My picks for the fall ’11 season

The list of anime scheduled to air in a few weeks for the fall 2011 season has been out for a while, but I’m just now sitting down and deciding which ones I’ll be watching. Nine anime I’m currently watching will end by fall, so I reckon I’ll pick up that number of shows to watch, give or take a couple…

Fall ’11 is looking to be a season of sequels for anime. There really is more sequels airing this season than I’ve seen in a while. Here are the ones I’ll definitely be watching, having seen and liked their predecessors:

Bakuman 2

I loved the first Bakuman series – I pretty much gave it nothing but compliments in my review. It’s just a solidly written and unique series that shows that shonen goodness doesn’t always have to be about action and fantasy. Looking forward to more manga-ka suspense in season 2!

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Shakugan no Shana III

The Shana light novels recently ended and this will be the final season of the anime. Unfortunately it’s been four years since I watched Shana II and I remember little to nothing about what happened. I’ll have to read through episode summaries on Wiki or something in order to refresh my memory in time for Shana III. Though far from being unique, I feel the Shana series has its special qualities that set it apart from others in its genre, and Shana herself is one of my most favorite characters. Can’t wait to see the big finale for our fiery KugiRie tsundere =D

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Digimon Xros Wars: Toki wo Koeru Shonen Hunter-tachi

While I was disappointed with the insufferably light and childish tone of the first season of Digimon Xros Wars, the second season that’s currently airing is a huge improvement, bringing back the darker themes and character development that I loved from the original Digimon titles. If this third installment of Xros Wars keeps delivering like its prequel, I’ll be glad to keep tuning in!

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Working’!!

The first season of Working!! was just an all around fun slice-of-life comedy. Thirteen episodes wasn’t enough to flesh out all of its characters and gags though, so I’m hoping to see that in this upcoming sequel =)

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Besides these four sequels, there are a few other fall anime I’m sure I’ll be checking out:

First off, I’ve been impressed by all the noitaminA series I’ve seen thus far so I’ll be watching these two fall ’11 ones…

Guilty Crown

Guilty Crown…

Un-Go

…and Un-Go. From what I’ve read about them, they both have intriguing stories. Hope they turn out well~

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Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai

As long as the fan service isn’t excessive, I tend to love character-driven high school anime, and this one sounds like it’ll fit my tastes for that genre.

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Persona 4

Does one have to be familiar with previous Persona works in order to follow Persona 4? From what I’ve read, I don’t think so. The art style of this series looks interesting, it seems to be one of the most hyped of the season, and I always love good mysteries =)

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Mirai Nikki

The story sounds very interesting, and the fact that they’re adapting 26 episodes from a 12 volume manga series doesn’t make it seem like they’ll have to edit much of the original material.

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And the following four series piqued my interest, but I’m not sure if I’ll watch them or not. Chances are I’ll wait and see what the general opinion of them is when they start to air:

Kimi to Boku: It sounds like another slice-of-life character-driven drama/comedy series. A genre I like, but whether this will be a good one or not, it’s hard to tell unless you’re familiar with the manga.
Chihayafuru: The fact that this titles is based on an award-winning josei manga and is being produced by Madhouse are what caught my eye. Sounds like a good story, too. We’ll see.
Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon: It really has been a while since I watched a Sunrise series…I’m not too keen on mecha, so that’s probably why. This one however sounds less mecha focused and more story focused, which I like. The setting sounds pretty epic as well.
Tamayura ~hitotose~: This ones sounds like another “soothing” slice-of-life series the likes of Aria and the currently airing Ikoku Meiro. I could certainly love shows like this if they’re done right.

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So that’s where I am now as far as the fall season of anime. Feel free to share your thoughts on the fall shows in the comments.

No Comments… read them or add your own.

  1. Myna says:

    I’m only going to be checking out three or four of the same ones you are. But this season looks far less awesome than the summer one.

    Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon looked interesting at first, but the promo art was really ecchi, so needless to say I was immediately turned off.

    Really looking forward to Chihayafuru. Finally, a non-Marvel Madhouse anime for a change. It sounds like a jousei version of Hikaru no Go. Hikaru no Go rules.

    I wish Kimi to Boku wasn’t being animated by JC Staff. Low expectations for it, but who knows?

    And no, each Persona stands on its own. So you’re good.

    • Yumeka says:

      I’ve actually noticed that a lot of anime have ecchi promo art even if the episodes themselves have no ecchi in them whatsoever. So hopefully that will be the case for Kyoukai Senjou.

      Thanks, I’ll be checking out Persona 4 then =)

  2. So sad to see Iroha end, but we’ve got to move forward. I’ll be following a lot of the same shows as you. Working’!! looks to re-introduce everyone and the general plot in the first episode, so hopefully it’ll get back to where it left off next episode.

    Haganai should be interesting. It’s very popular and AIC Build is in charge of the animation, so it should be a show to keep an eye on. I’m curious.

    I’m curious how long it’ll take Skorp to get to Shana III. It’s on my to-watch list, but it’ll be a while before I want to devote time to it.

    I’m looking forward to Mirai Nikki. This manga has the exact definition of “yandere” and I can’t wait to see reactions to Yuno. I got chills from the OVA and that was mostly harmless.

    Honestly, what I’m really looking forward to is working on that “Surprise Project” and that something you’ve got. There’s other interviews I’m more curious about as well. That’s got me more excited than anything this fall. Well, that and seeing if there’s a CM after Nichijou or during the WOWOW broadcast of Haruhi. Maybe I can catch up on the shows I want to re-watch…

    • Yumeka says:

      I didn’t know that Haganai was so popular (and I was wondering what the “short version” of the title was XD) so I’m glad I’ll be watching it. And I remember you having Mirai Nikki as one of your favorite manga on MAL. That’s another reason it caught my interest ^_^

      I too hope there’s some announcement for new Haruhi anime after Nichijou, the rebroadcast, or perhaps after initial screenings of the K-ON movie (though that’s a longer way away).

  3. chikorita157 says:

    I don’t really know the workload of the Fall 2011 semester since I just started college last Wednesday. However, I’m planning to watch Ika Musume and Working for the sequels since I already watched the first season and enjoyed it. I’m hoping that Inami finally gets over her androphobia this time around or it will give me a big face palm at the end of the season. Also, I’m quite curious of what kind of character Maya is since she is introduced in the final episode of the first season without any introduction.

    In addition to the sequels, I’m also watching Fate/zero. While I only watched the first four episodes of Fate/stay night, I liked the overall premise.

    Also, I have Idolmaster continuing from the summer season, so I’m pretty much occupied set for the Fall season.

    • Yumeka says:

      I also hope this new season of Working’!! fleshes out the characters more. I want to know more about Yamada, and Maya as well. I actually think Inami got enough screentime in season 1 but seeing her get over her androphobia would be nice XD

      The only two cour series I’ll have carrying over to fall season is Penguindrum.

  4. Artemis says:

    Working, Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi, Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai, and Kimi to Boku for me. I adored the first season of Working and I’m a yaoi fangirl, so the first two are pretty self-explanatory. I like the sound of Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai, and Kimi to Boku has me curious, so I want to watch at least the first couple of episodes of both of those and see if they’re any good. I’m actually really looking forward to this new anime season, because I took a peek at about 10 titles of the last season and only ended up sticking with one in the end (Usagi Drop).

    • Yumeka says:

      I’ve heard only good things about Sekai-ichi. I don’t care for yaoi, but if there’s any title in that genre I’d check out one day, it’d probably be that one XD

      At first glance, the twins in Kimi to Boku remind me of Hikaru and Kaoru from Ouran ^^,,,

  5. Snark says:

    Persona 4 is independent of Persona 3. There are one or two shout outs, but besides that, it’s an independent story. Also, it’s fan-fucking-tastic, which always helps.

  6. Kal says:

    Shana 3 and bakuman 2 are the most anticipated for me :) I recently rewatched all of Shana, so I’m prepared for it! I have not seen the 1st season of working, so may check it out and the sequel. I still have plenty of time on my hands, so I’ll check out 3-4 episodes of the others, and see which ones I like. Lets hope we get some good shows this season too :)

    • Yumeka says:

      Ah, I wish I had the time and motivation to rewatch all of Shana, the second season at least. The last time I watched the series was about two years ago when I rewatched season 1. But like I said in the post, I haven’t watched season 2 in four years and my mind is a blank when I try to remember what happened. I’ll just have to read those episode summaries!

      Hope you enjoy the other shows you decide to watch =)

  7. Seinime says:

    Don’t need to have played the previous to know Persona 4. A really nice game, hope they do it justice in the anime. Doubts on the protagonist being voiced though…

    Looking forward to Guilty Crown and Un-Go as well, read from the stories that Un-Go are based on my little Chinese knowledge said that the writer was one of the best during his age.

  8. Liza says:

    Persona 4 is its own story, you don’t need to know about the others to enjoy it. I’m really excited for it since I haven’t played the game and now I’ll know what happens. XD

    I’m also excited for Digimon although I’m a bit sad that Kiriha and Nene aren’t there.

    Tamayura I’m hoping will be as good as the OVAs. I loved that sweet story.

    I’m watching everything on your list besides Bakuman(never got into season 1), Shana(only finished season 1) and Working(has not seen season 1 yet. >_>).

    I’m also watching Ika Musume season 2, Phi Brain, C3, Ben-to, and Last Exile.

    • Yumeka says:

      I agree about Digimon, Kiriha and Nene were finally growing on me this season. I’m so glad they replaced Zenjirou and Akari from the first part of Xros Wars; those two were seriously underdeveloped and uninteresting. But if they can make these new characters at least as good as Kiriha and Nene, I won’t complain =)

  9. F0calizer says:

    My backlog of things to watch has reached ridiculous levels, so I’ll just add Working!! and Tamayura to that list even though I won’t catch a glimpse of them until the next presidential election…

  10. Justin says:

    No seriously, you should take a chance on Chihayafuru. I think!

    Anyways, not a bad list, though I wonder about the Digimon…

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