I still have a ton of anime wrap-up posts to write from the previous summer and fall seasons, but it's high time that I got around to posting my winter anime viewing list. I was at the three or four episode mark on my new winter viewing list when I realized that I haven't shared my final picks.
I expected that there would be less new titles to add to my winter viewing list, since many of the fall anime series are still ongoing. Also, for some reason, the winter anime season featured an unusually high number of the gag anime that runs for three to five minutes per episode. Unfortunately, none of them appealed to me.
My season favorite so far is Tamako Market, which is created by the same studio and writer that handled the anime adaptation of K-On!. Hi-jinks and cuteness ensue every episode, and there's an arrogant talking bird to boot. I'm also greatly enjoying Kotoura-san, which intrigued me initially because it featured one of the most dramatic first episodes I've seen in a while, considering that it's based on a gag manga. On the weird front, I'm not sure exactly what's happening with Amnesia and Sasami-san@Ganbaranai, so I'm probably going to continue watching a couple more episode to see if I should stick around for the rest of their respective runs.
The token sequels of the season are AKB0048 Next Stage, Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai NEXT and Chihayafuru Season 2. Even though I still can't begin the latter two titles, since I have yet to finish their first seasons (boo to me).
Here is my list of selections from the Japan anime winter season. All of the summaries and images below are from My Anime List.
Tamako Market
Tamako knows just about everything there is to know about mochi, the
traditional Japanese dessert treats, inventing new flavors and varieties for
Tama-ya, her family's mochi shop. School and growing up, on the other
hand, are some things that she's still trying to find the right recipe
for. But with the help of her best friends Kanna and Midori, two girls
whose parents run businesses in the same shopping district, Tamako's
determined to make the best of things. It's complicated though,
especially when it comes to emotions and her relationship with her best
boy friend Mochizo, whose family runs a rival mochi shop. And lately, Midori's been feeling a little odd about her feelings towards Tamako as
well. And what's with up with that strange bird fluttering around, the
one that speaks fluent Japanese? It's all very mysterious and
overwhelming, but at least Tamako always has one thing she can count on:
No matter if your day's been good or bad, there's certain to be
something sugary and delicious waiting at the end of every adventure
whenever you take a walk through Tamako Market!
AKB0048 Next Stage
Continuation of AKB0048 First Stage.
Kotoura-san
Kotoura Haruka is a 15-year-old girl who can read
people's minds. She has been suffering from troubles caused by her
mind-reading ability, and her parents got divorced as a result. She
moves to a new high school but tries to keep away from her classmates.
Manabe Yoshihisa, one of her classmates, accepts and appreciates her
ability and she begins to interact with new friends with his help.
Maoyuu Maou Yuusha
After a long and treacherous journey, our Hero finally arrives at the Demon Queen's castle only to find himself being asked for help. The Hero
explains how the war that the demons have brought upon the humans have
killed thousands and put more in misery. The queen of demons however
argues that this war has made the human society band together as one and
showed empirical evidence how it has increased population, increased
production, boosted economy and improved society overall. Furthermore,
she explains to the Hero that ending this war will result in a civil war
that will produce more bloodshed than there ever was. The Hero,
convinced that the only way to bring peace, relatively speaking, is to
join forces with the Dark Lady, agrees to help with her plans.
Zettai Karen Children: The Unlimited - Hyoubu Kyousuke
Kyousuke Hyoubu, an ESPer who was betrayed many years ago, is now one of
the most powerful ESPers—and also a fugitive. However, behind that
glare lies a kind heart. His main mission is to save ESPers who are
mistreated by humans, even if that be by force. Through his methods, he
has saved many ESPer lives and gained the loyalty of those he has saved.
The name of his group: P.A.N.D.R.A.
Vividred Operation
This story is set in Oshima. The happy, carefree 14 year old Akane
Isshiki lived a poor, but well loved life together with her reliable
little sister, Momo, who does all the housework, and her grandfather,
Kenjirou, a genius inventor who only created useless devices. When the
weather is clear, they can see the artificial Blue Island
across the sea. In the center of that island rises the revolutionary
Manifestation Engine, a discovery that solved the world's energy
problems. It is a peaceful future, just like everyone dreamed of. One where everyone can smile and be happy. But suddenly, the world is visited by danger. An unknown enemy, the
Alone, appear, targeting the Manifestation Engine. As none of their
weapons worked and they fell into despair, a lone girl takes a stand
wearing a red "Pallet Suit" which wields a great, hidden power. Before
long, allies gather around her to fight.
Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai Kara Kuru Sou Desu yo
Izayoi Sakamaki, Asuka Kudou, and You Kasugabe have tremendous psychic
powers and are bored with the regular world. An envelope arrives for
each person, and when each opens their envelope, they are stunned to see
the scenery around them change to a world they had never encountered
before. They've been summoned by the Black Rabbit to help the community
"No Name" to overthrow the Devil King.
Love Live! School Idol Project
Otonokizaka High School stands on the border of three cities: Akihabara –
a pop culture mecca that's evolving by the minute; Kanda – a
conservative, cultured city where history and tradition reign supreme;
and Jinbo – a quiet area reserved for a more mature, sophisticated
population. Amidst this culture clash, the school now faces closure due
to the enrollment of fewer and fewer students. With the school planning to close within three years, nine female
students come together with one thing in mind—form a pop idol group to
revive the school's popularity and keep it from shutting down.
Ore no Kanojo to Osananajimi ga Shuraba Sugiru
Eita
enters high school aiming for the National University School of
Medicine. Because of his parents' divorce—and his goal—he shuns anything
to do with romance or love. One day, Masuzu, the school beauty with the
silver hair who has just returned to the country, enters his life in a
most unexpected way. Chiwa, his childhood friend since elementary
school, will not let this go without a fight.
Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai NEXT
The Neighbor's Club—a club founded for the purpose of making friends,
where unfortunate boys and girls with few friends live out their
regrettable lives. Although Yozora Mikazuki faced a certain incident at the end of summer,
the daily life of the Neighbor's Club goes on as usual. A strange nun,
members of the student council and other new faces make an appearance,
causing Kodaka Hasegawa's life to grow even busier.
While they all enjoy going to the amusement park, playing games,
celebrating birthdays, and challenging the "school festival"—a symbol of
the school life normal people live—the relations amongst the members
slowly begin to change.
Chihayafuru Season 2
Now in their second year of high school, Chihaya and her friends share
all the fun and worries that come with welcoming underclassmen to the
team as they face tough rival schools. The passion of the Mizusawa
Karuta Club burns hotter than ever, but with the same refreshing,
youthful mood carried over from the first season.
Sasami-san@Ganbaranai
The Japanese call them hikikomori—people who've become so withdrawn
socially that they refuse to leave their homes for weeks and even months
at a time. For Sasami Tsukuyomi, who's attempting to pass her first
year of high school despite being a shut in, it's more than just a word.
Fortunately though, she lives with her older brother Kamiomi, who just
happens to be a teacher at the school Sasami is supposed to attend. Not
to mention, her "Brother Surveillance Tool" which lets her view the
outside world via her computer and will, theoretically, allow her to
readjust to interfacing with people again. What it mainly does, however,
is let her view her brother's interactions with the three very odd
Yagami sisters, who inexplicably seem to have had their ages reversed
and have various types of "interest" in Kamiomi. And then things start
to get really weird... Magical powers? Everything turning into
chocolate? Is life via the web warping Sasami's brain, or is it the
universe that's going crazy?
Amnesia
This story takes place in a fictional town, in a fictional country, in a
fictional world. One morning, a young lady awakens to find that she has
lost all her memories prior to that morning. Her life, her
relationships, her very name—all gone. All that's left is a cell phone
with numbers and names she doesn't recognize and Orion, a young boy that
only she appears to be able to see. With Orion's guidance, she
struggles to make sense of herself, a boyfriend she doesn't know and the
thousand and one little things that make up a daily life. But with no
memories left, the only alternative is to forge new ones, even if that
means leaving old loves behind.
Happy viewing!! Labels: Anime, Must-Watch, TV, Winter
