Spring 2008 Anime Releases
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Last Updated: May 13 2008 - 8:05pm PDT
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Allison & Lillia - 26 eps
Groups: AnimeYoshi, Shinsen-Subs & Formula Sub
Summary: The story takes place in a world with only one big continent. This world is divided into two federations engaged in an endless series of fruitless wars. The story starts when a girl, Allison, and a boy, Ville, who have been raised together in an orphanage, set out on an adventure to find a great treasure which is worth ending the war for. [from AnimeNFO]
My First Impressions: Definitely an adventure anime, but somehow it's not really holding my interest. Though it has plot, the characters seem to optimistic and happy-go-lucky considering what they're doing. It's kind of slow moving for me too. If it was shorter, I might've had more of an interest.
Link: anidb , ANN
Amatsuki - 13+ eps
Groups: Ureshii, Hitode-Fansubs & StrawberryMintFansubs, Atavus Fansubs
Summary: History isn't Tokidoki's strong subject. He's even forced to do make-up work at a high-tech history museum to bring up his failing grades. After losing an eye to a virtual reality monster in an Edo-period simulation, he finds himself unable to leave the game. Could it be real? [from anidb]
My First Impressions: It kind of reminds me of Haruka Naru or Juuni Kokki, but has a more philosophical feel to it. It definitely has potential.
Link: anidb , ANN
Blassreiter - 24 eps
Groups: Otaku-Legends
Summary: Set in the near-future, in a town in Germany. There have been incidents of dead people coming back to life and attacking people. Added to that, living people show up that used to be regular humans, but now can transform into demans themselves. They cannot deny their fate: to fight in a deadly battle royal with others who have turned into demons. [adapted from anidb]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb
Bus Gamer - 3 eps
Groups: Shinsen-Subs, Orange-Side Fansubs & Dats & Emerald-Eyes
Summary: When three complete strangers, Mishiba Toki, Nakajyo Nobuto and Saitoh Kazuo, are hired by a corporation to compete in the Bus Game, an illegal dog-fight conducted in strict secrecy, they are given the team code of "Team AAA" (Triple Anonymous). This group of three who differ entirely from their living environments to their personalities have to work together effectively, but without mutually wiping out their mistrust of each other or prying into each other's privacy. They only have one point in common - each of them need a large amount of money for their individual circumstances. To get the money, they must play in the game despite their very own lives being at stake. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: Honestly, ep1 was boring. I tried watching ep2 until I got so completely bored that I had to turn it off. However, it does remind me Kaiji, so if you liked that, you might like this one. The art is mediocre though and it just takes you through the steps of the story.
Link: anidb , ANN
Chi's Sweet Home - (5 min) ? eps
Groups: Yoroshiku, gg Fansubs, Dats & aRM, Orange-Side Fansubs
Summary: Chi is a kitten who accidentally gets separated from his mother, and is unable to find his way home again. A small boy and his family find Chi and give him a home, although all Chi wants is to return to his mother. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: Each ep is really short, so it's kind of cute to watch. I just like it because it's a cute kitty and it's brings a neat perspective and the mind of a really young being.
Link: anidb , ANN
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 - 25 eps
Groups: Eclipse, gg Fansubs, Tsuki Kage, Anime Kaiten Fansubs, Menclave & Syndicate
Summary: It's been one year since the failure of the Black Rebellion and the supposed death of Zero. Britannia has assigned Area 11 a "correctional education" status, where Elevens are made an example of by brute force, to try to prevent any future uprisings and suppress rebellious thoughts. Unsuspecting high school student Lelouch, oblivious to his rebellious past as Zero, stumbles upon a scheme on his life and the life of a mysterious woman known as C.C., who reveals to him his forgotten purpose and his "true" self. Destroying his assailants and declaring himself Zero once again, Lelouch sets out to finish what he started. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: Obviously this continues S1 and although ep1 just covers the summary, I'm quite sure it'll be much like S1.
Link: anidb , ANN
Crystal Glass (aka Glass Maiden) - 12 eps
Groups: AnimeYoshi, Hitode-Fansubs & AnimeSoftSubs
Summary: The stage is the Middle East in a not to far away future: in Rags Town, a city full of scums. A carefree detective named Shun is living in this city, doing what he pleases. But one they he meets a beautiful girl who's lost her memory, and he tries to solve her mystery without knowing that this would change his life and make him face a powerful enemy. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN
Da Capo II Second Season - 13 eps
Groups: Spoonsubs, Chihiro
Summary: [no summary, but I assume it follows DCII]
My First Impressions: <not watching>
Link: anidb , ANN
Fireball - ? eps
Groups: Dats
Summary: <no summary available - one would be appreciated>
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb
Golgo 13 - 50 eps
Groups: Spoonsubs, BSS
Summary: Industrial tycoon Leonard Dawson has always had the world at his feet, until the day it shattered with the brutal assassination of his son, the heir to all his fortune. With riches beyond belief, Dawson seeks vengeance against the hitman that murdered his son. The hunter becomes the hunted, surrounded by betrayal and deception, making every city unsafe, every friend an enemy. [from anidb]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN
Himitsu - The Revelation - 12+ eps
Groups: Animanda
Summary: The ninth forensic lab of the National Research Institute of Police Science, called Dai Ku (the 9th), uses technology to reproduce images of when the victim was alive from memories residing in the brain to solve difficult cases. This is the story of Maki, the leader of Dai Ku, and Aoki, a newcomer.
Everyone has a secret in his mind. This anime shows the agonies of the investigators who have to know these secret unwillingly. [from AnimeNFO]
My First Impressions: It seems alright. It has potential to get better, but so far it seems like it'll be rather episodic and revolve around more than one character. The director also bothers me a bit since he's girly looking, yet not really bishie. It's something that might be interesting to watch on the side I guess.
Link: anidb , ANN
Itazura na Kiss - 26 eps
Groups: Yoroshiku, gg Fansubs, Dats & aRM, Orange-Side Fansubs
Summary: In the romantic comedy story, a high school girl named Kotoko finally tells a fellow senior named Naoki that she has loved him from afar since she saw him on their first day of high school. However, Naoki, a haughty "super-ikemen" (handsome male) with smarts and sports talent, rejects her offhand. Fate intervenes when a mild earthquake ruins Kotoko's family house. While the house gets rebuilt, Kotoko and her dad stay at the home of her dad's childhood friend...whose son is Naoki.. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: It's a not very good shoujo imo. Ep2 is a bit more interesting, but it recaps way too much. It recaps as much as a shoujo manga, but with manga you can just skim over it *very* quickly, but it just doesn't work in anime. I wonder how it'll end too since the manga never ended.
Link: anidb , ANN
Junjou Romantica - 24 eps
Groups: aarinfantasy
Summary: Misaki is suddenly having some unexpected and odd problems. What started as a need for some college entrance exam tutoring has somehow led him to being romanced by a suave older man who also happens to be his big brother’s best friend. Confused by all of his brand new emotions, Misaki struggles to deal with his suddenly very odd life. And if that wasn’t enough, his suitor, Usami, has plenty of issues of his own. A man-child who decorates his room in giant teddy bears and toys, Usami is a famous novelist who also writes steamy boys’ love novels on the side. When Misaki cracks open one of these books and reads sentences like “Misaki licks every inch of Usami’s hot body”…well, let’s just say that all hell breaks loose. [from anidb]
My First Impressions: Watched the first episode and thankfully it's not yaoi, but so far a shoujo-like shounen ai (i.e. romance type), but it's kind of funny so far, so we'll see if it becomes interesting at all. The first ep moved at a fairly fast pace, so I hope that keeps up.
Link: anidb , ANN
Kaiba - 12 eps
Groups: Ureshii & Froth-Bite
Summary: A sci-fi love story set in a world where digitization of memory made physical death obsolete. A world where memories can be stolen and altered, and replaced in a new human body.
Kaiba wakes up in a room without knowing who he is. He has a pendant with the photograph of a woman he does not remember. After being attacked all of a sudden, he has to flee to space, meet various people, and rediscover the world. "Even without my memories, I love you...". [from anidb]
My First Impressions: <coming soon?>
Link: anidb , ANN
Kamen no Maid Guy - 12 eps
Groups: Yakuza & Tsuki Kage, Ayako
Summary: Fujiwara Naeka is a typical 17 year-old high school student. Or so we thought. She's really one of two surviving heirs of a tycoon who has the right to inherit his mass fortune when she turns 18 in half a year. Fubuki, a young and beautiful maid, and Kogarashi, a big burly maid guy with a mask, have been assigned to keep Naeka and her brother Kousuke safe from those who would plot their demise, and to steal the fortune she would inherit. [from anidb]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN
Kanokon - 12 eps
Groups: Ayako, IIDX Fansubs, Nice-Boat & Sekai-Fansubs, Moetaku, JEEB & Starlight-Fansubs
Summary: 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 Kunpo 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. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN
Kurenai - 13+ eps
Groups: BSS, Starlight-Fansubs
Summary: Kure-nai is about the adventures and misadventures of 16-year-old Shintaro Kurenai. Shintaro is an authority in settling disputes between people, and is one day approached by Murasaki Kuhouin, the daughter of a powerful plutocratic family, asking him to be her bodyguard. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: It has potential I guess, especially in the part of character development, though so far in 2 eps the young girl is really annoying and stupid. Nevertheless, I might continue watching it for some entertainment value.
Link: anidb , ANN
Kyouran Kazoku Nikki - 13+ eps
Groups: Static-Subs & Eclipse
Summary: There was a creature called “Enka”. Enka was very powerful and almost ruined the world. On the brink of extinction, the survivors banded together against Enka, andmanaged to defeat it. However, Enka left a child that will awaken 1000 years later and suceed its will to ruin the world. Later on, several potential heirs of Enka are discovered via DNA testing. However, even with the latest technology, no one can identify the true child with certainty.
Therefore, the Japanese Imperial Agency for Supernatural Phenomena, launches
OPERATION: Peaceful Family. They gather all the potential children of Enka and put them together in one family and hoping that the child will develop love, which will make him/her reluctant to kill his/her family and to destroy the world. [adapted from AnimeNFO]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , AnimeNFO
Macross Frontier - 13+ eps
Groups: Shinsen-Subs, Anime-in-Action & Infinite-Zero, AnimeOne & Gekkostate & Menclave, Gattai
Summary: It is a direct sequel to te first Macross series and Macross 7 and follows the lives of Alto Saotome, Ranka Lee and a pop idol named Sheryl Nome on board the Macross Frontier colonization fleet. After the war against the Zentradi aliens, Humankind has spread across the universe in order to ensure its survival. The Macross Frontier fleet is part of a effort to spread and maintain the culture of humanity. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: <not watching (never did watch M7)>
Link: anidb , ANN
Monochrome Factor - 13+ eps
Groups: Shinsen-Subs, Ainex, IIDX Fansubs
Summary: Akira Nikaido is a typical slacker high school student who thinks he has a normal life--until a mysterious man called Shirogane appears and tells him to meet him at the school that night. He is skeptical but goes anyway...and gets attacked by a shadow monster! Shirogane convinces him that the balance between the human world and the shadow world has been distorted, and that Akira must become a shin--a creature of the shadow world--in order to help restore the balance. [from anidb]
My First Impressions: Warning: some shounen-ai elements (i.e. guy x guy kissing). Actually, though it's only the first ep, it seems interesting. Some action and drama, though the preview for the next ep suggests some drama and comedy elements instead. Hopefully, it'll develop more of a plot.
Link: anidb , ANN
Nabari no Ou - 13+ eps
Groups: AnimeOne & Conclave, Shinsen-Subs, Ainex, Rumi Productions, Animanda
Summary: Rokujou Miharu was a seemly reluctant junior high student living in his own world. However, within him, lurked the ultimate power of Nabari, "Omnipotent". To possess such supreme weapon, the Wolf Pack of Iga swore to bring Miharu back to Iga village. On the other hand, Miharu’s English teacher, Kumohira sensei, and classmate, Kouichi, were the Banten ninjas whose mission was to protect Miharu. A war waged over the ownership of "Omnipotent" thus started. To survive, Miharu must enter the hidden world Nabari, to become the king. [from anidb]
My First Impressions: This actually looks quite interesting so far (even though it's just ep1). The fighting is pretty good and the art isn't bad either. The characters seem alright, so this show definitely shows potential.
Link: anidb , ANN
Naisho no Tsubomi - 13? eps
Groups: Underwater
Summary: Naisho no Tsubomi tells the story of Tsubomi Tachibana, a fifth grader dealing with issues such as her mother's pregnancy, her first period and the strange feelings she has started to get when she has been around boys. [from anidb]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN
Neo Angelique Abyss - 13+ eps
Groups: StrawberryMintSubs
Summary: Angelique is a normal highschool girl, but one day, she is called into the principal's office and asked by a handsome man to join him in working as a Purifier, which means to fight against demons that appear in Arcadia, called Thanatos. Angelique is against the idea citing that she has no such powers to fight against them, but when a Thanatos appears on campus, things begin to change...
My First Impressions: It's kind of magical girl actually (ignore the sites that mark it harem, though admittedly it's full of bishies). The art is decent I guess, but sometimes they look like they've been squished. Otherwise, it kind of reminds me of Haruka Naru something something something.
Link: anidb , ANN
Nijuu Mensou no Musume - 22 eps
Groups: Live-eviL, sudo
Summary: Chiko, who had been leading a lonely life because of her parents death. Together with the Phantom Thief Nijū-Mensō (20-Faces), she sets out on a journey into the real world. She gradually changes as she encounters new friends and places. But strange events start happening revolving around the mystery of "Legacy of the 20-Faces". So Chiko has to move forward, regardless on how checkered her life will become. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: After only watching the first ep, I'm not too sure about what I think. However, it kind of reminds me of DN Angel without the shoujo-like love drama in it. The art is not that great, but it seems to have potential.
Link: anidb , ANN
Penguin no Mondai - ? eps
Groups: DATS & a Red Moon
Summary: [none, summary would be appreciated]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN
Real Drive (aka RD Sennou Chousashitsu) - 26 eps
Groups: Shinsen-Subs, Ureshii & Saizen
Summary: The Real Drive is a "neo-futuristic science-fiction suspense" story is set in A.D. 2061, when a new, more secure information network called the Material Network (or "Metal") has taken over human society. However, aberrations begin to crop up as individuals chafe against the rigid system, and so-called "cyber divers" are dispatched to investigate these incidents. The the main cast consists; the cyber driver Mari, an "intuitive girl" named Minamo, the team's head Eiichirō, the combat expert Sōta, and the android Horon. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: Honestly, I'm not sure what happend and I don't really get what it's about. With other things to watch, this one did not peak my interest at all.
Link: anidb , ANN
Special A - 24 eps
Groups: BakaWolf & m.3.3.w, Generation neXt Subbing Team & Onibaku
Summary: When Hikari was little, she and her father liked to watch pro wrestling, and she became very good at it. She was the pride of her family until one day she was introduced to Kei, the son of her father's friend. He instantly defeated her in wrestling, and started what would become Hikari's major ambition to one day beat him. To do this she enrolled in Kei's school, an ultra elite school that costs her father a lot of money. This unusual school created classes according to grades, and the top seven students become members of the "SA". They have their own building, and can optionally attend class. Hikari is usually the only one who does so, since she desperately wants to beat Kei with test scores. The members of the "SA" have been close friends since their first year. [from anidb]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended - reading the manga though>
Link: anidb , ANN
Soul Eater - 51 eps
Groups: AnimeYoshi, Anime Enlightment, Anime-Empire & Saizen, LoneWolf Subs, Rumbel, Generation neXt subbing Team & Onibaku
Summary: Set in the Shinigami technical school for weapon meisters, the series revolves around 3 groups of each a weapon meister and a human weapon. Trying to make the latter a "Death Scythe" and thus fit for use by the Shinigami, they must collect the souls of 99 evil humans and 1 witch. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: It looks quite interesting actually. The art is slightly different, but good and the action is quite good too. The comedic elements seem a tad repetitive, but I think it should definitely be enjoyable.
Link: anidb , ANN
To Heart 2 ad (Another Days) - OVA 2 eps
Groups: Aquastar-Anime & Avalon
Summary: The next chapter in the To Heart 2 story. Takaaki has recently lost his memory, and the girls do everything possible to help fill in the gaps with pleasant memories while keeping him from remembering what happened. Within this, Tamaki seems to have a specific memory that she holds dear involving a particular letter. [from anidb]
My First Impressions: <not watching>
Link: anidb , ANN
To-Love-Ru - Trouble - 26 eps
Groups: Ayako, AnimeYoshi, Nice-Boat
Summary: Yuuki Rito is 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. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN
Toshokan Sensou - 12 eps
Groups: Froth-Bite & Menclave, Euthanasia, Ocha!Subs, Rozen-Fansubs & The Subbers Have No Name
Summary: In the year 2019, the explosion of information and misinformation became a direct threat to society. In a daring decision, it was decided to create a new government agency dedicated solely to information management. Now some thirty years later, the government still monitors and controls information, suppressing anything they find undesirable, but standing against their abuses of power are the libraries, with their special agents called ‘the book soldiers. [from anidb]
My First Impressions: It's more drama than war (so far) and it has potential. It's only 12 eps so hopefully the pace will keep up. Only 1 ep, but it was pretty interesting.
Link: anidb , ANN
Vampire Knight - 26 eps
Groups: Ureshii, Mishicorp, Shoku-dan, Anime-Kraze, Orange-Side Fansubs & VK Scans
Summary: Cross Academy is attended by two groups of students: the Day Class and the Night Class. At twilight, when the students of the Day Class return to their dorm, they cross paths with the Night Class on their way to school. Yuki Cross and Zero Kiryu are the Guardians of the school, there to protect the Day Class from the Academy's dark secret: the Night Class is full of vampires. [from anidb]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN
Wagaya no Oinari-sama - 24 eps
Groups: Static-Subs, KissSub & Ayako, FTP-Anime
Summary: Noboru and Toru are two brothers that have grown away from their family's' secret. The fact that their family can use the Water ki and can ward off demons. But when a demon is after Torus' life, in order for the family to keep him safe they need to awaken the fox-spirit Kūgen. Kūgen will not help for the sake of the family but only for the sake of the children late mother. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: Ep1 and 2 were actually rather constrasting. Ep1 was more action/fantasy, but then ep2 turned kind of everyday life comedy with some action. It has potential to get better, but unless they begin to develop an overall plot, it won't go very far.
Link: anidb , ANN
xxxHolic Kei - 26 eps
Groups: Shinsen-Subs, Mishicorp, Naked Xlation
Summary: Still working to get his wish complete, Watanuki finds himself into more mess than he can handle when certain facts about his everyday life gets revealed and when he needs to learn the lesson of Yuuko the hard way. [from ANN]
My First Impressions: <not watching - reading manga>
Link: anidb , ANN
Zettai Karen Children - 24 eps
Groups: Deculture
Summary: In the future, people with ESP are becoming more widespread. The Japanese government has hired three of the most powerful ESPers in Japan to work for B.A.B.E.L. (Base of Backing ESP Laboratory), but all three are ten year old girls with questionable attitudes. [from anidb]
My First Impressions: <not watching unless recommended>
Link: anidb , ANN
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AnimeSuki - unlicensed BT database,
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