KAORI Winter 2016 Anime Series Guide

Prince of Stride Alternative

Nana Sakurai joined the Hounan high school to become a member of the Stride Club (stride refers to a sport that combines running and parkour). Finding out that the club is in dire situation, she promised to bring back her dreamed Hounan’s stride club and make them take part in national competition.

While based on an otome game, Prince of Stride offers interesting execution of running competition while at the same time, not alienating their male viewers. With Free!-esque premise, everyone can enjoy this anime without the need to feel frightened by yaoi-related discussion in the Internet. This may become the most interesting sport anime since Yowapeda and Free. (Kevin W / KAORI Newsline)

Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut

Lux is a former prince of an empire named Arcadia that was overthrown via a rebellion five years earlier. Lux accidentally trespasses in a female dormitory’s bathing area, sees the kingdom’s new princess Lisesharte naked, and incurs her wrath. Lisesharte then challenges Lux to a Drag-Ride duel. Drag-Rides are ancient armored mechanical weapons that have been excavated from ruins all around the world. Lux used to be called the strongest Drag-Knight, but now he’s known as the “undefeated weakest” Drag-Knight because he will absolutely not attack in battle. After his duel with Lisesharte, Lux ends up attending the female-only academy that trains royals to be Drag-Knights. (ANN)

At the beginning, this gif spreaded on Twitter made me thought that it was all like “OMG this is Shinmai Maou all over again”, but it turns out to be OK. The show gives us a familiar feel to Infinite Stratos because the Drag-ride and the only-guy-in-girls’-school trope. Lux also gives the vibe of Kirito from Sword Art Online . While this show feels generic, it might be surprising later because it’s still only the first episode. so for anyone who might consider to watch this show, don’t be afraid. (Naufal /KAORI Newsline)

Schwarzesmarken

While the world is still divided by the western and eastern bloc, BETA’s insurgence means harsher life in eastern bloc. Theodor Eberbach works in Schwarzesmarken, GDR (East Germany)’s special elite force designed to fight BETA with extraordinary means, which make them popular even in the West. In middle of a battle, Theodor saved Katia Waldheim, a West soldier vowed to deflect to GDR and wanted to join Schwarzesmarken for a special mission.

Schwarzesmarken‘s release coincided with the current new wave of nostalgia. Alongside popularity of costume drama War and Peace (BBC One) and GDR-themed Deutschland 83 (Channel 4 UK), Schwarzesmarken brings old Cold War stereotype to the BETA universe. The new studio commissioned for this anime seems doesn’t impact the production quality by any means (previous Total Eclipse was done by Satelight, known for their mecha prowess). For those not familiar with BETA or Muv-Luv universe, the first five minutes gives a quick insight into what’s happening without any need for lurking into the Internet, and if you already watched some anime with the similar premise like Evangelion, it’s very easy to resonate with this series. Well, like the British-esque feeling ingrained in the War and Peace (itself is an adaptation of a famous work by Tolstoy), Schwarzesmarken feels very Japanese. Ojigi in the GDR? (Kevin W / KAORI Newsline)

Shoujotachi wa Kouya wo Mezasu

With no other activities to do, Buntarou was invited by his classmate, Sayuki, who needed his help to create a game. Having witnessed a lot of failed visual novels before, Sayuki assured him that they will create a great visual novel together in this so-called wasteland.

While the plot is very similar with Saekano (swap Aki with Sayuri), ShokoMeza itself is rare in today’s difficult time for visual novel industry. While the first episode leaves much to be desired for the development, at least there are good hopes that this series can leave a good impression for the viewers and hope it won’t end up to be just another cheap visual novel to anime adaptation. (Kevin W / KAORI Newsline)

Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu

Adapted from Josei Manga by Haruko Kumota, Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu tells a story of an ex-prisoner who choose to become a Rakugoka (Rakugo storyteller) after watching a Rakugo (Traditional Japanese comic storytelling) called Shinigami, played by Rokugoka named Yakumo. After become his apprentice, Yakumo named that ex-prisoner “Yotaro”, a slang that means “fool” in Rakugo. Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu manga won Best General Manga in 38th Kodansha Manga Awards in 2009.

Came with 48 minutes duration in the first episode, Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu tried to carry a theme that unusually discussed in anime, Rakugo. The 48 minutes duration, however, utilized wonderfully by the staffs. The premier episode looked solid, successfully introducing all the characters with their own problems and conflicts. This anime also gave more insight to Rakugo world. They even did not hestitate to use full 10 minutes duration to executed a full Rakkugo show, which also executed nicely. With all of its feature, it will be a waste to skip this series, especially if you are looking for an anime that tells more mature story and did not hestitate to take unusual premise. (Dany Muhammad / The Indonesian Anime Times)