Although the winter season is still in its infancy, upcoming Spring 2012 Sakamichi no Apollon (Kids on the Slope) is so notable that we have to talk about it right now. The series which is based on an award winning manga by the same name is notable for more than its awards and the fact that it will be airing as part of the Noitamina programming block. The series' trailer (which you'll find below) and official website have indicated that director Shinichirou Watanabe of Cowboy Bebop fame will be reuniting with composer Yoko Kanno (also of Cowboy Bebop fame) to work on the anime upcoming anime adaptation.

The series, which is based on Yuuki Kodama's shoujo manga, follows Nishimi Kaoru. Kaoru is a perpetual transfer student, who befriends his new school's class president, Mukae Ritsuko, and its local delinquent, Kawabuchi Sentaro. While they seem like they have nothing in common, it's their love of jazz that brings them together in a coming of age story with heavy emphasis on music. With a subject matter like that it's no surprise that such a stellar team has been assembled for the series. Check out the trailer and staff list below.

If you've been waiting for more Black Rock Shooter anime the wait is drawing to a close. The project which was initially announced in August by Studios Ordet and Sanzigen is on track. The official website for the series unveiled a trailer for an 8 episode TV anime series earlier today. The series will air in the Noitamina animation block starting next January. Based on that alone, it's almost safe to assume that Funimation will pick up the license for it.

The Black Rock Shooter anime series is inspired by the popularity of the previously released OVA which was in turn inspired by a song by Ryo from supercell which drew its inspiration from character illustrations by huke. The series has also inspired figures and an RPG, as well as 2 different manga series.

Source: [ANN]

Funimation announced at Anime Atlanta last week that they have acquired practically all of the good rights to Guilty Crown. The rights they're going to be enjoy9ing include simulcast, home entertainment, digital / mobile, broadcast and merchandising. The first two episodes of the latest Noitamina sci-fi series will be screened at the upcoming New York Anime Festival, making it the world premier of the second episode.

With direction by Tetsuro Araki (Death Note, Highschool of the Dead) and character designs by supercell's redjuice and music by supercell's Ryo, there's no reason not to check this series out. Read on to find a trailer and synopsis below.

Anime, as good as cute and funny as it can be sometimes, is still a serious business. As such, ratings are very important since they directly correlate to how much money the producers are making. According to a tweet by the producer of the Noitamina animation block, Koji Yamamoto, episodes 10 of bother Fractale and Wandering Son (aka Hourou Musuko) have received the lowest ratings ever for a series in that block. Unconfirmed reports are claiming they received less than 1% viewership.

Yamamoto states that the recent earthquake and its related disasters may be part of the cause, however, as producer he's still solely to blame. You've got to respect the man's work ethic.

Tommorrow Fractale premieres in Japan on the Noitamina programming block. As expected, Funimation will be simulcasting it starting Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 11:45 EST. We have high hopes for this series since shows on Noitamina have never let us down before. Check out the trailer and description below.

Fractale is an 11 episode original series produced by A-1 Pictures and studio Ordet. Fractale's story is set on an island at the far reaches of a continent where the "Fractale System" is on the brink of collapse. A boy named Clain embarks on a journey to search for Phyrne — a girl who disappeared, leaving behind only a pendant. Clain will eventually learn the secrets of the "System."

What there's serious business in my anime!? That's right! The winter season is just around the corner and as the diligent anime fans we are we've been checking out what it has to offer here.

One series that caught our eye is Hourou Musuko, which starts airing on January 13, 2011 in the Noitamina programming block. The series is based on the manga series by Takako Shimura. Those familiar with the Noitamina programming block, know that the block caters to more mature audiences, with shows like Eden of the East and the Moyashimon Live Action Drama.

So let's dive in to the depth of this series. The story follows a young boy named Shuichi Nitori who wants to be a girl, and his friend Yoshino Takatsuki, a girl who wants to be a boy. Unlike a lot of the light and fluffy series out there, this one will deal with serious issues such as transsexuality, gender identity, and the beginning of puberty.

With a unique art style and what looks to be a promising plot full of depth, this may be the perfect show for viewers tired of fanservice and moé. (If you're wondering how to watch it, we wouldn't be surprised if Funimation licensed this series.) So, will you be watching it? Let us know in the comments below!

Editor's Note: Thanks to our friends at Phantom Subs for the trailer.