The season where the wind gets colder, snow starts to fall down… And new anime too.
[Last update: 12/09/08]
Kanzeon: The winter season is like a pass-through for the great Fall season this year. I think that this would be the perfect time to finish up all my work because this season, there’s is only a few shows that caught my interest. Here goes my much-awaited Winter Anime 2008 post, this time it would be different because I dragged Tsuiteru along for a tag-team impressions for the upcoming new shows. This should be finished a week ago but Tsui is just stupid so I have to edit this again to become a tag-team post.
Tsuiteru: We even cut classes just to finish this post up! You should all be grateful XD… Just kidding. I decided to help kanzeon on a tag-team commentary. Honestly, I didn’t donated any help on this post, just my impressions on them, so if you see any mistakes, blame Kanzeon ok? Haha..
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SHIKABANE HIME: GEN
[Airdate: 01/01]
[Website]
Seiyuu: Nana Akiyama as Makina Hoshimura, Tatsuya Hosome as Ouri Kagami
Sequel to the first series that aired last Fall 2008. About Makina Hoshimura, a Shikabane who cheats death due to a strong dying wish. She has a contract of killing other Shikabane who gives danger to the humans.
Kan: I heard that this is having a brand new set of creators so I might give this series a second chance. Plus I love girls with guns.
Tsui: Brand new set of “cremators”?
Kan: Ugh… edited it now -_-” Why do you have to notice everything?!
Tsui: Haha… About the show, I seem to doubt its potential. From the character designs to the seiyuu.. It’s just meh…
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MARIA-SAMA GA MITERU 4th SEASON
[Website]
Production: Studio DEEN (Higurashi, ToraDora!)
Seiyuu: Kana Ueda as Yumi Fukuzawa, Miki Itou as Sachiko Ogasawara
Lillian School for Girls is an exclusive Catholic school where Yumi is attending. The story continues on Yumi and Sachiko, along with the other girls in the academy.
Tsui: Yuri girls are win so might try this one. (oops, I just copy-pasta my previous comment XD)
Kan: You lazy dog…
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TETSUWAN BIRDY DEOCDE: 2
[Airdate: 01/10]
[Episode #: 13]
[Website]
Production: A-1 Pictures Inc. (Kannagi, Kuroshitsuji)
Seiyuu: Miyu Irino as Tsutomu Senkawa, Saeko Chiba as Birdy
Sequel to the first season that aired last Summer 2008. Federation investigator Birdy accidentally kills a boy named Senkawa during a mission on Earth. To save his life, their bodies are fused and the two must continue Birdy’s work together.
Kanzeon: Followed the first season and suddenly dropped it. Probably not watching this one anymore -_-”
Tsuiteru: Didn’t even heard about the first season, obviously have no plan to watch this…
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GENJI MONOGATARI SENNENKI [A Tale of Genji]
[Website]
Production: Tezuka Productions (Ray, Mokke)
The story follows the happy yet sorrowful youth of Hikaru Genji’s love and the women in his life who strive hard for their love for Genji to be significant amongst others.
Kan: This is based from the world’s first novel. Umm… Yeah.
Tsui: Boooring… *yawns*
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KAMEN NO MAID GUY OVA
[Website]
Production: Madhouse Studios (Death Note, Chaos;HEAd)
Seiyuu: Yuka Iguchi as Naeka Fujiwara, Rikiya Koyama as Kogarashi
Continuation of 2008 anime. Fujiwara Naeka is a typical 17 year-old high school student. Or so we thought. She’s really one of 2 surviving heirs of a tycoon who has the right to inherit his mass fortune when she turns 18 in half a year. With Kogarashi, a big burly maid guy with a mask, he’s assigned to keep Naeka and her brother safe.
Kan: This is just an OVA so it can be worth watching.
Tsui: I have also watched the series and it’s quite good so I’ll definitely check this one out.
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KISS x SIS OVA
[Website]
Production: Feel (D.C. ~Da Capo II~ series)
Seiyuu: Ayana Taketatsu as Ako Suminoe
Keita has two step-sisters who love him in a lustful way and have no problems expressing it, they even are in competition about that. When one day they confess their feelings for him in front of everyone, Keita rejected them, but he felt sorry after so he says that he’ll study hard in order to get in the same highschool as them.
Kan: Ugh. Keep this away from me…
Tsui: Ecchi ecchi ecchi here you go!!! WAHAHA!!!
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MAJOR 5th SEASON
[Website]
Production: Synergy SP (Zettai Karen Children)
Seiyuu: Masakazu Morita, Motoko Kumai, Showtaro Morikubo
About a young pitcher aspiring to be the major lead to follow his father’s footsteps. Based from the long-running manga by Takuya Mitsuda.
Kan: I hate sports-themed anime… I also hate sports in real life.
Tsui: I hate sports either… If only video-gaming can be counted as a sport…
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MARIA†HOLIC
[Airdate: 01/05]
[Website]
[Related Post]
[Preview]
[OP Theme]
Production: SHAFT (Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, Ef)
Seiyuu: Asami Sanada as Kanako Miyamae, Marina Inoue as Matsurika Shinouji, Yu Kobayashi as Mariya Shidō
A sophomore named Kanako enrolls in an all-girls school due to her phobia of men. Expecting that she would finally found the yuri-love-of-her-life, Kanako meets Maria, which happens to be the most popular and beautiful girl in school. Her ideal girl was ruined because Maria turns out to be a sadistic trap.
Kan: I love the premise, that blonde is a pretty yet sadistic trap, plus it’s SHAFT so this is gonna be win!
Tsui: Yuri girls are win so might try this one.
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MINAMI-KE OKAERI
[Airdate: 01/05]—[Website]
Production: Asread (Ga-Rei -Zero-)
Seiyuu: Marina Inoue, Minori Chihara, Rina Satou
The third season of Coharu Sakuraba’s manga series. Follows the lives of the three Minami sisters: Haruka, Kana and Chiaki, from oldest to youngest respectively.
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ZOKU NATSUME YUUJIN-CHOU
[Airdate: 01/05]—[Website]
Production: Brains Base (Baccano!, Kurenai)
Seiyuu: Hiroshi Kamiya as Takashi Natsume, Kazuhiko Inoue as Nyanko-san
Sequel to the first series that aired last Summer 2008. Natsume can see spirits, just like his grandma Reiko could. Reiko, though, used to bully the spirits, and bound them to her will in the “Book of Friends”. Now that Natsume has inherited this book, a never-ending stream of spirits is coming after him. Natsume spends his days dissolving the contracts that bind the spirits.
Kan: Hot sequel is hot! I’m definitely looking forward to this one!
Tsui: Frankly, the first season bored me to ashes, it doesn’t fit my taste.
Kan: You don’t have ANY taste at all…
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ASU NO YOICHI
[Website]
Production: AIC (Seto no Hanayome, Ah! My Goddess)
Seiyuu: Nobuhiko Okamoto as Yoichi Karasuma, Rina Satou as Ibuki Ikaruga
A boy swordsman, Yoichi and his father stays in mountain training for his descent from the mountain. Yoichi comes to the city to lodge and stay with 4 beautiful sisters. A new more severe “training” regiment awaits him.
Kan: Umm… I’m still deciding if I should try this show out. Maybe… just maybe…
Tsui: I’m currently reading the manga and it’s quite good so you should give it a try.
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WINTER SONATA
[Website]
[Trailer 1]
[Trailer 2]
Seiyuu : Yong Joon Bae as Joon Sang Kang / Min Hyung Lee
The story about two childhood friends, the tragedy and angst that befalls them and those around them in the years between high school and young adulthood. Based from a drama hit from Korea.
Kan: I don’t watch dorama-turned-to-anime adaptations at all but I think this one would be quite different because they’ll be having the original Korean actors to voice the characters. I’ll check this one out.
Tsui: WTF. Korean actors to dub the anime? How would they do that?
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KEMONO NO SOUJA ERIN
[Airdate: 01/10]
[Episode #: 50]
Production: Production I.G. (Blood+, Eyeshield 21)
Seiyuu: Nanase Hoshii as Erin
Because of her mother being executed for allegedly killing a batch of fighting snakes, Erin is adopted by a beekeeper and meets the animals in the mountains. She is inspired to become a veterinarian herself, a decision that will put the fate of the kingdom in her hands.
Kan: Umm…
Tsui: Umm… Hey kanz, say something about this one.
Kan: …What about you?
Tsui: What would I type something about a picture with a grass and a bird’s shadow?
Kan: Ok next!!!
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WHITE ALBUM
[Website]
[OP Theme]
Production: Seven Arcs (Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, Sekirei)
Seiyuu: Aya Hirano as Yuki Morikawa , Nana Mizuki as Rina Ogata
College student Touya Fuji dates an idol singer named Yuki Morikawa. Their relationship faces numerous obstacles and challenges to the other people at Fuji’s college, Yuki’s career, and everywhere.
Kan: Nana Mizuki and Aya Hirano showdown ftw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Definitely watching this one.
Tsui: Seconded.
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KUROKAMI
[Airdate: 01/09]
[Website]
[Preview]
[2nd Preview]
Production: Sunrise (Code Geass, Gundam: 00)
Seiyuu: Daisuke Namikawa as Keita Ibuki, Noriko Shitaya as Kuro
Keita is a game programmer who encountered a guardian of the coexistence equilibrium named Kuro, in a battle. At their first meeting Kuro saves Keita’s life and a contract is formed.
Kan: This really sounds interesting, I might try this one.
Tsui: If this would be anything like Elfen Lied, it’s sold for me.
Kan: Lol, I also get an Elfen Lied feeling on this one too XD…
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TOWER OF DRUAGA ~THE SWORD OF URUK~
[Website]
Production: GONZO (S.A., Strike Witches)
Seiyuu: Fumiko Orikasa as Kaya, Kenn as Jil
Sequel to the first series that aired last Spring 2008. The story revolves around Jill’s quest with his companions for a fabled and powerful artifact rumored to be in the highest floor in the Tower of Druaga. If climbing atop the tower sounds easy, you haven’t heard about the obstacles and their other competitors inside.
Kan: This is based from an old game, when I say old, I mean bricks-and-pixels old. I haven’t watched the first season so I should watch that first before watching the second.
Tsui: I think I’ll try to watch this one too. The first season was blogged at RC so it should be good.
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SLAYERS EVOLUTION-R
[Website]
Production: J.C. Staff (ToraDora! Shakugan no Shana)
Seiyuu: Megumi Hayashibara as Lina Inverse, Yasunori Matsumoto as Gourry Gabriev
Having lost the Sword of Light in the previous battle, Lina and Gourry continue their journey in search of a replacement weapon. Lina is happy to reunite with her old friends, but appearing before her is Luvinagard’s Inspector of the Special Investigative Unit; a man called Wizer. Continuation of the 2008 anime sequel.
Kan: WOW THERE’S A F*CKING HUGE AMOUNT OF SEQUELS THIS SEASON! Oh, did I mention I don’t watch the series? Pass…
Tsui: Me neither…
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AXIS POWERS HETALIA
[Airdate: 01/25]
[Website]
[Preview Post]
Production: Studio DEEN (ToraDora!, Junjou Romantica)
Seiyuu: Daisuke Namikawa as Italy, Hiroki Takahashi as Japan, Hiroki Yasumoto as Germany, Katsuyuki Konishi as America, Noriaki Sugiyama as United Kingdom, Rie Kugimiya as Liechtenstein, Romi Paku as Switzerland, and many many more
Hetalia (”useless” + “Italy”) is the story of the countries of the world made into people, carrying with them that nation’s stereotypes. The main setting is the WWI/WWII era, but other scenes from history (such as the American Revolution) are sometimes depicted.
Kan: MUST WATCH THIS ONE. This tops my winter watch-list along with Maria+Holic!
Tsui: The plot sounds interesting, with countries being personified with their personalities… But why there’s no Philippines?
Kan: Because if it were to be personified, the Philippines would be a corrupt politician…
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KONNICHI WA ANNE
About a Canadian girl named Anne, who’s been adopted by Matthew and Marilla. Anime adaptation of the novel “Anne of the Green Gables”.
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RIDE BACK
[Website]
[Preview]
Production: Digital Frontier, Madhouse (Trigun)
A political drama about a girl who owns an iron horse motorcycle in 2020.
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SORA O KAKERU SHOUJO
[Website]
[Preview]
Production: Sunrise (Code Geass, Gundam 00)
Seiyuu: Aya Endo, Mako, Yui Makino
The story is set in the year 311 of the Orbital Calendar, when humanity has migrated to countless colony clusters in space. A space colony girl named Akiha Shishidō encounters a malevolent artificial intelligence named Leopard that has been installed on a colony. Akiha is joined by an Inter-Colony Police officer named Itsuki Kannagi, a taciturn young girl named Honoka Kawai, and a robot named Imoko “Imo-chan” Shishidō. [Anime News Network]
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CHROME SHELLED REGIOS
[Airdate: 01/10]
[Website]
[Preview]
Production: ZEXCS (D.C. ~Da Capo~)
Seiyuu: Nobuhiko Okamoto
In the distant future, humanity lives in isolated mobile cities called Regios. Reifon Aruseifu (weird name) enrolls in the 17th Martial Arts Studies led by the third-year student Nina Anto-ku and embarks on a series of adventures.
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AKIKAN!
[Airdate: 01/04]
[Website]
[Preview]
Production: Brains Base (Baccano, Kure-nai)
Seiyuu: Jun Fukuyama, Sayaka Narita
Daichi Kakeru was just buying soda from a vending machine but the melon juice soda that came out magically transforms into a girl whom he nicknamed ‘Melon’. Other several Akikan (‘Empty Can”) girls appears, which needed a kiss in order to infuse Carbon Dioxide in their bodies.
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QUEEN’S BLADE
A competition is held to decide on who will be the next Queen in the kingdom, whom will rule and expand the country. The contestants need not be human or intelligent, older than 12, or even from that country. Murder is allowed in the tournament, and any weapons can be chosen.
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VIPER’S CREED
[Airdate: 01/06]
[Website]
Production: Sony Pictures
Seiyuu: Megumi Toyoguchi, Takaya Kuroda
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HAJIME NO IPPO
[Airdate: 01/06]
[Website]
Production: Madhouse (Chaos;Head)
Seiyuu: Kohei Kiyasu
Makunouchi Ippo’s punch leads to the discovery of a dynamite punch that opens up the doorway to a whole new world where that dream can become a reality. At the Kamogawa Gym, Ippo now trains with the aspirations of becoming a professional boxer and discovering what it means to be strong.
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Sora o Miageru Shoujo no Hitomi ni Utsuru Sekai… or for Pete’s sake “MUNTO” for short!
[Airdate: 01/13]
[Website]
Akuto, the main source of energy is running low and the Heavens, a world of islands, hidden beyond time, floating above ours, has united against the Magical Kingdom whom uses the most energy. To save both the Magical Kingdom and the Heavens and restore the flow of akuto, the Magical King Munto must follow a vision and find the girl Yumemi in the lower world. Yumemi herself is just a normal girl except that she is the only one who can see the islands of the Heavens floating above. [ANN for the OVA]
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This post is a live post. This would be updated as soon as we gathered new information, new shows, and as soon as we’ve finished putting up infos on the other shows. If there’s any corrections, please don’t hesitate to correct us 🙂 What will you be looking forward to on the upcoming Winter seasons and which shows are you going to follow?
METANORN 
Thank you Kanzeon and Tsui for this extensive coverage of the winter season 🙂 You seem to have opposite views on some shows and it adds a nice dynamic to the reading. Kanzeon keeps referring to Tsui as dog, I wonder if “Sit Boy” command will have the same effect on him as on Inuyasha 😛
I am going to post a similar preview sometime in December probably.
Oh, I hear the resounding enthusiasm for the Tale of Genji 😛
Kamen no Maid guy used to be good in the beginning because it focused on the Kogarashi, but later it drifted to pantsu and boobs 😛 One of my favorite episodes was with the proof that 1+1=3 lol
I don’t plan to watch KISS x SIS, but at least the protagonist has a motivation to study 😛
I might check out MARIA-SAMA GA MITERU because someone recommended it to me.
I have not seen the Winter Sonata drama, so I’ll probably watch it and might cover it.
I’ll definitely check out KEMONO NO SOUJA ERIN because of I.G. 🙂
I don’t like stereotypes, but I’ll check AXIS POWERS HETALIA out because Kanzeon seem to like it 🙂
KONNICHI WA ANNE is a prequel to Anne of the Green Gables and is based on the other book called Before Green Gables. The story presents a realistic depiction of harsh childhood of the heroine.
I’ll check out RIDE BACK also.
Kurokami isn’t like Elfen Lied. A bit of gore but not the 50 liters of blood from someone’s ripped limbs. To me, it feels more like a Mai Hime setup with Mototsumitamas using tera from their human partners (translation: partnership between a “god” and human using the human’s energy to power up) and a grand scheme to cause chaos.
Somehow, I feel that Maria + Holic and Tower of Druaga will be the only meaningful series for me in the upcoming season. Far less hope for the others.
Useful preview!
… but my, what a depressing lineup! Where are the giant robots?!!! Oh well, it’ll be marathon season then.
Genji: Yes!
Kamen no Maid Guy: Why just an OVA??? ;A; Wants new season!!!
Natsume Yuujinchou: Hell yes!
White Album: on being picked up because of Maeno Tomoaki.
~what a mega-sad season.
@Kitsune: Thanks for the epic comment ^_^!!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Oh thanks for the info about Konnichi wa Anne. We thought that it was a remake or something because it’s currently being aired here in out country XD. Can’t wait for your winter post too 🙂
@ffviiknight: I got the Elfen Lied vibe because of the mysterious girl (Kuro). Also Druaga seems interesting now that you mentioned it. I might watch the first season.
@ghostlightning: For me, this season is really sad. This is the perfect time to rest or finish up some of the shows ^_^.
@biankita: Yes. The line-up was very depressing. This season has a few interesting shows to watch -_-…
After staring dumbly at the screen the last few minutes reading the previews I think my only change of face was when I actually recognised Tower of Druaga. The rest aren’t familiar at all (except Slayers but I don’t watch Slayers) but I’m a spontaneous anime watcher so I might grab a series or two of this winters line up. We’ll see. Thanks for the previews all the same, least I have a little idea on whats to come.
This is going to be a pretty solid season. Wasn’t sure what was going to be out there so appreciate the effort put into this preview. A lot of what I’ll apparently be watching are sequels this time around. Though are a few shows that I’ll probably check out to see how they go.
Think Birdy was a good series that came with a name that wasn’t great. While the male lead was barely tolerable Birdy herself was a good character. Look forward to what she’ll be dealing with this time around.
Ok had almost nothing to do (or something I didn’t want to do) and from the title checked out the KissxSis manga. Honestly it wasn’t too bad. Antics were fun enough to follow and an OVA is a good move. Will get out the core of it without trying to spread out the ‘plot’ too much.
Liking the Natsume sequel. They played well with emotions in the first season. Could see how they will carry the second season with likely more development for Natsume as a character.
White Album and Kurokami sound interesting enough. Will have to give the first episodes a chance and just see how they go.
Druaga, the series that just tossed the announcement of a second season at the end. Though you honestly knew they couldn’t resolve all the issues within the final episode so something had to give. Slayers I’m not sure about now. The first 3 seasons were great experiences, but honestly the first half of the fourth fell on its face to a degree. Jokes weren’t quite as good and tension didn’t feel like it was there either. Probably take a look for the sake of it but not high hopes.
Again thanks for the preview. Nice to have a better idea what’s coming for this season.
Holy crap here it is. The almost insanely early well-done preview (Winter Edition~).
My thoughts on all the anime is same as it was before more information came out. Though I have to admit…those MADs you posted got me interested in Axis Powers Hetalia.
There’s only one must-see show for me this season though, which is White Album. Nana-sama ftw! Aya Hirano is just a bonus. Oh yeah and Maria+Holic (I love my traps. Sadistic or otherwise.)
“Honestly, I didn’t donated any help on this post, just my impressions on them, so if you see any mistakes, blame Kanzeon ok? Haha..”
xD;
I like you already!
Kanzeon, smack him, lol. J/k.Hmm, I guess I’m going to give a first impression try on Genji. I want to see how they’re going to do the art.
Maria+Holic, Asu no Yoichi, Kurokami, and Akikan! will watch for the first two episodes and see where it takes me from there.
Must definitely watch: White Album (NANA-SAMAAAAAAAAAAAA~~~!!!!!!!!!!!)
And all your Axis Powers posts are tempting me…but I haven’t given in yet! |D;
Thx for the detailed preview! Now I’m all organized until the actual season starts. Then I’m screwed. 😛
But yea, looking forward to your posts on your choices. ^^
@Machinany: You’re welcome 🙂 . Hope our preview helps on what shows will you chose ^_^.
@FlareKnight: Thank you very much for sharing your views on the upcoming winter shows ^_^. I think just like Fall, it’s a good season for sequels and an interesting season for new series 🙂
@FuyuMaiden: Lol, spread the Hetalia fever!!! Nice to know that you’ll be going to watch White Album and Maria+Holic too ^_^.
@xiao_jie: *gets my gun* where’s that dog!? Lol. I’m also interested on how would they do the art for Genji. Oh and soon you’ll catch the APH fever… soon XD (prepares a lot of APH MAD posts).
Finally, someone else who dislikes Natsume Yuujin-chou! I was beginning to think that you people don’t exist anymore. I’m personally interested in Kurokami and Maria holic, though the latter sounds so…cliche.
@Choux: Yeah, I found Natsume Yuujinchou very boring. And the boring animation adds up to the… boringness… Well, that’s just my opinion though.
Kill your campadre for not liking Natsume. Like, NOW.
lol @ the dialogues of Kemono no Souja Erin. XD
Well, I.G. has been progressing in its productions, so it might actually be good. :3
Winter again has the loneliest batch of upcoming shows every year. I’ll only be watching Birdy 2 and Kurokami. Maybe Mariaholic too since everyone’s oh so hyped about it.
“Because if it were to be personified, the Philippines would be a corrupt politician…”
That’s also my guess XD (have more to say but, oh well, mental-blocked, lol)
“Because if it were to be personified, the Philippines would be a corrupt politician…”
That’s also my guess XD (have more to say but, oh well, mental-blocked, lol)
New ecchi series, no popular sequel, wanna say sigh…
Hm, nice coverage for most of the series airing now… Though I shared your enthusiasm in beginning Maria+Holic, can’t say I’m too impressed by the first episode. I’ll need more Maria-bullying -anako scenes to be sure whether or not it’s worth raving about. Kurokami was better than expected with boxing Kuro and girl going splat. Akikan is just a no-no to me. Plan to pick up White Ablum due to Kitsune’s recommendation… which came from you two 😀
@fviiknight: Mariya in a nurse outfit sadistically bullying Kanako would definitely change your mind 😀 . Already watched White Album and it’s satisfying because of Nana Mizuki singing (but I think it would just ooze drama and cliches as the story moves on). And KuroKami is awesomecakes!
this is great i found the anime i was looking for XD
Excellent blog you have here.. It’s difficult to find quality writing like yours these days. I seriously appreciate people like you! Take care!!
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