Spring Anime 2009 Preview

My anime backlog has been shrinking rapidly of late, and just in time too. Why? Because the Spring Anime Season is nearly upon us! Time to post about which series I'll be checking out, and my thoughts prior to watching episode one.

Here we go!

Group A - If I don't watch these, I might as will give up on anime altogether:

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood - Being a huge fan of the original anime, I'd be watching this series even if it were a sequel to the movie. This series is apparently going to be following the manga more closely this time, which is awesome. I got back into the manga recently and found that there's plenty of material I'd love to see animated. It seems that my dream will soon be a reality.

Eden of the East - An original project from writer/director Kenji Kamiyama (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Moribito - Guardian of the Spirit)? Character designs by Chika Umino (Honey and Clover, March comes in like a lion)? Music by Kenji Kawai (Mobile Suit Gundam 00, When They Cry - Higurashi)? Animation production by Production I.G (Le Chevalier D'Eon, Ghost Hound)? The pedigree of the staff involved is beyond stellar. If I didn't watch this, I wouldn't be able to live it down.

Shangri-La - The staff isn't nearly as mind-blowing as Eden of the East, but Shangri-La does have something Eden of the East doesn't: Character designs by Range Murata (Last Exile, Blue Submarine No.6). His character designs are always beautiful to behold, and Shangri-La is no exception. Of course, it being a series from the unreliable studio Gonzo (Afro Samurai, Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo), I'm obviously not expecting greatness. I'm only including this series in the upper echelon because the Range Murata fanboy inside of me is forcing me to do so.

Group B - I've got high expectations for these series:

Cross Game - It's a new baseball anime! Plus, it's based on a manga from an author of whom I've heard great things: Mitsuru Adachi (Touch, H2).

Valkyria Chronicles - Based upon a video game of the same name, I'm really looking forward to this one. I've played some of the crazy fun game, so seeing it animated should be very cool. It's being adapted by A-1 Pictures Inc (Big Windup!, Kannagi: Crazy Shrine Maidens), which is a pretty good studio. Things are certainly looking bright.

Rainbow - Nisha Rokubō no Shichinin - I haven't heard much about this one, but from the looks of things, it may be a series that is unlike any other this spring. Well, if it is indeed still in production. The next-to-nothing amount of news regarding this series is rather disconcerting.

Guin Saga - I've heard that the novels the anime is based on are the epitome of epic. Not to mention the animation studio is Satelight (Macross Frontier, Noein - to your other self). They've got quite the eye for the spectacular when it comes to great visuals.

Sōten Kōro - Only recently announced, but I like historical anime. The animation being by Madhouse Studios (Black Lagoon, Dennō Coil), which so happens to be my favorite studio, is a nice plus.

Group C - Series that look to be lots of fun/quite interesting:

Basquash! - Robots? Basketball? Animation by Satelight? Count me in!

Charady no Joke na Mainichi - This looks be an interesting project. Apparently, this will be a series of shorts featuring jokes from around the world. A different short will air every day, for an entire year.

Ristorante Paradiso - I really like the character designs in this one, plus the premise sounds pretty interesting, as it is set in a restaurant in Rome.

Sengoku Basara - Another video game-based anime, only from Production I.G this time. I.G's last game-based series, World Destruction: Sekai Bokumetsu no Rokunin, turned out much better than I ever anticipated. The trailers for Sengoku Basara give me the feeling that it will tons of fun, if anything. Not expecting another World Destruction, but I'm gonna give Sengoku Basara the benefit of the doubt.

Group D - Series I'm not too sure about:

Asura Cryin' - Honestly? I'm only interested in this one because angela (Shikabane Hime) is singing the opening and ending themes.

K-ON! - The music-themed premise sounds like it will be fun, and it's from Kyoto Animation (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid), but I'll reserve judgment until I see it for myself. Could end up being a yet another throwaway moe title.

Saki - The voice cast is terrific, and it's centered around the game of mahjong (which has always interested me), but it's studio Gonzo. Not to mention it gives me the impression of being very very moe. Although back when the series was first announced I did say on the ANN forums that I'd give this show a shot, I'm thinking I may not make it past episode one. Will have to see how it goes. Hopefully I'll be wrong, but I doubt it.

And there you have it! I'll be posting first impressions for each of these series once the time comes.