Autumn 2011 – Season Preview

The Autumn season is always the most problematic for me.  School returns, work continues, football devours my weekends, and my free time essentially evaporates.  And to make matters more difficult, the Autumn is usually a busy and impressive anime season with numerous impressive shows and other ones deserving of attention.  In order to get the most out of this season, it will require some skillful juggling and efficient time management and even then, I doubt I’ll have time to watch all that I want to.  There may be some difficult verdicts to make this season, so let’s see what anime might make the cut in this season.

This Autumn features a substantial amount of sequels, more than any other season this year.  There is quite an impressive line-up, too, with many well-received and popular anime getting second, third, or even recreations.  Predicting how these will do will be easier than most of the new shows since we already have some good ideas of what they’ll be like.  However, I haven’t seen all of them and can’t really comment on those that I haven’t seen and don’t plan on starting midway through the series.  So that’s all you’ll hear from shows like Fate/Zero, Bakuman 2, Shakugan no Shana III, Mirai Nikki (Future Diary), and Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi (World’s First Love), the four shows I’m not up to date on.  I’m positive your opinion on the previous shows, if you watched them, would be better than whatever I would end up saying.  That leaves several others which I’ll provide some quick thoughts on:

 

Shinryaku! Ika Musume (Invasion! Squid Girl) – One of my top-ranked comedies is returning for another season.  The first season clicked the entire time for me and I watched every episode, every single moment of it, with a big, stupid smile on my face.  While the humor wasn’t the best and the artwork simple, it’s the light-hearted comedy that I have an unashamed soft-spot for.  It’s no surprise that this is one of the anime I’m looking forward to the most this Autumn.

Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam (Last Exile: Fam, the Silver Wing) – While I have yet to even see the first season, I do know I will be watching this series.  How do I know?  Well, Last Exile is one of the few anime that all my friends have recommended to me with completely enthusiastic and positive reviews.  Not many anime get that sort of treatment from my diverse range of anime friends, so that’s what put it in my anime queue.  Haven’t had as much time as I wanted this past spring and summer to watch it, and with this season quickly approaching, I’ll make room for myself to marathon it and be all caught up before the first episode airs.  I’m sure I’ll love both seasons but I can’t really say too much on this since I’ve refused to research it before finishing the first season.

WORKING’!! – Another comedy that worked well for me in its first season.  To be honest, I wasn’t thrilled when I saw it was announced for this season (busiest season of the year for me) but that changed after watching the pre-air episode.  It’s not perfect but it’s a series that always has some great laughs in it.  And with the lack of comedies this season, I figure I’ll keep it since it will likely be the funniest anime of the season.

Tamayura ~ Hitotose – A four episode OVA of this is already out, so this belongs in the ‘sequel’ section.  Like Last Exile, I haven’t watched the first series but I plan on doing so before the season begins.  I’m not entirely sure if I’ll keep it like the previous three shows but I do plan on giving it a chance since the OVA has had encouraging reviews.  I’ve researched it a bit and scanned through some of the OVA and it appears to be something I’d like.  The creator/director of this series also directed Aria, an all-time favorite of mine, which is what originally piqued my interest in this franchise.  Will watch the OVA before starting this series but it shouldn’t take as long as Last Exile.

Fujilog 2^nd Season – If this is a TV series (24 minute episodes) then no, the first season was weak in comedy and story and I doubt I’d last a full season, let alone a full episode.  If they’re like the first season, all 4 minutes episodes, then I can handle it but I doubt it will be better than the first season.  That ending theme made the show.

HUNTERxHUNTER – This is a remake of the first series, which seems to be popular with a certain circle of friends.  I’m willing to give it a shot to see what the series is like but I usually never last long into shounen anime like this.  That and I’m guessing there won’t be enough time each week to keep up with it, but it’s worth a shot.

 

So there’s about half the season already.  Can’t say I enjoy seeing so many sequels in one season since they’re usually never as good as the original but they’re usually better than some of the shit that comes out now.  Sequels are always destined to be safe, middle-of-the-road shows unless they can recreate the magic the first season had.  I’m guessing those first two will come the closest to reliving their greatness while the others will end up being pretty mediocre to adequate.

But what makes any anime season are the new shows.  And there are plenty of impressive ones airing this Autumn which bring promise to this season.  As always, there are some gambles and ones that need to be avoided, but it looks like a strong season is before us.  Of course, after a few weeks we’ll know how remarkable this season after experiencing all the shows for a few weeks.  Let’s see what’s lined up for us:

 

Guilty Crown

Opinion: Did you watch the PV?  Did you?  If you answered no, then stop and watch it.  If you answered yes, then stop and rewatch it again.  The PV does more than any of my words can here.  I’ve never seen a more impressive PV for an upcoming anime before.  From the animation, to the directing, to the art style, to the concept, and characters, and music, and story, and the noitaminA timeslot, this should easily end up being the top show of the season, both for me and in terms of popularity.  I’m anticipating this like no other and even if it ends up disappointing, it will still rank higher than most others this season.  An incredible, must-watch anime for any fan.

Plans for this show: Will watch

 

UN-GO

Opinion: I contemplated having some spaces between Guilty Crown and this but the other noitaminA anime places second in the pre-season rankings despite the sizable gap in impressions by these two.  Still, UN-GO looks to another excellent anime with its mystery-themed story and rather effective art style (not overpowering and very clean, as expected from Bones).  I was a little weary about the young character with the animal-themed hat and paws until I found out it’s a guy.  I’m tired of seeing a serious and intelligent teenage boy paired with a wild and crazy girl of a younger age, so seeing it be a male character reinforces some confidence in this series.  Should be another stellar and enjoyable anime from noitaminA.

Plans for this show: Will watch

 

Persona 4 The Animation

Opinion: Never played the game but I’ve heard so much about it.  Appears to be another popular anime for this Autumn with a rather strong following from those who played and loved the game.  Everything looks solid about this anime, from the art and animation to the music, and, the directing.  Not sure what to think about the story at this point since they are compressing a rather lengthy game into an anime of set length, so hopefully the quality is not lost here.  I don’t foresee much wrong with this series and will likely keep it as a show this season.

Plans for this show: Likely watch

 

Ben-To

Opinion: Ben-To is an anime that will likely surprise me.  I haven’t been too impressed with the PVs but have no faults with the animation and art style.  The plot seems rather silly, everyone fighting over discounted lunches (you’d figure the medical bills would make these fights economically unfeasible), but it sounds entertaining.  I’m not sure how much comedy is in this anime but I hope there’s an adequate amount to keep up with the fighting.  If not, I hope the serious style plays well with what’s happening on screen.  The one draw-back to this series, at least now, are the characters.  They all seemed plain and uninspired.  Guess they might look that way from only a few promotional videos, so perhaps I should reserve that comment until the anime actually airs.

Plans for this show: Maybe watch

 

Chihayafuru

Opinion: I don’t think I can recall any shoujo/sports anime or manga off the top of my head, so this is likely the most original anime of the season.  Not sure how well the sports aspect will come out but I’m sure it will be entertaining, even if it’s something simple but dramatic like karuta (the card game Chihaya plays).  I figure the drama will be the main focus of the show though which might hurt the show since shoujo drama isn’t typically something I fall for.  At least it’s based off the award-winning manga, so that should calm my uncertainties.  The art might be the best aspect of the show.

Plans for this show: Maybe watch

 

Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon (Horizon on the Middle of Nowhere)

Opinion: Anime that blend comedy and fighting together as the two main features usually fare well with me.  And the fanservice doesn’t appear to be distracting or annoying, so that’s a plus.  But there’s always those few that seem alright at first but end up having awful comedy, predictable fighting, and go overboard on the ecchi.  I can’t really give it props there yet but it’s a good sign right now.  The setting, with those minute futuristic details, looks rather enjoyable.  I think I’ll end up watching and liking this anime, but there are some drawbacks that put it in this category (although it’s above Ben-To in my opinion).  For one, I’m not sure if the cast will be all that great when so many appear to be clichés.  And another school/academy setting, at least that’s my impression, dampens my overall enthusiasm.  But if the comedy and fighting are good and the ecchi not distracting, then I don’t see why this won’t be picked up.

Plans for this show: Maybe watch

 

Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai (I Don’t Have Many Friends)

Opinion: I love comedies and this appears to be one of the more popular anime of the season, quite an impressive following among my friends, but I can’t shake this sinking feeling I have for this anime.  I guess I have that feeling from the obvious harem and school set-ups (two big Xs).  The characters don’t seem all that interesting, more that they’re there to be cute and silly than anything tangible.  I doubt there’s any depth in the non-main characters besides having a problem that causes them to join the club (not even working to fix their problem, either).  It appears to be based on a light-novel, so my expectation for an actual plot are microscopic but that may work if the comedy is hilarious.  I watched the OVA with some curiosity and took away some positives (the art, animation, and music are great, definitely watchable), so that helps.  But it’s not like it mattered since this anime will be judged mainly on its comedy.

Plans for this show: Doubtful but it gets a shot

 

C³ – CubexCursedxCurious

Opinion: There are two promotional videos out with two completely different styles to them.  The one I linked, the one that is responsible for this ranking, shows some rather remarkable fights with smooth animation and a cast of sensible characters.  I’d probably rank it one category above if I watched that PV alone.  The second PV, shows the cast of characters be lackluster and ecchi (in a not-so-good way) and is, well, quite terrible.  I’d be in the category below if I watched that PV alone.  So, as you can see, I’m split; it appears to be both entertaining and abysmal.  I’m going to give this anime a go but I doubt I’ll keep it around for the entire season.  And I’m starting to doubt that I’ll even last the first episode, too.

Plans for this show: Doubtful but it gets a shot

 

Kimi to Boku (You and I)

Opinion: Appears to be a slice-of-life around five males in their high school years.  Can’t say I have a problem with that set up, especially since it’s centered around males which is quite different than most slice-of-life anime, so those are all positives.  But I can’t help but wonder about this anime long-term.  I’m sure the first few episodes will be worthwhile but I fear it will begin to get tedious and boring before too long.  Guess I should wait to see what the actual content is like but, whenever thinking about this anime, I do worry about starting this anime and not finishing it.  Maybe the setbeck will vanish once I start watching this anime but this is the opinion I have of the anime now and that’s why it’s ranking this low.

Plans for this show: Doubtful but it gets a shot

 

Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle

Opinion: I like puzzles.  They’re like mysteries but straight-forward, quicker, and often times more diverse.  So that’s plus.  Not sure what to expect from the story or the setting but I figure they’ll be pretty bland, especially since the PV never spent any time on either.  So those are negatives.  The art/animation was pretty subpar.  Another negative.  The characters look rather regrettable, both in design and personality.  Another negative.  But I’m going to end this summary on a positive: I’m going to give it an episode.  Let’s see if it can prove me wrong.

Plans for this show: Doubtful but it gets a shot

 

And below are the shows that proudly wear a big, red X, one that I recently handed them.  They have virtually zero chance of being watched by me but at least they’ll be watched by someone else… I’m sorry to whoever has to shoulder that burden.

 

Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai!!

Opinion: The harem, ecchi, and school set ups are more than enough to turn me off of this anime.  And I’m not sure I’d even like the fighting when everyone is already overpowered like that to start.

Plans for this show: No dice

 

Maken-Ki!

Opinion: The harem, ecchi, and school set ups are blah, blah, blah you know the drill.  Surprised it was even more uninteresting than Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai!!

Plans for this show: No dice

 

Mashiro-Iro Symphony (Pure White Symphony)

Opinion: I seem to have a severe weakness to non-ecchi adaptations of adult visual novels.  Even though they have two set-ups I despise in an anime (harem and school), they always appear on my radar.  I think I figured it out during Fortune Arterial a few seasons back, though, and that it’s almost entirely due to the character designs in the anime.  Well, this one doesn’t appear to have the best character designs, so maybe I can start trying to shake this hypocritical habit of mine.  Although watch me break this habit by scanning around the first episode to see what it’s like.

Plans for this show: No dice

 

Mobile Suit Gundam AGE

Opinion: Those character designs and dragons (or whatever) are a turn-off.  I’ll let someone else tell me how it is.

Plans for this show: No dice

 

So that ends this Autumn season preview.  I’m not sure how many anime I’ll end up watching this season but it will likely be the least since I started blogging.  And even then, some shows may get delayed or put on hold depending on what happens with school and work, so there’s a fairly large amount of uncertainty heading into this season.  But still, I can’t wait to see what surprises, disappointments, memorable moments, laughs, twists, and history will be made this season.  I just hope to be a part of it all.  So with all that said and done, let these next thirteen weeks be an absolute blast!

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