Winter season is the time for holiday cheer, new year's resolutions and new anime. This year we are served with a lot of potentially great series that are bound to make us laugh, cry or make us say "Heck Yeah!".
The list below composes of a lot of sequel anime like the fourth seasons of Natsume Yuujinchou and Familiar of Zero. It also includes a lot of new anime that are "out of this world", like Kyousogiga, a story which literally walks in between a world of humans and a world of monsters, or Another, that seems to tell a mystery-filled tale of dark hallways and pretty girls. Also, this season preview can not without its comedy series like Kill Me Baby!. If you are a fan of the Onegai Teacher franchise, like me, then you'll probably want to check out Ano Natsu de Matteru. There is also Rinne no Lagrange and Aquarion EVOL, two anime you might want watch to see if they measure up to other mech series you like. I personally am interested in Recorder to Randoseru; the premise has potential to be either really funny or really boring.
Now that 2012 has begun, my new year's resolution is to watch more anime and I think I'll start with the ones below! What will you watch?
| Anime | About |
|---|---|
 | Kyousogiga Studio: Toei Animation Director: Matsumoto Rie / Story: Todo Izumi Summary: In a world where boundary between human and yokai worlds is no longer distinguishable, 3 different groups pursue for power. What is Count of Reality of Destruction of Negenthrophy? Kato, a high school girl who got out of maze of Java Work, chases the shadow of "Kuro Usagi (Black Rabbit)". This is a story surrounding various people chasing Kuro Usagi in Kyoto, where time has stopped. Air Date: Dec. 10, 2011 Trailer |
 | Busou Chuugakusei Basket Army Studio: asread x Studio RF Director: ROMANoV HiGA / Writer: Nojima Kazushige Summary: Set in August 2026 at the Fuji Training Facility. Touko Natori, a 3rd-year middle school student in the Eastern Private Defense Academy, is entrenched in field training with instructor Kamiya. It has been a harsh training regiment, but it is finally the last day. Kamiya proposes "extracurricular class" under the name "Newest Weapons Research". But then, an incident occurs that rocks all of Japan. This short anime series that is streamed on its official website. Air Date: Dec. 22, 2011 Watch on Official Website |
 | Natsume Yuujin-chou Shi Studio: Brains Base Director: Omori Takohiro / Writer: Murai Sadayuki Summary: Fourth season of Natsume Yuujin-chou. Natsume is a boy who has been able to see ghosts since he was little. Unfortunately, humans shun him, and there is not much fondness between him and ghosts either. One day, he inherits Yuujin-chou ("Book of Friends") from his father. The book is actually full of contracts that has his grandmother made to trap ghosts. As one ghost after another shows up, Natsumer tries to release or help them - even while many of them seek vengeance on him. Air Date: Jan. 02, 2012 Trailer / Watch Simulcast on CrunchyRoll |
 | New Prince of Tennis Studio: MSC Director: Toda Shunsuke Summary: Echizen Ryoma is a young tennis prodigy who has won 4 consecutive tennis championships but who constantly lies in the shadow of his father, a former pro tennis player. He joins the Seishun Gakuen junior highschool, one of the best tennis schools in Japan, and there along with his teamates he learns to find his own type of tennis in an attempt to defeat his biggest obstacle of all: his father as well as himself. Air Date: Jan. 04, 2012 Trailer / Watch Simulcast on CrunchyRoll |
 | Tantei Opera Milky Holmes Dai-Ni-Maku Studio: J.C. Staff Director: Moriwaki Makato / Writer: Fudeyasu Kazuyuki Summary: Second season of Tantei Opera Milky Holmes. Set in a futuristic world there exist "Toys" which grant people superhuman abilities. This is responsible for a wave of crimes and necessitates employing Toy-using detectives to help solve them. Opera Kabayashi runs a detective agency, Milky Holmes, staffed by four aspiring young girls detectives who attend the Holmes Detective Academy, and each girl possesses their own unique toy. Air Date: Jan. 05, 2012 Opening / Website |
 | Recorder to Randoseru Studio: Seven Director: Moriwaki Makoto / Writer: Fudeyasu Kazuyuki Summary: Recorder to Randoseru follows two unique siblings— Atsushi Miyagawa, an 11 year-old boy with the height and looks of an adult, and his elder sister Atsumi, a 17 year-old with the short frame of a child. Even though Atsumi looks like a grade schooler, she needs to look after her brother, who despite his tall physique, still acts his age. The anime is based on Meme Higashiya's four-panel manga. Air Date: Jan. 05, 2012 Trailer / Watch Simulcast on CrunchyRoll |
 | Kill Me Baby (Baby, Please Kill Me!) Studio: J.C. Staff Director: Yamakawa Yoshiki / Writer: Shirene Hideki Summary: Sonya is an assassin, but in between all her missions, she still has to go to school like every other kid. She's joined by her fearless, but air-headed friend Yasuna, and a girl name Agiri, a ninja from her organization. The anime is based on the four-panel manga series of the same name, which ran in Manga Time Kiara Carat. Air Date: Jan. 05, 2012 Trailer / Website |
 | Amagami SS+ plus Studio: AIC Director: Kobayashi Tamoki / Writer: Kimura Naboru Summary: Following on the heels of the first season, Amagami SS+ will continue to feature each of the heroines in two-episode mini arcs, similar to the first season. The series follows a previously love-lorn high school student named Junichi Tachibana who develops relationships with six different girls. Through their interactions, Junichi's broken heart is slowly healed. Air Date: Jan. 05, 2012 Trailer / Website |
 | High School DxD Studio: TNK Director: Yaganisawa Tetsuya / Writer: Yashioka Takao Summary: The story follows Issei Hyodo, a dim-witted, lecherous second-year high school student who is killed by a girl on her first date ever. Issei is reincarnated as a devil, and from that day forward he serves as an underling of Riasu, a high-level devil who is also the prettiest girl on Issei's campus. Air Date: Jan. 06, 2012 Trailer / Website |
 | Senhime Zesshou Symphogear Studio: Encourage Films Director: Itou Tatsufumi / Writer: Kaneko Akifumi Summary: Created by video game producer Akifumi Kaneko and Elements Gardencomposer Noriyasu Agematsu, this new series follows two girls in a musical group named Zweiwing. Together, they must protect Earth against a threat known as "Noise" by donning weapons called Symphogear. Air Date: Jan. 06, 2012 Trailer / Website |
 | Area no Kishi (The Knight in the Area) Studio: Shin-Ei Animation Director: Ogura Hirofumi Summary: Aizawa Kakeru has always loved soccer, but he doesn't think he has any talent for the game. Instead, he serves as the manager of his school's soccer team, where his older brother Suguru is the star player. However, a terrible tragedy forever changes Kakeru's life and his involvement in the sport. Air Date: Jan. 07, 2012 Trailer / Watch Simulcast on CrunchyRoll |
 | Zero no Tsukaima F (Familiar of Zero F) Studio: J.C. Staff Director: Iwasaki Yoshiaki / Writer: Yamaguchi Noboru Summary: The fourth and final Zero no Tsukaima series. Meet Louise, a budding magician. The students at the Tristein Academy call her "Zero Louise", due to her current record of zero successes with magic. In fact, her magic tends to go spectacularly wrong. Now, as an important test of her aptitude for magic, she must summon a familiar to be her servant. At this critical moment, she summons up all her magic and wishes for a familiar that is "devoted, beautiful and powerful", and gets... Hiraga Saito, an ordinary Japanese boy. It's difficult to say who is more surprised and dismayed, but the rules don't allow for second attempts. Louise is stuck with her strange familiar, and he with her. Air Date: Jan. 07, 2012 Trailer / Watch Simulcast on CrunchyRoll |
 | Nisemonogatari Studio: SHAFT Director: Shinba Akiyuki / Writer: Shinba Akiyuki/Tou Fuyashi Summary: Set in the early 21st century, Nisemonogatari is a sequel to Bakemonogatari, and will center around the "Fire Sisters" Tsukihi and Karen Araragi. A black swindler Kaiki Deishu, who once deceived Hitagi, returned to town and spreads the incantation, which cursed Nadeko before. Koyomi's sisters Karen and Tsukihi try to capture Deishu but... Air Date: Jan. 07, 2012 Trailer / Watch Simulcast on CrunchyRoll |
 | Mouretsu Pirates (Bodacious Space Pirates) Studio: Satelight Director/Writer: Sato Tatsuo Summary: Marika is a first year high school student living in a far away galaxy known as Uminoakeboshi. One day she finds out that her recently deceased father was once the captain of the space pirate ship called the "Bentenmaru". More importantly, the only one to inherit the captain's title has to be a direct descendant—meaning that Marika is next in line to become the captain of the ship. Air Date: Jan. 07, 2012 Trailer / Watch Simulcast on CrunchyRoll |
 | Brave 10 Studio: Studio Sakimakura Director: Sayama Kiyoko / Writer: Ikeda Mamiko Summary: The story re-images the legendary adventures of the 10 brave warriors assembled by the warlord Sanada Yukimura in the year 1600; in the middle of Japan's tumultuous Sengoku era. Air Date: Jan. 07, 2012 Trailer / Watch Simulcast on CrunchyRoll |
 | Poyopoyo Kansatsu Nikki Studio: DAX Production x Mebius Tone Director: Doichi Akitaro Summary: Based on a four-panel manga by Ru Tatuki, Poyopoyo Kansatsu Nikki follows the adventures of a mysterious, round cat named Poyo. We also get to meet Poyo's family and the people that encounter this spherical creature. Air Date: Jan. 08, 2012 Trailer / Watch Simulcast on CrunchyRoll |
 | Rinne no Lagrange Studio: XEBEC Director: Suzuki Tashimaso / Writer: Suga Shotaro Summary: Madoka's life forever changes when she's recruited by a girl named Lan to pilot a robot and protect her hometown Kamogawa City from space invaders. Their efforts are bolstered by a girl named Muginami, but they're still unsure of why their enemies are attacking. Air Date: Jan. 08, 2012 Trailer / Website |
 | Aquarion EVOL Studio: Satelight x 8-Bit Director: Yamamoto Yusuke / Writer: Okada Mari Summary: Joining the Aquarion franchise is Aquarion Evol, a sequel to the Aquarion TV series that takes place 12,000 years later in a futuristic Hong Kong. New characters and a new Aquarion mecha will have to take on enemies from another dimension. Air Date: Jan. 08, 2012 Trailer / Website |
 | Ano Natsu de Matteru (Waiting in the Summer) Studio: J.C. Staff Director: Nagai Tatsuyuki / Writer: Kurada Yousuke Summary: Created by Onegai Teacher and Onegai Twins story creator Yousuke Kuroda, with original character designs by Onegai franchise designer Taraku Uon, Ano Natsu de Matteru will be an adolescent romantic comedy about two girls named Ichika Takatsuki and Remon Yamano, and a boy named Kaito Kirishima. This project will also reunite director Tatsuyuki Nagai and character designer Masayoshi Tanaka, who worked together on the popular AnoHano series. Air Date: Jan. 09, 2012 Trailer / Watch Simulcast on CrunchyRoll |
 | Another Studio: P.A. Works Director: Mizushima Tsutomu / Writer: Higaki Ryou Summary: That class in the school held a secret that nobody must speak of...Spring, 1998. When Kouichi Sakakibara (15) transfers to Yomiyama North Middle School, he senses something out of place in the atmosphere of a class that seems to be afraid of something. Kouichi is drawn to a mysterious girl, Mei Misaki, and tries to make contact with her, only to find more mysteries. As he does, the class is stricken by a disaster that nobody could have imagined! Just what is going on in this "world"? Air Date: Jan. 09, 2012 Trailer / Watch Simulcast on CrunchyRoll |
 | Daily Lives of High School Boys Studio: Sunrise Director: Takamatsu Shinji Summary: Based on Yamauchi Yasunobu's web gag comedy that follows the humorous yet "realistic" everyday life of Tadakuni, Hidenori, Yoshitake and other students at a boy's high school. Air Date: Jan. 09, 2012 Trailer / Website |
 | Papa no Iu Koto Kikinasai! (Listen To Me Girls, I'm Your Father!) Studio: Feel Director: Kawasaki Itsuro / Writer: Arakawa Naruhisa Summary: College student Yuuta Segawa is suddenly given custody of his older sister's three daughters, aged 14, 10, and 3. They're now stuck living together in a 10 square meter apartment. Meanwhile Raika, the object of his affection, has a fondness of cuteness, and his unexpected arrivals may finally offer an opportunity for them to get together. Air Date: Jan. 10, 2012 Trailer / Website |
 | Thermae Romae Studio: DLE Inc. Director: Tani Azuma / Writer: Tani Azuma/Nakano Mamoru Summary: Roman architect Lucius gets sucked down the drain of a public bath, only to emerge in a bathhouse in 20th century Japan. Through his time-travel adventures, he gets a chance to compare two cultures that love their baths. Three Flash-animated episodes will be aired, but if that's not enough, there will also be a live-action film opening in April, 2012 Air Date: Jan. 12, 2012 Website |
 | Inu x Boku SS (Inu x Boku Secret Service) Studio: David Production Director: Tsuda Naokatsu / Writer: Nemoto Saizo Summary: Protected by the highest security, the Maison de Ayakashi is rumored to be haunted, where only eccentrics could live. In reality, it is a place for humans with non-human ancestors to live. The socially-inept Ririchiyo has come here to improve himself. She meets secret service bodyguard Soushi, who is assigned to protect residents. He has a request of her: "Please make me your dog." Air Date: Jan. 12, 2012 Trailer / Watch Simulcast on CruchyRoll |
 | Danball Senki W Studio: OLM Director: Takahashi Naohito / Writer: Tomioka Atsuhiro Summary: In 2046, a revolutionary 80% shock-absorbing reinforced cardboard has been developed, rapidly transforming the world's exports. The reinforced cardboard would soon become the battleground for a popular children's hobby called "LBX" (Little Batttler eXperience). Four years later, a boy named Yamano Ban, who loves to play LBX (although without a mecha himself) is given a case containing the model AX-00 by a mysterious woman. He is told that he now holds the hopes and despairs of mankind in his hands. Air Date: Jan. 18, 2012 |
 | Black Rock Shooter Studio: Ordet & Sanzigen Director: Yoshioka Shinobu / Writer: Okada Mari Summary: The next project in a franchise that already includes an OAV, games, figures, a serial manga, and a four-panel manga, "Black Rock Shooter" was originally a single released by the Japanese dojin music actsupercell, which is led by the composer Ryo. This new eight-episode anime series will be producedOrdet, which also made the 50-minute Black Rock Shooter OAV, and will have CG battles directed by Gainax's Hiroyuki Imaishi. Air Date: Fab. 02, 2012 Trailer / Website |
 | Smile Precure! Studio: Toei Animation Summary: Focused around five magical girls and their fairy mascot Candy, Smile Precure! will be the ninth in thePrecure franchise. An evil emperor named Pierrot has invaded the peaceful fairy land of Marchenland, sealing away the Queen. In order to revive her, Candy and the other girls must find the Cure Decor to restore happiness. Air Date: Feb. 05, 2012 Website |
-- Geo (sora_thekey) 24/7 geek! -- Follow me on Twitter: @sora_thekey
The hype that Mouretsu Pirates is getting makes me want to watch it!
@sora_thekey: Yes, watch it! They're bodacious (according to the English title translation), they're privateers (technically the fact that they're legal via "Letters of Marque" makes them privateers instead of pirates), and one of them is voiced by Kana Hanazawa. That's more than enough reasons for me to watch it. I was sold at Kana Hanazawa.
@EquitasInvictus: Fine! I'm convinced!