Bokurano

[Zati]

This looks interesting and sounds similar to Gantz. Gonzo will be doing this hopefully it will be good, haven't read the manga yet.

Bokurano - Episode 01 - The Game - subbed by Triad

Bokurano Anime (2006-12-03 12:21:42)
Bokurano, a science fiction / horror manga by Mohiro Kitoh (of Narutaru fame) and currently serializing in Shogagkukan's Ikki, will be animated by Gonzo in 2007, with two of its main staff from The Cat Returns: director Hiroyuki Morita and composer Yuuji Nomi. According to Japanese website Moon Phase, the format should be a Bokurano TV series.

This plot summary contains important information not yet revealed in the show itself (as of episode 3). This public info isn't a spoiler, but it gives away MAJOR plot elements. View at own risk.

Plot Summary: On a typical day during a summer vacation, a group of 15 children discovered a mysterious man living in a seashore cave, along with his high-tech gadgets. The man claimed to be a game developer creating a video game with 15 giant robots defending Earth from alien invaders and asked those childs to test the game for him. The kids agreed happily at first, but soon they began to find the game horrifying, not only because of its realism but also for the first fatality among them happened right after their first victory. Worse yet, they had no idea how to stop or leave the "game." (From ANN)

The rules of the game:

1. If the pilot is beaten or he can’t settle the battle within 48 yours, the Earth will be destroyed, and not only human races but the whole life will die.
2. The operator is chosen from the persons who have contacted in advance. The operator must be one person, and he can't change off with another person.
3. The robot is worked by the life of the operator. One battle deprives the operator of his life. (From AnimeNfo)

Links :
AnimeNfo
AniDB
ANN
Official site