Saki "Side A" spinoff announced [Was: Season two announced]

[something]

http://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=302412

YES. Thank goodness. I want this now. Will be interesting to see what studio gets it.

[Fencedude]

http://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=302412

YES. Thank goodness. I want this now. Will be interesting to see what studio gets it.

It pretty much better be Studio Gokumi

[sickVisionz]

Great news. I didn't expect much from this series but I ended up enjoying it to the point where I actually tried to learn mahjong.

[HitokiriShadow]

Yaaaaaaaaaaay!!! Excellent news, this can't come soon enough.

[pianocello]

There better be some hardcore yuri action.

[William K]

This news made me rewatch the end of episode 25 with the tease of the national championships :D

http://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=302412

YES. Thank goodness. I want this now. Will be interesting to see what studio gets it.

It pretty much better be Studio Gokumi

Yeah, I hope they get it too but anyone else find it amusing that they don't even have an official website? :)

Anyway, hopefully Square Enix will give them a budget to get some good seiyuu for all the new characters! The cover of the 8th compilation of the manga where this news was supposedly announced features the 'leader' of the miko team

[Fencedude]

There better be some hardcore yuri action.

You really are having a hard time understanding the difference between porn and not-porn, aren't you?

[TheGreenMan]

Yes...I need more lesbians with supernatural powers who play mahjong.

[nakimushi]

This is very good news. Saki was a lot of fun to watch.

Since it has been a while, I wonder if they will do a compilation box of the first season?

[something]

Since it has been a while, I wonder if they will do a compilation box of the first season?
Show needs a BD box badly. It might not upscale well but I'd buy it anyway.

[Fencedude]

Since it has been a while, I wonder if they will do a compilation box of the first season?
Show needs a BD box badly. It might not upscale well but I'd buy it anyway.

I think it was animated in HD, actually. But I'm not positive.

[William K]

Since it has been a while, I wonder if they will do a compilation box of the first season?
Show needs a BD box badly. It might not upscale well but I'd buy it anyway.

I think it was animated in HD, actually. But I'm not positive.

Yeah, I've seen 1280x720 encodes

[something]

I think it was animated in HD, actually. But I'm not positive.Yeah, I've seen 1280x720 encodes
They looked uniformly terrible, though, which is why I assumed it was SD and not particularly well suited to upscaling. Could just be that the TV raws were all really bad though.

If the source is HD and a proper HD version can be done, all the better.

[Nagato-san]

http://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=302412

YES. Thank goodness. I want this now. Will be interesting to see what studio gets it.

Agreed. This is very welcome news as I had started to lose hope for a sequel. This was one of my favorite series to come out of 2009, so I'm pretty excited.

Also, I hope it's got plenty of Stealth-Momo and Wahaha! goodness.

[FUNiOP]

Cool. I wonder if Gonzo will be animating it. I assume Crunchyroll will simulcast it again.

[ultimatemegax]

I wonder if Gonzo will be animating it.

According to this report (http://japanimate.com/Entry/2041/) of the 12th annual stockholders meeting for Gonzo they are not involved with this production.

[something]

I wonder if Gonzo will be animating it.
According to this report (http://japanimate.com/Entry/2041/) of the 12th annual stockholders meeting for Gonzo they are not involved with this production.
Fine by me. It's not like they did a bad job on the first half of the show but there are definitely better studios to give it to. Even ex-Gonzo staff like Gokumi. I could also totally get behind A-1 or one of the AIC studios.

[Buckeye]

One of these days, I will be getting around to watching this on Crunchy Roll. Nonetheless, it's great that it is getting a second season.

[EmperorBrandon]

According to this report (http://japanimate.com/Entry/2041/) of the 12th annual stockholders meeting for Gonzo they are not involved with this production.

Huh, seems they said something about Kaleido Star. What exactly was that about? (for those who can read the Japanese better than me)

[Suwako Moriya]

Having a second season is definitely good news. Even better if it manages to be two cour just like with the first season.

Still the important thing is lots and lots of Yuuki. Because that's what truly matters. Ok, other things matter, but I'm too lazy to double check on the names of the other girls and she's the first thing that came to mind.

Side note, this confirms for me that they made sure to not let too much of the revenue that anime made get spent on tacos and such.

[Betenoire]

Hmm...

News broke that a spin off of Saki, Saki - Achika-hen, episode of side-A, (http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/10/04-1/saki-achika-hen-tv-anime-to-air-spring-2012) is getting an anime adaptation.

I'm very OK with this so long as this doesn't wind up being the Saki animation project announced before as I wants mores of my Saki!

[Draneor]

I'm very OK with this so long as this doesn't wind up being the Saki animation project announced before as I wants mores of my Saki!

ANN indicates this is, in fact, the case. (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-10-05/new-saki-tv-anime-to-adapt-saki-achika-spinoff).

Since it's a new production, I guess those of us who didn't watch the original might be able to just jump right in.

[William K]

I'm very OK with this so long as this doesn't wind up being the Saki animation project announced before as I wants mores of my Saki!

ANN indicates this is, in fact, the case. (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-10-05/new-saki-tv-anime-to-adapt-saki-achika-spinoff).

Since it's a new production, I guess those of us who didn't watch the original might be able to just jump right in.

From the official anime website (http://www.saki-anime.com/blog/)

"お久しぶりです！

月刊「少年ガンガン」にてスピンオフ作品「咲-Saki-阿知賀編 episode side-A」
（原作：小林立　作画：五十嵐あぐり）
の開始や来春のBlu-rayBOX発売などいろいろ決まり、
そしてそしてテレビアニメプロジェクトも始動しております。

そこで「咲-Saki-」をさらに盛り上げようと、
全25話から選りすぐりの全13話を一挙放送します！"

Someone with better Japanese can correct me, but I don't think the animation project mentioned at the end of the 1st paragraph is necessarily the same as the spin off manga.

[something]

そしてそしてテレビアニメプロジェクトも始動しております。
Someone with better Japanese can correct me, but I don't think the animation project mentioned at the end of the 1st paragraph is necessarily the same as the spin off manga.
I think it is talking about it being the Spring TV anime. It starts out talking about the spinoff manga then saying that a TV anime is already starting. The below are also reporting the spinoff as the TV anime:

http://yaraon.blog109.fc2.com/blog-entry-4390.html
http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/10/04-1/saki-achika-hen-tv-anime-to-air-spring-2012

I'm sure we're still getting a continuation of the first season - perhaps they're just waiting for more manga. Any Saki is good Saki, so I suppose I'd rather have a spinoff while I wait than just waiting with nothing.

[William K]

I'm sure we're still getting a continuation of the first season - perhaps they're just waiting for more manga. Any Saki is good Saki, so I suppose I'd rather have a spinoff while I wait than just waiting with nothing.

Yeah, the way they moved all the stuff of the 1st season on the official website to http://www.saki-anime.com/1st/ seems hopeful but it just seems strange that they don't have enough material to animate in the last 2 years and yet are going to animate a spin-off series that was just serialized starting from September.

Anyway, as I mentioned in another thread, the spinoff is being drawn by the mangaka for Bamboo Blade so it's like a marriage made in heaven of two of my favourite 'sports' anime.

[Fencedude]

I'm excited by this because it seems one of the characters has combined Strike Witches style "No pants" with Saki style "no panties", and just wears a sweatshirt (http://hijiribe.donmai.us/post/show/988734/) that doesn't even fully cover her quite clearly completely bare ass. (Danbooru link)

And yes, thats the official promo art for Side-A, very first piece of art released for it.

And on a side note, when Igurashi Aguri (Bamboo Blade and Side-A mangaka) twittered about working on this new spinoff, they linked to some "reference material" they were using that included a lesbian sex guide.

[something]

but it just seems strange that they don't have enough material to animate in the last 2 years and yet are going to animate a spin-off series that was just serialized starting from September.
I wonder if it's intended as a delayed mixed-media franchise kinda thing... Like, they'll be developed in tandem somewhat. If the TV anime is only one cour they could potentially end at about the same time and there'd be enough manga for the anime.

And on a side note, when Igurashi Aguri (Bamboo Blade and Side-A mangaka) twittered about working on this new spinoff, they linked to some "reference material" they were using that included a lesbian sex guide.
Oh I love Saki so much.

[relentlessflame]

I wonder if it's intended as a delayed mixed-media franchise kinda thing... Like, they'll be developed in tandem somewhat. If the TV anime is only one cour they could potentially end at about the same time and there'd be enough manga for the anime.Yeah, I think this makes the most sense. I assume the thinking is that they wanted to release the BD-BOX and to keep the franchise from going cold, but the original manga didn't have enough material for a really good sequel. So they decided to develop a spin-off project that would get both an anime and manga, so they could follow up with a second season of the show proper a little later. (I guess it's sort of the Index/Railgun model, in a way.)

[something]

http://0taku.livedoor.biz/archives/3967132.html

Not too shockingly, since it's ex-Gonzo people, Studio Gokumi (new studio that started with the lovely A Channel) will be animating the spinoff.

[EmperorBrandon]

Not too shockingly, since it's ex-Gonzo people, Studio Gokumi (new studio that started with the lovely A Channel) will be animating the spinoff.

Well, A Channel was their first TV anime, but they started with Koe de Oshigoto actually. Expected since it's the same staff that worked on the first series, but nice to hear.

[JackW]

I'm sure Side-A will be fun, but I can't help being disappointed that it's not the 'real thing' getting animated. Mind you, it's hardly surprising given the glacial pace of the manga. I mean, here we are what, two years after the first season, and Kiyosumi still haven't completed one match in the Nationals? There must be a limit to how far ahead of the manga the animators want to get - even assuming that Kobayashi has the rest of the story fully mapped out.

[something]

I mean, here we are what, two years after the first season, and Kiyosumi still haven't completed one match in the Nationals?
Oh jeeze. I had heard the manga was moving slowly, and I think it was on hiatus for a while, but that's crazy. Is there a lot of material between where the anime leaves off and when the Nationals begin? Like, other tournaments or character arcs? Because it would indeed be totally pointless to do a sequel to the first season if we wouldn't even be able to make progress through the nationals.

Also, I've updated the thread title to reflect the actual contents.

[ultimatemegax]

I mean, here we are what, two years after the first season, and Kiyosumi still haven't completed one match in the Nationals?
Oh jeeze. I had heard the manga was moving slowly, and I think it was on hiatus for a while, but that's crazy. Is there a lot of material between where the anime leaves off and when the Nationals begin? Like, other tournaments or character arcs? Because it would indeed be totally pointless to do a sequel to the first season if we wouldn't even be able to make progress through the nationals.

Also, I've updated the thread title to reflect the actual contents.

Actually, the first match was completed. I won't give spoilers, but it's somewhat different from the norm which would be why people wouldn't remember it. They're in the final round of the second match in the current chapter (ie. Saki's turn). Edit: After re-reading the latest chapter, Nodoka's turn just ended. I was mistaken and apologize for being so.

In between the two tournaments, the manga had a camp like the anime did for the final episode, but they immediately went to a "Let's go to Tokyo!" chapter(s) (I can't remember if it was more than one) and then the Nationals started right after.

This is probably why we went to a side story. The manga is nowhere near close to finishing the Nationals, and the mangaka most likely doesn't want to spoil the ending via the anime instead of his work. Notice that the announcement of both the side story manga and the "new anime project" occurred at the same time. This was planned beforehand to continue the anime franchise without stepping on the Nationals arc.

[Damius]

I mean, here we are what, two years after the first season, and Kiyosumi still haven't completed one match in the Nationals?
Oh jeeze. I had heard the manga was moving slowly, and I think it was on hiatus for a while, but that's crazy. Is there a lot of material between where the anime leaves off and when the Nationals begin? Like, other tournaments or character arcs? Because it would indeed be totally pointless to do a sequel to the first season if we wouldn't even be able to make progress through the nationals.

Also, I've updated the thread title to reflect the actual contents.

Actually, the first match was completed. I won't give spoilers, but it's somewhat different from the norm which would be why people wouldn't remember it. They're in the fourth round of the second match in the current chapter (ie. Nodoka's turn).

In between the two tournaments, the manga had a camp like the anime did for the final episode, but they immediately went to a "Let's go to Tokyo!" chapter(s) (I can't remember if it was more than one) and then the Nationals started right after.

This is probably why we went to a side story. The manga is nowhere near close to finishing the Nationals, and the mangaka most likely doesn't want to spoil the ending via the anime instead of his work. Notice that the announcement of both the side story manga and the "new anime project" occurred at the same time. This was planned beforehand to continue the anime franchise without stepping on the Nationals arc.

I see, so it may be a nice idea to take that route to make us wait for the mangaka to be nearer a close...

[JackW]

Oh jeeze. I had heard the manga was moving slowly, and I think it was on hiatus for a while, but that's crazy. Is there a lot of material between where the anime leaves off and when the Nationals begin? Like, other tournaments or character arcs? Because it would indeed be totally pointless to do a sequel to the first season if we wouldn't even be able to make progress through the nationals.

There is a more fleshed-out version of the training camp we saw at the end of the first season, so they could animate that but it would involve some sort of flashback from the point they reached in season one. There's also some stuff involving the trip to Tokyo. As ultimatemegax said, technically Kiyosumi have completed a match (my mistake), although it was case of our being told they had completed it, not actually seeing it. In terms of actual progress through the Nationals we are moving extremely slowly, and we have found out precisely nothing about the main plot (i.e. the Saki/Teru estrangement).

[ultimatemegax]

Today the anime site (http://www.saki-anime.com/) uploaded the line art for the 5 main characters. We'll have a "Japanese so people won't likely be spoiled for absolutely anything" side and a "I translated and it has some background details" side.

Listed in order from the official site:
Takakamo Shizuno (高鴨　穏乃): Non-Translated (http://www.saki-anime.com/pre_chara/img/chara_shizuno.gif)/Translated (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/side-a-shizuno.jpg)
Atarashi Ako (新子　憧): Non-Translated (http://www.saki-anime.com/pre_chara/img/chara_ako.gif)/Translated (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/side-a-ako.jpg)
Matsumi Kuro (松実　玄): Non-Translated (http://www.saki-anime.com/pre_chara/img/chara_kuro.gif)/Translated (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/side-a-kuro.jpg)
Matsumi Yuu (松実　宥): Non-Translated (http://www.saki-anime.com/pre_chara/img/chara_yuu.gif)/Translated (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/side-a-yuu.jpg)
Sagimori Arata (鷺森　灼): Non-Translated (http://www.saki-anime.com/pre_chara/img/chara_arata.gif)/Translated (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/side-a-arata.jpg)

[Fencedude]

Listed in order from the official site:
Takakamo Shizuno (高鴨　穏乃): Non-Translated (http://www.saki-anime.com/pre_chara/img/chara_shizuno.gif)/Translated (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/side-a-shizuno.jpg)

They forgot "enjoys wearing a sweatshirt with nothing on under it"

[JackW]

The difference in pace between Saki and A-side is hilarious. A-Side does in a page what takes Saki an entire chapter.

Now that Saki characters are turning up in A-Side, it's nice to see that the author is trying to keep to the Saki style for those characters while having his/her own style for the A-Side characters. It will be interesting to see how they handle that in the Anime.

[ultimatemegax]

The difference in pace between Saki and A-side is hilarious. A-Side does in a page what takes Saki an entire chapter.

Now that Saki characters are turning up in A-Side, it's nice to see that the author is trying to keep to the Saki style for those characters while having his/her own style for the A-Side characters. It will be interesting to see how they handle that in the Anime.

If you would like to discuss the manga, it would be best to make a post/thread in the manga forum (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/forumdisplay.php?f=38). There are people who do not want to be spoiled for the anime and your comment provides one that would spoil a surprise to non-manga readers.

[JackW]

The difference in pace between Saki and A-side is hilarious. A-Side does in a page what takes Saki an entire chapter.

Now that Saki characters are turning up in A-Side, it's nice to see that the author is trying to keep to the Saki style for those characters while having his/her own style for the A-Side characters. It will be interesting to see how they handle that in the Anime.

If you would like to discuss the manga, it would be best to make a post/thread in the manga forum (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/forumdisplay.php?f=38). There are people who do not want to be spoiled for the anime and your comment provides one that would spoil a surprise to non-manga readers.

I see no spoiler.

[ultimatemegax]

The difference in pace between Saki and A-side is hilarious. A-Side does in a page what takes Saki an entire chapter.

Now that Saki characters are turning up in A-Side, it's nice to see that the author is trying to keep to the Saki style for those characters while having his/her own style for the A-Side characters. It will be interesting to see how they handle that in the Anime.

If you would like to discuss the manga, it would be best to make a post/thread in the manga forum (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/forumdisplay.php?f=38). There are people who do not want to be spoiled for the anime and your comment provides one that would spoil a surprise to non-manga readers.

I see no spoiler.

What about your first sentence where you've given away something that happens in the manga after the first chapter? There was no guarantee that would happen in that story and it provided a nice surprise. We don't even know if that would happen in the anime or when it would happen, so by saying that, you've given away that surprise if it happens. Remember that you're posting in an anime forum; there are people that do not read the source material and would be spoiled. That's why I provided a spoiler-free option for the character designs in my earlier post.

[Fencedude]

What about your first sentence where you've given away something that happens in the manga after the first chapter? There was no guarantee that would happen in that story and it provided a nice surprise. We don't even know if that would happen in the anime or when it would happen, so by saying that, you've given away that surprise if it happens. Remember that you're posting in an anime forum; there are people that do not read the source material and would be spoiled. That's why I provided a spoiler-free option for the character designs in my earlier post.

Considering what the "Side-A" in the title refers to, its not actually a surprise.

[JackW]

What about your first sentence where you've given away something that happens in the manga after the first chapter? There was no guarantee that would happen in that story and it provided a nice surprise. We don't even know if that would happen in the anime or when it would happen, so by saying that, you've given away that surprise if it happens. Remember that you're posting in an anime forum; there are people that do not read the source material and would be spoiled. That's why I provided a spoiler-free option for the character designs in my earlier post.

I assume you mean the first sentence of the 2nd paragraph? The fact that there are Saki characters in a Saki manga is something you consider a spoiler? That's one tight definition of 'spoiler'. You will note that I haven't mentioned which characters or in what context. If I mentioned that they play mahjong, would that be a spoiler too?

[ultimatemegax]

What about your first sentence where you've given away something that happens in the manga after the first chapter? There was no guarantee that would happen in that story and it provided a nice surprise. We don't even know if that would happen in the anime or when it would happen, so by saying that, you've given away that surprise if it happens. Remember that you're posting in an anime forum; there are people that do not read the source material and would be spoiled. That's why I provided a spoiler-free option for the character designs in my earlier post.

I assume you mean the first sentence of the 2nd paragraph? The fact that there are Saki characters in a Saki manga is something you consider a spoiler? That's one tight definition of 'spoiler'. You will note that I haven't mentioned which characters or in what context. If I mentioned that they play mahjong, would that be a spoiler too?

I felt that the fact you specifically say "turning up" in a story that focuses on another school was a spoiler. Having reflected on some things, I feel that I was a bit hasty in saying it should be tagged and I apologize if my tone was taken to be too harsh. I think if you stated something like "I'm digging the references to the main series," I wouldn't have said anything as that's vague enough that the manga readers would know what you're talking about and give just enough for the non-manga readers. Besides, for all we could have known, they could have just used the name to tie a completely different story to a known universe to keep the name fresh in anime viewers' minds and to sell some BD-Boxes. In my mind, it wasn't a given that main series characters would show up (especially this soon).

[Fencedude]

In my mind, it wasn't a given that main series characters would show up (especially this soon).

Actually, it was.

[JackW]

I felt that the fact you specifically say "turning up" in a story that focuses on another school was a spoiler. Having reflected on some things, I feel that I was a bit hasty in saying it should be tagged and I apologize if my tone was taken to be too harsh. I think if you stated something like "I'm digging the references to the main series," I wouldn't have said anything as that's vague enough that the manga readers would know what you're talking about and give just enough for the non-manga readers. Besides, for all we could have known, they could have just used the name to tie a completely different story to a known universe to keep the name fresh in anime viewers' minds and to sell some BD-Boxes. In my mind, it wasn't a given that main series characters would show up (especially this soon).

Fair enough, and I do understand where you're coming from. It's just that if you take the definition of 'spoiler' too far you'll end up having to institute a rule stating that no series may be discussed in any way before it airs. I mean, I rather snippily referred to 'playing mahjong', and guess we can agree that's hardly a spoiler, but for all I know there might be someone out there who thinks A-Side is going to be about kendo since it's being written by the Bamboo Blade author...

[ultimatemegax]

Today the anime site (http://www.saki-anime.com/) uploaded the line art for the 5 main characters. We'll have a "Japanese so people won't likely be spoiled for absolutely anything" side and a "I translated and it has some background details" side.

Listed in order from the official site:
Takakamo Shizuno (高鴨　穏乃): Non-Translated (http://www.saki-anime.com/pre_chara/img/chara_shizuno.gif)/Translated (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/side-a-shizuno.jpg)
Atarashi Ako (新子　憧): Non-Translated (http://www.saki-anime.com/pre_chara/img/chara_ako.gif)/Translated (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/side-a-ako.jpg)
Matsumi Kuro (松実　玄): Non-Translated (http://www.saki-anime.com/pre_chara/img/chara_kuro.gif)/Translated (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/side-a-kuro.jpg)
Matsumi Yuu (松実　宥): Non-Translated (http://www.saki-anime.com/pre_chara/img/chara_yuu.gif)/Translated (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/side-a-yuu.jpg)
Sagimori Arata (鷺森　灼): Non-Translated (http://www.saki-anime.com/pre_chara/img/chara_arata.gif)/Translated (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/side-a-arata.jpg)

The anime site updated with color character designs today. The information is still the same, so no need for re-translation. I don't have the time to edit the images though.

Takakamo Shizuno (高鴨　穏乃): Non-Translated (http://www.saki-anime.com/character/img/chara_achika_shizuno.png)
Atarashi Ako (新子　憧): Non-Translated (http://www.saki-anime.com/character/img/chara_achika_ako.png)
Matsumi Kuro (松実　玄): Non-Translated (http://www.saki-anime.com/character/img/chara_achika_kuro.png)
Matsumi Yuu (松実　宥): Non-Translated (http://www.saki-anime.com/character/img/chara_achika_yuu.png)
Sagimori Arata (鷺森　灼): Non-Translated (http://www.saki-anime.com/character/img/chara_achika_arata.png)

They also updated the top page (http://www.saki-anime.com/index.html) with the key visual (http://www.saki-anime.com/img/index/bodyinner3.jpg) for the spinoff. (visual confirmed in this (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/Random%20images/up526782.jpg) magazine article) "Run to the top of the Nationals!"

Here's the official story (http://www.saki-anime.com/story/index.html):
We’ll all have fun again, and then we’ll go to the Nationals! Then we’ll play with Nodoka again!

At the beginning, Takakamo Shizuno and Atarashi Ako invite the new transfer student from Tokyo, Haramura Nodoka, to come with them to the “Achiga Childrens’ Mahjong Club” held at the Achiga Girls Academy. There they spend wonderful days together playing mahjong with their one year older sempai, Matsumi Kuro, and coach Akado Harue. But when it comes time to go to middle school, Harue leaves to join a corperation and Shizuno and Ako go to different schools. Once Nodoka transfers again, everyone has scattered to go in their own directions. Time passes and then one day when she’s in her final year in middle school, Shizuno is watching the Middle School Mahjong Nationals on TV and sees Nodoka win it all. Thinking “I want to play mahjong again with Nodoka, Shizuno and Ako head to Achiga Girls Academy.

[ultimatemegax]

This month's Shonen Gangan has leaked and with it, we have the main cast of the Side A sidestory.

Takakamo Shizuno (高鴨　穏乃) (http://www.saki-anime.com/character/img/chara_achika_shizuno.png): Yuuki Aoi
Atarashi Ako (新子　憧) (http://www.saki-anime.com/character/img/chara_achika_ako.png): Touyama Nao
Matsumi Kuro (松実　玄) (http://www.saki-anime.com/character/img/chara_achika_kuro.png): Hanazawa Kana
Matsumi Yuu (松実　宥) (http://www.saki-anime.com/character/img/chara_achika_yuu.png): Mako
Sagimori Arata (鷺森　灼) (http://www.saki-anime.com/character/img/chara_achika_arata.png): Uchiyama Yumi

I'm happy with the cast. Let's run towards the Nationals! (Perhaps a PV will be shown at Winter Comiket?)

[HitokiriShadow]

Takakamo Shizuno (高鴨　穏乃) (http://www.saki-anime.com/character/img/chara_achika_shizuno.png): Yuuki Aoi
Matsumi Kuro (松実　玄) (http://www.saki-anime.com/character/img/chara_achika_kuro.png): Hanazawa Kana


This is going to be awesome.

[something]

Takakamo Shizuno (高鴨　穏乃) (http://www.saki-anime.com/character/img/chara_achika_shizuno.png): Yuuki Aoi
Atarashi Ako (新子　憧) (http://www.saki-anime.com/character/img/chara_achika_ako.png): Touyama Nao
Matsumi Kuro (松実　玄) (http://www.saki-anime.com/character/img/chara_achika_kuro.png): Hanazawa Kana
Matsumi Yuu (松実　宥) (http://www.saki-anime.com/character/img/chara_achika_yuu.png): Mako
Sagimori Arata (鷺森　灼) (http://www.saki-anime.com/character/img/chara_achika_arata.png): Uchiyama Yumi

That Kana-tan and Ao-chan are <3 goes without saying, but looking at the others...

Touyama gave us Kanon in KamiNomi and Yune in Croisee. Nice. They should find excuses to have her sing.
Mako in recent roles was Koume in Hanamaru and Yoshino in Nekogami... massively cute voice.
Uchiyama was Nagi in A Channel. Nice to see another role for her.

[Fencedude]

Touyama gave us Kanon in KamiNomi and Yune in Croisee. Nice. They should find excuses to have her sing.

And Margot!

[ultimatemegax]

The official site updated today with the first promotional video (http://www.saki-anime.com/movie/index.html) for Side A.

It's a very good introduction to the characters and how they'll be animated, but I really liked the shift from the old OST to the new one. Is it April yet?

[Damius]

The official site updated today with the first promotional video (http://www.saki-anime.com/movie/index.html) for Side A.

It's a very good introduction to the characters and how they'll be animated, but I really liked the shift from the old OST to the new one. Is it April yet?

April means end of winter and my birthday! Why not!

[Fencedude]

The official site updated today with the first promotional video (http://www.saki-anime.com/movie/index.html) for Side A.

It's a very good introduction to the characters and how they'll be animated, but I really liked the shift from the old OST to the new one. Is it April yet?

What the fuck, lookin' kinda evil there Saki!

[EmperorBrandon]

The official site updated today with the first promotional video (http://www.saki-anime.com/movie/index.html) for Side A.

Yay, delicious Yuuki Aoi voice...

[something]

The official site updated today with the first promotional video (http://www.saki-anime.com/movie/index.html) for Side A.
Heh, Saki is apparently a villain. It'll be fun to watch the core cast through someone else's eyes, which I guess is what this is.

[William K]

What the fuck, lookin' kinda evil there Saki!

She stole Nodoka-senpai from all of her former team-mates. Of course she's evil!

[ultimatemegax]

Today's Young Gangan featured character designs for another school that will be featured in Achiga: Senriyama (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/sakisideAothers.jpg). I've translated the text on the page, but they gave a couple bits away that might spoil some people (Toki's is somewhat harmless, but definitely stay away from Izumi's spoiler text if you've not read the manga).

Shimizutani Ryuuka:
While she appears docile, this third year has a lot of spunk in her.

Onjyouji Toki:
A third year with a weak body. Seems like she got beat in the previous round.

Nijyou Izumi:
A first year with an impressive short cut. She’ll face Matsuda Yuu as the Sergeant.

Funakuho Hiroko:
This second year tends to fall behind while she analyzes her opponents’ scores to advise her teammates.

Eguchi Seere
A boyish third year. Her trademark clothing is short pants and a boys jacket.

Other text on the page:
The latest information from the TV anime starting next year, Saki-Achiga Hen episode of side-A, is brought to you in this Saki Competition! Achiga News report. This time, we’ll introduce the 5 girls from Senriyama!

(Shizuno’s comment) I definitely won’t lose to you guys!

[ultimatemegax]

Today's Young Gangan featured Achiga News#3 and inside (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/b9FOr.jpg) were just a couple bits of new information. First some stills of the PV already shown. Secondly were some new character designs. No new information was given for these characters. The other bits are mentioning the live event that Kiyosumi and Achiga will hold on April 1st (Side note, all 5 Kiyosumi members are already confirmed, but none of Achiga are...), and an Achiga drama CD to be released on March 28th. Considering what we got previously, I'm not too impressed with this month's Achiga News.

[ultimatemegax]

Today's Shounen Gangan featured the seijyu for Senriyama (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/Random%20images/1328705137846.jpg).

Shimizutani Ryuuka: Ishihara Kaori
Onjyouji Toki: Ogura Yui
Nijyou Izumi: Matsunaga Maho
Funakuho Hiroko: manami
Eguchi Seere: Noto Arisa

Apologies if I misspelled anything; I'm in a bit of a rush at the moment.

[William K]

Today's Shounen Gangan featured the seijyu for Senriyama (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/Random%20images/1328705137846.jpg).

Shimizutani Ryuuka: Ishihara Kaori
Onjyouji Toki: Ogura Yui
Nijyou Izumi: Matsunaga Maho
Funakuho Hiroko: manami
Eguchi Seere: Noto Ariki

Apologies if I misspelled anything; I'm in a bit of a rush at the moment.

The last seiyuu should be Noto Arisa. It's basically all the 4 girls in the new seiyuu group StylipS (who did the Highschool DxD ED)

[ultimatemegax]

Today's Shounen Gangan featured the seijyu for Senriyama (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/Random%20images/1328705137846.jpg).

Shimizutani Ryuuka: Ishihara Kaori
Onjyouji Toki: Ogura Yui
Nijyou Izumi: Matsunaga Maho
Funakuho Hiroko: manami
Eguchi Seere: Noto Ariki

Apologies if I misspelled anything; I'm in a bit of a rush at the moment.

The last seiyuu should be Noto Arisa. It's basically all the 4 girls in the new seiyuu group StylipS (who did the Highschool DxD ED)

Thanks so much! I thought it could be either from such a low resolution so I went with ki. (I didn't reconize any of these names)

[something]

Today's Shounen Gangan featured the seijyu for Senriyama (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/Random%20images/1328705137846.jpg).

Shimizutani Ryuuka: Ishihara Kaori
- Yay, it's the Not-Mizuhashi-But-Sounds-Like-Her-Kaori. Love her, she's getting a break-out season right now as Madoka in Rinne and Kanna in AnoNatsu.

Onjyouji Toki: Ogura Yui
- The other half of the YuiKaori pair. I enjoy her too; her Alice was the only thing that kept me watching KamiMemo even as long as I did. Kuroe in C3 was awesome as well. I actually thought she had more roles than she does, but I guess it just seems that way because she's so popular on seiyuu image blogs.

Nijyou Izumi: Matsunaga Maho
Funakuho Hiroko: manami
Eguchi Seere: Noto Arisa
- These three I don't know by name, mostly because they haven't done anything (noteworthy) before.

[ultimatemegax]

Also in the Shounen Gangan issue leaked today, we have the anime character design of:

Akado Harue (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/Random%20images/1328731561437.jpg): The Achiga Mahjong Club's coach. She was once Achiga's ace years ago.

[ultimatemegax]

This month's Young Gangan has given us the news (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/up536759.jpg) that the ED will be sung by the Achiga seiyuu (Yuuki Aoi, Touyama Nao, Hanazawa Kana, Mako, and Uchiyama Yumi). Sorry StylipS fans. Additional news (like title and date) will be revealed later. Given the first series's EDs, this isn't much of a surprise but I'm looking forward to it!.

(That's a reminder about the drama CD released on March 28 at the bottom)

Edit: The ED single, Square Panic Serenade, will be released on April 25th. Official listing (http://www.saki-anime.com/music/ed.php)

[ultimatemegax]

This week's Young Gangan may not have had a chapter of the Saki manga, but it did have an announcement (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg4/ultimatemegax/fQRye.jpg) of the Saki Achiga Hen OP.

The song, performed by StylipS, MIRACLE RUSH will be released on 5/16 in both CD and CD/DVD formats. Official Listing (http://www.saki-anime.com/music/op.php)

The announcement also states that the first airing will be on TV Tokyo on April 8th. The start time will be 25:05. If Crunchy picks this up, it'll likely be Sundays at noon.

[ultimatemegax]

Everyone prepared to be MIRACLE RUSHed? PV 2 (http://www.saki-anime.com/movie/pv2.php) was just uploaded on the official site. This one features much more animation than Shizuno jumping from a tree. OP sounds catchy.

Edit: Youtube (http://youtu.be/VND5uoqLxfA) ver.