Spring 2011 Anime Releases
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Last Updated: May 12 2011 - 5:31pm EDT
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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

30-sai no Hoken Taiiku! - 12+? eps
Groups: SubDesu
Summary: Imagawa Hayao is a 30 year-old virgin bachelor. One day, a cupid descends from heaven with the express purpose of forcing him to graduate from virginity. Thus unfolds a pure love story between a 30 year-old bachelor and a 30 year-old bachelorette. [from anidb]
My First Impressions: <not watching>
Link: anidb , ANN

A Channel - 12+? eps
Groups: SHiN-gx Fansubs, Saitei-Subs
Summary: Series about four friends; Tooru who has just entered the same high school as her best best and childhood friend Run, who is now a second year, and Run's friends Yuuko & Nagi in their daily lives. Toeru takes a test so she can enter the same high school as Run, the girl she likes. She passes, but when she goes to tell Run, she finds her hugging a girl she's never seen before. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN

Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae o Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai - 11? eps
Groups: gg Fansubs, Unlimited Translation Works, Ayako & Delight Subs, Taka Fansubs, m.3.3.w., Koharubi & Mango Subs
Summary: Six childhood friends grew apart in high school. One of them is Jintan, now a shut-in. He gets a request to fulfill a wish for Menma, the only one of their friends to have stayed the same over the years. In order to grant her wish, he will have to find and reunite their old friends. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: Much like the description, it's kind of slice of life. It's somewhat interesting since the group of people are quite different and seem to almost dislike each other. The character development is definitely interesting. It's a little different with Menma there and how Jintan tries to deal with her around. I'll be continuing this one.
Other Comments: <Buncho> ano hana and hanasaku are still awesome sauce, although i think ano hana has a lost more rewatch value
Link: anidb , ANN

Ao no Exorcist - 24 eps
Groups: gg Fansubs, Hatsuyuki-Fansub & Hadena-Subs, Darksoul-Fansubs, Chibisui-Subs
Summary: Humans live in the world of Assiah, demons in Gehenna. The two dimensions are not meant to interfere with each other, but demons still possess creatures in Assiah in spite of this. The humans who can fight these demons are known as exorcists. Rin Okumura is a boy who bears the curse of being Satan's illegitimate son. His foster father sacrificed himself to save him from demons. To avenge his foster father's death as well as to prove himself, Rin decides to follow the path of an exorcist. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: This one seems like the standard shounen, but so far it's entertaining enough that I'll continue, especially since there's just about nothing else that I'm interested in this season.
Other Comments: <Buncho> although ao no exorcist reeks of shounen... think of naruto but mixed with chrno minus the love story and on a much faster time scale than naruto
Link: anidb , ANN

Astarotte no Omocha! - 12+? eps
Groups: Hatsuyuki Fansub, SubsFuckingWhere, Underwater & Commie
Summary: While job hunting, Naoya is taken by a mysterious girl to a magical land where he is installed in the harem of the succubus Queen Lotte. Thanks to trauma from her childhood, Lotte hates men and surrounds herself with lots of other women, who all have quirks of their own. In spite of her selfishness, when Naoya learns that Lotte is really quite lonely he agrees to stay in her world...if he can bring his daughter Asuha with him. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: I watched ep 1, somehow made it through the whole thing, but was terribly bored. Maybe if it moved faster it would be okay, but as it is, the pace is slow and I'm totally not endeared to the characters. <not continuing unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN

C: The Money of Soul and Possibility Control - 11? eps
Groups: gg Fansubs, Darksoul-Fansubs, Hatsayuki Fansub, Whine-Subs
Summary: The Japanese government was rescued from the brink of financial collapse by the Sovereign Wealth Fund. For its citizens, however, life has not improved, and unemployment, crime, suicide, and despair are rampant. Kimimaro, raised by his maternal grandmother after the disappearance of his father and the death of his mother, is a scholarship student whose only dream is to avoid all this and live a stable life. One day, however, he meets a man who offers him a large sum of money if he'll agree to pay it back. From then on his fate is radically altered as he's drawn into a mysterious realm known as "The Financial District." [from ANN]
My First Impressions: Somehow there was just nothing in the first ep that made me interested in continuing. I'm not a fan of the art/animation either. <not continuing unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN

Deadman Wonderland - 12+? eps
Groups: Umee, SGKK & Ruri Subs, GotWoot Fansubs
Summary: Ganta Igarashi has been convicted of a crime that he hasn't committed, and sent to a new, privately owned and operated prison, where the inmates are the main attraction in a modern day twist to the gladiatorial coliseums of ancient times. Throw in a healthy dose of weird little girl, some new-found super powers, and a little conspiracy theory, and you have Deadman Wonderland. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: I thought it was interesting at first, but despite the the fighting/action, there's just nothing about the characters and plot that really grab me. <not continuing unless recommended>
Other Comments: <Buncho> deadman wonderland... relies a lot on shock value... and its a budokan type anime... so i'll probably drop out of the anime for this one...
Link: anidb , ANN

Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko - 12 eps
Groups: Mazui, Underwater & Commie, GotWoot Fansubs
Summary: The story revolves around a highschool boy named Niwa Makoto. He lives with his aunt’s family since his parents are away on business. It is there where he meets his mysterious cousin of the same age Touwa Erio — who happens to tie a futon mattress around her upper body and is a self-proclaimed alien. Her staple food is pizza. Erio had been missing for half a year and was found floating in the sea. She doesn't remember anything about what happened during that period of time, but she began to think that it was the act of an alien and wanders the neighbourhood wrapped in the futon. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: I tried watching this, but I just had to stop, because I felt stupider by the minute. <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN

Dog Days - 12+? eps
Groups: Ayako & Himatsubushi, Hiryuu Fansubs & HINA, Ruri-Subs
Summary: In the land of Fronaldo, the Republic of Biscotti has been aggressively attacked by the Lion Kingdom of Galette. Facing potential defeat, Princess Millhiore summons a hero who can save the country. What she gets is Izumi Shinku, a middle-school boy from Japan. Awaiting him in Fronaldo is the task of becoming hero enough to defeat his enemies while learning the peculiar rules of battle in this strange new world. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: After 2 eps, this strikes me as your standard boy ends up in fantasy world and needs to become the hero for the kingdom except more light hearted as they use animal characters, fanservice, and characters that don't really die. If someone tells me it gets better I'd consider picking it up again, but unless there's nothing better I'm not sure I'd continue. <not continuing unless recommended>
Other Comments: <Ice> Dog Days will go on my watch list for the season; some good laughs there.
<Giantred> has potential
Link: anidb , ANN

Dororon Enma-kun: Meeramera - 12+? eps
Groups: gg Fansubs
Summary: It's Tokyo in the 1970s, and evil youkai (goblins) are attacking the human world. The "Youkai Patrol" - Enma, Princess Yukiko, Kapaeru, and Grandpa Shappo - are sent from hell to exterminate them. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: <not watching>
Link: anidb , ANN

Hanasaku Iroha - 12+? eps
Groups: Hatsuyuki Fansub & Tsuki Fansubs, SHiN-gx Fansubs, Underwater & Commie
Summary: When her mother runs off with her latest boyfriend, Ohana Matsumae is sent to live with her grandmother, who she has never met nor spoken to. Her grandmother is not pleased to find Ohana on her doorstep, and sets her to work at her Taisho-era (1920s) hot springs inn. It's not a lifestyle that Ohana would have chosen, but she decides not to be discouraged and to make the most of her difficult circumstances. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: Finished ep2, and I'm not entirely impressed, but it seems kind of interesting too. The characters are a bit weird, so maybe that's the appeal. Still, somehow it just wasn't enough, but if you like comedy slice of life, I'd definitely recommend it.
Other Comments: <Buncho> ano hana and hanasaku are still awesome sauce, although i think ano hana has a lost more rewatch value
Link: anidb , ANN

Happy Kappy - ? ep
Groups: Licca-Fansubs
Summary: The story revolves around Suguri Kinoshita, a nine-year-old third-grade girl who loves animals and making fashion accessories. One day, while Suguri is out buying materials for accessories, she comes across an unusual rock. Thinking it would look cute on a bracelet, she goes to pick up the rock and discovers a creature named Kappy. Kappy happens to be the three-year-old prince of Kapimeshia. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN

Hen Semi TV - 12+? ep
Groups: HINA & Wasurenai
Summary: Matsutaka Nanako is a normal university student, who happened to enroll in Abnormal Physiology Seminar. She tries to keep her mental state sound, but other abnormal classmates start to influence her personality... [from anidb]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN

Hidan no Aria - 13+? eps
Groups: gg Fansubs, Chihiro-Fansubs
Summary: The story takes place in Tokyo Butei High School, a special school where armed detectives -"Butei" - are trained to use weapons. Kinji Tooyama is a second-year-student who has a special ability, but he keeps it a secret to maintain an ordinary, peaceful life. However, when he gets caught in a bombing on the way to school, he encounters H. Aria Kanzaki, the most powerful S-Rank Butei student in Assault Studies. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: The girl is rather annoying and the other characters are just kind of weird. It's somewhat interesting. At least there's a fair amount of action, but it's more just for the brainless kind of action entertainment value. So far at least, there isn't much else. I might keep watching this for a while, but I hope it goes somewhere.
Other Comments: <Giantred> has potential
Link: anidb , ANN

Hoshizora e Kakaru Hashi - 12 eps
Groups: Hatsuyuki Fansub, Doki & Chihiro-Fansubs, Ryuumaru Fansubs
Summary: Kazuma's brother Ayumu needs to recuperate from an illness, so they move from the city to a rural mountain village. They plan to board at their father's inn Yorozuyo, but get lost on their way. Wandering in the mountains, Kazuma stumbles across a girl named Ui Nakatsugawa. It's the first of many encounters in his new country life. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: Only watched half an ep. Seems very standard slice of life, guy ends up meeting a lot of cute girls. <not continuing unless recommended>
Other Comments: <Giantred> has potential
Link: anidb , ANN

Hyouge Mono - 39 eps
Groups: Huzzah
Summary: In the age of civil war, when the shadow of Nobunaga Oda was still cast over the land, the warlord Furuta Sasuke lost his soul to the tea ceremony. While war shook the world around him, he faced his own conflict between his desire for promotion and his love for his art. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN

Moshi Kōkō Yakyū no Joshi Manager ga Drucker no Management o Yondara (Moshidora) - 10 eps
Groups: gg Fansubs
Summary: Minami Kawashima becomes the new manager of Tokyo's Hodokubo High School baseball team to help her best friend, Yūki Miyata. Yūki is the current manager, but due to her weak health, she ends up in a hospital and might undergo a surgery. While searching for a book to assist her, Kawashima accidentally buys "Management: Tasks, Responsibilities, Practices". Written by Peter Drucker, one of the most important authors on the subject of business management, the book unorthodoxly guides Minami on how to administer the team. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN

Nichijou - 13+? eps
Groups: Underwater & Commie
Summary: While the title suggests a story of simple, everyday school life, the contents are more the opposite. The setting is a strange school where you may see the principal wrestle a deer or a robot's arm hide a rollcake. However there are still normal stories, like making a card castle or taking a test you didn't study for. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN

Otona ni Natte mo - ? eps
Groups: aarinfantasy
Summary: Manga editor Misono has always wondered what happened to the handsome Saikawa senpai from high school. Turns out, Saikawa is actually one of his favorite mangaka and is being edited by Misono's friend Goto. [from MangaUpdates]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: MangaUpdates

Sekaiichi Hatsukoi - 12 eps
Groups: Sekai-Fansubs
Summary: Even though Ritsu Onodera hates to rely on family connections, he winds up taking a job as an editor at his parents' company, Marukawa Books. To his chagrin, he's assigned to the shoujo manga department in spite of having no interest or experience in it. And on top of that, he has an awful first impression of his high-handed editor in chief, Masamune Takano. What comes after is a story of first love full of tears and laughter. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN

Sket Dance - 12+? eps
Groups: Hatsuyuki Fansub
Summary: At Kaimei High School, the Living Assistance Club (aka the Sket Brigade) was organized to help students with problems big or small. Most of the time, though, they hang out in their club room, bored, with only a few trivial problems floating in every once in a while. In spite of this, they still throw all their energy into solving these worries. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: I tried watching it and I dunno, I just got bored... <not watching unless recommended>
Other Comments: <Ice> SKET Dance is an alright manga.
Link: anidb , ANN

Softenni - 12+? eps
Groups: Ayako & Nishishi, Hiryuu Fansubs
Summary: The girls of the Hakuou Middle School soft tennis club are aiming for the national championship. Along the way, their journey will be full love, rivalry, fervor, and insanity. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN

Steins;Gate - 24 eps
Groups: Ayako & Nishishi
Summary: Steins;Gate is about a group of friends who have customized their microwave into a device that can send text messages to the past. As they perform different experiments, an organization named SERN who has been doing their own research on time travel tracks them down and now the characters have to find a way to avoid being captured by them. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: Somehow this just didn't appeal to me at all and I got really bored. Admittedly, I didn't even finish the first ep. <not continuing unless recommended>
Other Comments: <Ice> Steins;Gate is good if you like the science aspect of it (read the manga of it previously, so not sold on the anime just yet).
Link: anidb , ANN

Toriko - 13+? eps
Groups: Anime-Destiny & SGKK, Animearth & Kaen Subs
Summary: In a world where the taste and texture of food is extremely important there exist individuals known as Bishoku-ya (luxury food providers) who specialize in the acquisition of rare ingredients and animals. Toriko is one of these hunters and it is his dream to find the most precious foods in the world and create the ultimate dinner course. As one of the most skilled hunters in the world he is regularly hired by restaurants and the rich to seek out new ingredients and rare animals. A man with inhuman ability, he utilizes his incredible strength and knowledge of the animal kingdom to capture ferocious, evasive and rare beasts to further his final goal, the ultimate dinner course composed of the most delicious food in the world. He is currently accompanied by a weak and timid chef who, inspired by Toriko's ambition, travels with him to improve his culinary skills and find rare ingredients. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Other Comments: <Ice> Toriko is the only one so far I've committed to from episode 1.
Link: anidb , ANN

Yondemasu yo, Azazel-san - 12+? eps
Groups: WhyNot?
Summary: Akutabe, a detective, summons devils to solve the troubles of his clients. One day, a low class devil Azazel Atsushi is summoned by Akutabe and is used harshly by him and his assistant Rinko Sakuma. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
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