That’s right, it’s time for the summer preview! Kudos if you can guess what song the title was taken from.
Sumer 2010
At one point I was hesitant of doing a season preview on here: after all, everyone does it and wouldn’t I look somewhat stupid doing it by myself? And then I took a look back at my old blog, where I did a Summer 2009 preview, and you know what I thought? Who cares! I didn’t care back then, I shouldn’t now. Here is your preview. The format for this basically takes after every other preview ever. I’m not that creative. I will be linking to the original source and whatever trailers are available for the series. All the information here was taken from Anime News Network, My Anime List, and Wikipedia. Let’s roll.
Shiki
July
Summary
“Sotoba is a small, quiet village where life has always been peaceful. Natsuno Yuuki, who moved from the city, hates it. However, recently a strange rash of mysterious deaths has begun to torment the village, and an epidemic is suspected. As various investigations continue, the truth behind the deaths becomes clear. The town is being attacked by vampires.” (Anime News Network)
This sounds like a horror series worth getting into. When They Cry got repetitive, Umineko just never interested me, and Ookami Kakushi felt more like a comedy than a horror. This series could actually succeed as a horror. The art style is perfect for this type of anime: the gangly designs automatically make everything more creepy. Not only does the trailer look great but the source material is strong as well. Depending on how they pace the series it could turn out really great.
Kuroshitsuji II
July
Summary
“A sequel to the first Kuroshitsuji anime, about a 12-year-old English noble and his impeccably skilled butler, who happens to be a demon. The new series will introduce butler Claude Faustus and master Alois Trancy as the principal characters.” (Taken from the guide)
I didn’t like the first season of Black Butler. I never even bothered to finish the first season. Why am I watching the second season? Because it starts with a brand new slate! You only need to understand the basic concept of Black Butler to watch the second season as, due to the first season’s ending, this anime will not tie in heavily with the previous season. Also, there is no source material to screw up! The creator’s can make the plot go whatever way they want and I won’t drop the anime due to comparisons with the manga. This is a double-edged sword: no source means no predestined structure but that means that the anime could easily slip into the lame and confusing category. And while the new butler isn’t as hot as Sebastian was at least the new master looks interesting.
Nurarihyon no Mago
July
Summary
“Rikuo Nura, is 3 parts human and a quarter Demon, lives in a house of spirits with his grandfather, The current clan head of the Nura youkai. Rikou is set to be the next clan head, despite the fact he dislikes his demon side. He soon come to terms with his demon blood and decides to take his position as young master of the Nura house. However there are those who will certainly not allow it to be easy.” (Anime News Network)
Look at that stylish picture! Seriously, the anime looks beautiful, with sleek character designs and coloring. The animation seems smooth in the trailer as well. Apparently this is a Shounen Jump series which probably means a lot of fighting. Depending on how the fights are choreographed it could be entertaining. I’m not a fan of long running, episodic shounens though, so hopefully this series will have an overreaching plot and will wrap up quickly. Or it could turn out to be a spunky slice-of-life series. I hope this is the case but I’m not holding my breath.
Amagami SS
July
Summary
“ A second-year high school boy finds himself uneasy during Christmas time due to an experience in the past. However, this year at Christmas, he gets his last chance to ask out a graduating female senior named Haruka Morishima — or one of several other classmates. The story of the anime will be arranged in an omnibus format, with each heroine getting her own version of the story animated. Each heroine will sing her own version of the ending theme song.” (Anime News Network)
At first this didn’t interest me at all. Then I noticed two things. The first is that one of the girls has really awesome hair. I mean, how often is it that you see curly-haired girls in anime? The second reason I became interested in this is that the summary reminds me of Kanon. I’m fairly sure it won’t be as mystical and emotionally draining as Kanon but the style the anime is told through reminds me of it. Hopefully it will have a connecting plot line like Kanon did as well. Basically, as long as this isn’t a super fanservice series then I’m willing to give this genre a try.
Mitsudomoe
July
Summary
“The somewhat precocious and sadistic girl ‘Mitsuba’, the somewhat lecherous muscle girl ‘Futaba’, and the somewhat mysterious girl ‘Hitoha’. Better known as the (mischievous) “Marui Sisters”, this is the story of how these three triplets go about their days in Class 6-3 with their cute yet wild antics.” (Manga Updates)
This is the requisite slice of life series. When it comes up, I have to at least give the first episode a try. The trailer makes me wary of the anime’s ‘humor’: I never found a bunch of girls beating up on a hapless guy very funny. If the series can steer clear of this gag then I might enjoy it. At least the cast looks colorful. I’m also fond of the art style; it really brings out the moe factor without being over bearing.
And there you have it. This is all I’ll be looking at for the summer season. At least two of these will eventually fall off my radar and will be forgotten but they all look interesting on the surface. The summer banner should be up soon.
Shiki actually sounded cool and interesting from the summary… till the “The town is being attacked by vampires.” There goes the mystery of why people are dying! I mean, what kind of summary tells you the spoiler to the mystery? Nonsense! Plus, even japan is catching on with this vampire craze. Not everything has to have a vampire in some shape or form. It’s just unnecessary.
Black Butler 2 looks like one of those unneeded rip-off series out to make money in my opinion. (every series it out to make money, but some more than others**cough cough** movie example: Shrek 4 ** cough**)
About Shiki: I know! The fact that the things that are attacking people are vampires is this huge reveal in the manga! So I’ll be watching it more for the horror than the surprise factors. Also, trust me, these aren’t your ordinary vampires (they’re basically all evil). although two of them do remind me of Isaac and Miriam from Baccano.
Yes, Black Butler II is an attempt to make money. But I’ll still watch some of it (partially because I feel obligated to as a fan, just like I will go see the Avatar movie). Actually, Shrek 4 was pretty good though not as great as the first three.
“these aren’t you’re ordinary vampires” I hear that said about anything with a vampire. I’m thinking then what is your ordinary vampire. The closest thing I’ve scene in a series with an ‘ordinary’ vampire would be freakin’ Princess Resurrection , and you know something is messed up there.
I love Miria and Isaac, every time they appear on screen, you can’t help but smile.
Shrek 4 just looks horrible to me! The third was overdoing it, a fourth in my opinion is just not even right. The first and second were awesome, they should have left it at that. But money makes the world go round, so what can you expect?
That new avatar movie actually looks like it COULD be good, doesn’t mean they won’t screw it up. Key word : could. But it could pull a fast one and be pretty good. But it could also be a piece of crap. Just going have to see.
I classify the ordinary vampire as a creature that’s more misunderstood than evil. Not these vamps. From what I’ve read in the manga, they act nice so you invite them to come back to your house sometime later and than suck your blood and turn you into a mindless vampire zombie creature. Never watched far enough into Princess Resurection to see all the cast members.
I am not looking forward to the Avatar movie. Just this feeling of foreboding whenever I see a preview. . .