aloe, dream

Whew, well at this moment in time, I’ve only checked out a few other Spring 2007 Preview, but I think I’m set. There are high hopes for some shows beginning this great month of April, though if some fail, then so be it! Sort of random, but I think I’m going to try and feel out three areas which I believe the shows will aim: the Mind (psyche), the Heart (romance), and the Physical ( I’ll just use the terms happy and delighted, physically; if it sounds pervish, think laughter, if not think laughter + … ).

Lucky Star Should be nice animation at least, but this looks like it will be ka ka kawaaaii. School girls who have centered their lives around anime and chocolate? Great idea! At least I like it, so I’m hoping it will be some fun. I hope the vibe is a lot like Azumanga (kookie) with less realistic takes on school. Maybe like a more moe version of Sukuran; I guess I can dream.
Priority: High+ ( KyoAni ) : Low | : Low | : High++

Hayate no Gotoku! When I first saw a few images of this series earlier in the year, I was struck with the idea that the little blondie was Shana with a wig. It resembles Shana almost too much, but less mystical I believe; could be nice and down to earth. So it’s a typical love triangle, meh, I’ll deal with it because I think the story has a bit of a unique twist.
Priority: High : Medium | : Medium | : High
Note: 1st episode is out; 720p raw looks good.

sola I’ve no clue about De Capo, but production looks strong (Nomad). And collaboration between originators of Kanon and De Capo can’t hurt. Overall, looks very solid!
Priority: High : Low+ | : Medium+ | : High+

Darker than Black - Kuro no Keiyakusha The genre is interesting, and I’m betting this will be the most “ass-kicking” of my Spring 07. Possibly a good psych-thriller, involving persons S.Haruhi would love to befriend. Lacks a romance vibe, but could tuck it in there like Speed Grapher.
Priority: Medium+ : High+ | : Low- | : Medium

Seto no Hanayome Manga-based, boy meets girl in awkward situation. San is a mermaid, saves Nagasumi’s life, end up married? comedy ensues. It could be as “wacky” as described in reviews on Manga Updates, but Sumomomo Momomo is enjoyable at wacky times; that came out wrong. Looking forward slightly, at least the intro episodes.
Priority: Medium : Low+ | : Medium | : High-

Kaze no Stigma The vibe feels like FMP!xFMA. A vibe being my “uninformed glance”. Some say it vibes like Shana also, but I won’t disagree. The skinny is… its novel-based and GONZO production. This means it has potential, but I could lose interest as I did with Pumpkin Scissors. The advantage this has it the genre is more appealling (action/fantasy, with clan-fighting).
Priority: Medium- : Medium | : Medium+ | : High
Note: There are what looks like screens from the animation on the series’ official site.

Shinkyoku Soukai Polyphonica Game conversion, and very little info in English, but it seems there are various story aspects in the “Kinetic Novels” (Red, Black, White, Blue). I believe the anime will be based on the “red” edition which looks like school-life in a world of spirits/magic/myth. I’m sure the other novels will influence the storyline, but who knows. I’ll watch it just to see if this little girl is tsundere enough, because… she really looks like an alt-universe Shanaouise in neon-lala-land. May be its just the pose.
Priority: Medium : Low+ | : Medium | : High Note: the character design is appealling, much like Tokimeki(the appeal, not the design), but I don’t expect this to be a spectacular story, change-my-life ordeal. As long as the artwork/animation is on par I think my time can afford the FS.

Kono Aozora ni Yakusoku wo Simply put, I’m hoping this will fill any yuri cravings I may have in the Spring. Kyoushiro towa no sora didn’t really do it for me. The advantage of this series is again the genre (partly slice-of-life). Also, Artland is on production which has done some decent work in the recent past( mainly Bokura ga Ita ).
Priority: Medium+ : Low | : Medium+ | : High

Bokura no This reminds of of that 80s or 90s flick, Russkies. The manga is known, so I believe there is a good deal of anticipation (high probability of a steady sub group picking it up). That’s all.
Priority: Medium : High | : Low+ | : Medium-

Lovely Complex Shoujo (implies romance) and comedy. Relaxing, sweet, melodic, fun, etc. That’s what I hope for in this show. Good question is how many eps? There is enough material for 24+ episodes, but since the story may not have a strong thread I could see it being 12-13. Oh Well!
Priority: Medium : Medium- | : High (shoujo) | : High

Shining Tears X Wind Things I like about this: manga-based, fantasty, character design+, dragons, elf-girl, neko-mimi, dual-colored eye honey metro with glowing hand (uh). Truthfully, this could flop, but I’ll probably stick with it regardless.
Priority: Medium+ : Medium- | : Low+ | : High

Nagasarete Airantou Danny @ Novastorm gave a good vibe in his preview. Therefore, I’m hopeful. I’m unfamiliar with the manga, but the setup is nearly classic harem. Boy-person in the midst of boy-crazy people. I guess the downside is the overflow of this genre in the recent-recent past, but once things like Kanon, Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru, Tokimeki, Sumomomo have left the bloodstream, do I really want a harem-withdrawal (cold turkey sucks).
Priority: High : Low | : Medium+ | : High+

Hitohira Lastly, I had this one picked at the start of the year, but I’m not sure how I feel about it now (mood swings). Thankfully, some other bloggers have given first impressions and I’ll check out the first ep and see for myself. I think my first impression was a cute appeal.
Priority: Medium- : Low | : Medium+ | : Medium+

Other mentions:
Kamichama Karin, I actually read a couple volumes of this at the library, but I wasn’t into it.
Touka Gettan, I may glide into this one, but not sure.
CLAYMORE, hyped, and may check out for good reasons.
Seirei no Moribito, solid fantasty, may watch if the I hear good things.

Whooo, so 13 is the magic number this Spring. I know that other doing previews spents many hours working on getting their info together, and I’m thankful. I didn’t do that, because I feel I can trust their research. These were the previews I checked-out for the season:

Hashihime’s April Anime Preview
Omni’s Spring 2007 Preview!
Danny’s Spring 2007 Preview!
Shirukii’s Spring ‘07 Preview

I’m greatful for the input I gained. April has dawned in the GMT-5, I’m off, for the Spring journey.

Ryan A