Spring 2008

Spring is almost here! Well, for the northern hemisphere of course. So what does this mean for us anime hungry people living under the equator? New animes of course!

Like always, old animes end and new animes take over. Last season saw some pretty good animes gracing the anime world, notably Clannad, True Tears, Spice and Wolf, Shana II(heard it was getting good at the end) and some more. Shigofumi was unexpectedly good as well, decent storyline followed up by kick ass theme songs. Though by now, looking at my watchlist, only Shigofumi and KimiKiss has ended. For now, let me introduce my list of five must watch animes of Spring 2008! 行くぞ！

To LOVEる(To-Rabu-Ru)

From anidb.net
Based on a shounen manga written by Saki Hasemi and illustrated by Yabuki Kentarou. It is serialized weekly in Shounen Jump.

The story is about Yuuki Rito, a high-school boy who cannot confess to the girl of his dreams, Sairenji Haruna. One day when coming home and sulking in the bath-tub a mysterious, nude girl, appears out of nowhere. Her name is Lala and she comes from the planet Deviluke, where she is the heir to the throne. Her father wants her to return to her home planet so she can marry one of the husband candidates, but she decides that she wants to marry Rito in order to stay on Earth. Commander Zastin has been ordered to bring Lala back and has already battled Rito. He reports to the emperor that Rito would be suited to marry Lala, after hearing Rito say that marriage is impossible unless it is with the person you love (Rito was actually defending himself but Zastin and Lala thought he was defending Lala). With this speech, Lala truly falls in love with Rito and decides that she wants to marry Rito. Her father decides that, if Rito is able to protect Lala from her fiances, then he can be her fiance, but if Rito cannot protect Lala from her other fiances, Lala's father will kill Rito and destroy Earth.

Anime-fied based on the popular manga of the same name. Enjoyed reading the manga, but hopefully it doesn't turn into a fanservice fiesta like Rosario & Vampire. Airing 4/4/2008.


Kure-nai(紅)

From anidb.net
Based on a light novel series by Katayama Kentarou, illustrated by Yamamoto Yamato.

16-year-old Shintaro Kurenai is a Mediator - a specialist in settling squabbles between people. Despite his youth and easygoing nature, he is a man of some skills when it comes to protecting both his clients and his client’s interests. And then one day, he is approached by the daughter of a rich and powerful family asking him to be her bodyguard, which somehow ends up with him having a seven-year-old fan, landlord and self-proclaimed fiancé.

Shintaro Kurenai finds himself living in run-down tenement with Murasaki Kuhouin (his new 7-year-old apprentice and landlord) and several other eccentric ladies. His childhood friend (Ginko) acts as his Mediator booking agent. Then there is his (adopted) older sister and martial arts teacher, Yuuno, who does not like to see her Kurenai troubled by any of the difficulties of his Mediator assignments. And Yuuno’s younger (7-year-old) sister, Chi-chan (Houdsuki Chidzuru) also seems to take a troubling worry when her ‘onii-chan’ gets beaten up by Yuuno or his assignments.

Looks interesting. Dunno what to expect, maybe a little bit of lolicon from the descriptions. Airing 3/4/2008.


Kanokon(かのこん)

From anidb.net
Kanokon's story revolves around Kouta Oyamada, a young first-year high school student who moves from the country to the city and thus transfers to Kunpō High School. On his first day at his new school, a beautiful second-year female student named Chizuru Minamoto asks him to meet her alone in the music room. When he arrives, she reveals her that she is in fact a fox deity and from that day on the two hang out together.
Nozomu is a first year female student at Kouta's school, she is in fact a wolf deity and in love with Kouta, and a rival of Chizuru for Kouta's affections.

Interesting artwork. Expect lots and lots of harem and ecchi. Airing 5/4/2008.


D.C.II S.S. ～ダ・カーポII セカンドシーズン～(D.C. II Second Season)

Yeah they're back for the second season. Not much info on which character they'll be focusing on now, but let's not hope for Tsukishima Koko, okay? As the picture suggests, we could be seeing imouto-aneki-love? Airing 6/4/2008.


狂乱家族日記(Kyouran Kazoku Nikki)

Not much known, but looks like it's set in the future, details from the official site. Airing 12/4/2008.


Not a very convincing list? I know. Code Geass 2nd Season was left out because I haven't watched the 1st season yet. Allison & Lilia might be good but doesn't cut through into my top 5 must watch list. Kyou Kara Maou 3rd season is... 3rd season? Haven't even seen the 1st yet lah. Seen a bit from Animax but lots of boys, looks yaoi to me. Did watch XXXHolic, but XXXHolic Tsugi won't wanna watch, not much appeal to me. Toshokan Sensou has nice artwork, but of all places, sensou(戦争) at a toshokan(図書館)? I'll proceed with caution for this one.


That's all for now. Credits to anidb.net for all the pictures and info; credits to Moetron's thread for the upcoming anime reference list.