Article: Autumn 2011 anime preview

Autumn 2011 anime preview - Page 2

C³ - Cube x Cursed x Curious

No, it's not a sequel to [C], but rather another (yes, yet another) light novel adaptation, this time handled by Silver Link.  C³ - Cube x Cursed x Curious follows Yachi Haruaki, a boy who one day receives a mysterious package sent from abroad by his father.  The package just so happens to contain a naked girl, and it isn't the first surprise he's going to be receiving either...

Should I watch it?  It's hard to imagine this being anything other than a fan service driven series that runs largely down a romantic comedy angle.  Unless you really love that kind of thing, I doubt there will be anything new to excite you here.

Chihayafuru

Studio Madhouse takes the reign for this animated adaptation of award-winning josei manga Chihayafuru, a series which stars a girl named Chihaya Ayase who finds herself inspired to take up playing the Japanese card game Karuta competitively.

Should I watch it?  The concept of what is effectively a "sports anime" aimed at a female demographic is an intriguing one, and the manga around which it is based has been well-received, so this could well be a surprise hit of the autumn.

Cross Fight B-Daman

Another of the autumn's marketing-led series is Cross Fight B-Daman, an anime based around a series of recently relaunched Takara Tomy toys.  While the toys themselves launch marbles as a major part of the game, hopefully this animated outing will use something a little more grandiose.

Should I watch it?  Again, the simple fact that this show is an exercise in selling toys to kids means it probably isn't worth spending too much time worrying about it.

Digimon Xros Wars: Toki wo Kakeru Shounen Hunter-tachi

Yes, that's right, Digimon is still alive and kicking, and this autumn sees the latest iteration of its Xros Wars iteration hit Japanese TV screens in the form of Toki wo Kakeru Shounen Hunter-tachi (Hunter Boys Leap Through Time, in an obvious nod to The Girl Who Leapt Through Time in its title).  This series follows Taiki Kudou as he investigates a hidden gap between the real and ditial worlds.

Should I watch it?  This is a simple one - do you like Digimon?

Fate/Zero

Easily one of the season's most hotly anticipated works is a prequel to Type-Moon's hugely popular fantasy visual novel (which also received an anime adaptation despite the denial of some hardcore fans) Fate/Stay Night.  Based upon a light novel series written by Gen Urobuchi (who recently wrote a little series called Puella Magi Madoka Magica), Fate/Zero is set ten years prior to Fate/Stay Night as it details the events of The War of the Holy Grail, a contest between seven magi as they summon spirits to battle it out and secure the power of the Holy Grail.

Should I watch it?  With UFO Table producing a Type-Moon work once again (as with the successful Kara no Kyoukai series of films), hopes are high for a feast of action, drama and top-notch animation.  There's a danger of it not living up to its considerable hype, but at first glance it certainly looks like the series is in safe hands and thus should be a treat for fans of Fate/Stay Night.