I'd like to start off this series with a quick run down of Spring 2011 anime programs that I at least intend to sample. Looks can be deceiving, though, and I make no claims to quality or contents - those are reserved for later followup. All but two shows on this list are available for free legal streaming - and the other two will likely get license announcements soon.
Tiger and Bunny - [sci-fi, superhero, mecha, action] In Schternbilt City, super heroes have corporate sponsors and compete for the the yearly King of Heroes title through a system of points awarded for heroic deeds. The series follows veteran hero Kotetsu Kaburagi (Wild Tiger) as sponsorship changes force a switch from his traditional cowl and cape costume to a modern suit of armor, and also teaming up with newcomer Barnaby Brooks, Jr. This Sunrise produced show is available for free viewing from vizanime.com (through Hulu, though it is not licensed for streaming to home theater and mobile devices).
Nichijou - [slice of life, absurdist humor] Adapted from a mixed-form (both long form comic pages and 4-panel strips) gag manga running in Shonen Ace, Nichijou follows the bizarre lives of several high school students, a robot girl with a giant turn key in her back, and the five ear old mad scientist who created her. Produced by Kyoto Animation (Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya), Nichijou looks to be an amazing blend of Yotsuba& and Chromartie High School. The first episode is already available for streaming from Crunchyroll.
Hanasaku Iroha - [slice of life] Sixteen year old Ohana Matsumae is abandoned by her mother to live with her grandmother who runs a ryokan in the Japanese country side. Unfortunately, this is not a happy reunion, as the grandmother disowned Ohana's mother due to past impropriety, and apparently harbors no particular love for her grandchild. Due to the mostly female cast, I am approaching this series with some skepticism. It appears to be a somewhat innocent slice-of-life story with little to none of the tropes of most female character centered anime. At least it's not based on an eroge. Hanasaku Iroha is available for streaming from Crunchyroll.
Sket Dance - [school comedy] the Campus Support Group of Kaimei Gakuen has a poor reputation on campus. Still, the three members of the suketo-dan (helper group) do their best to solve any and all problems of the faculty or student body. The original manga, Weekly Shonen Jump, has received numerous awards and ranks well on the sales charts. A well liked series adapted from Shonen Jump always warrants at least a look from me. Sket Dance will begin streaming on Crunchyroll on April 7, 2011.
Deadman Wonderland - [sci-fi, horror, action] An unfortunately timed adaptation which follows Ganta Igarashi, a survivor of an earth quake which destroyed most of Tokyo ten years before the story begins. One day a mysterious man appears, covered in blood and crimson armor, and murders Ganta's entire class. Ganta becomes the only suspect and is given a death sentence - to live out the rest of his life in the horrific prison known as Deadman Wonderland where inmates are subjected to deadly contests and accumulate "cast points" to spend on a medicine which will counteract the daily poison that is administered through collars as part of their sentence. Deadman Wonderland begins airing on April 17, 2011, and will be available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
Blue Excorcist - [action, supernatural] Demons can only interact with the world of humans through possession. Unfortunately for Satan (and fortunately for the rest of us) there is no human which can perform as a strong enough vessel to contain him. To this end he creates a son through a human mother (how he manages that I'm not sure, since the whole point is he can't interact with the human world) to serve as his vessel. However, when Rin Okumura discovers his lineage he sets out to become an exorcist and ultimately defeat his father. I have reservations - the subject matter could be handled poorly leaving me too uncomfortable to continue. I like the idea of the son of Satan rebelling against his father to destroy him, but it could go awry for viewers with strong religious convictions. Blue Exorcist has not been announced as a license for streaming yet, but it's believed Crunchyroll will announce it soon. Blue Exorcist begins airing April 17, 2011.
Steins;Gate - [sci-fi thriller] A group of friends living in Akihabara have customized their microwave into a device that can send text messages into the past. After a number of experiments, the group draws the attention of another organization which researches time travel. Steins;Gate is based on a highly respected visual novel that has been praised for it's intricate plot. It is available for streaming now on Crunchyroll.
[C] The Money of Soul and Possibility Control - [sci-fi thriller] [C] takes place in a Japan where the country was saved from financial ruin by the Sovereign Wealth Fund. While the government managed to avoid economic collapse, the people still suffer from high unemployment, crime, and suicide rates. Kimimaro, orphaned at a young age and raised by his grandmother, is a scholarship student who dreams of escaping the harsh realities of life in his Japan and living a life of stability. After accepting a large sum of money from a stranger, who gives it to him only on the promise that he will pay it back, his life takes on a drastically different course as he becomes involved in the mysterious "Financial District". [C] hasn't been announced officially for streaming, but I believe Funimation retains a standing license to simulcast noitaminA shows as they air in Japan. [C] begins airing on April 15, 2011. It has a good buzz, but the trailer tells you absolutely nothing...
It's almost unbelievable for me that there are eight series that I'm interested in from a single season. It's somewhat unprecedented. There are even a few possibles waiting in the wings to take the place of any taht should not pan out. Chances are good I'll whittle down to three or four eventually, regardless. I probably don't have time to keep up with eight shows simultaneously anyway!
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