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Spring 2013 anime preview

Spring 2013 anime preview

Written by A. H. on 20 Mar 2013



Well, whaddya know, its new anime season time again! After a relatively sleepy winter season the spring is traditionally where the big guns come out to strut their stuff, which means that we have some hotly anticipated sequels and new adaptations to get our teeth into over the coming months. But with so much to potentially watch, where should your focus lay? Allow us to give you a helping hand courtesy of our now traditional season preview guide!

Aiura

 


Official web site
First Japanese broadcast date: April 4th

The prospect of an entire new season going by without at least one slice of life comedy series is laughable, and thus we begin with Aiura - an adaptation of a manga about three energetic yet unmotivated high school girls and their daily lives.

Should I watch it? There's nothing here to suggest anything that's going to stand out from the crowd, and this is more than likely going to be another of those series of short episodes that everyone forgets about in equally short order.

Aku no Hana

 


Official web site
First Japanese broadcast date: April 5th

Next up we come to one of the potential big hitters of the season, as ZEXCS take on the adaptation of psychological romance-cum-drama The Flowers of Evil, aka Aku no Hana in Japanese. When geeky bookworm Takao Kasuga steals the gym clothes of his crush on impulse, another girl catches him in the act, and uses her position of power to blackmail him into making a contract to buy her silence.

Should I watch it? The source material is well-regarded (and available in English via Vertical), and although the choice of studio is perhaps a little curious it could well prove to be an inspired match-up to make the most of its harder-hitting elements.

Arata Kangatari

 


Official web site
First Japanese broadcast date: April 8th

Shounen fantasy series Arata: The Legend (to use its English title) gets an anime adaptation courtesy of Satelight this spring, which may well be of interest to those who have been following its original manga in English via Viz Media. Set in a world where gods and humans live alongside one another, the series concerns two boys named Arata - one who stumbles from his own world into modern day Japan, while the other finds himself moving in the opposite direction, whereupon they are both mistaken for one another and have to tackle the respective issues facing them in their new location.

Should I watch it? No doubt it'll slip in some typical shounen tropes, but its core concept is pretty interesting, and fans of the manga will definitely want to check it out. Beyond that, this could well be a pretty solid show in its own right, and might well be one to watch for.

Asian Risshiden no Shima Kousaku

 


First Japanese broadcast date: April 10th

If you're looking for something a little more thought-provoking or even educational, Asian Risshiden no Shima Kousaku might just be for you. Adapted from a manga, the series follows a Japanese salaryman with a view to investigating corporate culture within the country.

Should I watch it? We don't know a huge amount about the series sadly, and it's the kind of thing which will probably slip under the radars of most, but this certainly seems like something different, and potentially fascinating, for the spring season.

Boku wa Ou-sama - Fairy Tale Classic

 


Official web site
First Japanese broadcast date: April 6th

Next up we have one for the kids, with children's book series Boka wa Ou-Sama getting an animated trip to the small screen. The story, based on a fairy tale, revolves around a lazy king who hates studying but loves eating eggs.

Should I watch it? It's most definitely one for the children, so I doubt there's much to be enjoyed by a wider audience.


A. H.

Author: A. H.


A. hasn't written a profile yet. That's ruddy mysterious...

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