Prospects for Winter 2009 Anime

Compared to last season’s incredible lineup, this season is looking a little sparse. Many of the new shows premiering in the coming weeks didn’t really catch my interest and those that did are mostly sequels and or OVAs. That isn’t too say there aren’t any gems but I will be playing the waiting game before diving into any new properties. Anyways, onto my watch list.

Definitely Watch

• Maria-sama ga Miteru 4 – This is the television series I have been waiting for the longest and I am looking forward to seeing more of the girls of Lilian Girl’s Academy. Not much to say here unless you have watched the previous three incarnations of MariMite. I’ll be sure to keep the pleats on my skirt orderly and my white sailor collar tidy every time I watch.
• MARIA+HOLIC – A story about a girl who is afraid of men and enrolls in an all girls school to find her yuri partner who falls in love with a cross dressing boy!? Pseudo yuri and a trap!? You bet I will be watching this!
• Sora wo Miageru Shoujo no Hitomi ni Utsuru Sekai – AKA Munto. This is a television adaptation of the previous two Munto OVAs by KyoAni about a girl who can see a magical world in the sky which is reason enough for me to watch this. It will include updated versions of the two OVA episodes so viewers can jump right in without worrying about missing part of the story.
• Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei – Since I love Higurashi to death, this is the OVA I am most anticipating. The art looks much better than the television series as can be seen in the trailer shown at C75 while still maintaining the same art style. I sort of miss the QUALITY art that gave Higurashi a certain charm but I’m not complaining. I wonder if this is how Umineko will look when it airs later this year.
• Mahou Sensei Negima! ~Shiroki Tsubasa Ala Alba~ (OAD) – The third and last episode of the one Negima anime that actually stays true to the manga. Reminds me that I still need to watch the second episode. If it were like this, I would gladly watch a third Negima television series. Third time’s a charm, right?
• Kodomo no Jikan OAD & Second Term – More KoJika! I really enjoyed the television series and OVAs so I am awaiting more precocious antics by cutie Rin.
• Candy Boy Episode 5 – Candy Boy so far has been a charming Yuri series and I’m curious about what will happen next.

Probably Watch

• Sora wo Kakeru Shoujo – With the same staff as the Mai series and iDOLM@STER Xenoglossia, I am expecting a fun high-energy show like Mai-Otome. It will at least tide me over until whenever the next Mai series airs.
• Minami-ke Okaeri – Although I was initially turned off by the first episode of Okawari, after watching episodes 3 through 6 over the past weekend, I opened up to it. Okawari may not be as good as the first series but it was entertaining enough for me to take another chance and watch Okaeri.

May Watch

• White Album – The premise of a guy dating a rising idol singer sounds like there could be some good drama in store. However without much more than just this description, I’m not sure if I want to get into this just yet.

So far it looks like I will be watching only 6 new television series and another 5 OVAs this season so I should have plenty of time to do a little catch up on my endless backlog whether it be anime or drawing or something crazy like schoolwork.