Autumn 2009 anime preview

Written by A. H. on 09 Sep 2009

When we last sat down to pen a new season preview, we did so looking forward to a Summer of barbecues and bikinis.  Far be it from me to make predictable comments about the British weather, but generally speaking that didn't quite happen - Although this perhaps a good thing if you were looking for excuses to stay indoors and watch new anime.

Thankfully, the Autumn season always makes it far easier to find the time to watch some new series - No holidays abroad, the nights closing in, and the days getting colder and wetter.  The question is, just what will we be watching come October as Japan's autumn season of anime kicks off with the usual plethora of series to choose from.

Well, that's exactly why we're here, to take you by the hand once again and lead you through all thirty new shows making their debuts on Japanese television for the autumn, complete with promotional artwork and online trailers wherever possible.  Be sure to let us know which ones catch your eye!

11eyes

Aside from demonstrating the easiest way to make it to the top of our alphabetical Autumn anime round-up, our first new series for the season introduces itself as a fantasy-based erotic game adaptation.  The star of the show is one Kakeru Satsuki, who finds himself transported into a bizarre world alongside his friend Yuka, where he is forced to fight for his life against various spirits.  While meeting lots of cute girls and trying to win their affections, of course.

Should I watch it?  Adult game to anime adaptations rarely work brilliantly, and I'm not convinced that 11eyes will be any different, particularly given the show's fantasy setting.  I could be proved wrong though, so you never know.

Anyamaru Tantei Kiruminzuu

Anyamaru Tantei Kiruminzuu is a bit of a rarity compared to many of the series in this round-up - An idea original to the anime.  The creator of this series is Shoji Kawamori (most notably of Macross fame), and the show bills itself as a heart-warming comedy; the story of three sisters who find the ability (via some kind of magical make-up) to transform into real animals.

Should I watch it?  Yes, it sounds utterly bizarre, but the Shoji Kawamori angle is a potential hook - This is the guy who gave us the Macross franchise and Escaflowne after all.

Asura Cryin' 2

This Autumn season is looking like quiet the period for follow-ups to very recent series, and here's one of the first - After a successful first season came to a close at the end of June, Asura Cryin' is now back for a second series come October.

The series continues to be based upon Gakuto Mikumo's on-going series of light novels, with its blend of school-based action starring Tomoharu Natsume, a boy who finds himself haunted by the ghost of a former childhood friend.

Should I watch it?  Asura Cryin' piles on anime tropes aplenty from dead parents through to a school setting and onto mechas.  Chances are you'll either love it or hate it, but generally speaking this is one best left for the action fans.

Battle Spirits: Shounen Gekiha Dan

No, Battle Spirits isn't some kind of anime convention drinking game; it is in fact a popular trading card game owned by Bandai.  The franchise has already enjoyed one anime series, last year's Battle Spirits: Shounen Toppa Version, and now it returns in the form of Shounen Gekiha Dan, with Sunrise once again working on the production.  As per the first series, CGI will get intensive use for any battle sequences in the show.

Should I watch it?  Unless you've been playing this trading card game recently, I very much doubt it.