Spring Anime Season

Will the temperatures in the US finally warm up after a horrible winter? Even if they don't, you still have the Spring anime season. Aside from a few, high powered sequels, there are some solid shows starting this season. Let's take a look at the things I'll be keeping an eye on this season. Instead of the usual chart, we'll be using AniDB again for more detailed information.

Triage X - Xebec is at the helm for this titular action show. While not normally one for pure fanservice shows, the original manga is penned by "Highschool of the Dead" mangka Satou Shouji.

Hibike! Euphonium - Wait, Kyoto Animation is doing a show about cute girls with instruments? In a school setting? Again? This time they're playing in a brass band complete with tubas. Aside from the expected higher quality of animation from a Kyo Ani show, Ishihara Tatsuya(Clannad, Haruhi, Nichijou) is directing.

Yahari Ore no Seishun Lovecome wa Machigatte Iru. Z - Everyones favorite socially awkard teenager is back in this sequel. The first season caught my interest and was an enjoyable watch because of Hikigaya's character. The animation studio has changed from first season's "TBS" to this "Feel" for this season. Hopefully the quality doesn't falter.

Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works - Much like Fate/Zero, this will begin the second half of UBW. I couldn't get enough of this show throughout the first season, so I can't wait to see it wrapped up. Although a portion of the endings "punch" is gone as most Type Moon fans are aware of the UBW route ending.

Dungeon ni Deai o Motomeru no wa Machigatte Iru Darouka - A show asking if it's wrong to pick up girls in a dungeon? I'm intrigued. Fantasy anime seems big these days, with Sword Art Online and Log Horizon selling well. With J.C. Staff animating, it should be an enjoyable, lighthearted, harem show in a fantasy setting.

Owari no Seraph - Another fantasy set show, but this time by Wit Studio of Shingeki no Kyojin fame. Owari seems like a dark show, about a group of orphans and vampires. But it being animated by Wit Studio and from the trailers, this is a big show to keep an eye on.

Gunslinger Stratos - Based on a game of the same name, A-1 Pictures will be animating the anime version. Aside from nicely animated gunplay, the original story was concieved by Urobuchi Gen(Fate/Zero, Psycho-Pass).The show has a first time director at the helm, so hopefully this doesn't turn into another Guilty Crown.

 Plastic Memories - A show about human like androids that only have a certain time frame to operate and they can feel human emotions? Oh boy, here comes a tear jerker wrapped in a fluffy exterior. Of note is the original work is from Hayashi Naotaka(Steins;Gate, Robotics;Note).

Kekkai Sensen - Bones! Bones! Bones! Bones is animating this sci-fi tale set in a destroyed New York City. Aside from great action, Kekkai Sensen comes from the creator of Trigun and Gungrave, Naitou Yasuhiro. If it can live up to those two series, this will be a treat.

Arslan Senki - You want to talk about shows with pedigrees? Arslan is based on a manga adaptation by Arakawa Hiromu(Full Metal Alchemist, Gin no Saji) of Tanaka Yoshiki's(Legend of Galatic Heroes) original novel, directed by Abe Noriyuki(Yuu Yuu Hakusho, Bleach, GTO). I can't wrap my head around that staff list for a show like this.

Ore Monogatari!! - A romantic comedy, but one with a twist. The main character is a big guy, a "gentle giant", that is actually a good hearted person. Any girl he falls for ends up wanting or with his better looking best friend instead. With this being animated by Madhouse, it could be a unique gem.

Punch Line - Animated by MAPPA and taking over the Noitamina block is Punch Line. What looks to be a frantic show from the trailers, this fell into the "instant watch" list. Unfortunately not much is known about the show, even this close to airing.

Nisekoi: - Nisekoi returns for its second season, still animated by SHAFT. As long as they keep up the tempo from the first season, this should be a slam dunk. Just don't mess up the Blu Ray release again by tinkering with the visuals SHAFT.

Ninja Slayer From Animation - Trigger's newest show. A show about a salaryman whose wife was killed, is possessed by a ninja soul, and kills other ninjas to exact revenge for his family. All of that with Trigger's unique art style and directing.

Aside from this long list of shows that I'm interested in, here are some other notable shows I didn't mention. Satelight will be animating an anime in the Haruhi universe, "Nagato Yuki-chan no Shoushitsu". Fans of the original Haruhi series have voiced concerns about the new character designs, saying they look like bad fanart. Digimon will also be back for its 15th anniversary. The new show will be a sequel to the original television series. Fan favorite Sidonia no Kishi will also be getting a second season, which will be a continuation of the first.

As you can see, this Spring season is loaded to the brim with quality shows. The real question will be how many will be split up between streaming services. Hopefully Crunchyroll will simulcast most of these shows, as Funimation is sure to lock up some of the more high profile ones. I would hate to miss a show like Arslan simply because of the circumstances outlined in this past post. Aside from the doom and gloom, this season has something for everyone, happy watching!