Fall 2011 Anime Releases
(Blatant AD: support nihongoresources.com, a great Japanese resouces site. Buy the book!)

Last Updated: Oct 28 2011 - 1:56pm PDT
Useful Links at the Bottom of the Page
Old guides available from the main page
Miss something? Something wrong? Got more info? Tell me~
IRC: Arty-chan @ chatspike, aniverse, irchighway (and rizon)
List and Recent Updates:

Format:
Title
in alphabetical order - number of eps if known
Groups: groups subbing that I know of
Summary: taken from a site or the 1st ep if I can't find any info
My First Impressions: I give my first impressions honestly, I do have specific tastes and I don't expect you to think the same thing as me, but it's there for those who know whether they have similar or very different tastes from me.
Other Comments: Others' comments.
Link: link to more info

Ben-to - 12+ eps
Groups: gg Fansubs, Shikkaku-Fansubs
Summary: The story revolves around a poor high school student named Satou You. Satou goes to the supermarket one day and discovers a bento (boxed meal) on sale at half price. Just as he reaches to grab it, he ends up on the floor unconscious. Satou has just entered the fierce, no-holds-barred supermarket survival battle for half-price bento. [from anidb]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless highly recommended>
Other Comments: <Ice> Ben-To is the love-child of Airmaster fights with Kore wa Zombie Desu Ka. I LOVE IT!
Link: anidb , ANN

Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai - 12+ eps
Groups: Hatsuyuki Fansub, Mazui, Doki Fansubs
Summary: Hasegawa Kodaka is a recent transfer student to St. Chronica's Academy, a Catholic high school. As with every other school he has ever attended, he finds it difficult to make friends there because of his naturally-blond hair and fierce-looking eyes, which make him look like a dangerous "yankee" to his prejudiced schoolmates. One day, Kodaka accidentally comes across the equally solitary and very abrasive Yozora Mikazuki while she converses with her imaginary friend Tomo. Realizing that neither of them have any social lives, they decide that the best way to improve their situation is to form a club: the Neighbor's Club precisely intended to make friends and learn social skills. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless highly recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN

C3 (CubexCursedxCurious) - 12+ eps
Groups: Unlimited Translation Works, Hatusyuki Fansub, Hadena-Subs
Summary: Yachi Haruaki is a high school boy and naturally resistant to curses. His father, Honatsu, sends him cursed instruments called "Worse" to try to break this. One day, Haruaki receives a black cube from Honatsu. During the night, he encounters a naked silver haired girl stealing rice crackers. She is the human-form of the black cube, an instrument of torture called "Fear in Cube". Haruaki and the girl 'Fear' fight together against other 'Worse' instruments and their owners using Fear's 32 mechanisms of torture. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: <unlikely to watch unless recommended>
Other Comments: <Ice> blend(Denpa Onna + Dragon Crisis + Merry with a similar art style) = C^3
Link: anidb , ANN

Chibi Devi - ? eps
Groups: Doki Fansubs
Summary: The story follows a middle school girl who discovers a devil baby on her bed one day. [from anidb]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN

Chihayafuru - 12+ eps
Groups: Saitei-Subs
Summary: After her sister becomes a top model, 6th-year grade-schooler Ayase Chihaya too dreams of becoming one. However, transfer student Wataya Arata admonishes her to seek her own dream. Thus, she takes up karuta, a Japanese card game, competitively. Together with Arata and Mashima Taichi, Chihaya's childhood friend, they have great fun playing each other, but separate after graduation. 4 years later, Chihaya returns to town. Although Arata no longer plays the game, she believes that they will eventually reunite as long as she continues karuta. Together with Taichi, she establishes the Zuisawa High-school Karuta Club. [from anidb]
My First Impressions: It's interesting as a slice of life type of anime. It's somewhat interesting since it starts in present time and then goes back to tell the back story. I'll continue this until Iget bored.
Link: anidb , ANN

Guilty Crown - 11+? eps
Groups: Hatsuyuki Fansub & Tsuki Fansubs, Darksoul-Fansubs, Doki Fansubs, CoalGuys, Commie
Summary: After the outbreak of the unidentified virus "Lost Christmas" in 2029, Japan has been under the control of a multi-nation organization called GHQ. Ohma Shu is a 17 year old boy who has a psychic power in his right hand. He can use the power "Ability of King" to extract tools or weapons from his friends. He has been avoiding making trouble for others but his life changes when he meets a girl Yuzuriha Inori, a member of a resistance guerrilla group called "Undertaker", whose members pilot mecha weapons to fight against the government. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: This one is pretty good so far. The characters are somewhat interesting and the plot moved along quickly. I'm definitely continuing this one.
Link: anidb , ANN

Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon- 12+ eps
Groups: Hadena-Subs, Shini-Subs
Summary: Set in a distant land, Japan is divided into feudal territories, yet conquered by outside countries, the city Musashi that will ignite the flame of battle is being targeted and has no choice but to keep its people safe by entering this war, with the fate of the world resting on its hands, the students of Musashi may hold the key to victory. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: That was... so bad I couldn't finish the first episode. It's mostly fighting, but somehow it wasn't interesting. It was basically game style with big boobs, lame jokes, and weird characters. I gave up. <not continuing>
Other Comments: <Ice> reminds me of Chrome Shelled Regios, but with a dumber story line and a stereotypical fighting game line up; in other words, worse than the aspirations that Regios could have been
Link: anidb , ANN

Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai!!- 12 eps
Groups: Hiryuu Fansubs
Summary: Kawakami City is famous for its strong dedication to its samurai ancestors. A healthy fighting spirit is always valued and it's even an important factor for success at school. Yamato, a second year student from Kawakami Highchool is always with his close friends (4 boys and 3 girls). They have all known each other since they were young and have done many things together. While they have many other friends, this group of seven is a close-knit, inseparable group. They even have a secret base where they meet. With the new semester, they welcome two girls into their group and shortly after things begin to change... [from ANN]
My First Impressions: This one got way too ecchi emphasis by ep3. <not continuing>
Link: anidb , ANN

Maken-Ki! - 12+ eps
Groups: Hatsuyuki Fansub, Hiryuu Fansub
Summary: The series centres around Ooyama Takeru, a young normal yet perverted minded guy, who enrolls into Tenbi Gakuen, which was once an all-girls school now turned into a co-ed school. Unbeknownst to him, the only students admitted are those who are able to control a source of energy found in all living things called Element, and furthermore can use magical artifacts called Maken, which give the users specific and varied abilities. On the first day, he meets again after three years, Amaya Haruko, his childhood friend, Kushiya Inaho, a weird big busted girl who declares she's his fiance, and Himegami Kodama, a blonde oujo who wants to kill him. After a whim by the school principle Rokujou Minori, he and the three girls end up living in the same room. Furthermore, after being persuaded by Haruko, Takeru decides to join the Maken-ki, a special force unit under the school student council, whose responsibility is to mediate duels between students in the school. However, he later finds out that no Maken is acceptable for him. How will his life continue in this school, where the students get into duels that showcase their magic and combat power, which he seemingly does not have. [from anidb]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN

Mashiro-iro Symphony: The Color of Lovers - 12+ eps
Groups: Doki Fansubs & Chihiro-Fansubs
Summary: Shingo's school is decided to be joined with a girls' school. As a selected student, Shingo temporarily transfers to the girls' school until they officially consolidate. He meets various unique girls there, but all girls dislike male students. To remove their misunderstanding, Shingo works hard and... [from anidb]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN

Mirai Nikki - 26 eps
Groups: Static-Subs, GotWoot Fansubs
Summary: Yukiteru Amano (Yuki) is a loner who never really interact with people and prefers writing a diary on his cell phone with his only companion being an imaginary friend named Deus Ex Machina, the God of Time and Space. However, Yuki soon learns that Deus is not a figment of his imagination but real when Deus makes him a participant in a battle royale with eleven others. Within this "Diary Game", the contestants are given special diaries that can predict the future with each diary having unique features that gives them both advantages and disadvantages. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: This moves along at a fairly good pace. I'm not really a fan of the chracters or animation, but the story is fairly interesting so far. The only problem is that it's starting to remind me of Higurahi with the crazy eyes. I'll continue this until I get bored I guess.
Link: anidb , ANN

Persona 4 The Animation - 25 eps
Groups: Doki Fansubs, Shini-Subs, Hatsuyuki Fansub & Cut that Shit Subs, Ruri Subs
Summary: When Narukami Yuu's family moves to the rural country town of Inaba, he's expecting a lot more peace and quiet than he's been used to in the big city. Instead, the peace has been shattered and the only quiet is the quiet of the grave, as a rash of mysterious murders and kidnappings sweep the countryside. With the police stymied, Yuu finds himself joining with a group of eight other teenagers in a desperate bid to solve the mystery. A mystery that is somehow connected to both the local weather patterns and a strange video game world which Yuu, his friends and the enigmatic killer can all enter. And where each must wield a unique weapon and learn to use amazing powers if they wish to survive. [from anidb]
My First Impressions: So far it's pretty decent, not great, but not too bad. I kind of like the humpty character, kind of amusing. So far it's moving along at a good pace. It's definitely game-style, but I like it so far. I'll continue it for now.
Link: anidb , ANN

Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle - 25 eps
Groups: WhyNot?, SubDesu, AnimeOne
Summary: Kaito, a puzzle-loving high school freshman, is selected as a candidate for "Phi Brain". He and his friend Nonah find an "unsolvable puzzle" near their school. The puzzle turns out to be a life-threatening "philosopher's puzzle" created by the mysterious group POG. After successfully solving the puzzle, Kaito is designated as a Solver and is joined by other Solvers as they battle POG all over the world by solving the "philosopher's puzzles". [from Wikipedia... that's right, I couldn't find a more complete summary anywhere else]
My First Impressions: It's interesting enough I guess. The art is fairly mediocre, and the story was moving along, but somehow in ep3 it starts to seem formulaic. The other characters are kind of boring too. <not continuing unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN

Tamayura: Hitotose - 12+ eps
Groups: Unlimited Translation Works & Mazui
Summary: In her final year of middle school, Fu Sawatari is a student who had previously locked away her feelings following the death of her father. She returns home one day to find her sister, Kou, had taken out all the old photos their father had taken. Fu comes to understand the warmth of these photos and takes an interest in photography, asking to use her father's old camera. After taking a few photos, mainly with her friend Chihiro Miyoshi, she sends some to a famous photographer who responds with positive feedback and a train ticket with no destination. After deciding that she'd like to go to high school in Takehara, where she grew up before her father died, the whole family decides to move there. After saying her goodbyes to Chihiro, Fu travels to Takehara where she meets with her childhood friend, Kaoru Hanawa. [from anidb] Please note: There is a 4 ep OVA, but this does not seem to be a direct sequel, but rather a TV length version of the same story.
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN

Un-Go - 11+ eps
Groups: Doki Fansubs, CCS Fansubs & Hadena-Subs
Summary: With the help of his strange assistant Inga, "failed detective" Shinjūrō Yūki solves crimes in a near future Japan still suffering from the ravages of war. Problem is, the credit always ends up going to super detective Rinroku Kaishō. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: Kind of random, but has peaked my interest. Art is kind of meh, but as long as it works in a larger story, this could be interesting. I'm still on the border with this one. It's getting a tad formulaic while revealing a bit more of a greater story a bit at a time. I'll continue this for now.
Link: anidb , ANN


Useful Links:
envirosphere - list of all new unlicensed releases
Baka-Updates - list of all releases (DVD and fansubs)
anidb - anime database, similar to animenfo
animenfo - anime database, some manga too
Anime News Network - news and anime/manga encyclopedia
Black-rogue - forums with reviews (by someone I know)
AnimeSuki - unlicensed BT database, forum includes current series dicussion
tokyotosho - BT for anime/manga including raws
Anime Planet - anime recommendation database (not the best for new series, but great in general for summaries, screenshots, and recommendations)
MangaNews - list of all new unlicensed manga releases
Baka-Updates Manga - list of all new manga releases