The next season of shows is almost upon us, and so it's time to give you a good idea of what you're going to be watching for the next few months. There are 18 shows total, so we'll be previewing them for you over the next four days, with a special little surprise waiting for you on Christmas!
So, for today's first batch, we have Baka to Test to Shoukanju, Chu Bra, Dance in the Vampire Bund and Durarara. We've got all the info you need to help you decide which shows to watch, along with who amongst the staff will likely be tackling the show for our first impressions.
So, follow us after the jump to see the first part of our Winter '09/'10 preview. Of course, if you're too lazy to read, then you can just check out Dale's video version.
Baka to Test to Shoukanju
Studio: Silver Link (Tayutama)
Director: Shin Oonuma (Negima OVAs)
Air Date: January 6th, 2010
In an effort to promote academic fairness, the show's school divides students up by how well they do on a test -- the top earners get a luxurious classroom with only the finest treatment, while those down at the bottom rung are stuck with decrepit desks and piss-poor classrooms.
Our main character, Akihisa, rightly belongs here. He's not terribly bright. But Mizuki? She was sick the day of the test, and got stuck in this setting -- and she isn't happy about it. So, she's determined to stick it to those A-class students and turn around F-class.
In what, you might ask? Summoning fantasy creatures, of course. Not surprisingly, this will be a romantic comedy of sorts, so expect a confession by the end. The show comes from a relatively new studio and director, so who knows how it'll turn out.
Expect to see Karen Gellender tackling this one.
Chuu Bra
Studio: ZEXCS (Rental Magica)
Director: Yukina Hiiro (Gakuen Heaven)
Air Date: January 4th, 2010
It's about an underwear club in middle school.
Don't worry, that van sitting outside your house? Nothing to worry about.
Expect panty shots galore as we watch this "slightly ecchi comedy," as the director describes it, although I think that it's a little hard to believe. Should be lighthearted, unless the show takes a hard turn into looking into Japanese dating practices, especially compensated dating (enjou kousai).
Expect to see Karen Gellender tackling this one.
Dance in the Vampire Bund
Studio: SHAFT (Sayonara, Zetsubou-sensei)
Director: Akiyuki Shinbo (Bakemonogatari)
Air Date: January 7th, 2010
If you're a vampire with vast riches and want to shake your thousand-year doldrum, how would you do it? Well, vampire princess Mina Tepes decides to pay off Japan's national debt and buy part of the country as a special vampire haven.
Of course, when she wants to announce the existence of vampires, people try to assassinate her. So, she goes and grabs the unsuspecting Akira and demands that he be her protector. See, Akira is actually a werewolf, and he made a promise to protect Mina when they were kids -- or at least he was and she was a vampire lolita.
Expect Jonathan Snyder to tackle this one. The bastard.
Durarara
Studio: Brains Base (Baccano!)
Director: Takahiro Omori (Baccano!)
Air Date: January 7th, 2010
In what seems like a hard story to pitch, this new series from the Baccano! crew is about a country kid moving to the big city of Tokyo and it's infamous Ikebukuro neighborhood and getting caught up in some strange events there.
A "distorted love story" that's sure to stick with you, the series has high schoolers, street gangs and even an Irish fairy in the mix. Really, I'm at a loss for words as to how to pitch this show, but like Baccano!, it's based on a series of highly successful light novels.
Expect Ben Huber to be tackling this one.
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