Spring Season had came and gone, and now the Summer season is upon us. School is out, and some of us are catching up on some series they may have missed due to school work. With some extra free time now, some may even pick up some new anime to watch too. Some of our favorite series are coming to an end, or are continuing into the next season.

When a series end, another new series will take its place. We can only hope that they can fill in the void that its predecesors have left. Here’s to a great new season of anime!

Here are some notable Anime Series of Spring 2008:

• CODE GEASS: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2
• Kanokon
• Kurenai
• Kyouran Kazoku Nikki
• Nabari no Ou
• ToLoveRU
• Toshokan Sensou
• Soul Eater

The following are some Anime series coming out soon in the Summer 2008 season. There are more that are not listed, and I will update this post as more series are announced. Last Updated: June 14, 2008

All images were taken by myself off of the official websites of each of the respected anime series. Feel free to use them if you like, just remember to credit your work.

Again, I got the anime schedule from Moonphase(JPN), where I went through and looked at all the new series coming out, and looked up information on each series.

Blade of the Immortal

Genre: Action, Swordplay
Official Website: http://mugen.kc.kodansha.co.jp/
Source: ANN

Summary:

Manji is a crass, violent samurai with a special ability: he cannot die. Cursed with immortality by the nun Yobikuni as punishment for his ruthless deeds, he has grown weary of his ageless life. The only way to lift the curse is to slay 1,000 evil men. So Manji wanders Japan, shedding the blood of the wicked on his quest to finally die.

Thoughts:

I have always like samurai animes, and Blade of the Immortal won’t be an exception. It has samurais, ninjas, swordplay. Count me in!

Chocolate Underground

Genre: Adventure, Action
Official Website: http://www.choco-bar.jp/
Source: AnimeNfo

Summary:

“From 5 o’clock this evening, chocolate is illegal.”
It is an amazing law. The story takes place in some present-day country. The Good For You party has won the elections and announced the Chocolate Prohibition law. They prohibit all sweet things, including chocolates, because they are harmful to one’s health.

“We can’t stand such an absurd rule”.
Two boys, Huntley and Smudger, stand up to fight against the law. With help from Louise and other friends, they begin to bootleg chocolate.

Thoughts:

Huh!? Bootleg chocolate? Chocolate is illegal? Okay, the premise for this series is kind of outrageous, and I don’t know what to make of this anime. Then again, I very much enjoyed watching an anime about making bread, so who knows?

Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid

Genre: Science Fiction, Mecha, Romance
Official Website: http://www.tdd-1.com/
Sequel to: Full Metal Panic!
Source: ANN

Summary:

This series is set about two months after the events ocurred in the Tuatha de Danaan at the end of the original series. Mithril becomes aware of a secret organization that has technology able to counter the ECS (Electronic Cloaking System) mode. This organization, known as Amalgam, also has “Black Technology”, obtained from “Whispered” like Kaname Chidori, and like the other intelligency agencies, they intend to obtain more. However, when Sousuke’s mission to protect Chidori is terminated by Mithril, all seems to be in place for Amalgam’s plans…

Thoughts:

One of my personal favorite anime series of all time. Though TSR is a lot more serious than the first, it is still an amazing anime. This makes me want to watch FMP!, TSR, and Fumoffu all over again.

Hidamari Sketch x 365

Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life
Official Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/hidamari/
Sequel to: Hidamari Sketch
Source: ANN

Yuno has been accepted to her dream school: Yamabuki Arts High School. To attend the school, Yuno moves and starts to live in a small apartment building named the Hidamari Apartments located near the school. Once there, she starts making new friends like her classmate Miyako and the second year students, Hiro and Sae. Surrounded by good friends, Yuno starts moving towards her dream of being an artist.

Thoughts:

Comedy/Slice of Life animes are aways hit or miss for everyone. You either like it or you don’t. Rarely any middleground. They’re like the Seinfeld of anime. Funny shows about nothing. I just happen to like them I am actually just starting to watch Hidamari Sketch, so depending on that, I may pick up this season as well.

Ikkitousen: Great Guardians

Genre: Fighting, Supernatural, Comedy
Official Website: http://www.ikkitousen.com/
Sequel to: Ikkitousen: Dragon Destiny
Source: ANN

Summary:

Preparing for the battles to come, tournaments and to fight against new opponents from over the world, Hakufu is working to have enough money to make her dream true. But she doesn’t consider that new allies and enemies will come to scene. A sister. She doesn’t even now her mom’s past so better to star from the local stuff before attempting to go worldwide.

Thoughts:

An anime about high school kids fighting and articles of clothing being disinegrated into nothing. Throw in A LOT of fanservice and some nudity and you got yourself a pretty sucessful anime series. I never got around to finishing the first season of this anime, so I don’t know if I would ever finish that up, plus the second season before the third season comes out.

Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto: Natsu no Sora

Genre: Fantasy, Slice of Life
Official Website: http://www.sora-mahou.com/
Also known as: Things That Are Important to a Mage ~Summer Sky~
Sequel to: Someday’s Dreamers (spin-off)
Source: ANN

Summary:

Yume Kikuchi, a girl who can use magic, goes to Tokyo to be an apprentice mage to the handsome Masami Oyamada (a professional mage). In Tokyo, Yume learns about magic, helping people, and various other things on her way to being a mage. but she soon also finds out that even just magic alone isntenough to make someone truly happy…

Thoughts:

To be honest I haven’t seen Someday’s Dreamers yet, but I Really Really Really do want to sit down one day and watch it though. The artwork alone has really caught my attention, and plus, I have heard nothing but good things about this series.

Mission-E

Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life, Supernatural
Official Website: http://avexmovie.jp/lineup/mission-e/
Sequel to: CODE-E
Source: ANN

Summary:

Chinami Ebihara is girl with a strange ability to generate electromagnetic waves when her emotions run high. However, since this ‘ability’ affects anything electrical, it resulted in her having to transfer from school to school when she was younger. As Chinami, now 18 years of age, transfers to a new school, she once again affects the electronic devices in the school, but this time, when another student, Kotaro Kannagi, sees her do this, he becomes obsessed in studying her “TYPE-E” ability.

Thoughts:

Again I haven’t seen the first season of the series so I don’t know what to expect. But it must be good if there is reason for a sequel right? Right?

Natsume’s Book of Friends

Genre: Supernatural
Official Website: http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/natsume/
Source: ANN

Summary:

Natsume Takashi has the ability to see spirits, which he has long kept secret. However, once he inherits a strange book that belonged to his deceased grandmother, Reiko, he discovers the reason why spirits surround him. Containing the names of these spirits, a binding contract was formed between the spirits and the owner of the book. Now, Natsume is determined to free the spirits and dissolve the contracts. With the help of a spirit cat, his days are filled trying to return the names to these spirits.

Thoughts:

The plot summary sounds interesting enough for me to give the series a try. I wonder how much action will be involved in this series though.

Neo Angelique Abyss

Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Adventure
Official Website: http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/neoromance/tv/neo/index.htm
Source: AniDB

Summary:

While the young Angelique lives out her days peacefully in her school, attacks from the monstrous Thanatos has been increasing everywhere else. Two Purifiers show up one day, men with the power to exterminate the Thanatos. One of them, Nyx, attempts to convince Angelique to join them in their work, as she has the power to be the only female Purifier. As Angelique hesitates, a Thanatos shows up in their school. Nyx and the other Purifier, Rayne, fight a losing battle. With her classmates falling prey to the Thanatos, and the Purifiers beaten to submission, Angelique’s desire to save everyone awakens. She became the only female Purifier in their land of Arcadia, the one known as the “Queen’s Egg”.

Thoughts:

Sounds like a plot summary for a Japanese RPG (which isn’t a bad thing). Action and Adventure, sign me up!

Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu

Genre: Romance, Comedy
Official Website: http://www.nogizaka-haruka.com/
Also known as: Huruka Nogizaka’s Secret
Source: ANN

Summary:

Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu centers around Yuuto Ayase and Haruka Nogizaka. Yuuto is seemingly ordinary, but Haruka is attractive, intelligent, and rich, which prompts other students to idolize her and even give her French nicknames like “Nuit Étoile” (The Silver Star of the Night) and “Lumière du Clavier” (The Shining Princess on the Piano). One day, Yuuto wanders into the school library in order to return a book and accidentally stumbles upon Haruka’s deepest, darkest secret: she is a diehard fan of anime and manga, in other words, a regular otaku. Promising Haruka to keep this a secret, Yuuto becomes her advisor and confidente of some sort and hangs out with her more, though earning some viciously envious glares from his fellow schoolmates.

Thoughts:

A Romance/Comedy in which the female lead is a girl who is also an Otaku?! Sounds good enough for me.

Ryoko’s Case File

Genre: Mystery, Drama
Official Website: http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/yakushijiryouko/
Source: AniDB

Summary:

The story revolves around Ryouko Yakushiji, a 27-year-old multilingual investigator that graduated from Tokyo University’s elite Department of Law, and the bizarre cases she faces while working for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police. Yakushiji not only has to deal with supernatural beings in her line of work, but also her rival Yukiko Muromachi, another equally talented and beautiful police investigator.

Thoughts:

Although there isn’t much information about this anime series yet, I am pretty sure I won’t be following this series. I will give it a try, though I have never been a big fan of Mystery and Drama animes. Maybe this series will change my mind after I give it a shot.

Sekirei

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Action
Official Website: http://www.sekirei-tv.com/
Source: AnimeNfo

Summary:

“Let’s begin a new myth, sweet battles, and a miraculous love story…” declares a man on the top of a building in New Tokyo in 2020.

It is a signal of the start of the Sekirei Project. 108 beautiful fighters called Sekirei are dispatched to the world to seek Ashikaba, their masters, in order to be the last surviving Sekirei and realize his or her dream.

Sabashi Minato is a high school graduate who failed his college exams last year. He is a loser; he doesn’t have any goals nor does he have any friends, let alone a girlfriend. He failed all his exams this year, too. On his way home, a beautiful girl suddenly falls from the sky. Her name is Yui. She identifies herself as one of the Sekirei and has chosen Minato as her Ashikabi, her fated partner.

Thoughts:

Another Romance/Comedy series, and it looks like it will also contain a fair amount of fanservice. Sure why not?

Slayers REVOLUTION

Genre: Fantasy, Action
Official Website: http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/slayers_revolution/
Sequel to: Slayers TRY
Source: ANN

Summary:

Several months have passed (after the end of Slayers NEXT). The barrier put in place by the mazoku sublords has been broken, and as a result, Lina Inverse and her friends are allowed access to the outside world. There they become wrapped up in a prophecy stating that a dark lord from another dimension, Dark Star Dugradigdo, will enter their world and spread chaos.

Thoughts:

This is the fourth installment of the Slayers series. The first season of the anime aired way back in 1995 and has a pretty big fanbase. I personally have never seen any of the older installments, but it will never hurt to try.

Strike Witches

Genre: Science Fiction, Action, Mecha
Official Website: http://s-witch.cute.or.jp/
Source: AnimeNfo

Summary:

The world falls under attack when mysterious entities suddenly appear. Only girls possessing magical abilities are able to fight them. They install weaponry in their own bodies and engage their enemy over land, sea and air. The battles of these girls who defend the world begins now.

Thoughts:

Judging just by the images I have found, Strike Witches looks like Sky Girls, with cat ears. Yea thats enough to interest me.

Tetsuwan Birdy DECODE

Genre: Science Ficiton, Mecha
Official Website: http://www.birdy-tv.com/
Source: AniDB

Summary:

Tsutomu Senkawa is an average high school kid who is busy studying for his senior entrance exams. Tsutomu goes out for some fresh air, after a hard day’s work studying for a big test, when he runs into a guy fleeing from a pretty young lady. The pursued man is actually an interplanetary criminal on the run from a Federation agent called Birdy Cephon Altera. Caught in the midst of this chase, Tsutomu gets thrown by the man at Birdy, which kills Tsutomu. Fortunately for Tsutomu, there is a way to keep him alive, although it comes at the price of discarding his body. He ends up merged into Birdy’s body.

Thoughts:

o_O @ plot summary. See what happens when you try to be a good student and study? I hate when that happens. If he is “merged” with her, does that me that “It’s a trap!”?

Telepathy Shoujo Ran

Genre: Mystery, Supernatural
Official Website: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/anime/ran/index.html
Source: AniDB

Summary:

Ran is a bright and energetic first-grader in junior high school who possesses supernatual abilities. Together with Midori (her friend who also has supernatural powers) and Rui, the threesome are constantly embroiled in mysterious circumstances. Ran is troubled by her powers because it seems to spark off the ill intentions of people in contact with her. However, with the support of her family and peers, Ran learns to deal with her ‘other’ side and accepts who she is. The threesome also learn how to team up as a whole and solve these mysterious events.

Thoughts:

I like what I’ve read so far. We’ll see how good it is when it is aired.

Ultraviolet: Code 044

Genre: Science Fiction, Action
Official Website: http://www.animax.co.jp/campaign/ultraviolet/
Source: AnimeNfo

Summary:

044 becomes the strongest female solder excellent in combat through gene manipulation using a virus. However in exchange for her ability, her days get numbered. The next mission of the government is to destroy a bloodsucking squad, Phage, and its leader King. In her battle, she encounters a Phage soldier, Luka. However, somehow, she cannot kill him. She wonders why, but as a result, Daxus Jr., the leader of the government group regards her as a traitor. She is targeted by both Phage and the government, and she runs away with the injured Luka.

Thoughts:

I liked the movie when it came out in 2006, so that is enough reason for me to watch the anime series when it comes out.

World Destruction: Sekai Bokumetsu no Rokunin

Genre: Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Official Website: http://wd.sega.jp/anime/
Source: AniDB

Summary:

The story revolves around a young man, Kirie, who possesses immense destructive powers even though he does not know why. The female lead is Morte, a young woman with a tragic past and who is part of a terrorist organization plotting to destroy the world.

Thoughts:

I like video games. I also like anime based off of video games

Zero no Tsukaima: Princesses no Rondo

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Supernatural
Official Website: http://www.zero-tsukaima.com/
Sequel to: Zero no Tsukaima: Futatsuki no Kishi
Source: ANN

Summary:

This sequel is a continuation of the previous season, not long after the war. Louise and Saito seemingly getting along now since she knows that he had given up his only chance to return to Tokyo for her. The story continues as Louise begins to use Void Magic from a mysterious secret book she had recieved from her majesty Henrietta, while a new villain has appeared in town causing trouble.

Thoughts:

I haven’t watched any of the previous installments before, and now that the series is on its third season, I think I will go back and give them a viewing.

Overview

First of all I would like to point out that Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid (TSR) has already been aired almost three years ago. Why are they re-airing it? Me thinks that maybe they are preping us for the third season of Full Metal Panic! and will maybe announce it at the end of re-airing of TSR. Either way, I loved the FMP series, and will be rewatching it. For those of you who haven’t watched it yet, I highly recommend it.

As for the new series coming out, I am looking forward to Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto: Natsu no Sora the most. Partial because it is a spinoff of Someday’s Dreamers. Also the third season of Ikkitousen: Great Guardians. If you liked the previous two seasons, then you most likely will enjoy the third.

There are a couple of Romance/Comedies this coming season. Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu and Sekirei looks promising. Hopefully they make up for the lack of good animes in this genre in the Spring Season.

Hidamari Sketch x 365 will fill in the spot as the Comedy/Slice of Life anime to watch in the Summer.

As for the Fanservice animes next season. Looks like Strike Witches and Tetsuwan Birdy DECODE will have that covered. Also Ikkitousen will definitely have some.

That is all I have for now. As more series pop-up, and more information is released, I will add them to the list. Also, I will have pictures up for each series when I have time to add them. Enjoy the Summer Preview!