… Huh. This season looks a little dry, ne?

But we’re (somewhat) confident that there will be at least one true gem this summer, though we can’t really agree on what it will be.

There’s a full list of this season’s anime here; naturally, we didn’t care to comment on them all.

Ikkitousen Great Guardians (started June 11)
13 episodes; animated by ARMS

CJ: I can ignore some fanservice for the sake of violence and general awesomeness, but this looks like far too much. Pass.

Janette: If the promo art looks terrible, nothing is getting me to touch it with a five foot pole.

Crisu: I got the first DVD of the first series free from RightSTUF, and a friend told me to throw it in a fire. Well I didn’t do that, but I haven’t yet watched the DVD either. Too much fanservice, he said, and he’s one that enjoys fanservice, too.

Rakuen: So just how many ways CAN you shred a sailor fuku?

Chocolate Underground (started June 12)
13 episodes; animated by Production I.G.

CJ: If the government banned all sweets after 5 pm, I’d just drink decaf coffee. And why bother smuggling chocolate if you can eat it IN THE FRICKIN’ MORNING? Not watching.

Janette: Now CJ, not everyone likes coffee. Or eating in the morning. Okay, okay, it makes no sense whatsoever. But I will be watching this, if just to see if this can be explained/pulled off. At the least, I like the art, and after xxxholic kei, I will sacrifice art in hopes of good animation.

Crisu: Is this Toshokan Sensou except with chocolate? But maybe they’ll showcase one particular chocolate each episode; then it’ll be also educational!

Rakuen: The premise sounds like a 1920s gangster reel, except without the gangsters and a less mature Macguffin to pawn.  At least it’s a somewhat original idea.  There’d better be something pretty amazing here or I’m calling it a fail.

Icystorm: What the hell is this? Stupid premise but it could turn out to be amazing; it’s Production I.G. after all. Guess they sure like having “chocolate” in the title… (Tokyo Marble Chocolate).

Telepathy Shoujo Ran (started June 21)
26 episodes; animated by TMS Entertainment

CJ: … And at the opposite end of the boob-o-meter, we have annoying-looking lolis with supernatural powers. I prefer Rika-chama and Hanyuu.

Rakuen: So we got these girls, right?  And we’re going to give them these powers, right?  And they’ll totally be able to throw stuff around the room with the power of their MINDS, right?  This is going to be sweet, right?  I don’t think so.

Icystorm: The character design pushes me away, but I’ll likely give it a few episodes to determine its quality. I don’t want another Special A experience when I am terribly disappointed.

Ultraviolet: Code 44 (starts July 1)
12 episodes; animated by Madhouse Studios

CJ: …It has Romi Paku in it. ^_^ Am prepared for epic fail, but will give this a chance.

Crisu: Genetically-engineered hero fighting off vampires?  Uh… no.

Rakuen: Apparently Ultraviolet did well enough in Japan to warrant an anime spinoff.  I thought the idea had potential but the movie was absolutely horrible.  I’m willing to give it another shot.

Sekirei (starts July 2)
animated by Seven Arcs

CJ: As dumb as the series looks, the website indicated to me that it’s fairly well-liked: The main character’s cosplay outfit is there, and there was other merchandise and a radio drama as well. Plus the tiny little girl’s really cute~~ without looking stupid. Since it’s from the studio that did Nanoha, I’ll give it a chance, despite the boob factor.

Crisu: So on the main website I see one loli DFC and three kyonyuus? Uh… sounds imbalanced.

Icystorm: Loli spotted. Definite watch.

Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto ~Natsu no Sora~ (Someday’s Dreamers season 2) (starts July 2)
animated by Hal Film Maker

CJ: I’ve been looking for my slice-of-life fix since Sketchbook ~full color’S~ ended. Watching.

Crisu: Ooh, pretty. Slice of life with a touch of magic? Same studio as sketchbook ~full color’s~? Sounds like fun; I may look into it.

Icystorm: Never watched the first season, but sounds interesting. Might give the first season a quick watch to get more slice-of-life goodness.

Slayers REVOLUTION (starts July 2)
~26 episodes; animated by J.C. Staff

CJ: My artsy side is looking forward to seeing all the characters and action with newer, cleaner animation. My fangirl side is going “SQUEEEEEEE LINA LINA LINA-SAMA!” I haven’t seen the older series in years, so let’s hope that the characters are as good as I remember and this sequel doesn’t screw up.

Crisu: I should watch this; I have friends who loved the earlier seasons and are just wetting their pants at this newest season. Plus I’m poking the Magical Battle Arena demo again, and Lina is just a cutie.

Rakuen: If anime has taught us anything, it’s that going back to animate a series you ended years ago has never been a good idea *coughTenchicough*.

Icystorm: Although I’ll watch Slayers someday, this isn’t the time, especially since I’ve never seen the past seasons.

Seiyou Kottou Yougaiten ~Antique~ (Antique Bakery) (starts July 3)
12 episodes; animated by Nippon Animation/Shirogumi Inc.

CJ: Hey look, a yaoi series that doesn’t look totally smutty and fangirl-oriented.

Janette: This will be my replacement for xxxholic kei, definitely. I read the authors other work, “Flower of Life”, and all I can say is this person is amazing. I don’t quite know what to to expect the the homosexual character, but even though I’m not a yaoi fangirl, it doesn’t bother me, and I expect it will handled in not to ridiculous of a fashion.

Icystorm: Yaoi? No, thanks.

Hidamari Sketch x365 (starts July 3)
animated by SHAFT

CJ: Cute. Will only watch if I get bored or there’s .avi files of it available. (Then I can watch it on my MP3 player, hassle-free ^_^)

Janette: It looks so cute. But I have other stuff to do. It just doesn’t break the mold in any way, it looks.

Icystorm: I hear good things about Hidamari Sketch and it’s a slice-of-life! I’m hoping I won’t have to watch the previous season, since I’m still watching spring anime and all.

Strike Witches (starts July 3)
animated by Gonzo

CJ: If the characters and their drama are as well-written as Sky Girls, I’ll stick with this one for a while. I never did finish Sky Girls, though; sorry…

Icystorm: Isn’t Sky Girls kind of similar (haven’t watched it)? Sounds somewhat interesting, but there are other shows that are more deserving of my time. Pass.

Crisu: Yesss… While I guess I didn’t do a good job covering the OVA, I’ll try to do better with the TV series. This is like Sky Girls 2 for me; lots of excitement.

Birdy the Mighty Decode (starts July 5)
13 episodes; animated by A-1 Pictures Inc.

CJ: Meh. Sci-fi-ness could be cool.

Crisu: Plot sounds kinda weird. Although I guess that’s a nice-looking crime-fighting suit.

Rakuen: What’s up with this title?  Anyway, I had to look up the previous series, and it seems to be sci-fi comedy.  Based on the character design of our main heroine, I have to wonder how much of the comedy relies on fanservice.

Icystorm: One of the worst titles I’ve ever heard. That said, I think I’ll watch it. Has epic potential despite the girl looking rather ugly.

Yakushiji Ryouko no Kaiki Jikenbo (starts July 5)
13 episodes, animated by Dogakobo

CJ: The main character looks like a total Mary-Sue, but it looks like a freaking crime drama (YAY) and it actually reminds me of the American crime drama Bones. Hate the supernatural twist, though; that often manages to screw up otherwise decent shows.

Rakuen: Crime drama!?  Okay, I’ll at least check it out.

Icystorm: Could be interesting, could be boring. Looks like it’s worth a few episodes before dropping. The art style doesn’t attract me too much, but hey, I can say the same for several other shows I like. What’s wrong with the supernatural element? I think it could add a lot.

Zero no Tsukaima ~Miyoshi Hime no Rondo~ (starts July 6)
13 episodes; animated by J.C. Staff

CJ: DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW SICK I AM OF SEEING UNDERWEAR-CLAD LOUISE ALL OVER THE INTERNETZ? Not watching.

Crisu: Moar Louise; moar Tabitha; less of busty elf girl, PLEASE. While I enjoyed season 2’s plot, I really didn’t have any fun with the fanservice. You can make fun of Louise being flat without having to compare her to freaking watermelons. It’s just all too excessive to me.

Rakuen: I have no opinion on this as I’ve not watched the previous two series.  I believe I’m perfectly content to not watch the third one as well.

Natsume Yuujin-Chou (starts July 7)
animated by Brains Base

CJ: Like Impz said, “Why am I feeling FMA vibes?” It’s got the hand-clappity thing and everything!!! Epic win potential spotted; am watching for either awesomeness or lulz.

Janette: Folklore. ‘Nuff said. Will investigate.

Rakuen: Death Note in reverse?  Instead of writing down names in a book to kill people, you write them down to bind their ghost to a contract.  What.  The.  Hell.

Icystorm: The main character reminds me of Edward Elric… but the show’s probably much different. I’m not intrigued by the premise but rather the production company. I’ll keep my eye on this one.

Koihime†Musou (starts July 8 )
12 episodes; animated by Dogakobo

CJ: Meh. Looks dumb.

Crisu: It looks very colorful; I should probably refresh myself on the original Romance of the Three Kingdoms story first, though.  I wonder how much character development this will really have.

Rakuen: First of all, why do anime studios have this desire to translate eroge into anime?  Anyway, whatever you do, do NOT pursue Liu Bei.  Or whatever his equivalent is here.

Icystorm: There has to be some lesbians among the 30+ character cast since most of them are girls. Eagerly excited for the possibility of action between them (although there is likely none at all).

Mission-E (starts July 7)
animated by Studio DEEN

CJ: … Interesting outfits. Ultimate cosplay alert~! Plus that meganekko chick looks cool, and it’s animated by my beloved Studio DEEN. Maybe watching the first episode.

Crisu: Didn’t watch Code-E, so I probably won’t understand this at all.  ^^;

Rakuen: Yay electrical manipulation?  Something about this series reminds me of Bubblegum Crisis, and that’s okay, because I liked that.  I’ll check it out for a few episodes and see where it goes.

Icystorm: Looks… like fail. Do we really need this shit?

Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu (starts July 10)
animated by Studio Barcelona

CJ: That Haruka chick looks annoying.

Crisu: This sounds cute. Yay for otaku in anime. And it’s by the studio who animated Kodomo no Jikan; I was pleased with their work there. Plus, Noto Mamiko is in this.

Icystorm: Hawt female closet otaku? Count me in. Anything with otaku will satisfy my need for moar Genshiken.

Blade of the Immortal (starts July 13)
animated by Bee Train

CJ: Am watching come hail, high water and stupid fanboys. (Actually, that’s similar to what I said about Code Geass R2, which I’m 5 episodes behind on ^_^; ) I have no knowledge of the series, but it looks awesome. Let’s just hope it doesn’t get all super-slow and generally stupid (it’s being animated by Bee Train after all.)

Rakuen: Another one of those do an ungodly amount of a certain task to reach salvation?  I dunno, maybe I’ll look at it.

Icystorm: Heard this was some epic shit. I like epic shit. Will watch.

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