typical anime dealing with a gender swith.

The animation quality is good and music is decent. I like the character design of both anime and manga, though there is a considerable difference between two. This anime has some flaws that are often seen in the shows originally written by Akahori, but the appealing points of this far outweigh those flaws. I decided to follow this series until the final eisode.

[SSJVegeta]

~Ayakashi~ Japanese Classic Horror (http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/ayakashi/) / Fuji TV / Thurs. 24:35

STAFF (Yotsuya Kaidan arc)

Director: Tetsuo Imazawa
Scenario: Chiaki Konaka
Original Character Design: Yoshitaka Amano
Animation Director: Hideki Ito
Art Director: Hiroshi Kato
Production Studio: Toei Animation

CAST (Yotsuya Kaidan arc)

Tamiya Iemon: Hiroaki Hirata
Tamiya Oiwa: Mami Koyama
Yotsuya Osode: Yuko Nagashima
Ito Oume: Ryo Hirohashi
Sato Yomoshichi: Wataru Takagi
Naosuke Gonbee: keiichi Sonobe
Takuetsu: Minoru Inaba

What is Yotsuya Kaidan?

~Ayakashi~ Japanese Classic Horror is an omnibus TV anime series which consists of three different stories, Yotsuya Kaidan, Tenshu Monogatari and Bake Neko. The director, main staff and the cast differ from one story to another. Each story arc will be four episodes, therefore the whole series is going to be 12 episodes in total.

Yotsuya Kaidan is a famous ghost play (Kabuki) written by Tsuruya Nanboku, which was staged for the first time in Edo (today's Tokyo) in 1825. It's a large and complicated play that is made up of 5 acts roughly divided in 14 scenes. There appear more than twenty main characters in the play, but only three of them survive until the end and the rest are killed or commit a suicide. It's a really unusual story.

Synopsis (Yotsuya Kaidan arc)

Yotsuya Samon, a samurai of the Enya Clan, has two beautiful daughters "Oiwa" and "Osode." Oiwa marries Tamiya Iemon and Osode does Sato Yomoshichi. One day Samon finds Iemon embezzled the Enya Clan's money, so he forces Oiwa and Iemon to divorce and Oiwa goes back to her father's home. After that, the domain lord of the Enya Clan is arrested for attempted murder for some political baron of the Edo Shogunate. The Enya Clan is broken up by the Edo Shogunate and every samurai belonging to the Enya Clan becomes ronin (a masterless samurai). The Samon's familiy is also reduced to poverty. Iemon presses Samon to reinstate Oiwa as his wife, but he refuses Iemon's demand flatly. He decides to kill Samon. Around the same time, Naosuke Gonbee loves Yomoshichi's wife Osode. He makes an attempt on Yomoshichi's life...

First Impression

I was a little disappointed at the first episode of Yotsuya Kaidan arc. It's nearly impossible to reduce the very long original play to only-four-episode anime. Too many plots are left out, so it's rather difficult to understand the story and motivation behind each character's behavior. I sensed a discomfort at a garish color design in ep.1 because it's out of line with the ghost story in the Edo Period. I don't find the character design by Yoshitaka Amano to be more effective for Yotsuya Kaidan arc than another, regardless of whether his character design is good or not. The animation quality is not so bad, but it's inferior to that of two previous shows at the Noitamina timeslot in Fuji TV, Honey & Clover and Paradise kiss. The OP song by RHYMESTER is funny. The song lyrics made me laugh. Frankly speaking, I'll hang my hopes on other two story arcs.

[SSJVegeta]

Fate/stay night (http://www.staynight.com/top.html) / UHF Local / Fri. 25:30

STAFF

Original Game: Kinoco Nasu / TYPE-MOON
Director: Yuji Yamaguchi
Original Series Plan: Kinoco Nasu
Series Composition: Takuya Sato
Conceptual Character Design: Takashi Takeuchi
Character Desigin: Megumi Ishihara
Art Director: Toshihisa Koyama
Sound Director: Kouji Tsujitani
Music: Kenji Kawai
Production Studio: Studio DEEN

CAST

Shirou Emiya: Noriaki Sugiyama
Saber: Ayako Kawasumi
Rin Tohsaka: Kana Ueda
Archer: Junichi Suwabe
Sakura Matou: Noriko Shitaya
Taiga Fujimura: Miki Ito
Kirai Kotomine: Joji Nakata
Illyasviel Von Einzbern: Mai Kadowaki
Rider: Yuu Asakawa
Lancer: Nobutoshi Kanna
Caster: Atsuko Tanaka
Shinji Matou: Hiroshi Kamiya
Kiritsugu Emiya: Rikiya Koyama
Issei Ryudou: Mitsuaki Madono
Souichiro Kuzuki: Kazuhiro Nakata
Berserker: Tadahisa Saizen
Ayako Mitsuzuri: Fumie Mizusawa

Reaction for ep.1 in Japan

See here

First Impression

Watching first two episodes taught me a renewed recognition of how massive the original game was. It takes a very awful long time to complete all branch stories of the game, the players have to read an enormous amount of texts written by Kinoco Nasu who is known for his verbose style. Fate/stay night game belongs to the genre of so-called visual novel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_novel). The animation staff spent two episodes to animate only the introduction part of the game, nevertheless, 80% of scripts and 40% of scenes were cut from the anime version. They're not responsible for it, because there is too large amount of information in the original game and so it would be impossible all scripts and scenes are made into anime, even if the series had more than 50 episodes.

The first two episode stick rather closely to the introduction part of the game, though there is undeniable sense that it looks like a digest version of the game. I found the fight scene of ep.2 unsatisfactory. The first battle between Servants is a tension-packed scene in the game, so they had to place major emphasis on this scene in ep.2.

Sample: a fight scene in the game
http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/fate-g01.jpg

Ep.2: Archer vs Lancer (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/fate0101.jpg)
I hope the same quality level as the combat scene in ep.1 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/fate0102.jpg)

I'm not approve of the scene where Lancer drives Shirou into a corner again. To see this scene, it'll surely look to most viewers like Lancer is rather baka or not so strong as compared with a human. At this time Shirou should be unable to either keep any Lancer's attack in check or dodge it.

I pefer the character design of the aime rather than of the game, especially of chibi Rin (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/fate0103.jpg) http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/6030/laughinganimated9jx.gif

Rin slightly blushes
http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/fate0104.jpg

As for the animation quality, I don't know why, the dinner scene is strangely elaborated.

Sample: Taiga and the table (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/fate0105.jpg)

IMO, it would have been better if they had constructed the storyline of ep.1 from the viewpoint of Rin and that of ep.2 from Shirou's viewpoint.

Saber finally appears!
http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/fate0106.jpg

Regardless of whether the TV anime is well done or not, I'll certainly keep watching it all the way through the series. Fate/stay night is indispensable for providing a powerful lens through which to view 2006's anime scene in Japan.

The screencaps of the OP (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/fate-op01.jpg)

[SSJVegeta]

Amaenaideyo!! Katsu!! (http://www.vap.co.jp/amae/) / AT-X / Wed. 11:00

STAFF

Director: Keitaro Motonaga
Series Composition: Makoto Uezu
Script: Noboru Kimura, Toshizo Nemoto, Naoki Takada
Character Design: Kumi Horii
Sound Director: Yasunori Ebine
Music: Yasunori Iwasaki
Production Studio: Studio DEEN

CAST

Ikkou Satonaka: Chihiro Suzuki
Chitose Nanbu: Mai Nakahara
Yuko Atohda: Chieko Higuchi
Sumi Ikuina: Tomoko Kawakami
Hinata Sugai: Ryoko Shintani
Sakura Sugai: Haruhi Terada
Haruka Amanogawa: Akeno Watanabe
Kazuki Kazusano: Asami Sanada
Joutoku Kawahara: Kazuko Sugiyama

Synopsis

Ikkou Satonaka is a novice monk who lives in the Buddhist nunnery run by his grandmother who is a resident priest with six novice nuns. He's not very good at casting mantra, but he has an unlimited mantra power that is activated by exciting his sexual desires. Ikkou and cute young nuns face a daily challenge to perform the ascetic(?) practices and expel the evil spirits, however, a hell of a thing always happens in their training life...

First Impression

Amaenaideyo!! Katsu!! is the sequel to the first TV series "Amaenaideyo!!" The original manga written by Toshinori Sogabe is still ongoing in Comic GUM.

This show no doubt contains the greatest number of fan services among this season's new shows. We can enjoy every minute of panty shots, but I got the impression that those scenes were not very obscene. It's partly because Ikkou is a watered-down-Ataru-Morobosi-type protagonist whom we haven't seen in recent years. Another reason for it is that the main characters look rather clean. The OP theme sounds like J-pop song in late 70s. The ED song is catchy.

The first episode has a considerable animation quality. Kazuki is really cute, and I'm surprised at Asami Sanada's voice acting for the role of Kazuki. I've never heard her erotic voice like this before. As for the story, it's more interesting than ep.1 of the first TV series. Chitose (and other nuns) is always beating Ikkou. I laughed when the words "適乳" (tekinyu) suddenly appeared on the screen. Tekinyu means the right size breasts. I agree that Kazuki has "the right size breasts" :p

screencaps: the OP (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/ama-katsu0101.jpg)
screencaps: ep.1 #1 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/ama-katsu0102.jpg)
screencaps: ep.1 #2 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/ama-katsu0103.jpg)

Ep.2 is inferior in animation quality to ep.1. Instead, there are more panty shots in this episode. Ep.2 is a kind of baka banashi (a farcical story). Just thinking of it as baka banashi, you'll probably enjoy this episode.

screencaps: ep.2 #1 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/ama-katsu0201.jpg)
screencaps: ep.2 #2 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/ama-katsu0202.jpg)

The character setting in this series is well done. Each character's design and personality have a clear purpose. The anime version is more comical than the original, while the manga puts emphasis on the story about the secret of Ikkou's mantra power. If you hate a fan service, you shouldn't see this show. The second TV series is also not a great show, but a harem anime fan will be able to enjoy it.

[SSJVegeta]

Kagihime Monogatari: Eikyu Alice Rondo ep.2

The relationship between Kiraha and Kisa reminds me of Kurumi and Saki from Steel Angel Kurumi.

Kagihime: Kisa --(shoujo-ai)--> Kiraha --(love for her brother)--> Aruto
SAKurumi: Saki --(shoujo-ai)--> Kurumi --(love for her master)--> Nakahito

Both series are based on the manga created by Kaishaku. Almost all other their works also include yuri/shoujo-ai stuff, such as Kannazuki no Miko and Sanjushi. Ep.2 focuses on Kisa's action and her feelings for Kiraha. I sympathize a bit with her because she has an unrequited passion for Kiraha.


Magikano ep.3

I got bowled over by Maika, because I found she had had a really strong attachment for her brother since babyhood. I don't know why she has never crossing the line before.


Yomigaeru Sora -Rescue Wings- ep.2

The storyline is well constructed. Most viewers will sense sinister foreboding about the safety of the little girl who was back home from the shelter to look for her dog. Kazuhiro's act of good will worked negatively because of the lack of experience.


Kasimasi ep.2

I really enjoyed episode 2. Several new scenes dealing with gender gap are added to the anime. Hazumu is at odds as to how to act as a girl. New "girl" Hazumu makes me feel unusual cuteness.

How to put on a bra (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kasimasi0201.jpg)

Tomari is pretty masculine. She should marry with Hazumu as her "husband" http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/6030/laughinganimated9jx.gif

Tomari touches Hazumu on the buttocks (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kasimasi0202.gif)


Oroshitate Musical: Nerima Daikon Brothers ep.2

The first episode was filled with blue jokes, and ep.2 is full of money-related gags. About ten songs were sung in this episodes, "Oroshitate Musical" is true to its name. It makes a mock of recent fashions in Japan sarcastically.

[SSJVegeta]

Lemon Angel Project (http://www.lemon-angel-project.com/) / UHF Local / Sun. 25:30

STAFF

General Director: Shuzo Noguchi
Director: Daisuke Chiba
Series Composition: Masashi Takimoto
Chief Animator: Koji Yamakawa
Character Design: Yukari Watanabe
Art Director: Mitsuharu Miyamae
Production Studio: RADIX

CAST

Tomo Minaguchi: Ryo Shihono
Saya Yuki: Ami Koshimizu
Miru Nagisa: Mai Kadowaki
Erica Campbell: Minori Chihara
Fuyumi Sakakibara: Juri Hirama
Miki Suwa: Miki Maruyama

What is Lemon Angel?

Cream Lemon is a legendary bishoujo OVA series that had a great influence on the other works and the anime industry. Lemon Angel is a TV anime program that is loosely based on Cream Lemon OVA, and four series from 1st to 4th were produced and aired by Japanese mainstream network Fuji TV in 1987-88. Those TV series were promoted under the catchphrase "Dangerous Lolita," it stunned a lot of viewers who didn't have any knowledge of Cream Lemon series. Lemon Angel Project has little relevance to old Lemon Angel series with the exception that a teen idol was used as a voice actor for a role of the leading female character in both series.

First Impression

Watching the first episode, I was getting a headache. After seeing epsode 2, I regreted wasting my time at this show. I can't stand Ryo Shihono's voice acting for the role of Tomo who is a heroine of the series. Shihono is a popular 14-year-old bikini model who poses for cheesecake photo collections. There is no harm in seeing her, but I have had enough of hearing her voice acting. The story of the first two episodes gave me a discursive impression. The screen-directing is poorly done. The scenario made me feel dubious, especially at the piano scene in ep.1. Tomo's behavior in ep.1 and 2 made me feel annoyed.

The animation qualitiy of ep.2 is fairly good, the character design and the OP is okay, but all other things are below-average. I'm not going to watch this show any longer.

[SSJVegeta]

Rakugo Tennyo Oyui ep.2

This show should have focused on the story of a high school girl trying to learn rakugo. The rakugo scene where Koyuza appears on the stage is the highlight of episode 2. I don't feel the necessity for the Edo storyline where transforming girls fight against villains.


Wanwan Celepuu Soreyuke! Tetsunoshin ep.3

Episode 3 is simply boring. I didn't find anything interesting in it. If the next episode is not good, I'll certainly drop this series.


~Ayakashi~ Japanese Classic Horror ep.2

This is the second episode of Yotsuya Kaidan arc. It's a little better than ep.1. Oume is really true to her desires. Most of characters who appears in the play of the Edo period are quick to make decisions, for better or for worse. Ouishi Kuranosuke from Chushingura (the most famous Kabuki play) can be said to be an exception.


Tactical Roar ep.3

Episode 3 is okay, though it's not as spectacular as the previous episodes. I find it impossible to think geki-kara (hotter tasting) ice lolly is good.


Yomigaeru Sora -Rescue Wings- ep.3

Good episode. The plot development, screen-directing, script, animation quality and sound effect are all well-done. There is a lot of tension in this episode. Kazuhiro's brave act of goodwill backfired and his mistake brought the irrecoverable results. It's a tragic situation, but such things often happen in rescue operations. Using fictitious names, this episode is based on a true story. This series is getting more interesting.

[SSJVegeta]

Meine Liebe -wieder- (http://www.meineliebe.jp/) / Animax / Sun. 23:30

STAFF

Director: Shinya Kawamo
Series Composition: Akemi Omode
Conceptual Character Design: Kaori Yuki
Character Design: Minako Shiba, Yoshimitsu Yamashita
Concept Design: Masashi Koezuka, Yuichi Mari
Animation Director: Yoshimitsu Yamashita
Screen Director: Shinya Kawanishi
Art Director: Yoshimi Umino
Color Design: Makiko Kojima
Production Studio: Bee Train

CAST

Orpherus: Takahiro Sakurai
Eduard: Tomokazu Seki
Ludwig: Toshihiko Seki
Camus: Souichiro Hoshi
Naoji: Akira Ishida
Isaac: Takehito Koyasu

Synopsis

This is a story of the best and brightest young men who are enrolled at Rosenstol School that is the most prestigious boarding school in Kuchen Kingdom, an island off the edge of Europe. In 1935 five youths--Orpherus, Eduard, Ludwig, Camus and Naoji--are selected as a member of Strahl candidates who are handpicked elite forging the future of Kuchen.
SPOILER WARNING! (highlight to read) : The first TV series: The coup attempt plotted by king's brother ended up with collapse. Orpherus and other members secretly contributed to the prevention of the coup.
The new term at Rosenstol School begins. Orpherus and other students who have returned from the long vacation face unexpected thing.

First Impression

Meine Liebe -wieder- is the sequel to the first TV series. The main staff makeup of two TV series is almost identical with the exception that the director is changed from Kouichi Mashimo to Shinya Kawamo. The settings of the story and characters are partly common to the 2nd TV series and Meine Liebe II PS2 game (http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/meineliebe2/). This series is bishounen anime for females.

At the first half of episode 1, the main characters who are home on a visit appear in the show one after the other. Orpherus and Eduard are as close as always. Chibi Naoji is really cute. I saw Camus's older brother for the first time. It's apparent that he loves his younger brother with extravagance. This is the evidence photo.

Camus and his older brother
http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/meine-w0101.jpg

Ludwig and his father are discussing the subject of politics with delight. He's always acting bigger than his father. Isaac looks good in his uniform. His younger sister has made her first appearance in the series. She's a cute girl feels concern for her brother's safety, but she has already been booed by female fans of Isaac in a number of Japanese anime blogs. Former principal's hairdo looks strange, newly-appointed principal's hairstyle is also odd. Rosenstol School's principal must have strange hairstyle? :p At the first day of the new school term, Ludwig provokes Orpherus at first meetings. Perhaps he might love Orhperus? Hahaha.

This show is primarily targeted at female viewers, but it may be enjoyable to male viewers because the storyline of the 1st TV series was well constructed. The animation quality is good and music is okay. The songs of both OP and ED are done by alicenine (http://www.pscompany.co.jp/alicenine/), one of the visual kei (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_kei) J-rock bands. It seems that the opening animation is well received among female viewers, for example, the scene of Ludwig in chains. I'm curious to know who is holding Camus's hand at the OP.

[SSJVegeta]

Oroshitate Musical: Nerima Daikon Brothers ep.3

This episode deals with an unscrupulous hospital operated for only profit. The middle-aged-female director of the hospital is a true money monger. I was surprised at how nasty the scatologic joke was. More than ten new songs were used at the musical scenes again, so Nabeshin and his staff deserve to be praised for their efforts.


Fate/stay night ep.3

Watching episode 3, I can see the animation staff are facing the sticky dilemma in an anime adaptation of the Fate/stay night game.

The main feature of Fsn game is an enormous amount of information on the setting for the story, character, world, items, power and magic. The detailed commentaries on these settings make the battles & story of the game interesting. In other words, the player is forced to read large numbers of verbose descriptions written by Kinoco Nasu. Not a few people were tired of it and gave up the game. Some people call Kinoco a "setting maniac" and really hate him.

The dilemma that the animation staff are facing is as following.

1) They need to have viewers get basic understanding of Fsn's settings in some way, because the TV series is targeted at not only the Fsn game players but also people who have never played the game.

2) It's undesirable to give too much of explanatory narration and descriptive character's lines to the anime, because too many explanations will bore viewers to sleep.

Episode 3 obviously has too many expository dialogues, but it can't be helped. The viewers badly need a basic knowledge of "War of the Holy Grail" to enjoy the future episodes.

The bigger problem is the fight scene. The duel scene "Saber vs Lancer" lacks a heightening of tension and visual dynamism. Come on, Studio DEEN, best foot forward!


Amaenaideyo!! Katsu!! ep.3

There is something very charming about Kazuki. The second TV series owes much to the existence of her. Asami Sanada broke new ground in her voice acting for the role of Kazuki with a different way from which she had in the past.

Kazuki
http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/amaenaideyo0301.jpg


Kagihime Monogatari: Eikyu Alice Rondo ep.3

Kirika, a young scientist who is given her own laboratory at the school, appears in the show. Unlike Alice or Kiraha, she's interested in Aruto as a material for experiment. In ep.3 it becomes clear that Alice develops romantic feelings for Aruto. Kiraha and Alice competes against each other on everything for Aruto's affection. Seeing ep.3 through an objective perspective, it might be just an average episode, but personally I don't hate this kind of story.

[SSJVegeta]

Kagihime Monogatari: Eikyu Alice Rondo ep.4

Akane debuts in the series. She has a strong Alice Power to manipulate raging flames and her eyes turns burning-red when she's in Melveil Space. Sakugan no Akane! http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/6030/laughinganimated9jx.gif Akane and Shana are rather similar in appearance too. The animation quality of ep.4 is not very good, but the story is better than the previous episode. I didn't feel Kiraha was attractive when I first saw her at episode 1, but she's getting more charming each episode.

Kiraha gets pouty (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime0401.jpg)

The reason I like this show:

1) my kind of the setting of story, characters and world
2) interesting relationships among characters, for example, Kiraha and Kisa
3) unabashed takeoff of existing ideas used in other works :p


Kasimasi ~girl meets girl~ ep.3

Unlike the first two episodes, there is a considerable difference in storyline between episode 3 and the manga counterpart.

SPOILER WARNING! (highlight to read) : In the manga Yasuna presses to come back to Hazumu, and in the anime Hazumu begins the process of repairing relation with her. Restoring the relationship between Yasuna and Hazumu, irregular love-triangle relationship will begin at the next episode.

According to informed sources, the TV series is going to be 24 or 26 episodes in total. Probably the animation staff will continue to expand the range of story and add new plots to the show because there are not very many manga's installments ever to be serialized. The manga took a dramatic turn of the plot at the latest installment of the series in Dengeki Daioh magazine. It became a cliffhanger, and really moving. I hope they'll adapt the late chapters of the manga into anime.

When I saw Hazumu sprinkle the flowerbeds while dancing, laughter escaped my mouth. If Hazumu were male at this scene, I would surely want to kick his/her a**. The secret of Yasuna's idiosyncrasy (or rather I should say it's a very rare disease) is hinted in episode 3.

They saw Hazumu not wearing a bra...
scene 1 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kasimasi0302.jpg) -> scene 2 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kasimasi0301.gif) -> scene 3 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kasimasi0303.jpg)


Magikano ep.4

I enjoyed watching episode 4. The TV series has consistent quality of the amusingness and the animation so far, it's not by far the best comedy, though. SPOILER WARNING! (highlight to read) : When I found Ayumi always kept the locket with the likeness of Haruo in her panties for nearly three months to activate the optative spell, I couldn't resist laughing. Didn't it ruin her skin? Ayumi said, "It was always rolling in my panties, so it's been hard on me."

Jyaian from Doraemon had a cameo as a pervert in this episode. I was surprised to know Kazuya Tatekabe did voice acting for the pervert character who looked just like Jyaian, because Tatekabe is a true voice actor playing the role of Jyaian.

Maika
http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/magikano0401.jpg

[SSJVegeta]

1) Playball 2nd ep.3 (http://www.anime-playball.com/)

I feel the sceond TV series is more interesting than the first one. Taniguchi has been through a lot, even though he's just a high school boy. This show is based on classic sports manga in 1970s created by Akio Chiba. If you browse Japanese anime blogs dealing with this series, you might be surprised to know a lot of the blogers are in their 40s.


2) HELLSING I OVA DIGEST FOR FLEAKS (http://www.geneon-ent.co.jp/rondorobe/anime/hellsing/index.html)

HELLSING I OVA DIGEST FOR FLEAKS

This is a digest version of Hellsing OVA I, which was aired by Japanese TV station TVK as a special TV program to promote the OVA series on the 22th of the current month. They cut the length of time from 50 minutes to 28. Hellsing OVA I will be released on February 10th.

From what I've seen the digest version, OVA I is considerably well-done. It sticks closely to the original manga in both storyline and screen layout. The animation quality is good, especially the battle scenes have smooth and dynamic animation. I felt they stuck so precisely to the screen layout of the original that the screen-directing was a little weak. The new character design is okay for me.

The biggest problem with this OVA series is a production capacity of Satelight (http://www.satelight.co.jp/index.html). Satelight is a competent anime studio but they don't have enough stamina to produce several works at once. That concern proved right by repeatedly-adjourned sale of the OVA.

BTW, the voice actor playing the role of Anderson was changed from Nachi Nozawa to Norio Wakamoto.

Anderson
http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/hellsing0101.jpg


3) Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora (looking up at the half-moon) ep.2 (http://www.hantsuki.com/)

I could enjoyed episode 1, but the story of episode 2 caused discomfort to me. As far as I know, almost all the Japanese viewers who have never read the original novel showed a very strong antipathy for Dr. Natsume's behavior at anime forums or their anime blogs. In sharp contrast to it, almost all the people who have already read the novel showed very strong empathy for his behavior.

I would say much the same is true on Rika's behavior at this episode. However, it seems both sides reached substantial agreement that episode 2 was not very good.

Rika: the heroine of the series
http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/hanbun0201.jpg

[SSJVegeta]

1) Meine Liebe -wieder- (http://www.meineliebe.jp/) episode 2

Answering the Orhperus's question, a newly-appointed principal (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/meine0201.jpg) admits the mysterious disappearance of the former principal very frankly. Orpherus starts to suspect a conspiracy going on behind the scene. Isaac enters Kuchen Kingdom again pretending to be a tourist... From what I've seen the first two episodes, the story of the second TV series is likely to be fairly interesting as well as the first series. Camus suffering an attack (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/meine0202.jpg) gives slightly sensual impression on me. The following images are five leading male characters' screencaps from episode 2.

Orpherus: a protagonist of the series (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/meine0203.jpg)

Orpherus
http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/meine0204.jpg

Eduard: Orpherus's sworn friend (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/meine0205.jpg)
Ludwig: Orpherus's arch rival (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/meine0206.jpg)
Naoji: Ludwig's sworn ally (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/meine0207.jpg)
Camus: bishounen who loves flowers (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/meine0208.jpg)

Camus
http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/meine0209.jpg

[SSJVegeta]

2) Fate/stay night (http://www.staynight.com/) episode 4

Studio DEEN made a relatively good job of doing episode 4 except for the fight scene. Non-fight scenes depicting the relationship between Saber and Shirou is well-done, viewers will realize that Saber has a cute side. Rin looks like Shirou's nagging sister-in-law :p

Saber at the dojo of the Emiyas' house (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/fate0401.jpg)
Rin and Shirou (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/fate0402.jpg)

There are a number of problems with the battle scene.

1) Why didn't Saber immediately kill Ilya with a sword when she was inch away from Ilya?

2) At this time Berserker is the strongest servant with overwhelming destructive power and unimaginable endurance, but the anime version of Berseker looks suspiciously like a mere bulky monster. It might be difficult for the viewers who have never played the game to understand why Saber fought an uphill battle against Berseker, even if they knew she had an injured in the previous battle. Actually, she would have lost the battle against him even though she had been uninjured, because the strength of the servant is proportional to the magic power that the master possess. Saber is the most excellent servant, but Shirou is the poorest master in magic power at the moment, and so Saber is unable to realize her potential. These things I said are not spoiler but basic things to know.

3) It would make no sense for Shirou not to be instantly killed by Berseker's single blow.

4) It's hard to get a sense of Rin's excellence as a wizard from this fight scene.

5) There are some other minor contradictions in the battle, but I don't want to complain about every little thing.

6) What was good about the fight sequence is around this shot (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/fate0403.jpg).

I received the impression that the first four episodes were quite serious, and there is nothing surprising because almost all the jokes and humorous scenes in the original game haven't been used in the anime so far. I think of it an unavoidable measure. If they pumped a lot of the jokes into the TV series, its storytelling style would be very slack.

BTW, Saber at this scene of the ED is really cool, isn't it?

http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/fate0404.jpg


3) Yomigaeru Sora -Rescue Wings- (http://www.rescue-w.jp/) episode 4

Megumi, a leading female character played by Mamiko Noto, finally appears on the screen. We could only hear her voice in the previous episodes. Episode 4 focuses on the relationship between Kazuhiro and Megumi. SPOILER WARNING! (highlight to read) : Finally seeing Megumi after all this time, Kazuhiro feels she has changed a lot now because she's going on her career path in a book-publishing business. In contrast, he's transferred and placed in a position he didn't want and he suffered setback in his first rescue operation. The relationship between the two is getting awkward.

There isn't a sex scene in ep.4, though displaying the previous and next scene. Knowing that it may sound imprudent, I wanted to hear Mamiko Noto's erotic voice :p

[SSJVegeta]

1) Amaenaideyo!! Katsu!! (http://www.vap.co.jp/amae/) episode 4

The first half of episode 4 is rather dull. I found only lame jokes and a bit poor animation quality in it, but, surprisingly, the second half has a sudden twist, good animation quality and a cliffhanger ending. The first TV series depicted only a comical side of the original manga. Ep.4 offered hope to me that the second TV series might also cover a serious side of the manga. If so, I'll continue to watch this show all the way through.

screencaps: episode 4 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/amae-naideyo0402.jpg)

Kazuki
http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/amae-anideyo0401.jpg


2) Kage Kara Mamoru! (http://www.aniplex.co.jp/kagemamo/) episode 4

I was dumbfounded at Banana no Uta (Banana's song) sung by Yuna at the audition. It's too nonsense and airheaded, but it's damn funny in a way. Watching Banana's song scene, I feel like my brain cells are going to melt. The animation quality isn't very good and the second half of ep.4 (B part) is full of thin jokes and slack gags, however, I couldn't help laughing during B part. This is just Yoshitaka Fujimoto show.

Yuna singing Banana's song (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kage-kara0401.jpg)


3) Rakugo Tennyo Oyui (http://www.rakugo-tennyo.com/) episode 3

They did first two episodes with a shotgun approach, and they finally focused on the Edo stage in episode 3. It's far better than doing by halves. Oyui and her friends are really tough or too carefree. Despite they're let loose on the past world, the only thing they care about is food/kendo/historical curiosities. The scenes where today's high school girls experience the manners and customs of the Edo period may be more interesting than the scenes where magical girls having rakugo power fight against the forces of evil.

screencaps: episode 3 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/oyui0302.jpg)

Oyui
http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/oyui0301.jpg

[SSJVegeta]

1) Kagi-hime Monogatari Eikyu Alice Rondo (http://www.kagihime.jp/) episode 5

Kiraha is cute as usual in this episode, getting all pouty or putting up a fight for her brother. Episode 5 has better animation quality than the first four episodes. It's a kind of ghost story. Delilah is dead but she's strong enough to be able to stand up to three girls who have Alice Power. It's too bad I didn't see Kisa in this episode.

BTW, Mika Kanai and Tomoko Kaneda are doing the voice acting for the role of Alice twins in pink and blue respectively. It's amazing that the most unlikely pair happened, actually.

screencaps: episode 5 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime0501.jpg)

New girl having Alice Power in this episode
http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime0502.jpg


2) KA.SI.MA.SI ~girl meets girl~ (http://kasimasi.com/) episode 4

Episode 4 is really impressive. The story deftly mixes sweetness and emotional conflict, and most scenes are made with great care down to detail. A change of each character's facial expression was very well drawn, so I could feel each character's emotional swing as if it were my own.

Yasuna already had had romantic feeling for Hazumu before Hazumu transformed into a woman, but she couldn't accept Hazumu's heart because she has a very rare disease unable to recognize male appearance, even she's only vaguely aware of her father's face. After Hazumu became a girl, Yasuna realized how much she needed Hazumu. Now she moves aggressively to improve its relationship with Hazumu, and they're fast becoming close. Tomari is suffering a mental conflict, however, she starts to realize her true feelings toward Hazumu.

SPOILER WARNING! (highlight to read) : screencaps: A part #1 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kasimasi0401.jpg)

Yasuna takes a bite at a strawberry and she has Hazume eat the half-eaten fruit. It's apparent this scene has a symbolic meaning. Take note of rainy weather, a rain image is used several times in key scenes. These things having a double meaning have an important part to play in the show. An experienced script writer never treat lightly symbolic things or metaphors in the story.

screencaps: A part #2 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kasimasi0402.jpg)

Yasuna and Hazumu dress in matching clothes, wear the same color shoes and see a couple in matching outfits on the street. Repeating the same subject three times, they reinforce the impression of "matching." At a karaoke bar Hazumu falls over a cable by chance, lurches over Yasuna and happens to mounts her. Deriving the scene from the context, it's not "by chance" but an accident waiting to happen, regardless of Hazumu's subjectivity. The scene where Yasuna caresses Hazumu's cheek also has a double meaning. It goes without saying that one meaning is an expression of her love. Another is that an expression of compelling desire to touch and confirm Hazumu's face because it used to be a male face, which she has never recognized before.

screencaps: B part #1 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kasimasi0403.jpg)

Yasuna is lying in bed thinking back to what is going on the karaoke bar. In her head she says, "Nani kangaeterun darou. Hazumu-kun wa mou onna no ko nanoni" (Whatever am I thinking about? Hazumu-kun has already become a girl). In the future chapter of the manga, she says with finality, "I want all about Hazumu-kun." She want both Hazumu's mind and body, regardless whether Hazumu is a boy or a girl. Some Japanese fans point out a few scenes in the manga/anime imply her masturbation. Their clain can't be completely denied, because they have several reasons of their own for it.

screencaps: B part #2 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kasimasi0404.jpg)

This is typical of Akahori-style gag. Hazumu's father is obviously the elderly lech :P

screencaps: B part #3 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kasimasi0405.jpg)

Hazumu begins to develop totally new sensation with a mix of female's and male's. Hazumu used to be in love with Yasuna as a boy, but now indescribable feelings was evoked by Yasuna's caressing her/his cheek. Tomari is still wavering between accepting and refusing Hazumu as a girl at this stage, but her real emotion, her alter ego, has already found an answer to the question.

screencaps: B part #4 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kasimasi0406.jpg)

Ayuki is rapidly gaining in popularity among the manga readers these days. The name of the manga magazine that Tomari is reading is Dengeki Shoujo, which is a parody of Dengeki Daioh.

screencaps: B part #5 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kasimasi0407.jpg)

It's a school scene where Tomari sees Yasuna chattering merrily with Hazumu. Please look at a minute change of Yasuna's facial expression. Her expression conveys an emphatic message to Tomari that she never gives up Hazumu.

screencaps: B part #6 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kasimasi0408.jpg)

Tomari is so upset at Yasuna's attitude that she breaks a rib of her umbrella in spite of herself. It isn't only the umbrella rib that is broken. Another point to keep in mind here is a symbolic use of rain-related-image.

screencaps: B part #7 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kasimasi0409.jpg)

This sequence is the highlight of episode 4. The emotional conflict between Yasuna and Tomari reaches a peak in pouring rain. The depiction of expression on Tomari's face is really excellent. That makes the scene alive. I'd say several scenes at the end of ep.4 are dramatic moment with remarkable technique.

screencaps: preview of ep.5 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kasimasi0410.jpg)

To my joy, I'll probably see Asuta in the next episode. I'm really sympathizing with his situation http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/6030/laughinganimated9jx.gif

The production staff demonstrated their true abilities in episode 4. I can't wait the next episode.

Hazumu
http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kasimasi0411.jpg


3) Others

I was really pleased with Binchotan (http://www.tbs.co.jp/bincho/) episode 1. Anything special doesn't happen in the story, but I found the show very appealing to me. Binchotan matches the cuteness of Bottle Fairies or Yuzuyu from Aishiteruze Baby. This show is so-called iyashi-kei anime (healing anime), in that context Binchotan may be the rightful successor to ARIA The Animation, though there is a major difference in animation style between the two.

I also watched REC (http://www.tbs.co.jp/rec-aka/) episode 1, but I'd like to hold my judgment about this series until I see episode 2.

[SSJVegeta]

1) Magikano (http://www.magikano.com/) episode 5

Witch hunter Marin makes her first appearance in the series. She pegs Ayumi as a witch and tries to hunt her everywhere and anywhere without discrimination when she finds Ayumi...

Episode 5 is enjoyable. The story moves ahead at moderate speed. In the TV series they use less fan-service as compared with the original manga, but that doesn't make it less amusing to see the show.
Takeaki Momose, the author of the manga series, knows the nuts and bolts of comedy. Probably the TV series wouldn't get much worse in the future episodes.

screencaps: episode 5 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/magikano0501.jpg)

Marin
http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/magikano0502.jpg


2) Yomigaeru Sora -Rescue Wings- (http://www.rescue-w.jp/) episode 5

Kazuhiro is made to realize again that he's still wet behind the ears. Hongo, Kazuhiro's superior officer of the rescue team, puts him into the mountain training camp in frustration.

According to a a recent interview with the director and script writer, they've been visited many times ARW (http://www.dii.jda.go.jp/asdf/arw/index.html) for coverage over the past few years. I'd say their efforts bear fruit. This is a gritty, fact-based drama. Episode 5 is also a low-key story, the rescue scene is a rather spectacular, though.

UH-60J helicopter (http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/yomisora/imgs/c/5/c5fa1d01.JPG)


3) Others

I wathced Pretty Cure Splash Star (http://www.asahi.co.jp/precure/) episode 1 yesterday. I recived the first impression that Splash Star was targeted primarily at lower aged children than Max Heart. I'll give you the details later.

There are continuous splendid bursts of Osamu-Dezaki-style screen-directing in Yuki no Jouoh (Snow Queen) (http://www3.nhk.or.jp/anime/snowqueen/) episode 35. If you like his style of animation, this episode is worth seeing.

I have mixed feelings about Gunparade Orchestra (http://www.gpo-anime.jp/) episode 16. The sole reason I'm watching GPO is that I want to see Shibamura in action. Ep.16 is not so bad, but his tactics which can work miracles was postponed to the next episode. GPO will be put to the test of its ability to rise to the occasion in ep.17.

Akagi (http://www.ntv.co.jp/akagi/) episode 18 is excellent. Washizu is the first person who has anywhere near the mad of Akagi, a genius in marjong (and beyond marjong). The match of Akagi versus Washizu is really breathtaking. To watch this series provides a real sense of fulfillment.

MAR (http://marheaven.com/) episode 44 is rather boring. They showed Nanashi's flashback scene in a haphazard way, and furthermore, they arranged a makeshift settlement of the duel.

Capeta (http://www.capeta-tv.com/) episode 18 is a harrowingly realistic tale, I mean, the upper grade in cart race costs a lot of money. In the latest three episodes, Cappeita and his friend rush around trying to raise funds, but they end up having difficulty raising money. It will cost more than 10 million dollors per year to stay competitive with the first division, even though they entry a youth-based grade (age from 13 to 17) in cart race. Some children who watched ep.16-18 may give up on a dream for a cart race/car race.

[SSJVegeta]

Pretty Cure Splash Star (http://www.asahi.co.jp/precure/) / TV Asahi / Sun. 08:30

STAFF

Series Director: Toshiaki Kobayashi
Series Composition: Haruko Nagatsu
Character Design: Akira Inagami
Animation Director: Mitsuru Aoyama, Akira Inagami
Screen Director: Toshiaki Kobayashi
Music: Naoki Sato
Art Director: Shinzo Gyo
Production Studio: Toei Animation

CAST

Saki Hyuga: Orie Kimoto
Mai Misho: Atsuko Enomoto
Frappi (Flappy): Kappei Yamaguchi
Choppi (Choppy): Miyu Matsuki
Daisuke Hyuga: Naomi Kusumi
Saori Hyuga: Mika doi
Minori Hyuga: Ayaka Saito
Koichiro Misho: Takashi Irie
Kanako Misho: Yumi Kusaka
Kazuya Misho: Kenji Nojima
Shinohara-sensei: Hyousei
Karehaan: Isshin Chiba
Uzainar: Hideo Watanabe

The Reaction for Splash Star in Japan

Pretty Cure Splash Star is the biggest name among all new TV anime programs in this season. Splash Star is the third season of Pretty Cure series, which is a big hit with little girls in Japan. It's the most successful shoujo series we have had in a while. There are all kinds of Purecure-related products coming out nowadays, Precure became the second biggest breadwinner in Bandai's character business in 2005.

Reading through the ABC WEBNEWS message board for little children, it seems there are different reactions of little girls who are a main target for the show. The first episode achieved considerably high viewer rating of 8.8%. As for the sales of toys/related goods for Splash Star, the most important to this series, they're making a good start according to information from retailers. There are not a few supporters of Precure among otaku/hardcore fans. It's fairly easy to know their reaction for episode 1, because they're active in anime forums or blogs. They were equally split over the first episode.

typical naysayer's opinion: Splash Star is just the deteriorated copy of the original Pretty Cure. Its story, characters, setting and design are all deteriorated clone.

typical supporter's opinion: I like new character design. I like new costume of Cure Bloom (or Cure Egret). I like new setting of the story. I like new ...

Actually, their opinions are so much more complicated than the above. I read through about 3000 articles that they posted and stopped doing any more of them, because this could go on forever.

First Impression

Some Toei Animation's producer mentioned in the magazine interview, "We're aiming to produce morally sound Precure anime that is appreciated by children's parents. There should be no scenes that draw criticism from their parents in the new series Splash Star." Guessing from what he said, violent scenes in Splash Star will be watered down.

IMO, the reason why Toei Animation made their decision to abandon Nagisa and Honoka is that they took more tightly aim at little children and their parents than Max Heart. Graduating from Berone school, Nagisa and Honoka are a high school girl now. They're so old that most little kids can't empathize with them. New leading female characters Saki and Mai are in the 8th grade at present, so they're good for another two years.

The OP animation/song didn't have much impact on me for the first time, but listening to it over and over again, I liked it. The animation quality of ep.1 is good, the animation director Mitsuru Aoyama did a nice job (but sounds like that of ep.2 is not good, judging from the preview of ep.2).

For this series is going to be 50+ episodes in total, I wouldn't like to make a judgment about the show based on only one episode. I don't dislike new character design, and I prefer Atsuko Enomoto's voice acting rather than Yukana's one. I keep my expectations realistic in fight scene of the new series. I'll follow this show for a while.

screencaps: ep.1 #1 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/precure-ss0101.jpg)
screencaps: ep.1 #2 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/precure-ss0102.jpg)
screencaps: ep.1 #3 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/precure-ss0103.jpg)

http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/precure-ss0104.jpg

[SSJVegeta]

1) ERGO PROXY (http://www.ergoproxy.com/) / WOWOW / Sat. 19:00

STAFF

Director: Shukoh Murase
Chief Writer: Dai Sato
Character Design: Naoyuki Onda
Design Collaboration: Yutaka Izubuchi
Design Works: Michiaki Sato, Yoshinori Sayama, Kimitoshi Yamane
Sound Director: Keiichi Momose
Music: Yoshihiro Ike
Production Studio: manglobe

CAST

Rill Mayor: Rie Saito
Pino: Akiko Yajima
Vincent Low: Koji Yusa
Raul Creed: Hikaru Hanada
Iggy: Kiyomitsu Mizuuchi
Ergo Proxy: ?
Monad Proxy: ?
Donov Mayor: ?

First Impression

The advertising blurb of this series says, "Ergo Proxy, The Agent of the Death, it's a malicious plan plotted by the Creator -- sci fi psycho-suspense anime with a HDTV (Hi-Vision) format and 5.1 surround soundtracks". This anime requires a HDTV digital-tuner/display and 5.1 surround audio system. The picture of episode 1 in high resolution mode is really sharp, clear and beautiful. The sound using 5.1 surround audio makes the scene alive. Some Japanese anime fans, that may or may not be true, bought HDTV hardwares, audio instruments for 5.1 surround system and signed up for satellite TV broadcaster WOWOW in order to watch this show. Anime is an expensive hobby. The first episode was aired on 5th of the current month to promote the show, but its official start date is scheduled on 25th. This series will be 23 episodes in total.

I was satisfied with the high quality animation and sound in episode 1, though there're a bit too many dark scenes in it. The animation style is strongly colored with Naoyuki Onda. I'm curious how long the current quality is going to be kept. The character design and art design are stylish and elaborate.

It's rather hard to understand what is going on in ep.1. I couldn't figure out that both of two humanoids at the last scene were Proxy until I heard a comment on it. I have some concerns about the scenario by Dai Sato, a chief writer of the series. It seems to me that he's a very erratic writer. In one instance, he makes a really good job and then in the next, he hideously botches up it. Watching ep.1, I have a bit bad feeling about it. I just hope that he makes out with his job.

There are some flaws in staging several scenes of ep.1, I mean, I didn't see what the screen-director was getting at in some scenes. Or maybe I'm weak in the head? BTW, I wondered why Iggy was using female speech in spite of his manlike appearance. As it turned out, Iggy is an autoslave that woman-type AI was installed on its system.

screencaps: ep.1 #1 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/ergo-pro0101.jpg)
screencaps: ep.1 #2 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/ergo-pro0102.jpg)

http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/ergo-pro0103.jpg


2) Yomigaeru Sora -Rescue Wings- (http://www.rescue-w.jp/) episode episode 6

Episode 6 focuses on character development for the three, Megumi, Kazuhiro and Hongo. Megumi is taken in by her younger sister's leading question and it's found out that she spent a few hours at a love hotel (http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2031.html) with Kazuhiro. This scene is hilarious. A part of Hongo's past comes out. He suffered far more serious setbacks than Kazuhiro. The scene depicting the bereaved family's reaction is well done.


3) Others

The Snow Queen (http://www3.nhk.or.jp/anime/snowqueen/) final episode (ep.36) is fantastic. The storyline of the series is pretty well-constructed. The show ended fully satisfactorily.

Eureka Seven (http://www.eureka-prj.net/animation.html) episode 42 has remarkable animation quality. Ep.42 has a surprising, cliff-hanger ending.

Playball 2nd (http://www.anime-playball.com/) episode 5 is enjoyable. In this anime they uses out-of-date character design on purpose because the original is classic sports manga of more than 30 years ago, but the story is still interesting.

I'm amazed to find that they didn't tell Kelmadick, the anime studio doing Papillon Rose New Season (http://www.ayaya.co.jp/), when the first episode was going to air until the day before the start date. Basing my judgment on only episode 1, this is obviously grade-B bishoujo anime.

http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/papillon0100.jpg

[SSJVegeta]

Binchotan (http://www.tbs.co.jp/bincho/) ep.2

Watching elaborate animation in ep.1 and 2, it's evident Bichotan production staff gave much of their time and energy for the first two episodes. Repeated postponement of the starting date turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Binchotan is the highest quality of wood charcoal that is made from ubamegashi tree (http://kaede.nara-edu.ac.jp/plants_of_NUE/ichiranhyou/syokubutsupage/ubamegashi1.jpg), which is a speciality product in Wakayama Province in Japan. It's used as not only cooking charcoal but also a water filter or far-infrared heating source to be put in the rice cooker. Binchotan as an anime character is its anthropomorphic image that moe flavor is added to.


Yakitate!! Japan (http://www.yakitate-japan.com/) episode 65

Episode 64 knocked me for a loop because it contained a lot of bursts of outrageous gag, but episode 65 has become normal again. Kawachi's utterly changed to a character for comic relief. Maybe I should take pity on his sad situation, but he seems the right person for a comical role.


Glass Mask (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/garasunokamen/) episode 45

Ep.45 devotes the most time to flashback scenes about Masumi's past. Eisuke Hayami, Masumi's father who is a business titan, is stark raving crazy because he tells Masumi his thought that his collection of Kurenai Tennyo is more important than his wife's life.


Mushiking (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/mushiking/) episode 46

Popo still can't find out who Mushiking is, even though there is only one insect can speak human language in the world. Arienai! (No way!)


Animal Yokocho (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/aniyoko/) episode 37 and 38

I still can't believe Ami is a five-year-old girl. In contrast, Ku-chan looks like a true little girl and she's really adorable. It's natural for Kenta to fall in love with her when he first saw.


Kasimasi (http://www.kasimasi.com/) episode 6

I've just finished watching episode 6. It's inferior in quality of both animation and script to episode 4, but it's still better than most episodes of other current ongoing TV shows. It may be cathartic for a lot of viewers going through the last scene at ep.6. Yasuna's room scnene where her dog pushes her to the floor is far more provocative than conventional fanservice. No wonder Hazumu blushed when she/he saw it.

[SSJVegeta]

Amaenaideyo!! Katsu!! (http://www.vap.co.jp/amae/) Episode 5 and 6

When I saw episode 1 at the beginning of the year, I hadn't bargained for the second TV series getting better like this. Episode 5 and 6 focus on Hinata's dangerous spiritual initiation process, and they have a good mix of serious storyline and comical factors. Hinata's past was more harsh and bloody than I had thought. Hardships strengthened the bond between Hinata and her older sister-in-law Sakura even tighter. The flashback scene where Sakura cut her hair herself to become a nun for helping her isolated sister is pretty touching. Ikkou, the leading male character of the series, took a decisive action toward their crisis for the first time since the start of the show. Looking at his behavior in only ep.6, he looks like a hero in serious anime :p

They still maintains fanservice at the high level despite serious episodes. They showed their firm determination to stick to their basic policy of including rich fanservice in each episode since the 1st TV series.

screencaps: ep.5 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/amaenai0501.jpg)
screencaps: ep.6 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/amaenai0601.jpg)

Hinata
http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/amaenai0602.jpg

[SSJVegeta]

1) Yomigaeru Sora -Rescue Wings- (http://www.rescue-w.jp/) Episode 7

Komatsu ARW team faces great difficulty in the search and rescue operation, because they have to do it in storm-tossed waters in the black of night. They put forth their best efforts to the operation, and it results in a mix of tragedy and miracle. Kazuhiro looks on the dark side of it, but his colleague looks on the bright side. Kazuhiro understands a bit Hongo's pain of the past...

The most part of episode 7 is taken up with rescue scenes. The realistic depiction and plot create a feeling of immediacy. The plot line is constructed very well, and skillful script sharpens contrast between life and death. Ep.7 is the best episode in the series so far.


2) noein (http://www.noein.jp/) Episode 18

I believe noein is one of the best shows among currently ongoing TV anime in Japan. They're keeping up the high level of animation, screen-directing, sound and script so far. Takahiro Kishida are doing a wonderful job as a general animation director. The scenario written by Kazuki Akane is well-calculated and thought-out. Of special note is the high quality of the audio in the DVD vol.1. You should not make a judgment based on the TV version of sound quality. There is a great difference in sound quality between the DVD version and TV's, because most of the TV programs air through acoustic-bandlimiting filter. Ep.18 is also pretty well done, it's worth watching.

screencaps: ep.18 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/noein1801.jpg)


3) Others

Animal Yokocho (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/aniyoko/) episode 39 is fairly surrealistic. A real rabbit appears in the show, and Iyo and Kenta treat it as a pet. After several outrageous gags, they put the rabbit on thought-conversion equipment. The rabbit can speak human laguage and she begins to eat veal steak with a fork and a knife. Double anthropomorphization occurs, it's a really surrealistic twist.

Euraka seveN (http://www.eureka-prj.net/animation.html) episode 43 has decent animation quality, but the story frustrated me. Renton in ep.43 is rather annoying.

It seems Nerima Daikon Brothers (http://www.ndbrothers.com/) is stuck in a rut in recent episodes. The musical scene of Episode 7 is not very good as compared with that of the first two episodes.

capeta (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/capeta/) episode 21 gave viewers some slack. Momotaro is a good comic relief character. I'm surprised to learn that he's very knowledgeable about the history of a car race. He should sponsor the Team Capeta.

[SSJVegeta]

1) Magikano (http://www.magikano.com/) Episode 8

Episode 8 is based on the manga chapter 6. As far as this episode is concerned, the anime is better than the manga counterpart. Ep.8 is energetic and fast-paced. It's not enormously hilarious, but still enjoyable enough. The OP animation has been changed to the new version.

Magikano episode 1 didn't have a very good reputation among Japanese anime fan community, but the show's reputation has been going up episode by episode. Recently it has been getting favorable responses from most viewers. Nowadays Magikano has been called one of the "winners" in new TV anime programs that started to air this year.

screencaps: ep.8 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/magikano0801.jpg)

Rika
http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/magikano0802.jpg

2) Kagi-hime Monogatari Eikyu Alice Rondo (http://www.kagihime.jp/) Episode 7

Kiraha gets deeply depressed because she finds out Alice Arisugawa stole her brother's heart. Like I said before, I prefer Kiraha rather than Arisugawa. Aruto should have kissed Kiraha before he did Arisugawa.

Kiraha's shocked by their kiss. (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime0701.jpg)

3) Others

I enjoyed Glass Mask (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/garasunokamen/) episode 46. Chigusa always asks too much of Maya and Ayumi. She already had one foot in the grave at the beginning of the story in manga/anime, but she's still alive after 30 years! (of coures, this number of years means real-world time. Since the year 1976 of the manga vol.1's publication, the series is still going on Hana to Yume magazine).

Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora (looking up at the half-moon) (http://www.hantsuki.com/) episode 5's title is Tomerareta Ippun (translating literally, "Stopped one minute"). I was surprised to learn that "visiting time scene" has exactly one minute.

In Mushiking (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/mushiking/) episode 47 Popo finally penetrates Musiking's disguise. There is no doubt in my mind that he's the slowest to notice things of all protagonists in the currently ongoing anime.

~Ayakashi~ Japanese Classic Horror (http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/ayakashi/) episode 6 (Tenshu Monogatari ep.2) is more like a romance than a horror. Either way, Tenshu story arc is more enjoyable for me than Yotsuya Kaidan story arc.

I didn't find Gunparede Orchestra (http://www.gpo-anime.jp/) episode 18 funny in the slightest, but surprisingly, it's appreciated by a considerable number of people who are known as an experienced anime watcher in Japan. They asserted with confidence that GPO was good when it didn't contain any combat scene in the episode. Hahaha... GPO without a fight scene makes absolutely no sense to me.

[SSJVegeta]

1) Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora (looking up at the half-moon) (http://www.hantsuki.com/) The final episode (ep.6)

The series has been concluded so quickly. I must say six episodes is too short to adapt the original novel into anime. They skipped many important plots and psychologic descriptions of the novel and it rushed headlong into the end, so it's not enough for development of both the story and charaters. In particular, they made a major mistake of cutting out several significant Dr Natsume scenes in the novel. They should have never cut them because that's the whole point of this series.

Nonetheless, it might be not so bad if you've never read the novel. Probably you'll derive a feeling of some satisfaction from the final episode.

2) Amaenaideyo!! Katsu!! (Don't presume on our goodwill!! Katsu!!) (http://www.vap.co.jp/amae/) Episode 7

Episode 7 focuses on Sumi's character development, it's a mixture of a little serious plot and a comical factor. There doesn't contain a dramatic scene in it like ep.6, but it's still funny.

BTW, there is little doubt that this show is the most fanservicing in both the quality and quantity among this season's new TV anime. If you see only the following scene, you might mistake of this show as hentai anime.

gif anime: the heavy fanservice scene (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/amaenai0701.gif)

3) Others

Watching Fushigi Boshi no Futago Hime (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/futagohime/) episode 47 and the recent episodes, Artessa has really grown spiritually. She looks a better person for the queen of Fushigi Boshi than Fain and Rain. This series is an authentic magical girl anime that succeeded in enjoying considerable popularity with Japanese young girls, though it doesn't come up to that of Pretty Cure.

Keroro Gunso (http://www.sunrise-inc.co.jp/keroro/) episode 98 is enjoyable. Mukuro, Koyuki's childhood friend, is an interesting character. I'd like to appreciate the efforts of Sunrise who is still keeping it at a constant quality despite the long running series.

Akagi (http://www.vap.co.jp/akagi/) episode 21 is really exciting, though there isn't any action scene in it. Maybe Akagi requires more viewer's brain power than any other anime in the currently ongoing shows. It will probably take several months to fully understand the intricacies of the mahjong game.

[SSJVegeta]

1) Kagihime Monogatari Eikyu Alice Rondo (http://www.kagihime.jp/) Episode 8

I'm surprised at episode 8. It starts with an incest scene of Kiraha and her brother, continues with a bed scene of two girls Kisa and Kiraha, then Mika's flash back scene where she was raped when she's a little girl. Furthermore, their impure desire or horrid memory from the past are exposed by Asuka's Alice Power to other members' eyes. Arisugawa gets very angry with Kiraha who endangered Aruto's life. She says "atashi mou Kiraha-chan towa kumenai kamo shirenai" (I may be unable to keep Kiraha-chan company any longer). This show is getting darker rapidly, it's on the way to being a sordid human drama. The last scene in ep.8 is fairly moving. Kiraha has become one of my favorite characters in this season's new anime.

screencaps: episode 8 #1 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime0801.jpg)
screencaps: episode 8 #2 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime0802.jpg)

Kiraha
http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime0803.jpg


2) Kasimasi ~girl meets girl~ (http://www.kasimasi.com/) Episode 7

At Yasuna's suggestion they go for a swim in the sea. This episode is basically a comical episode for a change, though the fact remains that there is a strained relationship between Tomari and Yasuna. Ep.7 centers on the relationship between Asuta and Hazumu. He waked up one morning and found his best friend of the same-sex turned into moe bishoujo of the opposite sex, and he became caught between friendship and romantic feeling. Hazumu is insensitive to his feelings, and moreover she/he is too defenseless toward him because half of her/his is still psychologically male. Poor Asuta... I have enormous sympathy for him, but I can't help but laugh at his fruitless attempt.

Random Thought about Kasimasi

The heroine of the series is gender-changed Hazumu, and two girls Yasuna and Tomari fight over her/him. In normal one-heroine type of love-triangle story, two male characters assume a role of Yasuna and Tomari's doing. Since Yasuna and Tomari play a manlike role in the story, it inevitably leads to the two's masculinization. Yasuna and Tomari have a female body, but half of their psychological gender turn into male, at least in the relationship with Hazumu. Double gender swith has happened to them. At the same time, there is no doubt that the relationship between Hazumu and the two is so-called shoujo-ai. All of the three have a female body and female mentality. See the following list.

Hazumu
body: male -> female
personality: girly boy (girl now)
half of psychological gender: male -> female
half of psychological gender: male -> male

Tomari
body: female
personality: boyish girl
half of psychological gender: female -> male
half of psychological gender: female -> female

Yasuna
body: female
personality: girly girl
half of psychological gender: female -> male
half of psychological gender: female -> female

Their relationship contains four elements, 1) physical shoujo-ai, 2) psychological shoujo-ai 3) psychological heterosexual love and 4) friendship (or hostility). Tomari and Yasuna's romantic feelings for Hazumu show an interesting contrast between before and after Hazumu's gender change.

Phase I (before Hazumu's gender change)

Tomari --(heterosexual love)--> Hazumu
Yasuna --(heterosexual love)--> Hazumu

Phase II (after Hazumu's gender change)

Tomari --(psychological heterosexual love)--> Hazumu
Tomari --(physical or psychological shoujo-ai)--> Hazumu
Yasuna --(psychological heterosexual love)--> Hazumu
Yasuna --(physical and psychological shoujo-ai)--> Hazumu

These multilayered relationships make the show more interesting. Kasimasi is really entertaining for me. The recent chapters of the original manga in Dengeki Daioh magazine have dramatic story development and is pretty touching, so the anime version looks very promising.

screencaps: episode 7 (http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kasimasi0701.jpg)

Hazumu
http://bolten36.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kasimasi0702.jpg


3) Others

I have mixed feelings about Eureka seveN (http://www.eureka-prj.net/animation.html) episode 44. Recent several episodes have good quality of both animation and sound, but there are not a few problems in the storyline. I can't help thinking Dai Sato, a chief writer of the series, created inexplicable, wandering scenario again.

Pretty Cure Splash Star (http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/precure_SS/) Episode 4 focuses on Mai's character development. I finally got a feeling for her personality at this episode. Mai's personality differs greatly from Honoka's, though she resembles Honoka in appearance. BTW, Karehaan has a good sense of humor. His jokes had me in stitches a few times.

[SSJVegeta]

1) Nerima Daikon Brothers (http://www.ndbrothers.com/) Episode 7

Seeing the title of episode 7, I laughed in spite of myself.

"ore no gekiyasu rocket hassha sunzen!"
"My cheapest rocket is in the final launch countdown!"

You know what it is. This show is filled with locker-room languages.


2) Mushishi (http://www.mushishi.jp/) Episode 18

Ep.18 is relatively a low-key tale, but it has something to touch viewers' hearts. The protagonist of this episode has realized what is truly important in his life after he lost it. You'll find rays of hope in Ginko's words and a smile of the protagonist's adopted daughter who is a retarded child. This is a good episode.


3) Onegai My Melody (http://www.tv-osaka.co.jp/mymelo/index.html) Episode 48

The following list shows the currently ongoing TV shoujo anime in Japan.

Pretty Cure Splash Star
Fushigi Boshi no Futago Hime
Onegai My Melody
Sugar Sugar Rune
Animal Yokocho
Glass Mask

Onegai My Melody is cheerful and lighthearted, it's the most shoujo-like show among the six in a way. The leading character of the series is Mymelo, one of the mascot products of Sanrio. Studio Comet is doing a good job for the show, they turned to their own advantage. Koto is a really likable girl. Ep.48 is also funny. However, there is a big problem in this anime. Watching the first few episodes, most viewers will be amazed at Mymelo's breathtaking slowness http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/6030/laughinganimated9jx.gif


4) Animal Yokocho (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/aniyoko/) Episode 41

Kuu-chan, a five-year-old girl who is a friend of Ami's, is frightened of horses, so she's also scared of Yamanami-san. Iyo, Kenta and Issa do my best to allay her fears. Their efforts bear fruit, Kuu-chan finally warms up to Yamanami-san a little bit. Yamanami-san is very pleased at it and he takes a big bite at Kuu-chan's head as a token of his appreciation, which is a common courteous greeting among horse-type residents in Ani-Yoko. This scene scared the hell out of me. It's more be feared than conventioal horror scenes of realistic anime. Ani-Yoko is amazing, their black humors sometimes surprise me a lot.


5) capeta (http://www.capeta-tv.com/) Episode 22

The title of ep.22 is "Pressure!", but I'd like to change it to "How to curry favor with the sponsors." It's a bitingly realistic tale. Naomi Minamoto is the best cart racer at the youth-based class, but he must be keeping up his sponsor's goodwill in order to come up with the seed money to run his team. In the recent episodes there seems to be more fund-raising scenes than cart racing ones :p

[SSJVegeta]

1) Binchotan (http://www.tbs.co.jp/bincho/) Episode 4

Who likes Binchotan?

Fact I: Last October a minor affair took place at ITmedia portal site (http://www.itmedia.co.jp/), one of the popular Japanese websites. The article on the anime adaptation of Binchotan topped the list of access ranking in all of their sites. This was unparalleled in ITmedia's history because most ITmedia's users consist of businessmen in their 30s and 40s, so a lot of people really surprised at the news.

Fact II: Binchotan Capsule Figure sold more than two million units in Japan for six months of last year.

Fact III: In Japanese anime forums and anime blogs since the start of Binchotan TV series, there has been a general trend for adult fans to appreciate Binchotan as iyashi-kei ("healing type of") anime and for younger people to say it's boring.

The conclusion to be drawn from above facts: Binchotan is iyashi-kei anime for mainly adult viewers, especially for businessmen aged thirty and over, at least in Japan.

Episode 4

One rainy day Bincho-tan is up in the morning and on the way to work as usual. She comes across Chiku-tan on her way and finally finds today is Sunday...

Ep.4 depicts one rainy day in the life of Bincho-tan, Chiku-tan and Kunugi-tan. Binchotan lives alone in a mountain cottage and she's really poor, so she has to work almost every day. Kunugi-tan is a daughter of a very wealthy family and she's seemingly happy, but actually not. She's not allowed to go out of their large estate. Almost every main character in the show is more or less unhappy. Ep.4 has a nice healing tpye of music. Anything special doesn't happen in the story, but I like this episode.

screencaps: episode 4 (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/binchotan0401.jpg)

http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/binchotan0402.jpg


2) Play Ball 2nd (http://www.anime-playball.com/) Episode 7

Ep.7 is also "useful". This anime meets the criteria of explanatory personnel management material for middle managers, seriously. Taniguchi looks more like a paragon of corporate manager than the captain of his baseball team.


3) Others

Gaiking (http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/gaiking/) episode 13 is very well-done. It has wonderful animation quality, I was really surprised by several scenes of the rolling-robots, falling books, a series of explosions and character's motions. The plot of ep.13 is well-constructed and it's pretty exciting.

Angel Heart (http://www.ytv.co.jp/angelheart/) episode 20 is okay. Current TV series of AH centers on family ties and love of different families. Ep.20 also deals with family bond theme. I'd like to welcome recent revival of his "mokkori".

Gunparade Orchestra (http://www.gpo-anime.jp/) episode 20: I was utterly scandalized at Takeda's breathtaking stupidity. Beyond all shadow of a doubt he was to blame for the crucial accident, but much to my surprise, he still came up smelling like a rose. Arienai! (No way!)

The Law of Ueki (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/ueki/) episode 47 is neither very good nor very bad. Anon reminds me of Chronos, because he swallows kami-sama (deities) and keeps them in his belly.

[SSJVegeta]

Shinigami no Ballad. ~momo the girl god of death~ (http://www.momo100100.com/) Episode 1 / WOWOW / Thurs. 24:30

STAFF

Director: Tomomi Mochizuki
Series Composition: Reiko Yoshida
Character Design: Hiroyuki Horiuchi
Color Setting: Naoko Sato
Art Director: Kazuyuki Hashimoto
Music: MOKA
Sound Director: Tomomi Mochizuki
Production Studio: Group TAC

CAST

Momo: Akiko Kobayashi
Daniel: Ai Shimizu

First Impression

This show is an anime adaptation of a popular novel series written by Keisuke Hasegawa. It's going to be six episodes in total.

If I remember correctly, it's the first time that Akiko Kobayashi won a starring role. Maybe she had been a favorite of Tomomi Mochizuki, a directer of the show, while she was playing a role of Tanigawa in Zettai Shounen directed by him. Either way, I'm pleased with her getting the leading role because I like her voice.

In Mochizuki's all works, still strongly impressed on my mind is Magical Emi. Some Japanese anime fans warmly advocate that Magical Emi is the best magical girl show of all time. I don't know whetehr their claim is right or not, but there isn't the shadow of a doubt that Magical Emi is one of the greatest mahou shoujo anime.

The first episode got above average on almost all counts. The OP is worth watching several times. They're trying to convey atmosphere close to the original novel, I'd say their attempt has been substantially successful at least in ep.1. I'm wondering why they selected this chapter of the novel as the first episode of the anime. I don't think it's appropriate for the first episode because of several reasons. One big complaint about ep.1 is that it didn't contain Momo's dance for the repose of one's soul.

[The Xenos]

Awesome, SSJVegeta. Very nice job.

Though sadly most of them, again, look like dating sims turned anime. Then again Fate/Stay Night is one of those. Though that's liscened. As is Ergo Proxy and the Hellsing OAV. Not that I've seen fansubs... naaaaaaaaw. Oh hell, I'm buying Hellsing the second the damn thing hits stands anyway.

And yes, I am quasi goth if you can't tell. (Actually, went a little extra goth or whatever today and even wore this collar I hadn't worn in eons.) Oh and I guess that 'momo the girl god of death' one sounds interesting too.

[SSJVegeta]

Awesome, SSJVegeta. Very nice job.

Though sadly most of them, again, look like dating sims turned anime. Then again Fate/Stay Night is one of those. Though that's liscened. As is Ergo Proxy and the Hellsing OAV. Not that I've seen fansubs... naaaaaaaaw. Oh hell, I'm buying Hellsing the second the damn thing hits stands anyway.

And yes, I am quasi goth if you can't tell. (Actually, went a little extra goth or whatever today and even wore this collar I hadn't worn in eons.) Oh and I guess that 'momo the girl god of death' one sounds interesting too.
Shinigami no Ballad 'momo the girl god of death' is completely different type of anime from Ergo Proxy, Hellsing or Fate/stay night. Shinigami no Ballad is a novel/anime series for people who look for some sort of sentimentality, not action or violence. Whether you'll like it or not depends on your taste.

[SSJVegeta]

1) Yomigaeru Sora -Rescue Wings- (http://www.rescue-w.jp/) Episode 8

Kazuhiro and Suzuki tackle an autumn mountain terrain on a mountain bike on their day off. They come across Satoru, a high school boy with a little suspicious behavior, halfway up a hill. Satoru join them on the trip. Kazuhiro and Satoru ride a gondola of an aerial cableway. Sometime after the gondola starting to move, there's been a ropeway accident. The gondola stops in the air and nine passengers (including Kazuhiro and Satoru) find their gondola will fall to the ground before long...

I felt the first half of ep.8 was a bit boring, but the second half is suspenseful. Each of nine passengers have their own drama and past. Their true characters come out in the emergency situation in an inaccessible place. Ep.8 is a cliff-hanger, so I can't wait the next episode.


2) ~Ayakashi~ Japanese Classic Horror (http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/ayakashi/) Episode 8 (Tenshu Monogaratir ep.4)

Tenshu Monogatari arc has been concluded at this episode. Tenshu arc is better than Yotsuya Kaidan arc, but I must say this is an average job. They couldn't make the most of what the original novel had.


3) Shakugan no Shana (http://www.shakugan.com/index.html) Episode 21

Episode 21

The story of the TV series has moved away from the plotline of the novel since episode 20. The series has only three episodes left, I'm curious about the ending of the anime version. Yuji in ep.21 is still very weak, but he's steadily treading the path to superhuman being in the novel. At the late chapters of the novel he has already become strong enough to kill average guze no tomogara alone. Since Shana's experience with romance is still elementary-level, Yuji has to support her through good times and bad. A combination of Shana and Yuji may look a bit strange, but they actually have a good sense of proportion.

SPOILER WARNING! (highlight to read) : Shana was skewerred with viruherumina's ribbon, but she'll never die by such a damage, because Flame Haze has an astonishing toughness. If you want to kill Flame Haze, you have to cut her/him into thin strips or burn down.


4) Others

Sugar Sugar Rune (http://www.sugarune.com/) episode 35: The new ED animation is amusing and the new song is catchy, though the story of ep.35 is a little boring.

Mushiking (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/mushiking/) episode 48: Popo finaly reunites with his father at Kagayaki no Mori ("Shining Woods"). His father is really an impossible fellow because he became the strongest tree all over the world through willpower alone.

Glass Mask (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/garasunokamen/) episode 47 is enjoyable. Masumi says to Tsukikage, "I don't love my father at all." He's great. Probably his father has the same feelings for him as he does. The theme of Angel Heart is a familiy bond, whereas that of Glass Mask, by contrast, is anti-familiy ties at least in part.

[SSJVegeta]

1) Kagi-hime Monogatari Eikyu Alice Rondo (http://www.kagihime.jp/) Episode 9

This series has been getting better since episode 5. The first few episodes of the series took a bashing in Japanese anime fan community and then a lot of people stopped watching it. The rest, not so many people, have continued to see it for different reasons. I think the show has considerably redeemed its image by doing a good job recently.

The animation quality of ep.9 is a bit poor, but the story is pretty interesting.

SPOILER WARNING! (highlight to read) : Lorina was Kirika's one and only friend when they were a child, but Lorina was burnt alive because of cruel prank done by Kirika. Ever since that day, nearly 10 years ago, she has been wracked with guilt. Her dark past is exposed by Asuka's Alice power and her Book of Memories is despoiled by Asuka. This causes the loss of ability for Kirika to use Alice power.

Touko, one of the strongest girls having Alice power in the original manga, made the first appearance in the anime. Surprisingly, she lost the battle against Aruto team in just a matter of minutes, even though they brought Mamiko Noto all the way from other show to use her as a voice actress for a role of Touko. eee, sorya nai daro! (That's too much!)

screencaps: episode 9 (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime0901.jpg)

Kirika and Lorina in their childhood
http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime0902.jpg


2) Binchotan (http://www.tbs.co.jp/bincho/) Episode 5

Episode 5

Ep.5 is a a rather depressing story, the atmosphere of it is relatively close to the manga. Bincho-tan is viewed valueless in society's eyes. There are several sad scenes in this episode.

SPOILER WARNING! (highlight to read) : One day Bincho-tan managed to obtain a day-labor job as a char for an elementary school. She cleaned up the school corridors and windows, then she pushed a serving wagon for school-provided lunch round and round in the school. Since the students couldn't eat it all, a large volume of stew resulted in a leftover. There's a rumble in her stomach because she's too poor to have lunch. Her presence was entirely-ignored by privileged people and they threw away the scraps...

Kunugi-tan's first meeting with Bincho-tan also gives a melancholy tone to the show. They couldn't understand each other.


3) Others

In Onegai My Melody (http://www.tv-osaka.co.jp/mymelo/) episode 49, Miki's cuteness climbed to a dangerously high level. She's the best moe character of the last week.

One Piece (http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/onep/) episode 258 is enjoyable. Soge King looks a funny fellow. Both of the animation quality and screen-directing are good.

In REC (http://www.tbs.co.jp/rec-aka/) episode 5 they mix alternately with fiction and reality. I suspect that they selected a newcomer as a voice actor for the leading female character to play at several scenes in this episode. It's just a joke.

[SSJVegeta]

A lot of kagi-hime appear in Kagi-hime Monogatari Eikyuu Alice Rondo (http://www.kagihime.jp/), but the anime version doesn't provide a relevant explanation about them. The following list is based on the original manga.

The list of Kagi-hime

Kagi-hime means an unusual girl having the Alice power, who owns the Key to open the gate of Melveil space. Almost every kagi-hime takes part in a mad scramble to collect pages of Alice's never-ending story for making her desire a reality.

Top eight

1. 382 pages Liddell (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime/kagihime-liddell.jpg)
2. ??? pages Touko Toukouin (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime/kagihime-touko.jpg)
3. 172 pages Jack Jacqueline (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime/kagihime-jack.jpg)
4. 158 pages Mika Ohgami (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime/kagihime-mika.jpg)
5. 136 pages Lorina Lirina (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime/kagihime-lorina.jpg)
6. 130 pages Moyu Moegihara (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime/kagihime-moyu.jpg)
7. 108 pages Nami Narumi
8. 106 pages Asuka Suwa

Aruto team

Alice Arisugawa (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime/kagihime-alice.jpg)
Kiraha Kirihara (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime/kagihime-kiraha.jpg)
Kisa Misaki (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime/kagihime-kisa.jpg)
Kirika Kagarigi (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime/kagihime-kirika.jpg)
(Aruto Kirihara)

Others

Aya Ayase (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime/kagihime-aya.jpg)
Chisa Takatouchi (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime/kagihime-chisa.jpg)
Chiyuri Yuuri (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime/kagihime-chiyuri.jpg)
Fuuka Futaba (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime/kagihime-fuuka.jpg)
Kanon Takano (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime/kagihime-kanon.jpg)
Miko Mikoshiba (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime/kagihime-miko.jpg)
Shimako Yagishima (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime/kagihime-shimako.jpg)
Akane Akatsuki (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime/kagihime-akane.jpg)

Shinigami (Death God) - an exceptional kagi-hime

Risa Kirisaki (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/kagihime/kagihime-risa.jpg)

[SSJVegeta]

1) Amaenaideyo!! Katsu!! (Don't presume on our goodwill!! Katsu!!) (http://www.vap.co.jp/amae/) Episode 9

Ep.9 focuses on Haruka's character development. Her bitter past comes to light. Ep.9 is mildly funny, and there are less fanservices than usual. The abandoned baby was cute, but what impressed me most was Haruka's big boobs :p


2) noein ~mou hitori no kimi e~ (http://www.noein.jp/) Episode 20

I really enjoyed episode 20. Dynamic and elaborate animation gave me stimulating, pleasurable sensation. Kazuki Akane wrote a compelling story again this time. Art design of objects and background was pretty well-drawn. Sound and music were gorgeous. I recognized anew that noein was becoming an outstanding series.


3) Eureka seveN (http://www.eureka-prj.net/animation.html) Episode 45

Episode 45 has good animation and screen-directing, especially at the woods scene where they made efficient use of interplay of light and shadow. Lenton could cross the boundary between light and shade into the place where Eureka was crying, but three children couldn't. Although symbolic metaphor was used in the scene, it's easy to understand that they wanted viewers to get the meaning from this scene.

Jurgens's well-thought-out speech contrasted pleasantly with Dominic's rambling and emotional one. The difference between Jurgens's personality and Dominic's was highlighted impressively at the speech scene.

The storytelling style of ep.43 and 44 bothered me, but ep.45 made a good impression on me.


4) Magikano (http://www.magikano.com/) Episode 9

This episode is based on chapter 16 and 23 of the manga, but the story has been substantially changed.

SPOILER WARNING! (highlight to read) : Haruo has finally become conscious of his own magical power. His power was unimaginably powerful and very dangerous. He knocked off Michiru like taking candy from a baby. And moreover the burst of his magical power affected a principle of cause and effect, with the result that they went back to a time before the accident had occurred. They had no recollection of what happened except for Michiru. In the manga counterpart Haruo haven't become conscious of his magical power yet.

It's apparent that they made this change in preparation for the ending of the anime series. It's smart of them to do so. The anime version of ending may be promising.

http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/magikano0901.jpg


5) Yakitate!! Japan (http://www.yakitate-japan.com/) Episode 68

Kazuma and Kawachi get involved in dangerous delusion storm caused by Kuroyanagi's reaction. They're transferred to another dimension like a fantasy RPG world. They meet up with Princess Moon (strangely enough, she looks conspicuously like Tukino). She entreats them to kill the evil Snow Queen Yukino in order to save the world. The magnificent drama of love and courage begins!

Almost the all time of ep.68 was devoted to a parody of the Road of the Rings and some fantasy RPG games. Ep.68 is no longer cooking anime, but pretty funny.

[SSJVegeta]

1) Yomigaeru Sora -Rescue Wings- (http://www.rescue-w.jp/) Episode 9

Episode 9 was not as exciting as I expected, though it's still enjoyable. They should have given more twist to the show. The shoulder-hitter was all show and no power. I wonder whether or not the old woman's small water bottle had enough space for the boy's passing urine. I was fairly surprised at a lifting capacity of UH60J helicopter.


2) Fate/stay night (http://www.staynight.com/) Episode 8 and 9

Episode 8 and 9

Before the start of the Fate/stay night TV serise Kinoko Nasu, the author of the original game, told a reporter in an interview with an anime magazine that there's a difference between the anime version and the game and so he hoped people would think of them as two totally different things. Unlike the Tsukihime TV series, he has been involved in the project for the Fate/sn TV series since the very beginning. He actually made the original plan of the story setting and plot line for the TV series.

However, the storyline of episode 1-9 was basically following the Fate route (scenario). From what I've read the articles in the latest magazines, the plot of episode 10-12 seems to be also close to the Fate route. But episode 13 is noteworthy about the story development. It shows signs of new turn and twist, which the story moves in a direction away from the frameworke of the game's scenarios. I really hope they'll add new factors to the show, because I want to see a new match between Servants, and tsundere Saber.

Rin in ep.8 and 9 was funny, especially at the dinner scene where she cajoled Taiga into consent to her living under one roof with Shirou. I was a bit surprised that Sakura refused Rin's request indignantly. The fight scene of Saber vs. Kojiro was okay, though the visual effect of Tubame Gaeshi done by Kojiro was rather poor. As for Rider vs. Caster, I found myself looking around Rider's nicely shaped behind (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/fate0902.jpg) :p

Rider
http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/fate0901.jpg


3) Mushiking (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/mushiking/) Episode 49

The original arcade game "Mushiking The King of Beetles" is currently the latest craze among Japanese children with more than 300 million cards sold in Japan as of February 2006. In contrast, the TV anime version of Mushiking is not very popular with Japanese younger boys. Instead it has a good reputation among experienced anime fans and rather older viewers. The series settled on a rather heavy subject matter and for that reason it might be given the cold shoulder by kids. Ep.49 has beautiful animation and a good script, and a cliff-hanger ending.


4) Animal Yokocho (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/aniyoko/) Episode 44

Ami, Kenta, Iyo and Issa hear a strange noise from downstairs. They search Ami's house to investigate suspicious noises, and finally find an unknown door. They open the door and walk into a dark room with a strange atmosphere...

At this episode Ami showed a wide knowledge about the fashions/products dating back more than 20 years. Kenta publicly voiced the question to Ami, "I can't believe you're a five-year-old girl. You must be an adult woman in your 30s or 40s." She said apologetically, "My dad told me of it." Of course I agree with Kenta. Yamanami-san got his fingers burned again.


5) Gunparade Orchestra (http://www.gpo-anime.jp/) Episode 21

Ep.21 focuses on Satomi, a tall girl like a pseudo-cosplayer in Sailor Moon. She comes across a love letter from an unknown sender by accident. She starts an investigation into the identity of sender.

What is this crap? O_o; ...but I must say this was the most funny episode in the series so far. Satomi is great. Or better yet, it would be good to cast her as the protagonist in the series and change the title to "Gagparade Orchestra".

[SSJVegeta]

1) Dai Mahou Touge (http://www.punie.jp/) episode 1 and 2

STAFF

Director: Tsutomu Mizushima
Character Design: Satoru Isono
Art Director: Tohru Koga, Yuya Kusumoto
Sound Director: Miwa Iwanami
Music: Takatsugu Takagi
Production Studio: Studio Barcelona

CAST

Punie Tanaka: Rina Sato
Anego: Ayako Kawasumi
Tetsuko Koku: Noriko Shitaya
Paya-tan: Chiwa Saito, Joji Nakata
Pyun: Ayaka Saito
Hotaru: Kana Hanazawa
Punie's father: Nobuo Tobita
Esmeralda: Mami Koyama

Synopsis: This show is an anime adaptation of magical-gory-comedy manga created by Hideki Ohwada. Punie Tanaka is a cute girl who was transferred from the magical land to the school of the earth, but she's actually a cruel, ruthless magical princess. She's better at grappling techniques, especially submission, than magic. Her goal is to gain world domination.

Comparing with the original manga, fight scenes in the anime have little punch. They had better add a new twist to a submission scene to give it more punch.

<anime pic 1> (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/daimahou01-09.jpg) <manga pic 1> (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/daimahou01-10.jpg)
<anime pic 2> (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/daimahou01-11.jpg) <manga pic 2> (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/daimahou01-12.jpg)

I laughed at the dilapidation of Exciting Mascot Village where Paya-tan came from. The production staff of this show consists of almost the same people who did Bokusatsu Tenshi Dokuro-chan OVA. Both anime also have the similar concept, but Dai Mahou Touge is not so amusing as Dokuro-chan in so far as the first two episodes go. I'm guessing the reason why there is a parody of Oishinbo (The Gourmet; enormously successful cooking anime series) in ep.1 is that Oishinhbo was produced by Shinei Doga, previous working studio of some key DMT staff members. Ep.1 is a bit boring, but ep.2 is mildly funny. I like Paya-tan.


2) ~Ayakashi~ Japanese Classic Horror (http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/ayakashi/) episode 9 (Bakenoko episode 1)

Yotsuya Kaidan arc and Tenshu Monogatari arc were not very attractive to me, but Bakeneko (a cat monster) arc is interesting. The animation of this arc is in heavy usage of 2D CG textures like Ukiyoe (= Japanese wood block prints in the Edo Period) and it creates a diverting effect. A sound effect on an invisible bakeneko is ominous and impressive. A drug peddler, a protagonist of this arc, is one of the coolest male characters among currently ongoing shows. The first half of ep.9 moved at a slow tempo, and the sceond half was growing tense rapidly. I feel this episode is more enjoyable than most of the other works that Toei Animation has done since the beginning of this year.

screencaps: episode 9 #1 (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/ayakashi09-01.jpg)
screencaps: episode 9 #2 (http://bolten37.hp.infoseek.co.jp/zsoko/pic/ayakashi09-02.jpg)

http://bolten.img.jugem.jp/20060322_47972.jpg

(Original Japanese text is here (http://bolten.jugem.jp/))