Summer is officially here, and there's some hot anime and animated movies coming in Japan. This digest will help keep you abreast of the summer 2008 anime lineup. I decided to divide it up into three parts: The shows I must watch, the shows I might watch, and finally the rest. Each title is a link which will take you to the AniDB/ANN page for further information.

'Must Watch!' list

Ultraviolet: Code 044

Hmmm... A female warrior who is genetically engineered with high combat skills and is ordered by the government to annihilate a vampire army. Most people will have stopped reading at this point because their interest has been piqued. There is more however; Madhouse is animating this with Osamu Dezaku as Director (Clannad, Golgo movies, Rose of Versailles, and many more) and Masao Maruyama as Producer (Tokyo Godfathers, X, Tenjho Tenge, Death Note, etc).

Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto ~Natsu no Sora~

Do you remember Someday's Dreamers? Well here comes the sequel, and I hope it's a good one. I never did see the Gunslinger Girl sequel because of a lack of hype, and I'm afraid this might fall into the 'not as good as the first season' pile too.

The Sky Crawlers (movie)

I'll start off by saying two things: Mamoru Oshii and Production I.G. That's it. I'm all in. Rumor has it that two recent major events in Oshii's personal life have influenced him to work on this movie which deviates from material he's typically known for.

Mahou Sensei Negima!: Shiroki Tsubasa Ala Alba

As a fan of the Negima! manga, I'm interested in this three episode OVA series which is a prequel to the Negima?! anime. Wait, a prequel?! Did anyone even watch that redo to the original anime?

And my watch list wouldn't be complete without...

Gekijouban Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: Guren-hen (movie)

The Gurren Lagann movie is coming out in September 2008, and I can't wait!

'Might watch' list

Strike Witches

Another GONZO show where it seems they're going straight to the internet outlets like they did with The Tower of DRUAGA -the Aegis of URUK. This show contains some mecha, well-proportioned chicks and some sci-fi and that to me equals love. But GONZO is doing this and we all know what that means.

Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu

An average boy with nothing special (what a novel plot idea! /sarcasm) happens to discover that the school's idolized 'perfect' girl has a dark side where she's a die-hard fan of anime, manga and otaku culture. This will only be good if she's truly hardcore, and really connects with real otakus who will be watching it. I have my doubts it'll work, but it would be nice to be wrong.

Blade of the Immortal / Mugen no Juunin

Based on a seinen manga, this adaptation has hit the Bee Train producers. Manji is a ronin who has been cursed with immortality and must kill one thousand evil men to dispel it. After meeting a young girl whose parents have been killed, he begins that quest to set things right and to remove the curse.

Detroit Metal City

Ugh, another shy guy premise. I mean really...is this all they can come up with? Anyways, he wants to be a teacher, but ends up becoming a singer-songwriter for a metal band called "Detroit Metal City". Soon he realizes that when he dons the cheap 80's glam hair and paint, proper manners and language fly out the window. As DMC's popularity increases our hero realizes that having two personalities can play havoc with his romantic life off-stage.

Cobra The Animation: The Psycho-Gun

Animators won't be left out of the remake parade and these OVAs are doing just that to Space Adventure Cobra. As always, can they pull it off?

Sekirei

A chump who has failed to get into college twice has a chance become an 'Ashikabi'. This is a one of a set of masters leading a battle royale of 108 beautiful women and pretty guys too. Why does that initial setup seem familiar, Love Hina anyone? I'll only watch this if fan service compels me to.

Slayers REVOLUTION

An eagerly awaited installment of the Slayers series. Either you know about this show and want to see it, or you're like me and haven't seen the earlier seasons. So in my case when I read the AniDB synopsis, I get nothing out of it...hopefully you do.

The rest

Chocolate Underground

Imagine a mash up between 1984 and Fahrenheit 451, where chocolate has become public enemy #1. It seems chocolate and confectioners go underground.

Seiyou Kottou Yougashiten ~Antique Bakery~

Let's see, you've got bishounen men with some shounen-ai and pie. If the fan girls weren't satiated with the spring season's 'Junjou Romantica' then look no further, here's some more.

Yakushiji Ryouko no Kaiki Jikenbo -Ryoko's Case File-

The story revolves around Ryouko Yakushiji, and the bizarre cases she faces while working for the Tokyo Police.

Natsume Yuujin-chou

Natsume Takashi sees dead people! Oh ok, he sees spirits and doesn't know why. After his grandmother passes, he finds a book which contains the names of these spirits and the contract that binds them. He sets out with the help of a spirit cat to set these spirits free.

Koihime Musou

An adaptation of an eroge, which reinvents the chinese historical novel of Romance of the Three Kingdoms with comedy, action and an all female cast.

World Destruction~Sekai Bokumetsu no Rokunin~

Production I.G. put their name on this and that's all I can say.

Zero no Tsukaima ~Princess no Rondo~

Neo Angelique Abyss -Second Age-

Birdy the Mighty Decode

Telepathy Shoujo Ran

Scarecrowman the Animation

Hidamari Sketch x365

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