Japanator's Spring '10 preview, part 2

11:00 PM on 03.23.2010   |   Brad Rice

That's right, our Spring 2010 preview is continuing! And here you thought you could only get away with those first five shows. On our list this time around are Giant Killing, Hakuouki: Shinsengumi Kitan, Heroman, Hime Chen! Otogi Chikku Idol Lipri and House of Five Leaves.

There's not much more to say, other than take a look after the jump to see what you might be watching for the next few months.

Giant Killing
Studio: Studio DEEN (Higurashi: When They Cry, Ranma 1/2)
Director: Yuu Kou (Loveless, Chrono Crusade)
Air Date: April 4, 2010

Another sports title on the list, this one is about a group of ragtag students from Eastern Tokyo who are at the bottom of their league. Nobody supports them, their coaching staff keeps shuffling about, and things look pretty bleak. But one coach comes in to turn them around and make 'em into the best gosh darned team ever.

So, a sports show from a prolific (but not that quality) studio, and a director with mid-to-low ranged shows under their belt? I'm not particularly hopeful, although the manga art seemed pretty sharp. If DEEN can manage to capture that, it might be a salvageable show.

No one's claimed it yet, but don't be surprised if Brad Rice keeps watching it.

Hakuouki: Shinsengumi Kitan
Studio: Studio DEEN (Kyo Kara Maoh, You're Under Arrest)
Director: Osamu Yamasaki (Lemon Angel, Gestalt)
Air Date: April 3, 2010

 Hoo-boy. I'm having a hell of a time finding a summary for this show, but I can find no end to the fan communities surrounding the property in its previous iteration (videogame). That's a red flag for boy's love pairings to me.

From what I can tell, it's about a girl who's searching for her father, and joins the Shinsengumi in the hopes of finding him. The reason she joins? Because she caught the head of the Shinsengumi transforming into an ogre. So, yeah. That's it.

No one's claimed the show just yet, but who knows -- it might prove to be a surprise hit amongst the ladyfolk.

Heroman
Studio: Bones (Xam'd: Lost Memories, Ouran High School Host Club)
Director: Hitoshi Nanba (Baki the Grappler, Dash! Yonkuro)
Air Date: April 1, 2010

It's time for Stan Lee's creation to hit the anime world, and we're more than ready for it. Joey, our protagonist here, finds a toy robot who transforms into a giant robot to help him save the world. All while supporting his grandmother, saving America and buying copious amounts of Marvel comics.

Expect Ben Huber to be covering this. I think just about any of us who have a 12-year-old boy inside them will be watching this show. It should be good times.

Hime Chen! Otogi Chikku Idol Lipri
Studio: ?
Director: ?
Air Date: April 4, 2010

It's a magical girl show based off a collectible card game that Karen has decided to claim for her own purposes. I'm wondering if it'll even be fansubbed (doubtful), but be aware that this is a thing that is happening. 

House of Five Leaves
Studio: Manglobe Inc. (Ergo Proxy)
Director: Tomomi Mochizuki (Twin Spica, Here is Greenwood)
Air Date: April 15, 2010

Based off of one of Viz's SigIKKI titles, House of Five Leaves features a fascinatingly distinct art style and a samurai-era drama about a group called the House of Five Leaves, and the ronin who ends up joining their group after a kidnapping operation.

Take a look at the trailer for the upcoming series, and see how beautifully they captured Natsume Ono's art style. Jaw dropping, isn't it? All I can say is I can't wait for this to get licensed.

Expect Brad Rice to be covering this one.