Let the Speculation Begin
I was too busy cramming for my Japanese midterm to notice this for myself (and tut-tut, FUNimation, for not shipping me a press release), but AoD did: the new FUNimation Countdown promises an announcement on Friday at 12pm PST, the company’s first acquisition of 2008. It links to a thread on the FUNimation forums where speculation bounds.
So! Let’s analyze. Red blotchy, kinda violent/messy looking font for the numbers. Archaic script for “days”/”hours”/”minutes.”
Because of the red font I’d be kind of tempted to guess Black Lagoon or Hellsing, but I kinda doubt they managed to negotiate either with Geneon THAT fast. It could conceivably be Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro, but the font is considerably darker-looking than the show. Perhaps Production I.G’s Shinrei Kari/Ghost Hound? But the archaic font doesn’t quite fit. The Gunslinger Girl sequel season might be a possibility since FUNi has the first one, but…eh. Hakaba Kitarou? Mnemosyne? Persona -trinity soul-? Surely not Zetsubou! Could it be Kaze no Stigma? (Ehhh, I’d figure a blue, or something that invoked wind (kaze) would be a better choice than red, then.)
Someone on the forum thread suggested Claymore, a distinct possibility, especially since the show was rumored to have been licensed by FUNi back in December, so I think that’s my official guess.
Another possibility is D.Gray-Man, but VIZ has the manga, so it seems likely that they’d get first crack at the anime. (I’m always a little surprised it hasn’t been brought to the US yet; but then, it’s a second-tier show compared to Bleach, Naruto, etc. in terms of popularity in Japan.)
Well, there you have it. Ponder away, folks.
Tags: Claymore, D.Gray-Man, FUNimation, Licenses, links

February 13th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
SUPER FAKE-OUT!
It’s actually Shugo Chara.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
I gotta agree with you on Claymore… even though the colors flickering makes me think it might be something based in a more modern world.
February 13th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
@Ashley: HA! That would give me all sorts of giggles.
@Roryo: True, but at the same time, the archaic style text below it could work for a show like Claymore.
Actually my absolute first instinct would be a show like Trinity Blood or Black Blood Brothers, but uh, FUNi already had those =P
February 13th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
[...] comicsblog wrote an interesting post today on Let the Speculation BeginHere’s a quick excerpt…but then, it’s a second-tier show compared to Bleach, Naruto, etc. in terms of popularity in Japan.) [...]
February 14th, 2008 at 6:39 am
[...] bookmarks tagged messy Let the Speculation Begin saved by 1 others SaulaRox bookmarked on 02/14/08 | [...]
February 15th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Yeah, they liscensed something we already knew they had. But at least its a good show. :)