NotCliche

Spring 2010, Anime Previews!

Netto — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:00:44 +0000

I was mistaken on the awesome line-up of Winter and Spring might do the same to me. I was under the impression that Winter would suck because of the amazing line-up of anime series during Fall 2009, but I guess I was proven wrong with Baka Test, Sora no Wota, Hanamaru Kindergarten and many more!

One strange thing that happened during the whole of Winter is that I actually managed to sit through and watch Hidamari Sktech’s 3rd season! Don’t get me wrong, I love the series, but I just hate how SHAFT goes through their art work. I don’t know, but I didn’t finish the past two seasons of Hidamari Sketch is precisely because of the fact that I could not stand the art style of SHAFT.

Spring 2010 plays host to a particular anime that people would go crazy over: K-ON. Then again, I have yet to finish K-ON, so I guess I don’t have much of a say here… *coughs*

Either way, on to the list!

As always though, the list is going to extremely long, so if you’re one that doesn’t like long posts, you can just read up on the summary of the specific series. Information is also presented via point forms for easier digestion, so here’s hoping that you would find these information useful!

Senkou no Night Raid

Summary: The second of TV Tokyo’s “Power of Anime” project. In 1931, the Imperial Japanese Army is dispatched to mainland China, due to the recent Japanese wars. In Shanghai, a cosmopolitan city of intrigue, there exist a special military spy organization, “Sakurai Kikan”, that has since been buried in history.

Information:

13 episodes in length.
Airing on 15th April 2010.
20 minutes per episode.
Might be an interesting watch for those who doesn’t care about the moe factor of Sora no Woto.

Impressions:

Netto:

The second of the “Power of Anime” project features Senkou no Night Raid as their anime. As many would know, Sora no Woto’s the first anime to kick start the whole “Power of Anime” project, so we might actually be looking at a pattern!

Since both the first and second’s series revolves around military settings, who knows if “Power of Anime” is actually a project to bring us animes related to military?

Nonetheless, Senkou no Night Raid does sounds pretty interesting, since I am a sucker for history. But asides from that, I don’t really see any interesting points of the show. Animated by A1 Pictures, you can rest assure that the series will definitely look good.

Arakawa Under the Bridge

Summary: Ko “Riku” Ichinomiya, a young upper-class man, meets a beautiful homeless girl named Nino on the banks of Arakawa River, where many of Tokyo’s most unusual residents live. He is later saved by Nino and later becomes Nino’s boyfriend, under the condition of living with her under the bridge.

Information:

Airing on 4th April 2010.
20 minutes per episode.
Supernatural, Comedy, Seinen and Romance genres.
Might be interesting for people who likes SHAFT’s work.

Impressions:

Netto:

You know, whenever I see a SHAFT’s work, it always reminds me of eccentric SHAFT is. I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing, but judging from the both the summary and art, this particular series looks pretty good.

One thing’s for sure though, it looks like SHAFT’s gradually following a pattern of animating supernatural related series. I’m sure everyone still remembers Bakemonogatari, right?

Rainbow – Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin

Summary: Seven teenagers in 1955 have to learn to live together in the same hold in the reformatory of Shio. Confined in a hall where suffering and humiliation are daily, they are waiting for a ray of hope in a dark, incarcerating world. The story follows their life together and how they move on afterwards.

Information:

Airing on 6th April 2010.
20 minutes per episode.
Action genre.

Impressions:

Netto:

This is one anime that we rarely see these days. Amidst all the moe series we see these days, it’s hard to come by a series that is entirely focused on males (don’t get the wrong idea!). While the plot does not interest me in a single bit, it is really pleasing to see this kind of anime still running around.

Watching it? Definitely not. Amazed by it? Definitely.

Heroman

Summary: Heroman centres around an American boy named Joey whose dream is to be a super hero. He discovers a simple toy, and proceeded to fix it. But little does he know that this toy will fulfill his superhero dreams!

Information:

Airing on 1st April 2010.
20 minutes per episode.
Pretty rare setting, might actually be interesting for a change of pace of the usual animes!

Impressions:

Netto:

Someone once told me that westerners in animes doesn’t look like westerners at all. And it might just apply for the case of Joey. I’ve got no qualms on how they look, and truth be told, this series actually looks pretty good. Like something straight out of a kid’s show that attracts me to it.

Maybe it’s the whole super hero thing. After all, every kid had dreamed about being a super hero at least once in their entire childhood, right?

Ookiku Furikabutte Second Season

Summary: Ren Mihashi was an ace pitcher in his middle school baseball team, but after graduating to High school, he is unsure if he has the skill to join the High School’s baseball team. However, with help from new friends, he is able to grow in skill and confidence and become a valued member of his new team.

Information:

13 episodes in length.
Airing on 1st April 2010.
20 minutes per episode.
Sports genre.
Must-watch for fans of the first season. People who are interested in sports anime might find this interesting too.

Impressions:

Netto:

I’ve never watched this particular series before, so I can’t really pass any comments on that. But for those who had watched this series before, this is definitely good news for you. Asides from that, I don’t really have anything to say.

Plus, I’m not exactly a fan of the sport genre…

Angel Beats!

Summary: In the world after death, Angels fight for their fate and future. The Shinda Sekai Sensen leader Yuri against the god who destined her to a hard life. Council chairperson of the afterlife, Tenshi returns the fights back, using the angel’s supernatural powers against the SSS’s armed weaponry.

Information:

13 episodes in length.
Airing on 2nd April 2010.
20 minutes per episode.
Action, Supernatural genre.
Recommended to KEY fans. Obvious, right?

Impressions:

Netto:

Ah, the visual novel that made headlines! Angel Beats looks pretty awesome so far (from all the trailers) and I’m absolutely sure that I’ll be watching this particular series. After all, Works from KEY are more or less exceptional to me (Clannad and Kanon), and I’m hoping Angel Beats will have the same experience as both previously mentioned series.

Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou

Summary: Akuto Sai aims to be a great magician and clergyman, but on the day he is admitted to the Constan Magical Academy, his aptitude test predicts his future occupation as a “Devil King”. Resented by his class head, desired by a mysterious girl and guarded by a female android, he leads a hectic new school life.

Information:

Airing on 2nd April 2010.
20 minutes per episode.
Supernatural, Comedy, Ecchi genres.
Like magical theme and ecchi to go along with it? This might be the one for you!

Impressions:

Netto:

Every season have their own fair share of harem related series, and this might just be another one. You don’t really have to look too hard into this, really. Just look at the summary! 3 girls, 1 boy? Zing! Instant harem, get!

Character design is enough to remind me of Qwaser for some reasons, minus the breast milk. And I don’t even watch Qwaser! I think this series has just lost all viability in my list.

Giant Killing

Summary: East Tokyo’s team is nearing the bottom of Japan’s top football league table, consistently losing, team morale is low and fan support dwindling – the ETU are in danger of being finished forever. Only the coach is blamed, but he is ready to prove that the team can win against the nation’s biggest club!

Information:

13 episodes in length.
Airing on 4th April 2010.
20 minutes per episode.
Sports genres.

Impressions:

Netto:

The second sports anime for the season. Like what I’ve mentioned about the Baseball series, I’m not a fan of the sports genre. However, this does remind me of Eyeshield 21 a lot for some reasons…

Working!!

Summary: Set in a family restaurant named “Wagnaria”, in the northern Japanese prefecture of Hokkaido. Sota works part-time among the restaurant’s high-spirited and strange staff members.

Information:

13 episodes in length.
Airing on 4th April 2010.
20 minutes per episode.
Comedy, Slice-of-life genres.
Recommended to viewers who enjoys the slice of life. Plus some comedy to go along with it!

Impressions:

Netto:

Definitely one of the must-watch slice-of-life series of the season. The official website for Working!! has revealed several character trailers, and it’s evident that they’ve done a lot to promote the particular series. I’m just hoping that the series lives up to my hype…

And oh, before anyone says anything about the art being K-ONish…

B Gata H Kei

Summary: Yamada is a high school student, and a virgin at that too. She aspires to have 100 casual sex partners, but despite that aspiration, she soon finds herself targeting and pursuing only one boy!

Information:

Airing on 1st April 2010.
20 minutes per episode.
Comedy, Ecchi, Romance genres.
Recommended to viewers who enjoys the occasional role reversal.

Impressions:

Netto:

Harem #2, probably. Despite the summary about a girl going after a single boy, I’m pretty sure this single boy will be chased by 589327589275 other girls, making this particular girl’s life miserable.

You can probably fill in the rest of the blank yourself. Might be interesting though, as this is probably the first time you’ll see a girl having an ambition of having 100 casual sex partners!

Kaichou wa Maid-sama!

Summary: A romantic comedy that centers on the student council head named Misaki Ayuzawa who despises the mostly male, slovenly population at her school, which was once an all-boys school. However, Misaki’s most handsome schoolmate just discovered her secret — that she works after school at a maid café.

Information:

Airing on 1st April 2010.
20 minutes per episode.
Comedy, Shoujo, Romance genres.
Shoujo anime of the season. Could be interesting for fans of shoujo!

Impressions:

Netto:

Shoujo anime for the season, mixed with some cosplaying to spice things up. Honestly though, as compared to the previous season, I doubt this particular series will be anywhere near the shoujo anime of Winter 2010, Kimi ni Todoke.

Still, might be an interesting watch for those who are actively watching shoujo.

K-ON!!

Summary: HONESTLY?

Information:

13 episodes in length.
Airing on 6th April 2010.
20 minutes per episode.
Comedy, Slice-of-life genres.
Do I really have to type anything regarding K-ON!!?

Impressions:

Netto:

Do I really have to type anything about K-ON?!

*Ahem*

Uragiri wa Boku no Namae o Shitteiru

Summary: Sakurai Yuki is a mysterious boy with a mysterious ability. He was found in the bushes as a baby and adopted by his current family. Because of this, Yuki strives for independence. The last thing he wants is to be a burden to anybody. Furthermore, when he touches others, he can feel their emotions. Unable to control his ability, he often made insensitive blunders in the past. With death threats and his abilities increasing, what will happen when a man claiming to be his older brother appears?

Information:

Airing on 11th April 2010.
20 minutes per episode.
Adventure, Fantasy genres.
Yaoi anime of the season. *doh!*

Impressions:

Netto:

Now this is a real shocker. A shounen-ai anime! That’s extremely rare, as I’ve yet to come by a single shounen-ai show for the past 2 seasons, and this is probably the first one I’ve seen in ages. Obviously, a sane person like me wouldn’t be interested in shounen-ai…

I can totally imagine it now… Sugisaki saying “Echo of Death nii-san…“

Mayoi Neko Overrun!

Summary: The story revolves around Takumi Tsuzuki, a boy who lives with his older “sister” Otome, although the two have no blood ties between them. Otome manages a run-down confectionery store called Stray Cats. One day, Otome picks up a mysterious beautiful girl off the streets.

Information:

Airing on 6th April 2010.
20 minutes per episode.
Comedy, Romance, Shounen genres.

Impressions:

Netto:

This particular series could come out as interesting or meh to me. For now, it’s standing in the “interesting” section, because of the character design, as well as the plot itself. Taking people in, then teaching them the ropes of society is something pretty amazing in my opinion, but as soon as this series takes the harem approach… well, that’s another case.

Kiss x Sis

Summary: Keita has two older step-sisters, Ako and Riko, who love him as more than just a brother. A mishap at school leads the girls to confess their love to him, but Keita dislikes the thought of them being more than siblings. However, as he enters his sister’s school, he starts to feel some attraction towards his sisters.

Information:

Airing on 5th April 2010.
20 minutes per episode.
Comedy, Romance, Shounen, Ecchi genres.
If you’ve watched the OVAs for the series, this is something you will not want to miss!

Impressions:

Netto:

Incest. Incest. Incest. Incest. More incest. Do I need to say more?

Ring ni Kakero 1: Shadow

Summary: After defeating Black Shaft’s makeshift Team America, the Golden Japan Jr. team returns to training for the World Tournament that will be held in Tokyo. But during training the Shadow Clan, which uses boxing as an assasination technique, kidnaps Kiku in order to lure Ryuji and the others into a fight to see who’s truly the better representatives of Japan’s junior boxers.

Information:

Airing on 2nd April 2010.
20 minutes per episode.
Action, Shounen, Sports genres.
Yet another sports anime. Will definitely interest those who are interested in sports animes.

Impressions:

Netto:

Sports anime #4 (wait, where’s number 3?), and definitely something I wouldn’t watch. Not only that… this particular series is actually animated by Toei Animation. Toei usually have some of the worse looking animation in modern days (take a look at Halo Legends) and I really doubt this will be any better. Just look at the picture of it!

There are several other titles that aren’t listed simply because they are either OVAs, kid’s show, or will be distributed via other mediums, such as mobile phones. But still, that’s quite a list there!

All information were gotten through both ChartFag and Melative. Kudos to them for bringing us such a line-up of shows we can expect in less than a month’s time!

There’s one extremely peculiar thing in this particular season though. It looks as if sports anime are coming in full force this season. Is the season of spring for sports anime or something like that? We’ve got boxing, soccer, and even baseball in the whole line-up! What’s next, archery?

All in all, this season has a pretty good mix of the more generic shows (Mayoi Neko Overrun!) and the less expected ones (Rainbow). Should be an interesting season ahead of us, even though some of these shows doesn’t exactly interest (*ahem*sports*ahem*) the people of these days…

Xbox 360 to get USB Storage System

Renako — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:07:04 +0000

Aww, an USB Miki is fine too…

So, the Xbox 360 is finally going to starting using USB to store data soon, somewhere this year.

Well, though the source I had says it is somewhere in Spring 2010, for the American side. It is going to be part of the Xbox 360 system update to include a new drive for the 360. It is also supposedly stated that you are able to store full game data in the USB for faster loading time, but you need to have the disc in the system for it to read off the USB.

If you intend to store games inside the USB, you bet get a large one. For all USB used for the Xbox 360, they are required to have at least 512mb to install the system for the 360 to use. So if you are planning to store games in it, best get a 16GB one, though it is pretty pointless…

Well, I guess this idea is still much better than the crappy “Memory Unit” idea, but still, one HDD solves everything. For those that are afraid that using USB with other data as game data storages for your 360, fear not for you can customize the USB much like those ipod, to set a free space for something else.

Source

http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/18/xbox-360-gaining-usb-storage-support-in-2010-update

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=239638

Nakimushi to Hanabata

Renako — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:30:42 +0000

iFrame Link

【ニコニコ動画】【初音ミク】泣き虫と花束【オリジナル】

[Nakimushi to Hanabata] is a song by the artist, kous, with illustrations provided by hie.

I only know kous through his other works, [Tsuki kuzu (月屑)] and [Melancholy of a Death God (憂鬱な死神)]. I don’t really know much about him, but his works are generally ok. So far, I only know his e-mail, and if possible, someone provide me with his PIAPRO too. A blog would be even better, though…

———-
On a side note, Miku appeared in Baka To Test To Shokanju 11 today. But I am pissed at why is she appearing at the side of Nemoto, the loser.

This is heresy! Miku should be in A-Class along side Shouko >_< Then again, she is appearing on quite a number of animes and games now…Maybe we should include a new “Law of Animu”, where vocaloids would appear as cameo in all comedy animes, without fail.

Elderly man in Fukuoka attempted murder in retirement home

Renako — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:14:25 +0000

Some old relics are remembered for all times to come…

An elderly man was arrested yesterday in Yanagawa City in the Fukuoka Prefecture after he stabbed three other fellow old grandies residents. Sadly, Luckily, the victims did not suffer any life-threatening injuries.

Osamu Tomozoe, ripen-age of 69, stabbed fellow residents of age between 70 and 81 with a paring knife. They were stabbed in the back and stomach. Apparently, this old guy must have already lost his touch for failing at something that would have been relatively easy…

He most likely have more strength and stamina than his older victims. The old grandpa was quoted to have stab the three with intentions to kill due to brewing troubles that occurred between them by the police. I guess nasty old people get nastier over time unless properly spanked when they were younger, eh?

Source

http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/elderly-man-stabs-three-at-fukuoka-retirement-home

Manga sales experiences largest yearly drop in sales in 2009

Renako — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:00:24 +0000

Oh mai…This is suppose to be a shock to us all, right? (Not.)

For 2009 alone, sales in manga magazines drop a whooping 6.6% in yearly sales compared to 2008. For any economics student browsing this blog, they will know that this is a very large number, so large that it provide three generations with a good life is used sparingly.

Sales of manga magazines alone dropped 9.4% in 2009…The recession and inflation is still hitting us hard all right >_<

Well, it isn’t really that surprising, even with that huge amount of money involve. After all, only those corporate people on top can touch those credits, so what’s the point in being shock at that?

It is pretty common nowadays, everyone is tightening their available budget, with credits for necessities having a larger portion every single year. And in Japan, according to research from “The Research Institute for Publications” stated that more Japaneses are reading in manga cafes than buying those books. Which is true, since you pay like 500 yen for an hour, and you have a wide selection of manga to read from.

And then for us who either have outdated manga cafes or crazily expensive imported (And horribly translated) manga, you can always find it online, only whether or not it is translated to something you can read XD

Source

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-03-17/manga-sales-drop-a-historic-6.6-percent-in-japan-in-2009

Anti-Loli bill to be put on hold in Japan

Renako — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:12:33 +0000

Some loli shouldn’t be banned for a reason…They might even get rid of some pedos for us!

Now we’re finally seeing some common sense in Japan’s legislative assembly, which just so happens to be rare enough after mass exposure to propaganda and the internet.

…But apparently, I think they care more about the votes from NEETs and Otakus, which just so happen to be increasing in Japan than what I claimed is common sense. >_>;

The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) intends to postpone the vote on the proposed “Virtual” Child Porn Bill on hold till June, for God knows why. The party itself seems to have no intention of allowing the bill to come to a vote this month.

Of course, they may be the largest party in Japan, but if all the ‘Concerned Mothers’ in other parties voted for deliberation this month, the bill will be viewed at the end of this month.

Also, some mangaka known as Dan Kanemitsu (God knows who) criticized the bill, and even went to meet with the DPJ to discuss about it, perhaps over some loli. Saying that the bill endangers the freedom of expression, which I am sure many people would agree, you might just be one of them too.

Me? I definitely would like to oppose that idiotic bill if possible, as the whole idea of “Virtual” Child Porn would endanger children sounds lame. Well, the chances are there, but pretty low. I mean, that person who tries to grab a child IRL and perform sexual acts on him/her must be pretty retarded enough to think that what you had learned in H-VN and similar titles would not get you caught at all, right?

But from what I can see, everything is retarded. But only a few of us are retarded as those actual sex predators.

Source

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-03-16/asahi/tokyo-virtual-child-porn-bill-put-on-hold

[Kokuhaku Senseeshon] by RaibuP

Renako — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:48:10 +0000

iFrame Link

【ニコニコ動画】【鏡音リン】　告白センセーション　【オリジナル曲PV付】

First post for the day, and we have a wonderful PV by RaibuP, one of the few artist that specialize in using only Rin. If you noticed, the song sounded a bit rough, for this is actually original voicebank of the Kagamine Twins, not the Act 2 version of it.

Still, it is very well done for a confession song. RaibuP is better known for his other work, [Strong Colours(強烈な色)], which also involved only Rin.

Artist website

http://piapro.jp/mrlive

Gameplay views on Project Diva 2nd

Renako — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:00:53 +0000

Strange how Joy + Despair turns out to be Joy at the end of the equation…

This piece of info is a week late, but if I don’t write something useful in the absence of the Almighty Netto, I might be smite down with barrages of “POST MOAR” spam.

With that said, Project Diva 2nd is a new game on its own, and now we have to dug out jewgold from our wallets, again for similar gameplay we seen on other rhythm game. Hell, even the DLC for Project Diva cost quite a fortune. But we know that some of us aren’t honest with ourselves, right?

In any case, hop in to know more about Project Diva 2nd, which you might have been informed few days back.

And from this wonderful image, we can see that D-pads are added into it.

…

What? Like there is anything more to say about the addition of D-pads?! Alright, so now you have more things to do with your fingers, happy? Well, you can also switch between D-pads and symbols or have them together, but that’s it.

The other unique feature would be the duet, as one can see. Oh wait, I missed something? Where, now?

Oh yes, so now Project Diva 2nd have a timing note to go along with it. All rhythm games can’t miss this out, definitely not. But nooo, that is not what I really missed out. Yes! It is on the top right hand side of the screen! It seems like they have a new standard for difficulties, but God knows how difficult they really are…And just from this scene of [Magnet], Extreme seems pretty easy >_>;

And no Wolves shall harm this little red riding hood. She will also not meet her grandmother or the woodcutter, so there! There are new costumes too, and the one that really interest me is the goth queen-like outfit for Miku XD Which, well…I am too lazy to save up that image and put here, so you might as well go take a look at the source provided later. Renny is inherent lazy, ya know?

Source

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/03/10/hatsune_miku_sequel_detailed/

[UNBALANCE] by Dios, and some others…

Renako — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:22:54 +0000

iFrame Link

【ニコニコ動画】【鏡音リン】UNBALANCE【オリジナル曲】

Seems like today ain’t that bad either, since there are three notable out of the day’s list.

First up, we have [UNBALANCE] by Dios as stated above, and well…He made front page in this post cause Tamura’s the artist of the pictures, with some other guy making it into a PV. What? Can’t I be bias based on the illustration used? Moreover, quite a number of his previous work are in my list like [Transmit], [Step and Go] and some of the few moonies that I am too lazy to go figure out what they are in romaji.

Artist Website

http://twinkledisc.net/

Miku [Append] Series out for preorder now!

Renako — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 06:00:02 +0000

Do let her sing for you!

It seems like Crypton finally released Miku’s [Append] Series to the public, with some surprises too.

To be officially out on April 30th, a day before May. It seems like April is a good month for 2010, for I can get my BRS-BB then too, if Good Smile doesn’t delay it.

While you can preorder it on Amazon now, so they say…The new voicebank is currently not available in Amazon, but you can let them notify you when a set price is announced.