Fall 2009 Season Anime
Anime from the backlogs
Planetes
In the year 2075 humanity has greatly expanded its presence in space. With this growth also came an enormous amount of space debris, which causes catastrophic damages for space travel. This story is about a group of debris haulers who strive to perform their jobs despite being looked down upon by the rest of their corporation.
The first half of this series wasn't bad, the second half went in a completely different direction than the first, and all the characters got angsty and angry with each other. The focus also shifted from Ai to Hachimaki. They rapidly wrapped up the story in the end, which was neither conclusive or satisfying. All in all the series was okay, but I wouldn't recommend it in particular.
Studio: Sunrise
Category: sci-fi, drama, romance
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Heroic Age
To be added soon...
Studio: Xebec
Category: drama, mecha, action, sci-fi
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Darker Than Black: Ryuusei no Gemini
This is a sequel to the first Darker Than Black series, which is about 'contractors' with special powers but must complete a remuneration whenever they use them in addition to supposedly losing all of their emotions. Darker Than Black: Ryuusei no Gemini is the anime I look forward to the most for this season. The story starts off with the birth of a new contractor when a metor hits the campsite of a father and his twin children.
Fast forward a few years to an attack on the family's home in order to find meteor pieces. Re-enter Hei version: shabby alcoholic! ~_~ And of course he wants in on the action too! By the way, I love that July is getting some more screen time.
Studio:Bones
Category: well-rounded, action, superpowers
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Fast forward a few years to an attack on the family's home in order to find meteor pieces. Re-enter Hei version: shabby alcoholic! ~_~ And of course he wants in on the action too! By the way, I love that July is getting some more screen time.
Studio:Bones
Category: well-rounded, action, superpowers
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Kimi ni Todoke
The story about a girl named Sawako who unintentionally gives off a menacing aura. All of the school is under the impression that she can see ghosts and curse people, and thus nicknamed her 'Sadako' (The Ring). She really just wants to make friends, especially with one of the boys she admires.
Needing a bit of shoujo every now and then (all though it seems a little more often nowadays), I am enjoying this series. It reminds me a little of Nosatsu Junkie (manga). My only complaint is that the episodes I've seen so far are a little drawn out with all the thoughts going on in Sawako's head, and a lot of the characters' unwarranted drama. Production I.G. is doing a nice job of animating this show though, it's quite pretty!
Studio: Production I.G.
Category: shoujo, romance, comedy
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Needing a bit of shoujo every now and then (all though it seems a little more often nowadays), I am enjoying this series. It reminds me a little of Nosatsu Junkie (manga). My only complaint is that the episodes I've seen so far are a little drawn out with all the thoughts going on in Sawako's head, and a lot of the characters' unwarranted drama. Production I.G. is doing a nice job of animating this show though, it's quite pretty!
Studio: Production I.G.
Category: shoujo, romance, comedy
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To Aru Kagaku no Railgun
A side story of To Aru Majutsu no Index (which I actually never finished due to loss of interest), this show seems to have a few more interesting aspects than just 'guy is willing to sacrifice his life for any female that crosses his path'. This show focuses of Misaka, the strongest esper of Tokiwadai High School, and her crew of buddies - two of which are part of the Judgment organization in charge of keeping peace in Academy City.
Similar to Mai Hime, with less serious aspects like Mai Otome, this show is well animated and a nice well-rounded one to throw into your mix.
Studio: J.C. Staff
Category: shoujo, action, comedy, high school, superpowers
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Similar to Mai Hime, with less serious aspects like Mai Otome, this show is well animated and a nice well-rounded one to throw into your mix.
Studio: J.C. Staff
Category: shoujo, action, comedy, high school, superpowers
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Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood
This is a re-telling of the Full Metal Alchemist story that is more closely tied to the manga than the previous anime series. It is about two brothers Ed and Al, who attempt to bring their mother back from the dead, and wind up losing an arm, a leg, and a body because of it. Ed joins the military and becomes a state alchemist in order to gain access to knowledge that may help them in their journey to recover their original bodies.
I actually prefer the first series better, this show is falling into more of the pure 'shounen' style of storyline: there's a cliff hanger every episode that is solved withing the first two minutes of the next, the characters and plot don't seem as well developed, etc. But, since this is also done by Bones, I will probably watch it through to the end.
Studio:Bones
Category: well-rounded, action, adventure
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I actually prefer the first series better, this show is falling into more of the pure 'shounen' style of storyline: there's a cliff hanger every episode that is solved withing the first two minutes of the next, the characters and plot don't seem as well developed, etc. But, since this is also done by Bones, I will probably watch it through to the end.
Studio:Bones
Category: well-rounded, action, adventure
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Sasameki Koto
Sumiko is a tall and athletic high school girl who is secretly in love with her best friend Ushio. Unfortunately Ushio is only interested in "cute" girls and is completely oblivious to Sumiko's feelings.
This anime is similar to last season's Aoi Hana, but has a little more comedy interspersed in between the drama and relationships.
Studio: AIC
Category: shoujo-ai, shoujo, romance, comedy
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This anime is similar to last season's Aoi Hana, but has a little more comedy interspersed in between the drama and relationships.
Studio: AIC
Category: shoujo-ai, shoujo, romance, comedy
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Tegami Bachi
The story about a class-divided, barren world, where towns are spread out, and the only ones allowed to travel in between them are Letter Bees. The story revolves around a young boy named Lag Seeing who was 'mailed' to his aunt after his mother was taken from him. The Letter Bee who picked him up and cared for him while he was in transit was Gauche, who becomes an inspiration for Lag to pursue the career of Letter Bee.
I actually prefer the manga artwork to that of the anime. Though the animation itself is not bad, it seems to lack depth. This anime has a similar feel to Hunter X Hunter and D Gray Man, so we'll see if it gets better as the series progresses.
Studio: Studio Pierrot
Category: shounen, action, adventure
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I actually prefer the manga artwork to that of the anime. Though the animation itself is not bad, it seems to lack depth. This anime has a similar feel to Hunter X Hunter and D Gray Man, so we'll see if it gets better as the series progresses.
Studio: Studio Pierrot
Category: shounen, action, adventure
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Nyan Koi
A guy who is allergic to cats accidentally defaces a cat-god statue and is cursed! Now he can hear cats talk, and must help them, otherwise he will turn into a cat himself. This show is okay for comic relief, but a little redundant in the stereotypical harem sort of way. I think it's great that GITS's Motoko is the voice for Nyamses - the momma cat!
Studio: AIC
Category: comedy
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Studio: AIC
Category: comedy
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Yumeiro Pâtissière
Sugar! A story about a girl with a good sense of taste who aspires to become a patissiere. Upon entering her new cooking school, she is visited by a sweets fairy who helps her through the various cooking trails that come her way.
This show will make you hungry for dessert, but the shoujo sugar may give you a toothache.
Studio: Pierrot
Category: shoujo
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This show will make you hungry for dessert, but the shoujo sugar may give you a toothache.
Studio: Pierrot
Category: shoujo
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Aoi Bungaku
A wealthy young man gets involved in revolutionary politics against his father's will (who is a big politician). On the run from the government, he meets a woman, sleeps with her and attempts a double suicide with her... but only he survives. He seemingly starts to lose his sanity, and hallucinates that his 'monster' self is following him around.
This is kind of a scary / psychological type of show, and the monster image is hind of creepy. Overall the show feels more like Kurozuka or Moryou no Hako.
Studio: Madhouse
Category: Scary, psychological
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A wealthy young man gets involved in revolutionary politics against his father's will (who is a big politician). On the run from the government, he meets a woman, sleeps with her and attempts a double suicide with her... but only he survives. He seemingly starts to lose his sanity, and hallucinates that his 'monster' self is following him around.
This is kind of a scary / psychological type of show, and the monster image is hind of creepy. Overall the show feels more like Kurozuka or Moryou no Hako.
Studio: Madhouse
Category: Scary, psychological
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The Sacred Blacksmith
A female wimp, I mean knight is determined to prove herself. In a fight with a monster, she breaks her sword but is saved by a valiant young man wielding a katana (who also happens to make them). So of course she is going to follow him home and pester him to forge a sword just for her.
This show is rather generic, and the girls armor is ridiculous. I haven't really been keeping up with this one. It kind of seems like a video game gone anime.
Studio: Manglobe
Category: shounen, action, adventure
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A female wimp, I mean knight is determined to prove herself. In a fight with a monster, she breaks her sword but is saved by a valiant young man wielding a katana (who also happens to make them). So of course she is going to follow him home and pester him to forge a sword just for her.
This show is rather generic, and the girls armor is ridiculous. I haven't really been keeping up with this one. It kind of seems like a video game gone anime.
Studio: Manglobe
Category: shounen, action, adventure
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Kobato
More Clamp sugar - but I think I liked Card Captor Sakura better. This one is about a magical girl who is out to mend wounded hearts, so she can collect them as konpietto in her little dream jar. The first thing that annoyed me was her sidekick plushie that is just plain mean (and not very funny). Next is the push that 'singing is the only thing she is good at' and it's terrible! >.<
Studio: Madhouse
Category: shoujo
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More Clamp sugar - but I think I liked Card Captor Sakura better. This one is about a magical girl who is out to mend wounded hearts, so she can collect them as konpietto in her little dream jar. The first thing that annoyed me was her sidekick plushie that is just plain mean (and not very funny). Next is the push that 'singing is the only thing she is good at' and it's terrible! >.<
Studio: Madhouse
Category: shoujo
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Kämpfer
The ultimate harem anime - a highschool boy turns into a girl for these Kampfer battles, and is adored by someone no matter what is current gender may be. The story is supposed to be about two teams of super power users who are supposed to eliminate one another. Oddly, they all possess 'endtrails animals' (rude little plushies that talk and have their endtrails hanging out all over the palce) who seem to be given to them by the same person. And of course there is a love-polygon with almost every character in the series who all attempt to strip given the opportunity. -_-
I don't really care for this show as it's more on the ecchi side, and wouldn't recommend it for lack of plot, character development, etc.
Studio: Nomad
Category: action, comedy, romance
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The ultimate harem anime - a highschool boy turns into a girl for these Kampfer battles, and is adored by someone no matter what is current gender may be. The story is supposed to be about two teams of super power users who are supposed to eliminate one another. Oddly, they all possess 'endtrails animals' (rude little plushies that talk and have their endtrails hanging out all over the palce) who seem to be given to them by the same person. And of course there is a love-polygon with almost every character in the series who all attempt to strip given the opportunity. -_-
I don't really care for this show as it's more on the ecchi side, and wouldn't recommend it for lack of plot, character development, etc.
Studio: Nomad
Category: action, comedy, romance
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Book of Bantorra
Hmm how to describe this one? Strange? Something about humans giving up their lives and becoming 'meats' or human bombs. And that everyone's life is recorded into these books that are maintained in a super library. Not very interesting.
Studio:David Production
Category: shounen, mystery, action, superpowers
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Hmm how to describe this one? Strange? Something about humans giving up their lives and becoming 'meats' or human bombs. And that everyone's life is recorded into these books that are maintained in a super library. Not very interesting.
Studio:David Production
Category: shounen, mystery, action, superpowers
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Anime from the backlogs
Gokusen
A young yakuza heir wants to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher. But if the all-boys school she works for finds out her true backgound, she will lose her job. Of course she is placed a class full of delinquents, so it doesn't hurt that she is also skilled in martial arts. This show has a similar feel to GTO, but with none of the potty humor, and better animation. This show is good for a light change of pace every now and then.
Studio:Madhouse
Category: comedy
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A young yakuza heir wants to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher. But if the all-boys school she works for finds out her true backgound, she will lose her job. Of course she is placed a class full of delinquents, so it doesn't hurt that she is also skilled in martial arts. This show has a similar feel to GTO, but with none of the potty humor, and better animation. This show is good for a light change of pace every now and then.
Studio:Madhouse
Category: comedy
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Bokurano
Fifteen children explore a mysterious cave while attending a sumer nature camp. They find a lot of high tech equipment and are confronted by a man who asks them if they want to play a game. Being teenagers, they all agree and find themselves signed up to battle in a giant robot (because it's Gonzo!) with the fate of their world in the hands, of course!
The first few episodes are of Bokurano are interesting, and then the series falls into a loop of predictability and drama. By the end not much is resolved, so I wouldn't really recommend this show. If you have time to kill, then maybe.
Studio: Gonzo
Category: drama, mecha, mystery
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Fifteen children explore a mysterious cave while attending a sumer nature camp. They find a lot of high tech equipment and are confronted by a man who asks them if they want to play a game. Being teenagers, they all agree and find themselves signed up to battle in a giant robot (because it's Gonzo!) with the fate of their world in the hands, of course!
The first few episodes are of Bokurano are interesting, and then the series falls into a loop of predictability and drama. By the end not much is resolved, so I wouldn't really recommend this show. If you have time to kill, then maybe.
Studio: Gonzo
Category: drama, mecha, mystery
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Planetes
In the year 2075 humanity has greatly expanded its presence in space. With this growth also came an enormous amount of space debris, which causes catastrophic damages for space travel. This story is about a group of debris haulers who strive to perform their jobs despite being looked down upon by the rest of their corporation.
The first half of this series wasn't bad, the second half went in a completely different direction than the first, and all the characters got angsty and angry with each other. The focus also shifted from Ai to Hachimaki. They rapidly wrapped up the story in the end, which was neither conclusive or satisfying. All in all the series was okay, but I wouldn't recommend it in particular.
Studio: Sunrise
Category: sci-fi, drama, romance
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Heroic Age
To be added soon...
Studio: Xebec
Category: drama, mecha, action, sci-fi
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Macross Frontier
To be added soon...
Studio: Satelight
Category: drama, mecha, action, sci-fi
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To be added soon...
Studio: Satelight
Category: drama, mecha, action, sci-fi
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Macross Zero
To be added soon...
Studio: Satelight
Category: drama, mecha, actio, sci-fi
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To be added soon...
Studio: Satelight
Category: drama, mecha, actio, sci-fi
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Hajime no Ippo
A submissive (but amazingly muscular) high schooler wants to become a boxer. And so the training begins...
The animation for this show has an older feel and is set up to be a "I'm gonna get stronger!" type of storyline.
Studio: Madhouse
Category: action, shounen
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A submissive (but amazingly muscular) high schooler wants to become a boxer. And so the training begins...
The animation for this show has an older feel and is set up to be a "I'm gonna get stronger!" type of storyline.
Studio: Madhouse
Category: action, shounen
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Ayakashi Ayashi
Humanity is burdened with ghost/god/beast beings called Youi, and a group of individuals with the power to excorise Youi band together to defeat them. The group of exorcists or ayashi are looking for a member with the ability to find the words behind things (Ayagami) to aid them in their jobs. Enter a vagabond-type character being hunted by the law who happens to possss the Ayagami ability! The first few episodes show the main character is also running from his super-colorful past in addition to the authorities.
This show may get interesting, so far it's a little generic... but it's BONES!
Studio: Bones
Category: shounen, adventure, superpowers
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Humanity is burdened with ghost/god/beast beings called Youi, and a group of individuals with the power to excorise Youi band together to defeat them. The group of exorcists or ayashi are looking for a member with the ability to find the words behind things (Ayagami) to aid them in their jobs. Enter a vagabond-type character being hunted by the law who happens to possss the Ayagami ability! The first few episodes show the main character is also running from his super-colorful past in addition to the authorities.
This show may get interesting, so far it's a little generic... but it's BONES!
Studio: Bones
Category: shounen, adventure, superpowers
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Oniisama E...
Misonoo Nanako goes to an all girls school, where everyone strives to become a part of the elite group known as the Sorority. And with any all-girls school comes the female bullying, rumors jealousy, drugs, etc, etc. The main character gets bullied, the three giants of the school (in status and height) have their own issues, and everyone is up in everyone else's secrets while trying to keep their own.
Drama upon drama upon drama! This show was made in the early 90s, from a manga made in the 70s - so expect animation to be along the Rose of Versailles style. And if you aren't in the mood for drama and female insecurities, I wouldn't pop this one in. Sometimes you need to work up so watching a show like this - maybe after a shounen marathon?
Studio: Tezuka Productions (I've never heard of them!)
Category: shoujo, romance, drama, drama, drama
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Misonoo Nanako goes to an all girls school, where everyone strives to become a part of the elite group known as the Sorority. And with any all-girls school comes the female bullying, rumors jealousy, drugs, etc, etc. The main character gets bullied, the three giants of the school (in status and height) have their own issues, and everyone is up in everyone else's secrets while trying to keep their own.
Drama upon drama upon drama! This show was made in the early 90s, from a manga made in the 70s - so expect animation to be along the Rose of Versailles style. And if you aren't in the mood for drama and female insecurities, I wouldn't pop this one in. Sometimes you need to work up so watching a show like this - maybe after a shounen marathon?
Studio: Tezuka Productions (I've never heard of them!)
Category: shoujo, romance, drama, drama, drama
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