A new anime season is upon us, and I'd like to briefly spotlight a few series airing in Japan that are based on light novels. I will update this page with links to official streaming services for those who are interested in watching these series as they premiere.

• Absolute Duo
• Durarara!!x2 Shou
• Juuou Mujin no Fafnir (Unlimited Fafnir)
• Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata (Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend)
• Seiken Tsukai no World Break (World Break: Aria of Curse for a Holy Swordsman)
• Shinmai Maou no Testament (The Testament of Sister New Devil)

For a general chart on winter anime, visit AniChart.net.

Below I've included some pictures of the first (or most pertinent) volume for each series, as well as some synopses from MyAnimeList.net.

Absolute Duo
After losing a loved one, Tooru Kokonoe enrolls at Kouryou Academy so as to gain a “Blaze,” a weapon that is his soul manifestation, for the sake of revenge. He was expecting a weapon… What he got was a shield… How is he to seek revenge with something that isn’t even a weapon?!

Durarara!!x2 Shou
A second season of the Durarara!! anime. The story takes place a half year after the first series at Tokyo’s Ikebukuro neighborhood. The first part, “Shou,” or “Understanding,” will air in January 2015.

Juuou Mujin no Fafnir (Unlimited Fafnir)
With the sudden appearance of the monsters that came to be called Dragons, the world had completely changed. Before long, within the human race supernatural girls with the power of the dragons, called “D”, were born. The secret existence of the only male “D”, the boy Mononobe Yuu, was forcefully thrown into the school where the girls of “D” gathered – Midgar, where he saw the naked body of one of the students, Iris. Furthermore, meeting his long lost sister Mitsuki, Yuu seems to have been enrolled into this school…!? “When there’s really no other choice, Iris, I will -- kill you.” “Can I really… believe you?” The curtains open as the “one and only story” about the boy who was supposed to become the strongest assassin and the incompetent girl unfolds--! Unlimited School Battle Action!

Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata (Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend)
The life of Tomoyo Aki, a highschool otaku working part time to support his BD hoarding. With remarkable luck, he bumps head-first into, Megumi Kato, the most beautiful girl he has ever seen. Naturally, the meeting twists his life into a complicated torrent of relationships. Eriri Spencer Sawamura, his half-foreigner childhood friend who’s always valued her relationship with MC. Kasumigaoka Utaha, a cold, composed renowned literary genius who shoves everyone aside from our protagonist. What is this? An eroge introduction? The tale of a small not quite doujin circle, but not quite indie studio’s journey through the tough territory of Comiket and beyond.

Seiken Tsukai no World Break (World Break: Aria of Curse for a Holy Swordsman)
Written by Akamitsu Awamura, the series takes place in a private high school involving the concept of “saviors.” They are known as people who possess awakened memories of their past lives. The story tells of a young boy named Moroha Haimura who comes to this private school. At the school, there are two types of people: Saviors, who fight enemies with weapons and techniques gleaned from the Puraana powers from their own bodies, and Kuroma, who wipe out enemies with magic to manipulate the Maana powers that surpass physics. Moroha Haimura is the first person with past lives of both Shirogane and Kuroma.

Shinmai Maou no Testament (The Testament of Sister New Devil)
“Hey, you said you wanted a little sister, right?” First year highschool student, Toujo Basara, was suddenly asked by his father and fell into a state of panic. On top of that, the eccentric father told him he will be getting remarried. He then departed overseas after bringing Basara two beautiful step-sisters. But Mio and Maria’s true forms are actually the newbie Demon Lord and a succubus!? Basara was almost entered into a master and servant contract with Mio, but a “reversed” contract was formed by mistake, and Basara is now the master!? Moreover, Basara is being hit by one ecchi situation after another due to the contract, but Mio’s life is being pursued by other demon tribes and hero tribes! The most powerful contractor’s desire action drama begins!