It took a while to finalize this list, since I had to watch at least four episodes for some to be really sure if I wanted to continue or not. I've dropped some titles that I think are just plain boring, too weird (Manyuu Hikenchou, which is just about... boobs), has no original concept, or I just plain didn't like.
Despite a season of inordinate amount of lolis, it shaped up to be a pretty good viewing list. I've always gravitated towards shounen anime, but this season served up other genres that I found to be enjoyable.
So, here is my list of selections from the Japan anime summer season.
Ikkoku Meiro no Croisee
The story takes place in the second half of the 19th century, as Japanese culture gains popularity in the West. A young Japanese girl, Yune, accompanies a French traveller, Oscar, on his journey back to France, and offers to help at the family's ironwork shop in Paris. Oscar's grandson and shopowner Claude reluctantly accepts to take care of Yune, and we learn how the two, who have so little in common, get to understand each other and live together in the Paris of the 1800s.
Sacred Seven
Arma Tandoji lives a lonely life. One day, Ruri Alba, a girl accompanied by her butler and maids, visits him. Knowing the power of Sacred Seven is latent within Arma, she asks him to lend her his powers. However, he refuses and drives her away since he injured many with his unusual strength in the past. Meanwhile, a fiendish Dark Stone creature suddenly appears in this peaceful town in the Kanto region. Only Arma's power of Sacred Seven can fight against it. But Arma just lets his power run amuck and things begin to get worse. Ruri raised her gemstone in order to release his true abilities. With Ruri's wishes engraved in it, will Arma be able to defeat the Dark Stone?
Kamisama Dolls
Kyouhei, after moving away to Tokyo from his old town to get away from the events that happened, is on a goukon with his friends, including his old neighbor, Shiba. After drinking for a whole night, he and Shiba discover a dead, bloody body in the elevator. He is told by his younger sister, Utao with her Kamisama Doll, that Aki, an old friend, and his Doll are the culprits responsible.
Usagi Drop
Going home for his grandfather's funeral, thirty-year-old bachelor Daikichi is floored to discover that the old man had an illegitimate child with a younger lover. The rest of his family is equally shocked and embarrassed by this surprise development, and not one of them wants anything to do with the silent little girl, Rin. In a fit of angry spontaneity, Daikichi decides to take her in himself. But will living with this overgrown teenager of a man help Rin come out of her shell?
Uta no Prince Sama
With dreams of becoming a composer and someday writing a song for her favorite idol, Haruka enters the Saotome Academy, a prestigious performing arts school. If successful there, she’ll be able to join the Shining Agency after graduation. However, it won’t be so easy when Haruka is already surrounded by potential idols and composers. On top of that, her homeroom teacher is a current idol, the headmaster was a record-breaking singer, and the academy itself is a chaotic place where anything can happen. Which prince of song will be paired up with Haruka?
Mayo Chiki
Konoe Subaru, 17, has been serving as the butler of Suzutsuki Kanade in school, a classmate of Sakamachi Kinjirou. Due to an accident, Sakamachi discovers Subaru's secret... that he's actually a girl. Apparently, she will be removed from her position if anyone at school finds out. What will unfold from this chain of events?
No. 6
The story takes place in the ideal city "NO.6" in 2013. Shion was judged as having "highest-ranked intelligence" when he was two years old and was allowed to live in the luxurious area of "Cronos". On his twelfth birthday, he met a beautiful boy called "Nezumi," who had escaped from a reformatory. Shion protected him, but the Public Security Bureau deprived Shion of all his privileges and expelled him from Cronos to "Lost Town". Four years after the banishment, a mysterious accident leads Shion to the secret of the city NO.6.
Mawaru Penguindrum
Three siblings, twins Kanba and Shouma, and the in-and-out-of-the-hospital Himari who's in poor health, live together at the Takakura home. One day, when the siblings are out on a trip to the aquarium, Himari collapses. The doctors state that nothing can be done for her anymore, but then, a miracle occurs...
The iDOLM@STER
Based on the XBOX 360 game The iDOLM@STER 2, The iDOLM@STER follows 13 aspiring idols aiming to reach their goals.
R-15
Akutagawa Takuto is a teenage porn novel writer. He enters Hirameki Gakuen, which accepts only geniuses with outstanding talent. He leads his classmates with his porn skills to win the interclass competition.
Kamisama no Memo-chou
Narumi Fujishima is a plain high school boy, who has been isolated in the class. His classmate, Ayaka Shinozaki, invites Narumi to the gardening club and introduces a hikikomori detective named Alice to him. Though unwilling, Narumi ends up as one of Alice's assistants, helping her solve mysteries.
Nyanpire
A heartwarming story about a stray black cat, who was given blood from a vampire. He was taken in by a girl Misaki and started live with her. Nyanpire's favorite phrase is "Give me blood nya..
You can also check out my anime list of ongoing series that premiered last winter and spring in Japan.
All summaries and images from My Anime List, except for Ikoku Meiro no Croisee, which was from Anime News Network.
Happy viewing!!Labels: Anime, Must-Watch, Summer, TV
