Alright, this is the list of scheduled anime releases for summer of 2008 and I will talk more on shows that I am interested in. The shows I am interested are marked with bold letters.
6/11 - Ikkitousen: Great Guardians (Season 3)
6/21 - Telepathy Shoujo Ran
7/01 - Ultraviolet: Code 044
7/02 - Slayers Revolution (Season 4)
7/03 - Hidamari Sketch x 365 (Season 2)
7/03 - Strike Witches TV
7/04 - Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu
7/05 - Tetsuwan Birdy Decode
7/07 - Natsume Yuujinchou
7/08 - World Destruction
7/10 - Mission-E
7/13 - Blade of the Immortal
7/18 - Zero no Tsukaima: Princess no Rondo (Season 3)
7/24 - Yakushiji Ryoko no Kaiki Jikenbo
7/?? - Koihime Musou
7/?? - Sekirei
7/?? - Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto: Natsu no Sora (Someday's Dreamers prequel)
Another notable show that is not on this small list is upcoming Production IG Chocolate Underground.
Hidamari Sketch is a charming mini anime from anime maestro, Akayuki Shinbo. It did not pretend to be grand or big but it has charming aspect and not really a demanding anime. Relax, enjoy and quietly watch as antics of characters try to live their lifes. It is like a cousin to more renowned Azumanga and overhyped Lucky Star.
Offical Site
Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu is based on light novels about a school idol who is supposedly pinnacle of student life: classy, sophisticated, good in academics/atheletics etc. However she harboured a dark secret which she is a closet anime otaku. Needless to say, a dude find out about her weakness much to her abject horror. This guy was a typical nobody but because of his knowledge become some sort of confidant to Haruka which hilarity bound to ensues. Don't be surprised if it is oversubbed by dozens of groups.
Official Site
Blade of the Immortal is another anticipated series but I have treat it with great caution, as the author himself said that he did not see how in the world this story can be translated into anime without losing its intregity. I forsee a trainwreck coming, not helping when I see name Bee Train as production studio. Another soon to be oversubbed series.
Offical Site
Yakushiji Ryoko no Kaiki Jikenbo is for late adult anime group as themes and story is much more mature. The protagonist is a 27 year old PI who is well versed in few languages who somehow found herself working on series of bizzare cases for police. Already I can see that this anime will not be popular choice for fansubber, much less need to say for licensing.
Offical Site
Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto: Natsu no Sora, prequel to another quiet mini anime; Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto. I liked the art and the story is another placid, slow story of character in slice of life setting. The animation company responsible for this series supposedly masters of lush background and art, Hal Film Maker (Sketchbook and Aria).
Official Site
Chocolate Underground (Studio IG) is a story where a present day scenario where a health concious party become a government and enforce a draconian law of preventing citizens to consume sweet stuff including chocolate in interest of public health (shades of US Prohibition in 1920s). 2 rebels decided to give a finger to the law and the story focuses on their exploits on breaking the law, becoming some sort of Chocolate Al Capone as they run a bootlegging effort.
Why I like this one? Simple. Production IG and chocolate bootleggers. Sounds cool to me.
Official Site
