Winter 2010 anime

A quick run-down of some of the new season: it’s said than no Japanese animation is entirely without interest, but with several of this season’s offerings that observation is put to the test!

Katanagatari – (trailer). Samurai swordsman fantasy stuff – didn’t pique my interest.

Dance in the Vampire Bund – Irritating TV show in opening episode, but in the last scene we meet some sexy-looking, under-dressed and violent female vampires, so could be worth following if this is what you like.

Ookami Kakushi – transfer student arrives in town full of mystery, and immediately  finds a cute girl hurling herself at him, and other students seem to like him too. However the opening credits are full of supernatural violence.  Do we want to explore the mystery, or are we just too irritated to care?

Chu-Bra – about a schoolgirl who is fascinated by adult underwear.  If you are a teenage girl, it could be quite educational; if not, best just leave quietly…

Sora no Woto – about a girl who joins the army and gets herself posted to a troop of female soldiers, with the idea of learning the trumpet. Setting is a cod-European pastiche. The lead character, Kanata, is utterly and irresistibly cute – but hold on a moment – this is from the same pen as “K-on!” and the character designs are rather similar, so maybe just digging out “K-on!” and re-running it might be a better idea.

Baka to Test to Shokanju – set in a school where the thickest students get the worst facilities, but can challenge the elite classes to a contest to swap rooms.  Contains many of the usual school comedy elements but very funny, could be worth following.

Cobra the Animation – Old fashioned all-action sci-fi adventure.  Note that the under-dressed female eye-candy are scrumptious and definitely Women, not schoolgirls, so no need for embarrassment about your viewing tastes if you’re over a certain age.

Durarara poster Durarara!! – at last something decent this season. A well-paced opening episode that delivers a lot of exposition and introduction of characters without getting bogged down.  The background is the streets of Tokyo by night, there’s some violent action from a masked black motorcyclist, and an on-screen blog that comments on the events. Plenty of reasons to look forward to episode 2.