It took me quite awhile to look out for the anime titles with good prospects. Well, there are a few, only because those are sequels to a couple of influential anime series. Other than that, the summer anime season looks very dire. I think it’s okay, considering that we have a huge load of good stuff in the following season of Fall 2008. Gundam 00, Nodame Cantabile: Pari-hen, and Vampire Knight 2, just to name a few. Nevertheless, I give you my top 5 picks for Summer 2008 anime season.
Slayers Revolution
Premiere: 2 July 2008
Network: TV Tokyo, AT-X
Studio: J.C. Staff
After more than 10 years since its last anime title, Slayers Try, Lina Inverse and her companion of mages are back. Even its most recent animation work was the anime movie, Slayers Premium. And that was in the year 2001. Despite being a legend, I only know Lina being the hero character from DotA and not the anime character. Honestly, only today that I found out that Lina Inverse is indeed a tribute to the real Lina Inverse of Slayers. Obviously I have never watched this anime, despite all the credits to its name. Anyway, the staff behind this project do not change, very much to the pleasing of fans to this series. Directed by none other than Watanabe Takashi himself, even the original seiyuu for Lina Inverse, Hayashibara Megumi, is retained. along with the rest of the cast. Fans would definitely not going to miss this and as for noobs like myself, it’s never too late to start now.
Zero no Tsukaima: Princess no Rondo
Premiere: 6 July 2008
Network: Chiba TV, TV Kanagawa
Studio: J.C. Staff
Louise and Saito are back. The same goes for the rest of the staff from the previous title, Zero no Tsukaima: Futatsuki no Kishi. The usual cast includes Kugimiya Rie, Hino Satoshi, Kawasumi Ayako, and now a new addition of Noto Mamiko who will cast for Tiffania Westwood who appeared in the final episode of the second season. This season will pick off where the second season has left off, whereby they faced off against the Albion army as planned by Sheffield, the leader of Reconquistadors. To be frank, I have no idea what is going on with Zero no Tsukaima simply because I never watch this anime before. But this sequel is definitely a must-watch to fans to this series, and also those who love all things moe.
World Destruction: Sekai Bokumetsu no Rokunin
Premiere: 7 July 2008
Network: TV Tokyo, AT-X
Studio: Production I.G.
World Destruction is a SEGA undertaking, originally created for the Nintendo DS game of the same title. The plot is about a boy named Irunisu Kirie (Miyano Mamoru) who possesses the power to destroy the world, though he could not comprehend the reasons of him to have such a power. However because of this, he is forced to join a terrorist group that plots to destroy the world in hopes of renewing it in that way. There, he meets Ashera Morte (Sakamoto Mayaa) and Ri A (Kobayashi Yu). This already great lineup of cast for this production is further added with more greats and among them, Ono Daisuke, Yoshino Hiroyuki, and Furuya Toru. Matsumoto Keita debuts his character design role in this anime, after taking on key animations for xxxHOLiC and Blood+ and Tada Shunsuke takes on the directing. Music is by Ike Yoshihiro, famous for his works on Ergo Proxy and Kamichu! So far, the odds are good for World Destruction.
Sekirei
Premiere: 2 July 2008
Network: Tokyo MX TV
Studio: Seven Arcs
If you like something ecchi for your viewing, then this is the anime you should look out for. This harem anime would fit perfectly to the possible sexual related jokes and probably fantasies. This anime is based on an ongoing manga with the same title published by Square Enix. The story is about the big loser ever known - Sahashi Minato. A college dropout, unemployed, and foremost importantly, no luck with women. Then he meets Musubi, a Sekirei - a human-like life form whose purpose is to fight off another Sekirei in a competition by the mysterious MBI corporation. What Minato doesn’t know is that he is an Ashikabi, a designated master of a Sekirei. Now, it is up to him to find other Ashikabi masters and defeat their Sekirei. That does sounded very familiar. In a way, it reminds me of Fate/Stay Night a bit. As for the production crew, the lead casts are Tachibana Shinnosuke for Minato and Hayami Saori for Musubi. Both names are relatively new and unheard of. But then, you cannot judge the story by production quality alone. At the end of the day, the story matter. Get set for good humour though satisfaction is not necessary guaranteed.
Natsume Yuujin Chou
Premiere: 7 July 2008
Network: TV Tokyo
Studio: Brain’s Base
Natsume Takashi has the ability to see spirits, just like his grandmother, Reiko could. Since Reiko’s passing, he now inherits a book entitled, The Book of Friends. The problem is that the book is bound with trapped spirits caught by his grandmother, which is why all these spirits are always around him. Now he is ought to free the spirits from the book with the help of a spirit cat named Nyanko-chan. Little does he know that this cat has his own agenda. The supernatural theme of the story immediately grasps my attention and a little bit of a slice of life would make this anime a must-watch. Also a good reason to watch is the lead casts, Kamiya Hiroshi who voices Takashi and Inoue Kazuhiko for Nyanko-chan. Directed by Omori Takahiro, best known for his works in Jigoku Shoujo and Gakuen Alice, Natsume Yuujin Chou sets for a promising start.
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