Preview of Spring 2012
The Spring Preview has officially been completed to the best of my ability. There are a huge number of anime starting this season, ranging from different demographics, genres and adaptations. Some have started airing early, whilst others will start later on.
So here's the list of the 34 confirmed anime series for the spring (32 TV and 2 ONA):
Jormungand
Start Date: April 11th 2012 (12 Episodes) 
Based On: Seinen manga that ran in Shogakukan's Sunday GX
Plot: The story follows Koko Hekmatyar, a young arms dealer, and her illegal adventures around the world. Following her are her group of mercenary bodyguards and Jonah, a boy soldier void of emotion who is on a quest to find the arms dealer responsible for his parents death even if it means teaming up with an arms dealer.
Thoughts: I remember seeing a trailer for this anime, which subsequently lead me to the manga and that's why I'm looking forward to this anime. Since there have been 11 volumes published and the manga has finished it's run, I remain hopeful that the production company involved White Fox, will carry out an adaptation that is faithful to the source material. The cherry on top of this delicious guns, blood and violence series is that it has already been confirmed for a 24 episode run with season 2 set to air in the Fall.
Anticipation Level: High - I made a judgement call that this one will definitely rank in my top of this season
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Ozuma
Start Date: March 16th 2012 (6 episodes)
Based On: Original Animation
Plot: Set in a future where the earth's atmosphere has been devastated by the sun, Sam Coin is a trader in the desert who one day encounters a beautiful girl name Maya and provides her with shelter from a group of cloned soldiers known as Ideal Children. Whilst he is looking after Maya, he is also chasing after Ozuma; his brothers enemy.
Thoughts: Pretty interesting I'd say, but maybe that's because I'm a Star Wars geek. It really does sound like a great sci-fi story and since the creator is Matsumoto Leiji who's bread and butter is creating anything with a space theme to it, you can be assured that it will be a good watch. My biggest concern is that this series has only 6 episodes and so I have no idea how they are going to make the plot progress.
Anticipation Level: Medium-High - Hopefully the shortness of this series won't be a bad thing.
Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Natsuiro Kiseki
Start Date: April 5th 2012 (12 episodes)
Based On: Original Animation
Plot: Waking up in the morning, going to school, spending time with friends. These make up the days of four friends. They experience fun and sad things as well, and these days seem to go on forever, until one summer, a wonder happens. This is a story of four girls: Natsumi, a cheerful and frank girl, Saki, who is perfect in both studying and sports, Yuka, who is a fan of the idol group "Four Seasons", and Rinko, who loves music. This warm yet refreshing summer-coloured wonder will surely carry you along...
Source: official site - From AniDB
Thoughts: So Sunrise is surprisingly involved with this (2010's have not been great for them with such works as Phi Brain) and members of the J-Pop group Sphere are set to be the voice actors for this anime. I honestly don't know what to expect from this anime but since it already has the same principal idea as Kimi to Boku and Tsuritama, I can't help but think it won't be able to compete with them. Not only am I not excited when anime are about idol groups but I'm equally unexcited when they actually involve members idol groups. If I were to pick an anime by Sunrise for this season it would be Accel World over this any day.
Anticipation Level: Low
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Tsuritama
Start Date: April 13th 2012
Based On: Original Animation
Plot: The anime centres around 4 boys: one who can't communicate well with other people and so doesn't have any friends, one who claims to be an alien who visited earth to fish, one who is irritated by everything in his environment and a mysterious Indian boy. So how are they linked Through fishing.
Thoughts: Literally as soon as I read the synopsis and saw the picture for the anime I just thought straight away that this was an original animation attempt at a Kimi to Boku like series - assuming you trade in the cats for fish - which could be fun to watch. Since I can't really base my initial thoughts about the series on a preview (yet) since I'm not good with making a decision from a 30 second clip, it is being done by A-1 Pictures who are back from having a rather successful 2011 with pieces like Working!! and Blue Exorcist but are also in doing Uchuu Kyoudai, one of my most anticipated anime of this season. Another reason to possibly have confidence in this series is that it will have one of the noitaminA slots (the other going to Sakamichi no Apollon) since they have aired some pretty good anime like No.6, Usagi Drop and UN-GO - granted we might have to ignore this years rather strange start with Thermae Romae and Black Rock Shooter but still.
Anticipation: Medium - Since it seems like a rather nice slice of life story much like Kimi to Boku with a slight supernatural twist I can see myself enjoying it.
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Kimi to Boku 2
Start Date: April 3rd 2012 (13 episodes)
Based On: Manga of the same name currently serialised in Square Enix's Monthly GF Fantasy.
Plot: A slice of life comedy revolving around a group of teenage boys; the good-looking twins, the class head, an effeminate boy and a half-Japanese transfer student. The anime is returning for a second season, having started in the Fall of 2011.
Thoughts: I really did want to get into this anime since it's a slice of life work, but seeing as I couldn't stand Bakuman after reading the manga plus with no time to spare I really couldn't get into it. However, I do want to watch it since there has been generally positive feedback about the first season but I would not review it since the energy required just to get up-to-date with the series would exceed my time allowance for anime/manga.
Anticipation Level: Non-existent until I have seen the first season
UPDATE: After watching the first season I'd say Medium anticipation.
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Kuroko no Basket
Start Date: April 7th 2012
Based On: The manga of the same name running in Weekly Shonen Jump since December 2008. Already well received in Japan since by its 13th volume it was able to sell as much (in one year) as Ahiru no Sora, which is on it's 33rd volume.
Plot: A group of middle school players known as the "Generation of Miracles" have gone their separate ways to different high schools after dominating the middle school competition. Unknown to all, their existed a 6th "shadow" player who was recognised by his team-mates as an equal and is none other than Tetsuya Kuroko - a pass specialist who for the most part is invisible. One day at Seirin High School he decides to join the basketball team, where he meets Taiga Kagami, a transfer from America who is set on taking down the "Generation of Miracles" one by one. The story follows their battles against the members of the Generation of Miracles and their fight for the top.
Thoughts: I have so been waiting for this anime! Not only am I a sports manga/anime fan but I'm also a huge basketball fan, so imagine my happiness when I finally get to watch a basketball anime that is recent! This has definitely been my favourite sports manga (yeah that's right I rank it on par with Slam Dunk), so I plan to watch this without fail.
Anticipation Level: Very High - I'm a fan of basketball and the manga plus I like the line up of voice actors and actually like the studio in charge.
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Fate/zero (2012)
Start Date: April 6th 2012 (12 episodes)
Based On: A light novel and prequel to Fate/stay night, the anime was originally meant to have a full 26 episode run but then it was decided that it should go on break to allow for better animtation.
Plot: 10 years before the events of Fate/stay night, the story follows the 4th Holy Grail War; a ferocious battle where chosen magus with great magical power are allowed to summon warriors to fight in there stead. Amongst these summoned warriors we see the likes of Gilgamesh, Iskander (based on Alexander the Great) and Arturina (the female version of King Arthur). A lot of ties to historical figures and this anime proves to be a great fantasy battle type.
Thoughts: I'm pissed off with myself for not finding time to watch the first 12-13 episodes that have been released as after quickly glancing at the first 2 episodes, I knew that I would love this anime. The story itself is great and luckily you don't have to have seen Fate/stay night since this is a prequel. I really have to catch up with this series!
Anticipation Level: Very High - once I've caught up that is.
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Accel World
Start Date: April 6th 2012 (24 episodes)
Based On: The light novel series and/or the 2 manga adaptations running in Dengeki Bunko Magazine (with the likes of Shakugan no Shana and Spice and Wolf)
Plot: In 2040 Neuro-synchronisation has become the norm and is used by people to access the internet. Haruyuki Arita constantly escapes the torment of the real world, so that he may enjoy peace in the virtual world where he happens to excel at playing squash. This leads to him catching the attention of beautiful and popular school Vice-President, Kuroyukihime, who invites Haru to join a program called Brain Burst. Brain Burst allows the user to accelerate their brainwaves in the real world to make time appear to stand still but this requires "points" to perform many times and the only way to get points is to fight other users in battle. The consequence of losing appears to be rather small, with the user losing memories and access to Brain Burst but Kuroyukihime wants to reach the 10th and final level so that she may meet the creator of Brain Burst and find the true reason for it's existence and for that she needs and wants Haru's help.
Thoughts: Just from the description I would say this anime will end up being liked or hated. This type of story isn't necessarily new but it does sound appealing and looks to be fun to watch especially if your into the Sci-Fi genre with virtual battles being the main focus. I couldn't say that it will be one to watch out for, but it could be one to watch out for.
Anticipation Level: Medium - Still not sure about my own feelings for the genre but I guess this could be very good.
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Medaka Box
Start Date: April 5th 2012
Based On: Nisio Isin's (of Bakemonogatori fame) manga running in Weekly Shonen Jump has been picked up for an anime adaptation.
Plot: Medaka Kurokami is the newly elected president at her school and the first to become so being a freshman and winning by a 98% majority. Her first act as president is to start a "help box," which can be used by any students in order for them to receive any help from Medaka and her newly appointed vice-president and childhood friend Zenkichi Hitoyoshi and eventually other helpers in the student council.
Thoughts: I just couldn't get into the manga from the first chapter and I heard that later on the story takes a turn into becoming more of a battle manga. I don't tend to get excited about most stories set in school and I'm less inclined to do so if there is a battle setting to the story. The only thing that makes this worth watching is Nisio Isin's fantastic reputation and the reputation of the anime's adapted from his work (Bakemonogatori and Nisemonogatori). With that in mind, there is a probability that the anime won't be long lasting as there have been blog posts littering the net about Nisio Isin's declaration that the manga will end before the anime starts!
Anticipation Level: Low - but subject to change since the anime might spur my interest in a way the manga couldn't.
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
AKB0048
Start Date: April 29th 2012
Based On: Inspired by the all female idol group called AKB48
Plot: In the future, entertainment of any kind is outlawed but that doesn't stop the AKB0048 from providing underground concerts for everyone. They are the extinct illegal idols that have arisen since the beginning of the 21st Century saw the disappearance of legendary idols AKB48 caused by war over interplanetary travel technology. The story will take place in the year 0048 (after humanity has left for space in the star year 00) where the 77th class of trainees are yet to compete to be a part of the AKB0048.
Thoughts: This looks like it is aimed purely at the fans of the AKB48 idol group, so the description does nothing but make me want to avoid this anime altogether. I can't even say anything good about it; probably because of what the anime is based on but also because the cast will be comprised of those who passed auditions which also leads me to believe that there will be a lot more singing than any normal person should be able to handle when watching an anime.
Anticipation Level: Very Low - Hell has a better chance of freezing over than me changing my mind.
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Zetman
Start Date: April 2nd 2012 (13 episodes)
Based On: A series of one-shots that were published in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump and the then later series that has been running in Weekly Young Jump since 2002. A series by Masakazu Katsura.
Plot: A story of 2 rival heroes: ZET and Alphasz. ZET is actually Jin Kanzaki, a young man who gained his powers to transform into his superhuman form as a result of an experiment carried out by the Amagami Corporation, which is ironically the company of Kouga's (Alphasz) family. Regardless of their positions both of these heroes are fated to fight against Players; the main antagonists of the series.
Thoughts: This series seems to have a much more western feel to it. Essentially one could compare this to an American comic, which I find interesting but what I find overwhelming is that TMS Entertainment is really pulling out all the stops for this anime. Bringing in Daisuke Namikawa to play Jin Kanazaki and Mamoru Miyano to play Kouga Agami, is definitely giving the project more of a chance to blow away the competition since not only are both Daisuke and Mamoru familiar with playing dark characters (Daisuke: Hisoka from Hunter x Hunter 2011, Mamoru: Light Yagami from Death Note) but also both of these voice actors have voiced male leads in reputed shojo/josei works (Kimi ni Todoke for Daisuke and Chihayafuru for Mamoru), which can only add more appeal to the anime and not just for the female audience. Even with those two on board and Osamu Nabeshima (D.Gray-Man, Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas) directing, the flaw lies in TMS' lack of experience with animating this type of work - if anyone has paid any attention, they usually deal with Pokemon, Bakugan etc. nowadays - as this is a seinen fantasy battle story, the production company is most in danger of messing up. If TMS pulls it off, this might be the one to watch out for this spring.
Anticipation Level: High - Based on everything I would say this might be my first pick IF it weren't for the studio in charge, but fingers crossed all might be great.
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Eureka Seven Ao (Astral Ocean)
Start Date: April 13th 2012
Based On: Eureka Seven anime that ran from April 2005 until April 2006. Started off as a sequel manga to the series, it was immediately announced on the same day that BONES will be animating this series.
Plot: Ao is a boy who lost his mother when he arrived on the island he currently resides and as such was taken in by the professor (whom he now calls Grandpa). One day after an unfortunate collision with another car, he picks up a dropped bracelet which is in fact required to pilot a huge mecha. This mecha, Eureka, is the only thing that can stop the G Monsters and so he pilots one in order to protect his island whilst remembering his past with his mother.
Thoughts: Well the above plot is based on the first chapter of the manga that I read to get a better idea about what the story actually entails and if I'm being honest this is pretty much the same as any mecha anime you can expect to find out there. I'm not saying it's bad but it's really not my genre. That being said since the manga was an okay read, I will at least watch the first episode.
Anticipation Level: Low-Medium: Really can't excited about mecha anime.
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Queen's Blade: Rebellion
Start Date: April 3rd 2012
Based On: A series of visual combat books, a sequel to Queen's Blade and later adapted into a light novel and manga.
Plot: After the last Queen's Blade tournament, the entire continent has fallen under the lead of Claudette the Thundercloud Queen; a tyrant. Annelotte, an exiled princess and knight leads the Rebel Army in an attempt to overthrow Claudette.
Thoughts: Based only on the description, I can say that this one intrigues me. I like the idea Nordic type Xena the Warrior Princess theme, so I guess all that remains is to see how interesting the anime itself is. UPDATE: Scratch that, after seeing previews I would rather not watch this fanservice heavy anime.
Anticipation Level: Low - Proof that watching previews and reading about the story before you make up an initial opinion is very important
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Sankarea
Start Date: April 6th 2012
Based On: Manga running in Kodansha's Bessatsu Shonen Magazine
Plot: Chihiro is obsessed with zombies, whether it's manga or anime or even the desire to kiss a zombie girl, he collects everything to do with zombies. When trying to resurrect his dead cat, he meets Rea Sanka, a girl who has run away from home who takes the resurrection potion he has created and drinks it in an attempt to commit suicide. Later on when she falls off a cliff and dies, she comes back as a zombie.
Thoughts: This series has romantic comedy written all over it and I guess as long as they don't make into a more fantasy comedy it could be fun to watch. Generally with romances I tend to lean more towards romantic comedy than fantasy romance, so depending on how the anime unfolds I might be tempted to watch this series.
Anticipation Level: Medium - I'll need a couple of episodes to decide the value of the show.
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Saki: Achiga-hen
Start Date: April 8th 2012
Based On: Spin-off of the manga Saki running in Square Enix's Young Gangan. There is also a manga of the exact name running in Monthly Shonen Gangan.
Plot: Shizuno Takakama and Nodoka Haramura are old friends who used to be in Achiga Girls Academy's mahjong club together, until it is disbanded. A few years after the club disbanded and the two split up, Shizuno spots Nodoka on television as she makes her stride in mahjong. Shizuno decides to revive the Achiga Mahjong Club in order to face-off and be re-united with Nodoka in the inter-high competition.
Thoughts: An anime about mahjong does sound appealing to me (yes I know how to play but only the Chinese style). The only drawback that the series could face is potential loss of viewers if the dialogue is too mahjong heavy, meaning it will only be understood by the few anglophones who truly know how to play this tile game. Being honest, the drawback is probably insignificant since Chihayafuru was pretty much facing the same dangers but managed to pull off a successful series and since this is a shonen plot compared to the original Saki which was seinen, it's possible this anime and story in general could be like this year's Hikaru no Go.
Anticipation Level: Medium to High - I'll give it a few episodes to decide.
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Tasogare Otome x Amnesia
Start Date: April 8th 2012 (12 episodes)
Based On: A manga of the same name serialised in Square Enix's Monthly Gangan Joker. Written and illustrated by Maybe.
Plot: Teiichi Niiya is a first year student who has recently enrolled into Seikyou Private Academy. One day he finds himself lost in one of the schools old buildings, where he meets a ghost girl named Yuuko, who apparently has lost her memories. Teiichi then proceeds to help her by investigating the school's seven mysteries revolving around her.
Thoughts: So Silver Link will be bringing out this story after a neither-here-nor-there result with C Cubed, which was a little surprising and disappointing since they were involved with Mawaru Penguindrum and Baka to Test to Shokanju. I'm not sure what to make of the story at this point.....honestly it can go either way; either turn out to be a bore or a decent watch. The production staff seems to be top notch with Shin Oonuma (Baka to Test) directing, Katsuhiko Takayama (Mirai Nikki) doing the series composition and Yukiko Ban (Beelzebub) handling the animation of the characters. Since there's not many volumes of the manga out itself, it's very probable that the anime won't be long-lived. Unfortunately, based on the description alone I can't say I'm excited about this one, however since it's meant to be a shonen mystery/romance it might surprise me.
Anticipation Level: Medium - It could be interesting but I hope there isn't that much romance in it and more mystery.
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PV - Tasogare Otome x Amnesia
PV2 - Tasogare Otome x Amnesia[/spoiler]
Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Sengoku Collection
Start Date: April 6th 2012
Based On: Konami's social networking game with a user base of around 2.5 million.
Plot: Set in the Sengoku era, the aim (in the game) is to collect "God of War Cards" that have been sealed in hidden treasures. The anime will be done as a re-imagining using a female cast, in particular female versions of Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu have been confirmed as main characters of the anime.
Thoughts: I can't really comment on this at the moment since I have no idea of what the game is like and I'm not too clued up on anime adaptations of games (never really got into Persona 4 for that matter). Since Brain's Base is involved, this could be interesting as they have recently had great anime works but all I can with certainty is that this type anime isn't really new news, as there have been works such as Sengoku Otome: Momoiro Paradox which have a similar story as well as setting.
Anticipation Level: Probably Low - Not really excited by the source of the adaptation and I'm not a big fan of the idea of a female lead re-imagining. For me adaptations based on games are not a good watch.
Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Haiyore! Nyaruko-san
Start Date: April 10th 2012
Based On: A light novel series of the same name. An ONA and anime under the name Haiyoru! Nyaruani already ran back in 2010.
Plot: The story revolves around an ordinary boy Mahiro Yasaka who encounters a human-like alien named Nyarlathotep (Nyaruko for short) who takes the form of a silver-haired girl. - Source: Wikipedia
Thoughts: Ehh..... I'm not sure. It's not one of the well known series that's starting this spring, even though the production company behind it is Xebec, who seem to make anime that just don't appeal to me (not that any of them are bad).
Anticipation Level: Low
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Sakamichi no Apollon
Start Date: April 13th 2012
Based On: Josei Manga currently running in Shogagukan's monthly magazine Flowers
Plot: Set in the 1960's, Kaoru Nishimi has been moving around from city to city because of his father's job for as long as he can remember. As such he developed a routine whenever he started at a new school because he expected that he would not stay there long. Because of his intellect and being a transfer student, he never really made friends as he was always treated as an outcast, but this time round he ends up making friends with Ritsuko Mukae (the class president) and Sentaro Kawabuchi (a delinquent) through a mutual love for jazz music. This time round Kaoru ends up enjoying his time in his new town.
Thoughts: I think it's a pretty interesting setting and I like the idea of a non-shonen slice of life centred around Jazz but what really gets me is that this is actually a Josei manga! With that in mind I'm not really sure what to expected when it comes to the storyline but since the director and composer of Cowboy Bebop are teaming up yet again, my desire to watch this has reached a point where I don't particularly care about the demographic this is aimed at.
Anticipation Level: High - Shows how much a decent staff can affect one's confidence but also the story is something different and does intrigue me.
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Shining Hearts
Start Date: April 13th 2012
Based On: An RPG by Sega which was the first of the Shining series to be released for PSP.
Plot: Kaguya ends up on the island of Wyndaria after a great storm having lost her memories and emotions. To make matters worse, the island has become overrun by pirates who are after a special spirit stone which Kaguya possesses, something that a swordsman named Rick notices and decides to drive the pirates out and help Kaguya regain her emotions with a little help from his friends: Nellis, Amyl, and Aerie.
Thoughts: Another anime based on a game. How unfortunate for me, but this isn't exactly a bad sounding anime so I'll probably watch at least the first few episodes as I'm a sucker for fantasy stories which this seems to be.
Anticipation Level: Low-Medium
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Uchuu Kyoudai
Start Date: April 1st 2012
Based On: Manga running in Kodansha's Seinen magazine Weekly Morning
Plot: In 2006, two brothers Mutta and Hibito decide to become astronauts. Cut to 19 years later Hibito has now become an astronaut whilst Mutta had decided on a more traditional job. Everything changes after Mutta gets into a violent exchange with his boss leaving him fired and blacklisted from the industry. With nothing left to lose, this might be his last chance to become an astronaut.
Thoughts: The manga has gained quite a lot of popularity; selling around 1.8 million copies in 2011, winning a couple of awards and being picked up for a live action film due to come out this year. With a track record like that it would be stupid not to check out this anime. Another reason why I'm going to check it out is that I love stories about astronauts - I mean what kid has never dreamed even for a short period of time of being one!
Anticipation Level: High - A lot of expectations riding on this one.
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Kore wa Zombie desu ka Jigokuhen
Start Date: April 5th 2012 (10 episodes)
Based On: Light novel series with a shonen manga currently running in Monthly Dragon Age. This will be the second season of the anime, the first having had a 12 episode run in January 2012.
Plot: Ayumu Aikawa is a zombie resurrected by the necromancer Eucliwood Hellscythe. He meets a "Mas -Sh jo" by the name of Haruna and takes her magic powers, becoming a Mas -Sh jo in the process (not necessarily his choice). With Eucliwood, Haruna, and a vampire ninja named Seraphim living with him, Ayumu helps battle demons known as Megalos while trying to figure out the mystery behind his own death.
Thoughts: I'm not huge on anime with Zombie Battle themes and since this is a sequel I would be even less inclined to watch this. However since I'm going to at least check out Sankarea, I will watch an episode or two of this given that you don't need to have watched the first season to follow the storyline.
Anticipation Level: Low
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Hiiro no Kakera
Start Date: March 6th 2012 (26 episodes)
Based On: A visual novel (franchise) aimed at the female market. As a game, it falls under the otome genre.
Plot: Tamaki revisits a small village she remembers from her childhood and gets caught up in her family's history and the supernatural dangers tied up with it. While walking along the hillsides waiting for her escort to the village, she comes across a rather strangely shaped creature. It runs off soon after with Takami chasing after it, only to discover a place where it doesn t feel like the world I came from . She gets attacked by 3 peculiar creatures but is saved by a man who rushed in to help her.
Thoughts: Pass; not my genre, style and to be honest the story itself seems very weak.
Anticipation Level: Very Low - This one ranks 1% better than AKB0048
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Acchi Kocchi
Start Date: April 6th 2012
Based On: 4-cell manga currently running in Houbhunsha's Manga Time Kirara
Plot: A subtle distance exists between Tsukimi, a tsundere who won't admit her feeling and Io, who is oblivious Tsukimi's feelings. The set-up is full of comedy and bound to have lots of awkward moments.
Thoughts: Ughhh.... I know 4-cell manga are becoming more popular and acceptable but the winter season's anime that were adapted from 4-cell manga were all terrible. The only adaptations I have enjoyed have been Working!! and B gata H kei: Yamada's First Time, so I'm not expecting anything from this anime but I'm hopeful (though not holding my breath) that it might surprise me.
Anticipation Level: Low
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Ginga e Kickoff!!
Start Date: April 7th 2012
Based On: Football novel by the name of Ginga no World Cup (Galactic World Cup) by Hiroto Kawabata.
Plot: A boy who had been part of a disbanded football team, meets a professional women's football player and decides to restart playing football by bringing back his football team.
Thoughts: Seems to be aimed at younger audiences, so I'm going to not consider this to be a true part of the Spring Preview. Recently a manga that will run in Saikyo Jump has been announced.
Anticipation Level: None
Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Hyoka
Start Date: 23rd of April 2012 (21 episodes)
Based On: Mystery novel by Honobu Yonezawa with a manga that started serialisation towards the end of January in Kadokawa Shoten's Shonen Ace.
Plot: Hotaro enters the Classical Literature club because of his sisters recommendation and together with three others, he begins to investigate a case that occurred 33 years ago and has been passed down by the previous members of the club. The cases name; Hyoka.
Thoughts: Somehow this ended up sounding like a Japanese version of the Famous Five - ah childhood memories - but depending on the story and how the anime is done, this can become a nice watch.
Anticipation Level: Low-Medium - depending on how the first episode pans out but I doubt that this will be one that I absolutely must see.
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Nazo no Kanojo X
Start Date: April 8th 2012 (13 episodes)
Based On: Riichi Ueshiba's manga running in Kodansha's Seinen magazine Afternoon.
Plot: Tsubaki finds himself addicted to Urabe, a transfer student's, drool. Urabe claims this as love sickness and the two start a slowly progressing relationship.
Thoughts: I'm not sure I'd be that interested in in a seinen romance, but this does seem to be the romantic comedy type so that could make it enjoyable for me to watch.
Anticipation Level: Low-Medium - It's either sink or swim for romances.
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle (2012)
Start Date: April 8th 2012
Based On: An original animation which secured a manga in Kadokawa Shoten's Newtype Ace Magazine.
Plot: Continuing on from where the story stopped, Kaito continues the battle against the POG with the other Solvers. This is the second season of the anime that premi red in the Fall of 2011.
Thoughts: I gave up after the first episode, so I obviously won't be following the second season of this series. From what I gathered, this anime has got mixed reviews, so the choice as to whether one should watch it is completely up to individual tastes.
Anticipation Level: None
Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Shirokuma Caf 
Start Date: April 5th 2012
Based On: Gag manga running in Shogakugan's Josei Magazine Flowers.
Plot: Following the lives of penguins, grizzly bears and other animals at the Polar Bear Caf .
Thoughts: I didn't realise that there were gag manga running in Josei magazines. Honestly I don't see myself watching this at all.
Anticipation Level: None
Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Rock Lee's Springtime of Youth
Start Date: April 3rd 2012
Based On: The spin-off gag manga by Kenji Taira where all the chracters are drawn in chibi style. The manga is running in Super Strong Jump, a magazine aimed at a younger demographic which also includes spin-off's from One Piece, Toriko and Reborn!. The manga itself has only been collected into 1 volume.
Plot: Rock Lee want's few things in life: to prove he can become a great ninja without the use of ninjutsu or genjutsu, to defeat his eternal rival Neji and to win the heart of Sakura, the girl he loves. The anime will follow his comedic misadventures as he embarks upon the road to achieving his goals.
Thoughts: Bleach's current time slot has been given to this series; huh I didn't realise there was that much confidence in it's potential to succeed but since I have read the manga and did find it surprisingly amusing I'll probably end up watching this series just so I can enjoy all the stupid humour that wasn't put into Naruto. It does seem like this series is intended to boost Naruto's popularity with the younger demographic since there is only 1 volume of the manga out, so one could look at this as not a series but more like a marketing ploy.
Anticipation Level: Low - only since it's a gag series that I'll watch if I have time.
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Lupin the Third: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna
Start Date: April 5th 2012 (13 episodes)
Based On: The thief/detective manga by Monkey Punch which spanned a total of 30 volumes (Lupin III and Lupin III - Most Wanted) that ran from 1967 till 1981 with a 5 year hiatus between 1972 and 1977. Subsequently, 3 seasons of the anime were made (Part I: 23 episodes, Part II: 155 episodes and Part III: 50 episodes) as well as 7 films and close to 30 OVA and Television Specials.
Plot: This anime is is meant to focus on Lupin and gang's younger days. The original plot of the entire series focuses on the world renown thief Arsene Lupin and his gang's exploits whilst being chased by Interpol - Monkey Punch drew inspiration from a series of French books with a protagonist with the same name.
Thoughts: Just like Saint Seiya, of course I have heard of the Lupin III franchise but again just like Saint Seiya I haven't been able to get into it and since I'm already 223 episodes behind I don't think I can truly get excited about this at this point in time (with exams etc.). That being said this franchises reputation is no joke and if I had to guess, I would assume Lupin III fans are ecstatic to watch an origins anime season.
Anticipation Level: Low - Not enough time in the world.
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Saint Seiya Omega
Start Date: April 1st 2012 
Based On: Original story for the animation, the series is an old school manga (1980's) turned 114 episode anime.
Plot: The storyline of Omega takes place in the future era, 25 years after the Holy Wars of the 20th century narrated in the original manga and its anime adaptation. The goddess Athena is still on Earth after reincarnating to cleanse it of the agent of evil as she has done during millennia, accompanied by her Saints, fulfilling her duty of protecting peace on Earth, after her victories over antagonistic deities. Athena and a new generation of Saints prepare to face a new menace that lurks in this new era, in which Pegasus Seiya, the protagonist of Kurumada's manga, is revered as a Saint of legend. - Source: Wikipedia
Thoughts: Well any otaku or manga enthusiast would have at the least heard of the name Saint Seiya. The manga series is considered a classic and the first anime series was very well received, that being said I don't know if I can get into the series since I haven't so much as read one chapter of the manga, let alone watched the first season of the anime.
Anticipation Level: Low - No time
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Upotte!! (ONA)
Start Date: April 8th 2012
Based On: 4-cell manga running in Kadokawa Shoten's Shonen Ace
Plot: A school where girls are weapons in human form.
Thoughts: Doesn't interest me in the slightest; not for the humour or the story.
Anticipation Level: None
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Links: [Wikipedia] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Koi-ken! (ONA)
Start Date: March 1st 2012
Based On: Social network bishoujo game by Vector.
Plot: N/A
Thoughts: N/A
Anticipation Level: N/A
Links: [Wikipedia (JP)] [ANN] [MAL] [Official] [AniDB]
Summary of Preview
Just a quick round up, this season we have:
-5 series returning from a first season (counting Fate/zero since it took a break and Eureka 7 Ao)
-5 new series based on Shonen manga (2 from Weekly Shonen Jump, 2 from Gangan magazines and 1 from Bessatsu Shonen Magazine)
-5 new series based on Seinen manga (1 from Weekly Young Jump, 1 from Weekly Morning, 1 from Afternoon and 1 from Manga Time Kirara)
-2 new series based on Josei manga (both from Flowers)
-2 ONA's (one based on a shonen manga in Shonen Ace, the other based on a video game)
-3 new series based on games
-2 new series aimed at younger audiences
-1 new series based on a novel, 1 new series based on a visual combat book and 1 new series based on a light novel
-4 original animations
The theme of this season seems to be "adaptations" - generally good news since original animations can be great or terrible but with adaptations you know they have a higher probability of being good since they need to be popular in one of the many forms available in order to be animated. There also seems to be quite a nice split between Shounen and Seinen/Josei works and if I'm being honest, overall I'm more interested by some of these anime that are aimed at older demographics.
So the easiest way to give my thoughts on these anime is to categorise them, so let's start on a high note with the series that look good.
What Looks Good
(Hint: Check the banner)
1. Zetman - I love the look of this anime, love the cast and I'm willing to overlook the production company that is in charge after having seen the preview. It looks like it has a western comic-like feel to it which is interesting but what makes me want to watch it is the fact that it's a seinen fantasy battle genre and one that resembles Death Note (replace the psychological warfare with physical warfare and it looks pretty similar.)
2. Sakamichi no Apollon - I do have concerns about it originally being a Josei work, but it doesn't seem to be something that men would not enjoy at all. More importantly the setting of the story sounds very interesting and since the main characters are 2 guys and a girl I assume the Josei scenario is born through a love triangle of some sort - not really a deal breaker - which doesn't put me off wanting to watch this.
3. Kuroko no Basket - I love shonen sports series, I love basketball, I loved Slam Dunk and I love the Kuroko no Basket manga; get the picture Besides that, watching a basketball anime that will be animated from 2012 onwards just makes so happy!
4. Uchuu Kyoudai - To top off my high expectations list with another non-shonen work is a big surprise for me but nonetheless the truth. I want to watch this since it's about astronauts and because there is a lot of confidence behind it!
5. Jormungand - Good plot, good studio so it becomes kind of a given to at least bother watching the first 3 episodes.
What I Hope Is Good
1. Accel World - I mean it sounds good and the the preview looks good, but somehow I don't have the best feeling about this one.
2. Tasogare Otome x Amnesia - As long as there isn't so much romance, it shows promise.
3. Saki: Achiga-hen - Yeah that's right I want the mahjong anime to do well!
4. Tsuritama - Since it could be a competition between this and Kimi to Boku, I want it to do something different.
5. Ozuma - Old school director, love the plot but can't get excited about a 6 episode series.
What I Don't Expect A Lot From
1. Medaka Box - Couldn't get into the manga
2. Eureka Seven Ao - It's like I'm allergic to mecha anime! I only really liked Tengen Toppa Gurren Laagan
3. Sankarea - The idea of a Zombie Romance just creeps me out
What I Don't Know About
1. Haiyore! Nyaruko-san
2. Sengoku Collection
3. Shining Hearts
4. Hyoka
5. Nazo no Kanojo X
6. Natsuiro Kiseki
7. Rock Lee's Springtime of You - Simply because it's a gag series.
What I Need To Catch Up On
1. Fate/zero
2. Kimi to Boku DONE
What I Won't Be Watching
1. AKB0048 - Not interested in a tribute to an idol group
2. Phi Brain - Couldn't really get into it after the first episode, don't have plans to catch up
3. Kore wa Zombie desu ka Jigokuhen - Since this is a sequel I don't have time to catch up
4. Hiiro no Kakera - The genre clearly doesn't interest me
5. Ginga e Kickoff!! - Not really looking for a football anime aimed at a younger demographic, especially since I'm watching Area no Kishi
6. Shirokuma Caf - Just sounds boring
7. Upotte!! - Sounds stupid
8. Koi-ken! - Don't like the idea
9. Acchi Kocchi - I'm not really looking for a seinen romantic comedy
10. Queen's Blade: Rebellion - Fan service heaven is not for me.
11. Saint Seiya Omega - Not enough time in the world and I'm not familiar with the original series.