Info Winter Anime 2014 Preview Guide

Nii · Sep 13, 2013

Well I know it's really early but we already have a legit winter chart out by Neregate. It's obviously far from completed but maybe someone wants to get a first impression of what we can expect later this year

Seitokai Yakuindomo*
Production: GoHands
Series Composition: Nakamura Makoto
Starring: Hikasa Yoko, Asanuma Shintaro, Yahagi Sayuri, Satou Satomi
Debuts: January 4, 2014

Second season of Seitokai Yakuindomo

Tsuda Takatoshi is about to begin his first year in Ousai Academy. His decision to enter Ousai was based upon it being close to his home and he paid no heed to the fact he'd be among the first boys to enter the recently gender-integrated school.

On his first trip to school, Takatoshi is surrounded by girls; the train has nothing but girls, the walk to school has nothing but girls and once he finally arrives he is approached by a group of girls and summarily appointed vice-president of the student council and, as expected, he is the only boy there.

Now Takatoshi finds himself surrounded by crazy girls who do nothing but horrify him with their candid conversations about feminine hygiene products and, what's worse, assume he's the worst kind of man, the kind who doesn't clean himself and watches porn all day long.

Saikin, Imouto no Yousu ga Chotto Okashiinda ga. (Imocho)
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Production: Project No.9
Director: Hata Hiroyuki
Starring: Chinami Hashimoto, Majima Jun, Ogura Yui
Debuts: January 4, 2014

n the romance comedy, a girl named Mitsuki Kanzaki lives with her step-brother Yuya after her mother remarries. One day, Mitsuki is possessed by the self-proclaimed spirit of a young girl, Hiyori Kotobuki. Hiyori (in Mitsuki's body) must fall in love with Yuya to move towards the "Gates of Heaven."

Space Dandy
Genre: Science Fiction, Comedy
Production: Bones
Director: Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo)
Script: Nobumoto Keiko (Cowboy Bebop, Tokyo Godfathers)
Starring: Suwabi Junichi, Satake Uki, Yoshino Hiroyuki
Debuts: January 5, 2014

The lead character Dandy is an alien hunter and the "dandiest man in space." The anime is set far in the future where people have gone to the far reaches of the universe. Dandy is searching for aliens that no one has found before with his robot partner QT.

Noragami
Genre: Action, Supernatural
Production: Bones
Director: Tamura Kotaro
Series Composition: Akao Deko (Arakawa Under the Bridge)
Character Design: Kawamoto Toshihiro (Cowboy Bebop)
Starring: Kamiya Hiroshi, Uchida Maaya, Kaji Yuki
Debuts: January 5, 2014

At the boundary between this realm and another, there live eight million gods, dead spirits who serve the gods, and other assorted spirits who help and meddle in the affairs of humans. A sweet middle school girl named Hiyori Iki has been enduring bullying from her classmates, and she goes to the restroom by herself to cry. Scrawled on the bathroom wall is a phone number and the message, "I solve your troubles."

After Hiyori calls the number, she encounters a homeless boy wearing a jersey who calls himself a god. The boy, named Yato, is rough, moody, lazy, and never listens to anyone's wishes, but he had the power to be a god... that no one knew of.

Buddy Complex
Genre: Mecha
Production: Sunrise
Director: Tanabe Yasuhiro
Starring: Matsuoka Yoshitsugu, Uchiyama Kouki, Hayami Saori
Debuts: January 5, 2014

The story will revolve around the friendship and coming-of-age of two boys. It begins with Aoba Watase, a boy who goes to high school in Tokyo and lives a carefree daily life. On the morning of his school's opening ceremony after summer vacation, he goes to campus as usual, but he has a chance encounter with another boy.

Saki: Zenkoku-henhttp://myanimelist.net/anime/16123/Saki:_Zenkoku-hen
Production: Studio Gokumi
Director: Ono Manabu
Series Composition: Urahata Tatsuhiko
Starring: Ueda Kana, Koshimizu Ami, Kugimiya Rie, Shiraishi Ryoko, Itou Shizuka, Fukuyama Jun
Debuts: January 5, 2014

Adapts the High School Mahjong Championship Arc of Saki

Miyanaga Saki is a high school freshman who doesn’t like mahjong. Ever since she was a child, she would lose her New Year’s gift money during her family mahjong game. If she won, her parents would be upset, and if she lost, well, she lost. As a result, she’s learned to play in such a way that her score always remains plus/minus zero: not good enough to win, but not bad enough to lose. When we meet her, she’s being dragged to her school’s mahjong club by an old friend. How will a girl who hates mahjong, yet has become adept at the game as a result of her upbringing, survive in this environment?

Nobunaga the Fool
Genre: Science Fiction, Action
Director: Sato Hidekazu
Series Composition, Original Creator: Kawamori Shoji
Starring: Miyano Mamoru and Hisaka Yoko
Debuts: January 5, 2014

Part of a multi-media project featuring a live stage play.

The Western Planet and the Eastern Planet. Once upon a time, the two sides were bound by the "Dragon Pulse" spanning the heavens. The civilization that once had prospered has now turned to a tale of dreams, as the inextinguishable flames of war tear the realm asunder. The two planets remain engulfed in endless battles. The return of the super technology known as "sacred treasures" could revolutionize the world order, but no one knows of them but one person — a "heretical girl." A girl from the Western Planet, Jeanne Kaguya d'Arc, saw heavenly visions of the birth of a "Star Messiah" who will save the world. She embarks on a journey to the Eastern Planet with Leonardo da Vinci, "the one who observes the world." They come across the heretic of the Eastern Planet and "the greatest fool of the day," Oda Nobunaga.

Nobunagun
Genre: Action
Production: Bridge
Director: Kondo Nobuhiro
Series Composition: Yamaguchi Hiroshi (Gingitsune)
Starring: Muto Shiori and Suzuki Tatsuhisa
Debuts: January 5, 2014

Shio Ogura is a Japanese high school student, who is visiting Taiwan on a school trip when she is suddenly attacked by monsters. Agents known as "E-Gene Holders" from the government agency DOGOO also arrive, who wield weapons infused with the spirits of historical figures. Shio is revealed to also be an E-Gene Holder when the soul of Oda Nobunaga awakens after she tries to rescue a friend.

Witch Craft Works
Genre: Action, Supernatural
Production: J.C. Staff
Director and Series Composition: Tsutomu Mizushima (Another, Ookiku Furikabutte)
Starring: Seto Asami and Kobayashi Yuusuke
Debuts: January 5, 2014

Takamiya Honoka is a regular student whose only problem seems to be that he sits next to Kagari Ayaka, the school's #1 beauty. They have never spoken to each other before and any small interaction between them immediately results in her fanclub beating him. Yet when a falling part of the school's building is about to send him to the afterlife, it's Kagari that comes to his rescue. Only... she's dressed as a witch, carrying him in her arms and floating on a broom?! Kagari tells him it is her mission to protect him and that now she can finally protect him openly rather than undercover.

Tonari no Seki-kun
Genre: Comedy
Production: Shin-Ei Animation
Starring: Hanazawa Kana and Shimono Hiro

The original manga revolves around a girl named Yokoi who sits next to a boy only known as Seki-kun. During class, Seki-kun continues to not pay attention and instead creates amazing little distractions, such as a detailed golf course with the course's hole being a dent in his desk, or an entire dramatic war being played out by paper shogi pieces. Yokoi often finds herself getting reluctantly interested in his games, even though they always seem to end up getting HER in trouble with the teacher!

D-Frag!
Genre: Comedy
Production: Brain's Base
Director: Sugawara Seiki
Series Composition: Uezu Makoto (Katanagatari, Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita)
Starring: Hanazawa Kana, Konishi Katsuyuki, Saito Chiwa, Koshimizu Ami, Itou Shizuka
Debuts: January 6, 2014

Kazama Kenji likes to believe he is something of a delinquent. Moreover, others seem to like to agree that he is. Of course, Kenji's gang finds their way to a group of four not-so-normal girls—Chitose, Sakura, Minami and Roka—and all at once, whatever reputation he may have is nothing compared to the outrageous behavior of the girls. Shanghaied into joining their club, what will happen to his everyday life from that point on?

Toaru Hikuushi e no Koiuta
Genre: Adventure
Production: TMS Entertainment
Director: Suzuki Toshimasa
Starring: Taketatsu Ayana, Yuuki Aoi, Hanae Natsuki
Debuts: January 6, 2015

Based on the 2009-2011 five-volume light novel series set in the same world as To Aru Hikuushi e no Tsuioku (The Princess and the Pilot) novel and anime film, although it is set earlier with a different cast of characters.

The story of love and aerial combat follows a former prince who lost everything to a revolution, and a girl who became the symbol for the revolution. The orphaned prince, now renamed Kalel, embarks on a one-way journey to discover the ends of the heavens. Aboard the levitating island of Isura, he meets a girl named Claire.

Hamatora the Animation
Genre: Game, Super Power
Production: Naz
Director: Kishi Seiji
Original Character Design: Kodama Yuki
Starring: Ohsaka Ryota, Hatana Wataru, Kato Emiri, Kamiya Hiroshi, Yasuno Kiyono
Debuts: January 7, 2014

Part of a multimedia project including a manga in Weekly Young Jump, an upcoming video game, and "more".

The story revolves around "Minimum" or "minor miracle"— special hereditary powers discovered only in an extremely limited number of humans. Those who possess such powers are known as "Minimum Holders."

Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! Ren
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Production: Kyoto Animation
Director: Ishihara Tatsuya (Suzumiya Haruhi, Clannad)
Series Composition: Jukki Hanada (Steins;Gate, Kyoukai no Kanata)
Starring: Uchida Maaya and Fukuyama Jun
Debuts: January 8, 2014

Due to various events, Yuuta and Rikka are living together. This secret co-habitation is so exciting for the two lovebirds! Or so it should be...

Is having a chuuni girlfriend too high of a hurdle for Yuuta, who never even went out with a normal girl?! Yuuta worries about how to advance his relationship with Rikka. And then everyone else, Nibutani, Kumin, and Dekomori, have powered up by advancing a grade. Furthermore, the cause of his chuunibyou outburst in middle school, the girl who calls herself Sophia Ring Saturn the 7th, Satone Shichimiya appears...

Onee-chan ga Kita
Genre: Comedy
Production: C2C
Director: Yuuzumi Yoshihide
Starring: Nagastuma Juri, Terakawa Aimi, and Takahashi Kouji
Debuts: January 8, 2014

The story revolves around Tomoya Mizuhara, a 13-year-old boy who suddenly gains a big sister when his father remarries. 17-year-old Ichika is a little strange, and her affection for Tomoya is rather overwhelming, if not scary. On top of things, Ichika's friend Ruri is the ultimate sadist. Then there is Ichika's big-breasted quarter-Japanese friend Marina.

Gin no Saji 2nd Season
Genre: Comedy, Coming of Age
Production: A-1 Pictures
Director: Deai Kotomi
Series Composition: Kishimoto Taku
Starring: Kimura Ryouhei and Miyake Marie
Episodes: 11
Debuts: January 9, 2014

Second Season of Gin no Saji

Yugo Hachiken dreams of life separated from his family, so he takes the initiative by enrolling in an agriculture school. He thinks, with his talent in studying, no problems will arise no matter what kind of school he attends. He is proven wrong very quickly. Raised as a city boy, he is forced to uncover the inconvenient truth about agricultural life. Enjoy the story of Hachiken, as he tries to keep up with his new friends, farmers' heirs, who are already accustomed to the harsh world of farming. With no clear goals or understanding of farming life, how will Hachiken survive this new, cruel reality? The story of a sweat, tear, and mud-stained youth begins!

Mahou Sensou
Genre: Action, Fantasy
Production: Madhouse
Director: Yuzo Sato
Series Composition: Fudeyasu Kazuyuki
Starring: Miyano Mamoru, Touyama Nao, Suzumura Kenichi, Seto Asami
Debuts: January 9, 2014

In this modern magic action story, Takeshi Nanase is an ordinary high school boy who has a somewhat dark past. one day, he comes across a girl named Mui Aiba, in a uniform he has never seen before, collapsed on the school campus.

Mikakunin de Shinkoukei
Genre: Comedy
Production: Doga Kobo
Director: Fujiwara Yoshiyuki (GJ-bu)
Series Composition: Shimo Fumihiko (Clannad, Golden Time)
Starring: Yoshida Yuri, Hatano Wataru, Terui Haruka, Matsui Eriko
Debuts: January 9, 2014

Yonomi Kobeni, an ordinary girl, finds out on her 16th birthday that she is betrothed to Mitsumine Hakuya, a boy the same age as her. Hakuya moves in from the countryside and starts living with her, bringing his younger sister who is still a primary school student with him. Also added is his older sister who is already living with Kobeni and is two years older.

The story revolves around these four people and their identities as "couples" and "sisters-in-law".

Sakura Trick
Genre: Yuri, Romance
Production: Studio Deen
Director: Ishikura Kenichi
Starring: Tomatsu Haruka and Iguchi Yuka
Debuts: January 9, 2014

The story revolves around Haruka and Yuu, two girls who go to a high school that is slated to be shut down in three years.
To share something special between them, they share a kiss, and their relationship deepens from that moment onward.

Hoozuki no Reitetsu
Genre: Comedy
Production: Wit Studio
Director: Kaburaki Hiro
Starring: Yasumoto Hiroki and Nagasako Takashi
Debuts: January 10, 2014

The dark comedy revolves around the fierce god aide to the Great King Yama, Hoozuki. Calm and super-sadistic, he tries to resolve problems that often occur in Hell.

Nourin
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Production: Silver Link
Director: Oonuma Shin (ef ~ a Tale of Memories, ef ~ a Tale of Melodies, Kokoro Connect)
Starring: Tamura Yukari, Asanuma Shintaro, Hanazawa Kana
Debuts: January 10, 2014

When the national idol Kusakabe Yuka suddenly retired from the entertainment business, it shocked the world and it devastated teenager Hata Kosaku. Kosaku was Yuka's biggest fan and her departure left him depressed. His classmates at the Tamo Agriculture School finally are able to get him to leave his room and attend his class, but to everyone's amazement, Kusakabe Yuka (her stage name) comes into the class under the name Kinoshita Ringo as a transfer student. Kosaku realizes he has the once in a lifetime opportunity to get to personally know his dream girl and, together with his group of friends, try to find out why she is here and become closer than just classmates.

Wake Up, Girls!
Genre: Idol Anime
Production: Tatsunoko Productions
Director: Yamamoto Yutaka (Kannagi)
Series Composition: Touka Machida
Debuts: January 10, 2014

Green Leaves Entertainment is a tiny production company on the verge of going out of business in Sendai, the biggest city in Japan's northeastern Tohoku region. The agency once managed the careers of magicians, photo idols, fortune-tellers, and other entertainers, but its last remaining client finally quit. In danger of having zero talent (literally), the president Tange hatches an idea of producing an idol group. On the brash president's orders, the dissatisfied manager Matsuda heads out to scout raw talent. Matsuda makes a fateful encounter with a certain girl...

Nisekoi
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Production: Shaft
Director: Shinbou Akiyuki (Monogatari Series, Madoka Magica)
Director: Tatsuwa Naoyuki
Series Composition: Tou Fuyashi (Monogatari Series, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei)
Starring: Uchiyama Kouki, Hanazawa Kana, Touyama Nao, Asumi Kana, Komatsu Mikako
Debuts: January 11, 2014

As a child, Raku Ichijo made a secret promise with his childhood sweetheart, keeping a pendant as a memento while his love took the key. He dreams of one day meeting his past love, but years later, reality smashes his hopes when Chitoge Kirisaki accidentally knees him in the face...

Though Raku's a normal high schooler, his family heads the notorious yakuza gang the Shuei-Gumi faction! And he's dragged into family affairs when he's forced into a relationship with Chitoge, the daughter of a rival gang's boss!

Sekai Seifuku: Bouryaku no Zvezda
Production: A-1 Pictures
Director and Series Composition: Okamura Tensai
Original Character Design: Kuroboshi Kohaku
Starring: Kuno Misaki, Hanazawa Kana, Toriumi Kousuke, Kamazaki Erii, Hanae Natsuki, Hirota Minoru, Ise Mariya
Debuts: January 11, 2014

The story follows Zvezda, a secret society bent on glorious world conquest — and led by a little girl.

Wizard Barristers: Benmashi Cecil
Genre: Action, Magic
Production: Arms
Director, Series Composition, Character Design, Original Creator: Umetsu Yasuomi (Kite, Mezzo)
Starring: Tanabe Rui

The story takes place in Tokyo in 2018, where normal humans and those who can use magic coexist. As a result, there are laws against using magic, and a "magic courtroom" exists to preside over lawsuits regarding magic use. In these cases, "Benmashi" or wizard barristers defend those who use magic. The anime follows Cecil, the youngest Benmashi in history, and her associates as they defend clients in these cases.

Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha.
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Supernatural
Production: Production IMS
Director: Takahashi Tooru
Script: Machida Touko (Lucky Star)
Starring: Ohzora Naomi and Kuwashima Houko.
Episodes: 10
Debuts: January 15, 2014

Fushimi Inari is a shy, not-so-bright middle school girl living in Kyoto's Fushimi ward. She has a crush on her classmate Tanbabashi, but cannot express her feelings. One day, as thanks for helping a fox pup, the deity Ukanomitamanokami grants her the ability to change her form.

Maken-Ki! Two
Genre: Martial Arts, Ecchi
Production: Xebec
Director: Kaneko Hiraku
Starring: Shitaya Noriko, Yahagi Sayuri, Nomizu Iori, Maeno Tomoaki
Episodes: 10
Debuts: January 15, 2014

Second Season of Maken-Ki

Romantic comedy about Takeru Ohyama, a typical perverted teenage boy. His new school doesn't require entrance exams, and it just turned co-ed! Unfortunately, his dreams of a happy high school life are dashed when he finds out the school is much more than it seems. All of the students wield a special item—a Maken—to unleash their magical abilities in duels! Can Takeru find a Maken that works for him? Even while trying to fit in at a new school and dealing with all kinds of girl problems?

Majokko Shimai no Yoyo to Nene
Genre: Fantasy
Production: ufotable
Director: Hirao Takayuki
Debuts: December 28, 2013

It is a story about a pair of sisters who work as "noroiya" (cursers) using magic in a fantasy world. One day a big tree suddenly appears in a forest, and tall buildings that look like they are from our world can be seen entangled in it. The two sisters go there to investigate and get ported to our world. They then encounter two children who are startled by the sisters' sudden appearance and rush back home but at home they see their parents turned into monsters...
Giovanni no Shima
Genre: Drama, Historical
Production: Production I.G
Director: Nishikubo Mizuho
Debuts: February 2014

In the aftermath of the most devastating conflict mankind had ever experienced, the tiny island of Shikotan became part of the Sakhalin Oblast... and on the unhealed border of this remote corner of the world, friendship among children from two different countries timidly blossomed, striving to overcome language barriers and the waves of history. Inspired by true events.

On August 15th, they told us we had lost the war. At that time, we did not really understand. Then one day, everything changed. Many soldiers, wearing uniforms we had never seen before, arrived on the island. That was the day I met Tanya.
Gekijouban Mouretsu Pirates
Genre: Science Fiction
Production: Statelight
Director: Satou Tatsuo
Debuts: February 2014

Sequel of Mouretsu Pirates
Tiger & Bunny Movie 2: The Rising
Genre: Action
Production: Sunrise
Debuts: February 8, 2014

The second of two Tiger and Bunny movies.

Sword Art Online: Extra Edition
Genre: Action
Production: A-1 Pictures
Debuts: December 31, 2013

TV recap of Sword Art Online with some new footage. Airing from 10pm - Midnight on New Year's Eve
Date A Live OVA
Genre: Action, Harem
Production: AIC Plus+
Debuts: December 2013

Unaired thirteenth episode of the anime. Will be bundled with the ninth volume of the light novel.
Wild Adapter
Genre: Action, Boys Love
Production: Anpro
Starring: Morikawa Toshiyuki and Ishikawa Hideo
Debuts: January 24, 2014

Makoto Kubota wandered through life, not taking things too seriously or looking too deep within himself. His job as the head of the Izumo Group's youth gang kept him pleasantly occupied with yakuza wars, mahjong and assassinations... Until the day he stumbled upon a strange drug called Wild Adapter that produces bizarre side-effects—including death. Forever changed, Kubota becomes entangled with a drifter named Minoru Tokito, and the two form an unlikely companionship that draws them deeper into the mystery of Wild Adapter...
Natsume Yuujinchou: Itsuka Yuki no Hi ni
Genre: Fantasy
Production: Brain's base
Director: Omori Takahiro
Debuts: February 5, 2014

OVA of Natsume Yuujinchou.
Blood Lad OVA
Genre: Action, Supernatural
Production: Brain's Base
Debuts: December 10, 2013

Bundled with the limited edition of manga volume ten.
Little Busters Ex
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Production: J.C. Staff
Episodes: 8
Debuts: January 29, 2014

Based on game expansion pack for three new heroine routes. Episodes will be included with the BD/DVD of Little Busters! Refrain.
Shingeki no Kyojin: Ilse no Techou
Genre: Action, Fantasy
Production: Wit Studio, Production I.G
Debuts: December 9, 2013

Adapts the Ilse's Notebook side story, published in manga volume five. Will be included with volume twelve of the manga.
Genshiken Nidaime no Roku
Genre: Comedy
Production: Production I.G
Debuts: December 20, 2013

Bundled with volume six of the manga.
Neppuu Kairiku Bushi Road
Genre: Mecha
Production: Bandai Visual, Bushiroad, Nitro+, Kinema Citrus
Director: Sakoi Masayuki (Code:Breaker, Strawberry Panic)
Series Composition: Norimitsu Kaihou
Starring: Kenn and Han Megumi
Debuts: December 31, 2013

A three hour special airing from 7 - 10pm on December 31, 2013

The story takes place in a time when the world is in the pits of despair after being ravaged by a poison called "shinobi" that came to earth via an asteroid. The people run away to the place called "Kairiku," a place that used to be the bottom of the ocean. Here, the people try and protect themselves against the effects of the poison. In such a world, there was a single light of hope. The "Holy Weapon Giga Road" and the legendary warrior "Yagyuu" are needed in order to counter the effects of the poison. In order to save the world, Ame, a princess of a fallen nation, stands up in order to save the world.
Mushishi Tokubetsu-hen: Hihamukagehttp://myanimelist.net/anime/21329/Mushishi_Special:_Hihamukage
Genre: Folk Tale, Fantasy
Production: Artland
Director: Nagahama Hiroshi
Character Design and Animation Director: Umakoshi Yoshihiko
Debuts: January 4, 2014

One hour TV anime special, based on special chapters published in the December and January (November 25 and December 25) issues of Afternoon.
Zetsumetsu Kigu Shoujo: Amazing Twins
Genre: Action, Supernatural
Production: Encourage Films
Director: Junichi Satou
Series Composition: Okada Mari
Starring: Uchida Aya, Satou Satomi, Touyama Nao, Chiba Susumu, Shimono Hiro
Debuts: February 26, 2014

In the story, at a hilltop park in a town, the performance team "Nought" is holding a "supernatural" magic show before a sparse audience. Despite Nought's best efforts, the audience boos the show. One of Nought's idols, Amane, happens to have ISH — "Incomprehensible Skill of Humans-beings," the power to turn what is imagined into reality. Suddenly, a girl appears before Amane. The masked girl with a cold smile is Aya, the popular genius magician in the group "I.A.M." Like Amane, Aya also has ISH.