Now that the New Year is upon us, it’s time to take a look at what new anime TV series to expect this month. Considering the huge success of anime titles in 2011, 2012 will have a lot to live up to, but its first season looks promising. Below are some of the titles that will be airing in the coming weeks.

Titles to Keep an Eye on

Ano Natsu de Matteru

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb219nzHrbk

The creators of the popular Please franchise (Please Teacher and Please Twins), Yousuke Kuroda and Taraku Uon, once again join forces to bring us a new romantic comedy in the form of Ano Natsu de Matteru. This new series will be similar to the Please Twins format with 2 female and 1 male leads. A love triangle between them can almost certainly be expected.

Another

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMY8t6qJr1Q

One of the most talked-about series pre-season, Another is P.A. Works’ first foray into the horror-mystery genre. Set in a middle school in the late 90’s, a transfer student by the name of Kouichi Sakakibara grows suspicious about the uneasy atmosphere in his new class. A girl named Misaki Mei draws particular interest because she wears an eyepatch and is always drawing by herself. Little does he know what happened to a girl named Misaki 26 years ago. P.A. Works is well-known for their beautiful sceneries in light-hearted anime such as True Tears and Hanasaku Iroha, so curiosity is high over how they will present Another.

Natsume’s Book of Friends Four

Hugely popular with female audiences, the first three seasons of Natsume’s Book of Friends has gained very high ratings despite a lack of interest from male viewers. The fourth season continues Natsume’s journey to free spirits and demons from their contracts.

Nisemonogatari

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFEK2SY0o9A

Bakemonogatari was a hugely popular series back in 2009-2010, and fans wishing to see more supernatural events animated in Shaft’s creative style will get it in the form of Nisemonogatari. A spin-off series, Nisemonogatari will focus on the twins Karen and Tsukihi, the younger sisters of Bakemonogatari’s main hero. As with the first series, they will attempt to resolve supernatural events around the city.

Titles of Interest

Amagami SS+ plus

Those who enjoyed Amagami SS should look forward to Amagami SS+ plus, which will be a direct sequel to the first season.

Black Rock Shooter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfuKl2GaRQc

No one can deny that BRS is a popular franchise, so it was only a matter of time before it finally got its own TV anime adaptation. The series will continue on from the OVA and see original characters Mato and Yomi return to the screen. Black Gold Saw is also expected to be in the new series.

Bodacious Space Pirates

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzypVa_70BI

This is what you get when you combine pirates, spaceships, and schoolgirls. After high school student Mariko’s father dies, she suddenly finds herself the heir to the title of captain of a space pirate ship. So ends her school life and the beginning of her adventures as a space pirate (wearing a skirt no less). The trailers for this series actually don’t look as bad as it sounds. Popular voice actresses including Kana Hanazawa and Yui Horie are part of the cast and it’s directed by Tatsuo Satou.

Daily Lives of High School Boys

Lucky Star was a huge success in 2007, following the daily lives of 4 high school girls. Daily Lives of High School Boys looks like it will follow exactly the same format, but with the opposite gender. It may be worth watching if you’re tired of female overload in anime.

Recorder and Satchel

Life can be tough if you don’t look your age. Atsushi is an 11-year-old boy that towers over his classmates at 180cm, but his older 17-year-old sister, Atsumi, only stands 137cm tall. The obstacles that this odd pair faces are the main feature of this anime. The series has cast the voices of Ryotaro Okiayu and Rie Kugimiya in the two main roles.

Senki Zesshou Symphogear

When monsters called “noise” threaten the Earth, Tsubasa and Kanade, members of “Twei Wing” must fight them in order to keep the peace. Their weapon of choice is a system that’s activated through music. Popular Jpop artist Nana Mizuki will be playing the role of Tsubasa, while Minami Takayama of TWO-MIX will be playing the role of Kanade.

Zero no Tsukaima F

Fans of the Zero no Tsukaima series, or the most tsundere of all tsunderes, will be jubilant to hear that it is returning for one final season. ZnT F is set to wrap up the entire series and hopefully answer any lingering questions.

Other Titles Being Aired

Below is a list of other anime being aired this season:

Aquarion EVOL

Area no Kishi

Brave10

Gokujou

High School DxD

Inu x Boku SS

Kill me Baby

New Prince of Tennis

Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai

Rinne no Lagrange

Tantei Opera Milky Holmes 2