Weekly Anime Roundup – Summer 2015 Weeks 3 & 4

Two weeks in one means double the fun.

Possibly.

Episodes watched over the past 2 weeks:
Charlotte 1
Gakkou Gurashi 2
Million Doll 1
Danchigai 2
Himouto! Umaru-chan 2
Teekyuu 5 2
Million Doll 2
Million Doll 3
Non Non Biyori Repeat 2
Himouto! Umaru-chan 3
Gakkou Gurashi 3
Wakaba*Girl 2
Wakaba*Girl 3
Wakaba*Girl 4
Teekyuu 5 3
Rokka no Yuusha 2
Rokka no Yuusha 3
Rokka no Yuusha 4
Himouto! Umaru-chan S 1
Himouto! Umaru-chan S 2
Himouto! Umaru-chan S 3
Okusama ga Seitokaichou! 2
Ushio to Tora 1 DROPPED
Miss Monochrome: The Animation 2 2 DROPPED
Aoharu x Kikanjuu 1
Danchigai 3
Makura no Danshi 2 DROPPED
Million Doll 4
Bikini Warriors 2
Bikini Warriors 3
Bikini Warriors 4
Venus Project: Climax 1 DROPPED
Classroom Crisis 2 DROPPED
Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri 2
Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri 3
Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri 4

Summer 2015 Status:

Series rankings at present:
1. Non Non Biyori Repeat
2. Sore ga Seiyuu
3. Gakkou Gurashi! (up 3)
4. Rokka no Yuusha (up 5)
5. Himouto! Umaru-chan
6. Wakaba*Girl (down 2)
7. Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri
8. Teekyuu 5 (down 5)
9. Million Doll (new)
10. Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace (down 2)
11. Charlotte (new)
12. Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai (down 2)
13. Bikini Warriors (down 2)
14. Danchigai
15. Gangsta. (down 3)
16. Aoharu x Kikanjuu (new)
17. Okusama ga Seitokaichou! (down 2)
18. Suzakinishi the Animation (down 2)
19. Kurayami Santa (down 1)

Dropped:
Ushio to Tora
Miss Monochrome – The Animation 2
Makura no Danshi
Venus Project: Climax
Classroom Crisis

Not Yet Watched:
Akagami no Shirayuki-hime
Chu Feng: BEE
God Eater
Jitsu wa Watashi wa
Joukamachi no Dandelion
Kangoku Gakuen
Kuusen Madoushi Kouhosei no Kyoukan
Overlord
Pikkapika Summer

Those rankings don’t exactly show the reality of the situation – everything in the top 8 is actually rather close, but then there’s a huge gap between 8th and 9th. There are also some series on there with just a single watched episode, which is never reliable. Himouto! Umaru-chan S is not going on the rankings.

Charlotte – he wasn’t exactly doing a good job at hiding his ability was he? Almost as though he wanted to be found out… Honestly, though, from the first episode that guy seemed like a total jerk, and I spent most of the time wanting him to get caught out and lose everything. It sort of happened, I guess.

Million Doll – It looked at first as though this series would join the “unexpectedly good” group, but I’m having a bit of difficulty keeping

Danchigai’s second episode was better than the first. But it was better than the third as well.

Teekyuu – “It’s a horse!” “Woof Woof”. Says it all, really.

I finally got around to watching Non Non episode 2 just a few minutes before the next one was up. I haven’t watched episode 3 yet, either. Rather a contrast from last time when I was always eager to watch it as soon as possible. I’m still loving the series, though.

Ushio to Tora – well, what can I say? Every single one of the characters managed to annoy me. The main character, the dad, both the girls, the monster, even the random classmates with no names. No way can I watch something like that.

Miss Monochrome worked so much better with shorter episodes. It barely even feels like a gag comedy anymore. A shame.

Makura no Danshi’s second episode wasn’t entertaining in any way, and I couldn’t come up with a character to make it that way (the best I could do was to imagine that he was talking to himself and the whole thing was a “rehearsal” for what would inevitably become a failed attempt at chatting up a girl). There weren’t even any pillows this time.

Classroom Crisis – tech-gobbledegook-exposition after tech-gobbledegook-exposition about non-existant technology, none of which is even remotely relevant to the actual story. Get rid of that and the completely pointless space setting and it might have been worth watching. As it is? Not even close – it’s Sci-Fi of the worst possible kind.

English and Japanese Light Novel Releases for Week Commencing 27th July 2015 (UPDATED 2nd August 2015)

Lots of labels releasing on the last few days of the month.

English releases:

n/a

Japanese releases:

Zero Sum Novels: (release date 28th July)
ROOT∞REXX Tsuioku no Kakera (ROOT∞REXX 追憶のかけら)

Regina Books: (release date 28th July)
詐騎士 外伝 〔2〕 薬草魔女のレシピ 2 
これは余が余の為に頑張る物語である 4
王立辺境警備隊にがお絵屋へようこそ!
メイドから母になりました 2
私がアンデッド城でコックになった理由

Hero Bunko: (release date 29th July)
Isekai Shokudou 2 (異世界食堂 2)
Cheat Kusushi no Isekai Tabi 4 (チート薬師の異世界旅 4)
Saishin no Game wa Sugosugi daro 4 (最新のゲームは凄すぎだろ 4 )
Isekai de Ikiteiku Houhou (異世界で生きていく方法 )

C★Novels Fantasia: (release date 29th July)
祝もものき事務所４

Monster Bunko: (release date 29th July)
Gunshi wa Nandemo Shitteiru 4軍師は何でも知っている(4)
神眼の勇者(2)
Elf Tensei kara no Cheat Kenkokuki 1 (エルフ転生からのチート建国記(1))
ビルドエラーの盾僧侶(3)

M Novels: (release date 29th July)
村人転生 最強のスローライフ

Famitsu Bunko: (release date 30th July)
Kenja no Mago: Joushikiyaburi no Shinnyuusei (賢者の孫 常識破りの新入生)
テイルズ オブ ゼスティリア 下
Eiyuu Shikkaku: Toiuwakede, Sekai wo Horoboshimasu (英雄失格 という訳で、世界を滅ぼします)
Kemono Musume Shoutai ni Yarukinashi Shireikan ga Chakunin Shimashita. (獣娘小隊にやる気なし司令官が着任しました。)
Meikyuu Toshi no Antique Shop 2 (迷宮都市のアンティークショップ2)
Sawatari-san Chi no Ragnarok (猿渡さん家のラグナロク)
モンスターハンター 氷雪無尽の獄狼竜

NOVELiDOL: (release date 30th July)
(Arui wa) SF no aru Fuukei (（あるいは）SFのある風景)
Karen Hyakkei (可憐百景)

Kodansha Ranobe Bunko: (release date 31st July)
Outbreak Company: Moeru Shinryakusha 13 (アウトブレイク・カンパニー 萌える侵略者13)
Kanojo ga Flag wo Oraretara: Koko wa Shuugaku Ryokou Sei ni Makasete, Hayaku Makuranage ni Iku no yo (彼女がフラグをおられたら ここは修学旅行生に任せて、早く枕投げに行くのよ)
Ultimate Antihero 3 Touhou Dai Seibatsu (アルティメット・アンチヒーロー3 東方大征伐)
Chigitte Kudasai Maou Heika. 3 (契ってください魔王陛下。3)
After Black (アフターブラック)
イノセントレッド 1.彼は拒絶する異世界転生
Weekend Dragon 2 (ウィークエンド・ドラゴン2)
Hello World 2 ――Hello World 2―― (ハロー・ワールド2 ――Hello World 2――)
Tokyo Alice Gothic 2 (東京アリスゴシック2)

Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko: (release date 31st July)
Ore no Nounai Sentakushi ga, Gakuen Love-Come wo Zenryoku de Jama Shiteiru 11 (俺の脳内選択肢が、学園ラブコメを全力で邪魔している （11）)
Gundam Build Fighters 1 (ガンダムビルドファイターズ （1）)
Yokohama Dungeon Daimajutsushi no Kioku (横浜ダンジョン 大魔術師の記憶)
Hoiku no Kishi to Monster Children (保育の騎士とモンスター娘)
Saredo Bokura no Maku wa Agaru. Scene.1 (されど僕らの幕は上がる。Scene.1)
Tamakou Shakou Dance-bu e Youkoso (たま高社交ダンス部へようこそ)
Are wa Choukouritsu no Mochako da yo! (あれは超高率のモチャ子だよ!)

Kadokawa Ruby Bunko: (release date 31st July)
Junai Romantica 8 (純愛ロマンチカ （8）)
Isekai de Shijinjuu ni Kyuukon Saremashita. (異世界で四神獣に求婚されました。)
Wakasama no Yome (若様のヨメ)
Dekiai Ryuujin to Rinne no Koi (溺愛竜神と輪廻の恋)

Kadokawa Beans Bunko: (release date 31st July)
Sakura Otome to Kuro Koushaku: Otome no Omoi to Futari no Ani (桜乙女と黒侯爵 乙女の想いと二人の兄)
アルバート家の令嬢は没落をご所望です （2）
魔王就任 魔石編
Oniyome-sama no Otenami Haiken! Oni no Komori Hajimemashita (鬼嫁さまのおてなみ拝見! 鬼の恋守はじめました)
Noushou Sakuretsu Girl: Watashi wa Noushou Sakuretsu Girl (脳漿炸裂ガール 私は脳漿炸裂ガール)

Chiffon Bunko: (release date 31st July)
平安秘めごと絵巻　貴なる兄弟と溺れる甘い禁悦
恋縛　ロミオとジュリエット異聞

Vanilla Bunko: (release date 31st July)
恋闇～淫らに触れる指先～
Koushaku ni Kawareta Ningyou Hamayome (侯爵に買われた人形花嫁)

Cobalt Bunko: (release date 31st July)
偽姫 乙女の選択と下剋上な猟犬たち
ひきこもり姫と腹黒王子 vsヒミツの巫女と目の上のたんこぶ
嘘つきたちの輪舞

HJ Bunko: (release date 31st July)
Nee-chan wa Chuunibyou 6 Jashin Fukkatsu de Kondo Koso Jinrui Metsubou!? (姉ちゃんは中二病6 邪神復活で今度こそ人類滅亡!?)
Kuroki Eiyuu no One Turn Kill! 6 Ingoku no Utage; Utage mo Takenawa (黒き英雄の一撃無双＜ワンターンキル！＞６.淫獄の宴　宴も酣)
Tatakau Panya to Automaton Waitress 2 (戦うパン屋と機械じかけの看板娘〈オートマタンウェイトレス〉2)
Shinwa Taisen Gilgamesh Knight 2 (神話大戦ギルガメッシュナイトⅡ)
Mahou Kenshi no Extra 5 (魔法剣士のエクストラ5)
断罪官のデタラメな使い魔

JUMP j Books: (release date 1st August)
ブレイブフロンティア　十翼の破壊者

Melissa: (release date 1st August)
契約妻と伯爵家
迷宮王子と渡り姫
緑の雫

Sonya Bunko: (release date 2nd August)
狂鬼の愛し子
旦那様は溺愛依存症

Unknown label or not a light novel:
こちら、幸福安心委員会です。 女王様と箱庭のレーベンスラウム
境界の皇女
Kono Sekai ga Game da to Ore dake ga Shitteiru 6 (この世界がゲームだと俺だけが知っている 6)
サーヴァント・ガール
放課後のプレアデス みなとの星宙
ユグドラシルの樹の下で 4
漆黒鴉学園〈4〉
ダークな乙女ゲーム世界で命を狙われてます〈3〉
俺が魔族軍で出世して、魔王の（娘の）心を射止める話Ⅳ

Adult light novel labels with releases this week:
Nijigen Dream Bunko (release date 29th July)
Puchipara Bunko Creative (release date 31st July)
Puchipara Bunko (release date 31st July)

English and Japanese Light Novel Releases for Week Commencing 20th July 2015 (UPDATED 27th July)

English releases:

Yen On: (release date 21st July)
No Game No Life 2
Durarara!! 1
Log Horizon: The Knights of Camelot (volume 2)
Accel World 04: Flight Toward a Blue Sky

Japanese releases:

K Romance: (release date 21st July)
18回目のプロポーズ
ハッピーウェディング

Mitsuyume Bunko: (release date 22nd July)
地味に、目立たず、恋してる。幼なじみとナイショの恋愛事情
赤い靴のシンデレラ　身代わり花嫁の恋

HJ Novels: (release date 23rd July)
Nidome no Jinsei wo Isekai de 5 (二度目の人生を異世界で5)

Cinderella Novels: (release date 23rd July)
Akuochi Hime wa Jikka Botsuraku wo Nerau 1 (悪堕ち姫は実家没落をねらう1)

Avalon Novels: (release date 23rd July)
Oukoku e Tsuzuku Michi 1 (王国へ続く道１)

Otomate Novel: (release date 23rd July)
Snow Bound Land

Overlap Bunko: (release date 23rd July)
IS: Infinite Stratos 10 (IS<インフィニット・ストラトス>10)
Isekai Meikyuu no Saishinbu wo Mezasou 4 (異世界迷宮の最深部を目指そう 4)
Saikai Haou no Musou Shihai 1 (最下位覇王の無双支配 1)

MF Bunko J: (release date 24th July)
Madan no Ou to Vanadis 12 (魔弾の王と戦姫〈ヴァナディース〉12)
No Game No Life 7 (ノーゲーム・ノーライフ７)
Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance 14 Teito Douran (精霊使いの剣舞14　帝都動乱)
Hidan no Aria AA 2 (緋弾のアリアＡＡＩＩ)
Seikoku no Dragonar 19 (星刻の竜騎士XIX)
Absolute Duo 9 (アブソリュート・デュオＩＸ)
Houkago no Game Friend, Kimi no Ita Kisetsu (放課後のゲームフレンド、君のいた季節)
Boku to Do-S to Fujoshi to Noukin 2 (僕とドＳと腐女子と脳筋2)
魔女殺しの英雄と裏切りの勇者
Classroom☆Crisis Another Crisis 1 (Classroom☆Crisis あなざーくらいしす1)
Classroom☆Crisis 1 (Classroom☆Crisis1)
Digital Eden Attracts Humanity　２
Futatabi Hajimaru Escatora 2 (再び始まる反救世譚(エスカトラ)2)

Dash Ex Bunko: (release date 24th July)
Rokka no Yuusha 6 (六花の勇者 6)
Chronicle Legion 3 (クロニクル・レギオン 3)
S to S no Furachi na Doumei (ＳとＳの不埒な同盟)
Jingai Ryouki Brigand 3 (神鎧猟機ブリガンド 3)
Iranko Quest (いらん子クエスト)
Tokyo Senyaku Koukou Dai-72 Toubatsuhan 2 (東京戦厄高校第72討伐班 2)
Bloody Weapons 2 (ブラッディ・ウェポンズ 2)

MF Books: (release date 24th July)
Magi Craft Meister 6 (マギクラフト・マイスター 6)
Amaku Yasashii Sekai de Ikiru ni wa 4 (甘く優しい世界で生きるには4)
Sendai Yuusha wa Inkyo Shitai 4 (先代勇者は隠居したい 4)
Yarukinashi Eiyuutan 4 (やる気なし英雄譚 4)
Dragoon: Ryuukishi e no Michi 3 (ドラグーン ～竜騎士への道～ 3)

Shougakukan Lululu Bunko: (release date 24th July)
失恋令嬢の意地悪な先生
Koisuru Koushu to Kiken na Komori Bukan (恋する公主と危険な子守り武官)

Mahou no i-Rand Bunko: (release date 24th July)
ワケあり生徒会!NEXT (6)
絶対服従 (1)
花と天使と悪魔
不器用な君の
カモフラ彼女 ～ハレとアメとLove Charm～

Mahou no i-Rand Tankobon: (release date 24th July)
誰にも言わない

C Novels Fantasia: (release date 24th July)
絵画魔術師トルフカ・ミットの旅路

Shougakukan Angel Bunko: (release date 24th July)
恋、シマシタ。
だからタイムマシンには乗りたくなかった。

Gabriella Bunko: (release date 25th July)
愛炎の契約 王女は竜に抱かれる
覇王の拘束愛 後宮の淫夜は甘く激しく

Overlap Novels: (release date 25th July)
NO FATIGUE: 24-jikan Tatakaeru Otoko no Tenseitan 1 (NO FATIGUE ～24時間戦える男の転生譚～①)

Ever Princess: (release date 25th July)
破婚の条件 溺愛の理由

Keitai Shousetsu Bunko Noichigo: (release date 25th July)
コイツ、俺の嫁候補。
こんなに好きなのにっ!!
キミの心に届くまで
また、明日―天使の翼を持つキミへ
センタクシテクダサイ

Unknown label or not a light novel:
レッドスワンの星冠
ペテン師ルカと黒き魔犬 （上）
僕と父ちゃんと執行猶予

Adult light novel labels with releases this week:
Escale Bishoujo Bunko (release date 20th/21st July)
Bishoujo Bunko (release date 21st July)
Puchipara Bunko Creative (release date 24th July)
Puchipara Bunko (release date 24th July)

Weekly Anime Roundup – Summer 2015 Week 2

No continuations yet – I was going to watch the second episode of Non Non but decided instead to continue with new stuff. I’ll probably start most of the rest over the current week.

Episodes watched this week:
Suzakinishi the Animation 1
Himouto! Umaru-chan 1
Danchigai 1
Ichigo Mashimaro 9
Rokka no Yuusha 1
Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakeri 1
Bikini Warriors 1
Chaos Dragon: Sekiryuu Seneki 1 DROPPED
Sore ga Seiyuu! 1
Wakako-zake 1 DROPPED
Gakkou Gurashi! 1
Kurayami Santa 1
Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace 1
Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai 1
Gangsta. 1
Makura no Danshi 1

Summer 2015 Status:

Series rankings at present:
1. Non Non Biyori Repeat
2. Sore ga Seiyuu (new)
3. Teekyuu 5 (down 1)
4. Wakaba*Girl (down 1)
5. Himouto! Umaru-chan (new)
6. Gakkou Gurashi! (new)
7. Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri (new)
8. Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace (new)
9. Rokka no Yuusha (new)
10. Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai (new)
11. Bikini Warriors (new)
12. Gangsta. (new)
13. Miss Monochrome – The Animation 2 (down 9)
14. Danchigai (new)
15. Okusama ga Seitokaichou! (down 10)
16. Suzakinishi the Animation (new)
17. Makura no Danshi (new)
18. Kurayami Santa (new)
19. Classroom Crisis (down 13)

Dropped:
Chaos Dragon: Sekiryuu Senyaku
Wakako-zake

Not yet watched:
Akagami no Shirayuki-hime
Charlotte
God Eater
Jitsu wa Watashi wa
Joukamachi no Dandelion
Kangoku Gakuen
Kuusen Madoushi Kouhosei no Kyoukan
Million Doll
Overlord
Ushio to Tora
Venus Project: Climax

Not yet aired:
Chu Feng: BEE
Pikkapika Summer

There were quite a few series which I got a different level of enjoyment out of than I had expected. Some in a good way, some bad.

Whilst, as I said last week, it was disappointing that Wakaba*Girl was as short as it was, that doesn’t mean that short series are inherently inferior. Indeed, there are some series that, for one reason or another, work better as shorts. Bikini Warriors is one of these. For a series that I had expected to drop within seconds, the actual result was a very pleasant surprise. I like parodies and series that make fun of themselves, and this is one that fits nicely into this category. That said, I’m remaining cautious as there’s no way to tell if the series will keep up what it has done so far.

Sore ga Seiyuu was, of course, a pleasant surprise. I had thought that there was a chance that this series could be good, but I hadn’t expected it to have the most enjoyable first episode so far. I’m not really the type who follow seiyuu or even pays attention to who is voicing which character (as this breaks me away from my immersion in the series), but nonetheless I found this series to be a mixture of a good fun series and a source of information of which I had previously had only fragmentary knowledge.

Himouto! Umaru-chan was another one with a great first episode and…

…If I stick with this pace of writing I’ll still be here at nightfall, so I’m going to skip over most of the rest, sorry. I should have written these out as I was watching, rather than trying to put everything together at the end of the week.

However, for those series which I dropped, there will be no further opportunity to talk about them.

Wakako-Zake there actually isn’t much to talk about. Series about food only work if they make you want to try the food yourself – even in situations where the food doesn’t actually exist. This one did not do this in the slightest. Combine that with an uncanny-valley tier design of the main character, and the fact that I really dislike drunken behaviour and you have a recipe for a quick drop with no need to even think about it. Which is what happened here.

Chaos Dragon, on the other hand… The episode started off clumsily done but showing signs of promise to come later in the series. Right up until a certain point, at which it launched itself into a freefall akin to that of a solo skydiver who thinks parachutes are for wimps. When an antagonist with a clear and definite objective (and who is clearly in control of the situation) makes decisions that are both counterintuitive for their immediate situation and obviously actively hinder their chances of getting what they want. When a character sets one objective and in doing so ends up doing the opposite to the extent of… well, I don’t really want to say in case there are people who are somehow looking forward to this. Where there is evidently an attempt at a clash of multiple sides each with their own objectives but half of them are not explained and the other half seem to be doing everything they possibly can to hinder their own objectives. Then you know that a series isn’t worth watching.

On a side note, Makura no Danshi, which honestly would have been slightly creepy if I had watched it the way it was intended (i.e. with the sole character talking to me with those sickeningly soppy lines and eyes that stare right into you – which might be a good thing from someone you love but is downright disturbing from a character you know nothing about and who you’ve never encountered before), ended up being rather amusing by instead imagining that the boy was some kuso-teitoku trying to seduce his Akebono into sleeping with him (and, of course, coming up with her reactions). This scenario worked a surprisingly long way into the episode…

English and Japanese Light Novel Releases for Week Commencing 13th July 2015 (UPDATED 20th July)

English releases:

n/a

Japanese releases:

Honey Bunko: (release date 13th July)
狂皇子の愛玩花嫁　～兄妹の薔薇舘～
古城のエデン　～誰にも言えない兄妹の秘密～

Regina Bunko/Regina Books: (release date 13th July)
詐騎士 5
好感度が上がらない
雇われ聖女の転職事情 2

Alphalight Bunko: (release date 13th July)
レジナレス・ワールド〈2〉
THE FIFTH WORLD〈3〉

GA Bunko: (release date 14th July)
Odoru Hoshifuru Renesickle 6 (踊る星降るレネシクル6) (2 versions – with and without a drama CD)
Irregular’s Rebellion 1 Ouja no Monshou (イレギュラーズ・リベリオン 1．王者の紋章)
Sacred Chronicle (セイクリッド・クロニクル)
Kagura Kenbu no Aerial 4 (神楽剣舞のエアリアル 4)
ファタモルガーナの館-The house in Fata morgana- あなたの原典に至る物語Ⅳ
Kishiou Kouho no Gavant 2 (騎士王候補の守護執事《ガーヴァント》2)
Jinx Game 3 (ジンクスゲーム 3)

Beginning Novels: (release date 14th July)
Isekai Majutsushi wa Mahou wo Tonaenai 2 (異世界魔術師は魔法を唱えない２)

Otomitsu Milky Bunko: (release date 14th July)
夜の王に濡れる花嫁

B’s Log Bunko: (release date 15th July)
（仮）花嫁のやんごとなき事情 -離婚のはずが大波乱!?-
太極仙華伝 -頭上注意! 花嫁は木から落ちてくる-
鳥籠のふたご姫 東雲の王女と望まれぬ花婿
Aku Homare no Otome to Eiyuusou no Kishi: Mukuro no Fune wo Mamoru Ryuu (悪誉れの乙女と英雄葬の騎士 骸の船を護る竜)

B’s Log Bunko Iris: (release date 15th July)
となりの魔王 襲来編
ようこそ黒椿屋へ! -フラグを折るのは美少年ですか?-
偏愛ストーリーテラーズ

Earth Star Novel: (release date 15th July)
Slime na Dungeon kara Tenka wo Torou to Omou. 3 Madoi no Mori (スライムなダンジョンから天下をとろうと思う。 ３　惑いの森)
Tensei Shitara Koti ni Natta! Mamono ni Sodaterareta Mamono Tsukai (Kenshi) 2 (転生したら孤児になった！魔物に育てられた魔物使い(剣士)　２)

Saga Forest: (release date 15th July)
かみがみ　～最も弱き反逆者～

Fujimi L Bunko: (release date 15th July)
降霊会の夜に謎解きを 執事と令嬢の帝都怪奇録
不機嫌なスピッツの公式
妖怪センセの京怪図巻 祇園祭にあわいは騒ぎ

Seikaisha Fictions: (release date 16th July)
Chaos Dragon: Sekiryuu Seneki 1 (ケイオスドラゴン 赤竜戦役 1)
アリス・イン・カレイドスピア 1

Royal Kiss Bunko: (release date 16th July)
ブリリアント・ブライド～煌めきの姫と五人の求婚者たち～

Futabasha Junior Bunko: (release date 16th July)
王様ゲーム
orange【オレンジ】(1)

Gagaga Bunko: (release date 17th July)
Imouto Sae Ireba Ii. 2 (妹さえいればいい。2)
Ken to Mahou no Fantasy (犬と魔法のファンタジー)
GJ-bu Weekly (GJ部ういーくりー)
Fusen Muteki no Virgin Knife 5 (不戦無敵の影殺師 5)
Cross World Alchemica (クロスワールド・アルケミカ)
飽くなき欲の秘蹟

Tiara Bunko: (release date 17th July)
もう、逃げられない! 腹黒王子の溺愛捕獲作戦
公爵様の噛み痕
過剰な寵愛 若き王太子殿下のオレ様なプロポーズ

Fujimi Fantasia Bunko: (release date 18th July)
Highschool DxD (20) ハイスクールD×D （20） 進路相談のベリアル
艦隊これくしょん ‐艦これ‐ 鶴翼の絆 （5）
Grancrest Senki 5 Sistina no  Kaihousha pt 1 (グランクレスト戦記 5 システィナの解放者 (上))
Omae wo Otaku ni Shiteyaru kara, Ore wo Riajuu ni Shitekure! 12 Daigakusei-hen (おまえをオタクにしてやるから、俺をリア充にしてくれ! （12） 大学生編)
Kuusen Madoushi Kouhosei no Kyokan 7 (空戦魔導士候補生の教官 （7）)
Rokudenashi Majutsu Koushi to Akashic Record 4 (ロクでなし魔術講師と禁忌教典 （4)）
Gamers! 2 Tendou Karen to Fuiuchi Happy End (ゲーマーズ! （2） 天道花憐と不意打ちハッピーエンド)
Konjiki no Word Master 5 Yuusha Yonin ni Makikomareta Unique Cheat (金色の文字使い （5） -勇者四人に巻き込まれたユニークチート-)
Romnia Teikoku Koubouki 6 Semari Kuru Kessen no Toki (ロムニア帝国興亡記 （6） ─迫り来る決戦の時─)
Itsuka Sekai wo Sukuu Tame ni -Qualidia Code-* (いつか世界を救うために -クオリディア・コード-)
Onna Yuusha ga Ore no Class de Bocchi ni Natteru (女勇者が俺のクラスでぼっちになってる)

Fujimi Dragon Book: (release date 18th July)
ソード・ワールド2.0 ルールブックEX
アリアンロッド2E・リプレイ・スキルマスターズ 七人の冒険者

Ichijinsha Bunko Iris: (release date 18th July)
壊滅騎士団と捕らわれの乙女5
引きこもり魔女の結婚 祝福は黒衣の悪魔と幽霊城で
第七帝国華やぎ隊 その娘、飢えた獣につき
砦の魔女 ある日、素敵な薬草畑を見つけまして
王女殿下の憂鬱 ドＳな魔法騎士と花嫁修業

Ichijinsha Bunko: (release date 18th July)
Tsuchi Zokusei wa Date ja Nai!! Arata naru Chousensha-tachi (土属性はダテじゃない！！ 新たなる挑戦者たち)
妄想少女は魔法を使えない
何かが深海からやってくる 8月の迷惑な侵略者たち
不遇職な俺とポンコツパーティが罠とか作って無双する

Unknown label or not a light novel:

Adult light novel labels with releases this week:
Nijigen Dream Bunko (release date 15th July)

*subtitle is guesswork.

Weekly Anime Roundup – Summer 2015 Week 1

A slow start to the season. I’ll gradually build up over time.

Episodes watched this week:
Little Witch Academia: Mahou Shikake no Parade 1 END
Ichigo Mashimaro 8
Non Non Biyori Repeat 1
Teekyuu 5 1
Miss Monochrome: The Animation 2 1
Arslan Senki 9
Arslan Senki 10
Arslan Senki 11
Arslan Senki 12
Arslan Senki 13
Okusama ga Seitokaichou! 1
Classroom☆Crisis 1
Wakaba*Girl 1

Summer 2015 Status:

Series rankings at present:
1. Non Non Biyori Repeat
2. Teekyuu 5
3. Wakaba*Girl
4. Miss Monochrome – The Animation 2
5. Okusama ga Seitokaichou!
6. Classroom Crisis

Not yet watched:
Akagami no Shirayuki-hime
Aoharu x Kikanjuu
Bikini Warriors
Chaos Dragon: Sekiryuu Senyaku
Charlotte
Danchigai
Gakkou Gurashi!
Gangsta.
Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri
Himouto! Umaru-chan
Jitsu wa Watashi wa
Joukamachi no Dandelion
Kurayami Santa
Kuusen Madoushi Kouhosei no Kyoukan
Million Doll
Overlord
Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace
Rokka no Yuusha
Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai
Sore ga Seiyuu!
Suzakinishi The Animation
Ushio to Tora
Wakako-zake

Not yet aired:
Chu Feng: BEE
God Eater
Kangoku Gakuen
Makura no Danshi
Pikkapika Summer
Venus Project: Climax

Okusama ga Seitokaichou! – in the early stages of the episode I thought it wasn’t going to be as explicit as the fact that CR had a censored and uncensored version on the site would imply. It turned out I was wrong. Honestly that’s probably the closest thing to a hentai I’ve ever watched.

Classroom☆Crisis was boring. Just plain boring. I’m going to try watching the second episode to see if anything attracts my interest, but this one probably won’t last. With a setting that doesn’t interest me, full of meaningless details that for the most part do nothing to expand either the world, the setting or the plot, and characters that are completely uninteresting, this seems to be the ultimate in mediocrity.

Wakaba*Girl, in contrast, was a good fun series with good characters and good comedy. I just wish it weren’t a short.

Monthly Light Novel Sales figures June 2015

Data covers 1st June – 28th June

*1　122,607　Yahari Ore no Seishun Love-Come wa Machigatteiru　11
*2　107,361　Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka 8
*3　*97,934　Accel World 18　-Kuro no Sou Kenshi-
*4　*72,667　NARUTO -Naruto-　Gaara Hiden
*5　*68,318　Hataraku Maou-sama!　13
*6　*63,465　Sword Art Online Alternative Gun Gale Online 3 -Second Squad Jam (part 2)-
*7　*56,908　Date A Live 12 Itsuka Disaster
*8　*53,871　Strike The Blood 13 Tartaros no Bara
*9　*42,202　Kekkai Sensen: Only a Paper Moon
10　*31,599　GENESIS series: Kyoukaisenjou no Horizon 8 part 3
11　*30,569　Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata 8
12　*27,756　Last Embryo 1 Mondaiji no Kikan
13　*27,388　Bakemono no Ko
14　*23,249　Seiken Tsukai no World Break 12
15　*21,930　Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka　7
16　*21,517　Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka　6
17　*21,419　Hachi-nan tte, Sore wa Nai Deshou!　5
18　*21,337　Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka
19　*20,117　Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka　5
20　*19,964　Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei 16 Yotsuba Keishou-hen

Source: Oricon via 2ch

English and Japanese Light Novel Releases for Week Commencing 6th July 2015 (UPDATED 12th July)

I’m not sure about what’s happening with regards to Vampire Hunter D. Different sites list it as different days, stretching from having already come out to not being out until well into next year. As I’m not following the series myself, I don’t know what, if anything, is right. And Dark Horse themselves haven’t, at the time of writing, clarified things. Hence the ?s.

English releases:

????
Dark Horse: (release date ?9th July 2015?)
Vampire Hunter D 23
????

Japanese releases:

B-Prince Bunko: (release date 6th July)
セイレーンの泪
遥かなる國の恋歌

Eternity Bunko/Eternity Books: (release date 7th July)
臨時受付嬢の恋愛事情 1―Yukino & Kazushi
苺パニック 4―Ichigo & Sou
誘惑・ボイス―Hinata & Reo

Dengeki Bunko: (release date 10th July)
Shinyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index 13 (新約 とある魔術の禁書目録 (13))
Ro-Kyu-Bu! 15 (ロウきゅーぶ! (15))
Orihara Izaya to, Yuuyake wo (折原臨也と、夕焼けを)
WORLD END ECONOMiCA (3)
Senketsu no Elf 2 (鮮血のエルフ (2))
Ideologue! 2 (いでおろーぐ! (2))
The Breaker 3 Utsuro no Kami wa Jinsei wo Kuruwasu (ザ・ブレイカー (3) 虚ろの神は人世を狂わす)
竜は神代の導標となるか (2)
Tatoeba Love to Kamisama Days. (たとえばラブとカミサマーデイズ。)
Kagai Katsudou Survival Method 2 (課外活動サバイバルメソッド (2))
Manga no Kamisama 2 (マンガの神様 (2))
Makai Kizoku no Natsuyasumi (魔界貴族のなつやすみ)
Kanojo wa Idenshi Kumikae-kei (彼女は遺伝子組み換え系)
Seiken no Sword Labyrinth (聖剣のソードラビリンス)

Arian Rose: (release date 10th July)
ヤンデレ系乙女ゲーの世界に転生してしまったようです 3
転生王女は今日も旗を叩き折る 1
シャルパンティエの雑貨屋さん 3

Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! Bunko: (release date 10th July)
School Live Online 6 (スクールライブ・オンライン 6)

Everystar WOMAN: (release date 10th July)
Ｂ型男子ってどうですか？

Berrys Bunko: (release date 10th July)
S系上司に焦らされています！
冷たい上司の温め方
キミとの距離は1センチ
裏腹な彼との恋愛設計図

Clear Bunko: (release date 11th July)
Rail Wars! 11 Nihon Kokuyuu Tetsudou Kouantai (RAIL WARS!< 11>日本國有鉄道公安隊)

Adult light novel labels with releases this week:
Puchipara Bunko Creative (release date 10th July)
Puchipara Bunko (release date 10th July)

Here is some listed release dates for Vampire Hunter D 23:
Amazon UK: 2nd April 2016
Amazon.com: 8th March 2016
Book Depository: 9th July 2015
Waterstones: 9th July 2015
englishlightnovels.com: 7th July 2015
Wikipedia: 17th June 2015

Yen On, Fujimi Fantasia and the mystery of the missing light novel licenses

EDIT 31st March 2018 – almost 3 years later, and Yen Press have just licensed their first ever Fantasia Bunko title.

 

Kore wa Zombie Desu ka
Hitsugi no Chaika
Highschool DxD
Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata

What do these series have in common? Several things. For one, all four are ongoing light novel series published by Fujimi Fantasia Bunko. For another, all four are series that Yen Press has licensed a manga adaptation of, but not the original light novel.

They are also the only four series in this situation.

It’s hard to believe that Yen Press wouldn’t have tried to get hold of the light novels of any of these series to boost its Yen On light novel imprint, what with the rate that this has been expanding. And with yesterday’s surprise announcement of Gagaga Bunko’s OreGairu*, Fujimi Fantasia Bunko has become by far the largest (non-female oriented) light novel label which Yen Press has not licensed any titles from. And there are a lot of titles published under that label that would appear, from the perspective of someone involved in the fandom but not directly within the industry, to be good ones to pick up.

So why are the light novels not coming over with the manga?

Which series from the Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! rankings might ACTUALLY get an anime adaptation?

Upon seeing ANN’s recent article based on a ddnavi blog post* that looked at Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi rankings to try to predict what light novels would receive an anime adaptation in the future, one thing stuck in my mind: Why did they use 2008-2011?

After all, all four of the series which are listed as not yet having an anime adaptation ended several years ago. While it isn’t (quite) unheard of for a light novel series to get an anime several years after the last volume came out, it is very unusual and thus it would make far more sense to label these series as “good series that never got an anime” rather than “series that could get an anime next”. Indeed, the chance of any of them ever getting an anime are slim to none. There’s a reason why in my previous article using sales figures to look at things with a chance of an anime adaptation I eliminated all series that had finished publishing.

So, given that the 2008-2011 data doesn’t give us anything to work with at all, I decided to look at the same rankings for the last four years to see if I could make things out from that instead.