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Aldnoah.Zero Part 3 Limited Edition
Aldnoah.Zero's second season can't quite live up to the finale of the first, but it does use some interesting themes and references to build its story of an increasingly senseless war.
― In all honesty, the first twelve episodes of Aldnoah.Zero didn't really need a sequel. With their pointed conclusion they made a definitive statement about the follies of war while leaving viewers the space to fill i...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of Jan 29-Feb 4
Witness the meteoric rise of Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans in our user rankings this week! What mighty shows have fallen in its wake?
― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Winter 2016 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season. Keep in mind that these rankings ...
Shelf Life - Mobile Suit Gundam Part 2
Gabriella straps in to her mobile suit and conquers the second half of the original Mobile Suit Gundam series, along with all of this week's new anime releases!
― I spent most of this past weekend stuck in bed with a cold, but I did at least get a valuable life lesson out of the experience. While reading manga can be a good way to kill time, think twice before opening a volume of Monster Musume when...
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Blu-Ray
The sequel series to the original Mobile Suit Gundam is a much darker look at the horrors of war, and now it's out on bluray in English! Our resident Gundam expert Lauren Orsini weighs in.
― Don't be fooled by the new name or the young new protagonist—Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam is a sequel series. Its many tie-ins to the One Year War at the center of Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 cement it as a follow-up to t...
My Little Monster GN 12
There's one volume left, but the main story ends here in a book that is sweet, thoughtful, and thoroughly satisfying.
― Stable, happy couples don't tend to make for great reading, but they do provide excellent happy endings. Robico's My Little Monster has never fully promised us either of these things as it followed the rocky, awkward romance between emotionally wounded Haru and deliberately cold Shi...
UQ Holder! GN 2
UQ Holder maintains its polish and consistency, but has yet to truly find its voice in this second volume.
― In many ways, UQ Holder feels like the series Ken Akamatsu has been wanting to write for most of his career. His first major hit, Love Hina, started off as a traditional harem series, with serial failure Keitaro Urashima finding himself the manager of a lady's dorm and comedy predictably ensui...
Wednesday, February 10
Voice Actress Yukari Tamura Cancels Concert & Radio Shows, Puts Site on Hiatus
Staff Twitter account closes & fan club's operating company changes ownership
― Yukari Tamura's official fan club "Mellow Pretty," as well as her music record company King Records and her talent management agency I'm Enterprise, announced "important" upcoming changes on Wednesday. Her previously announced "Tamura Yukari 2016 Fuyu Live Kaisai" concert has been cancelled due to "various circumstances" ...
Dagashi Kashi's English Broadcast Dub Casts Todd Haberkorn, Tabitha Ray, Sara Ragsdale
Jeremy Inman, Justin Pate also voice characters in dub premiering Wednesday, 8:00 p.m. EST
― North American anime distributor Funimation Entertainment posted the English dub cast for its broadcast dub of the Dagashi Kashi television anime on Tuesday. Funimation will stream the dubbed first episode on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. EST. The dub cast, under director Kyle Phillips, ADR directors Jeremy Woods an...
Tuesday, February 9
Manga Creator Yoshikazu Ebisu Makes Magical Girl Anime Short
Yoyogi Animation Gakuin students, staff animate Mahō Ossan Shōjo Eibsu★chan
― The Yoyogi Animation Gakuin school presented the original anime short Mahō Ossan Shōjo Eibsu★chan (Magical Geezer Girl Ebisu-chan) this week. This collaboration between the school and manga creator/entertainer Yoshikazu Ebisu had evolved from concepts that Ebisu had left out of four-panel manga displayed at the school. The ...
Kana Hanazawa Sings 'Prius! Impossible Girls' Song
Toyota's "Prius! Impossible Girls" project released its first song "Shijō no Koe" (Test Drive Voices) produced by Oster Project with the Vocaloid GUMI late last month. The song is part of the company's overall campaign turning 40 car parts into girls. One of the parts, and arguably the lead, is the 2ZR-FXE engine voiced by Kana Hanazawa. The voice actress returned to the role to sing the engine gi...
Sailor Moon Gets 4th Round of Candy Compacts
The Sailor Moon candy compacts gashapon continue to be popular. Bandai has released three variations so far, covering all of Sailor Moon's compacts, Chibi Moon's compacts, the Silver Crystal, the Starry Music Box, and Luna-P. The latest round of the "Minaturely Tablet" line are special color versions of the Crystal Star compact to represent each of the original five Sailor Guardians. The theme is...
Netflix, DreamWorks' Voltron Reimagining Teased in Image
DreamWorks Animation Television unveiled this week the official logo and a teaser image for Voltron: Legendary Defender, a reimagining of the 1980s animated Voltron project which will stream exclusively on the Netflix service. The company said that the new series will feature "a mix of action, comedy and an epic storyline spearheaded by yet-to-be-announced veteran animation talent and longtime Vol...
Snow White with the Red Hair ‒ Episode 17
"While the introduction of an abduction plot does seem to run counter to expectations, it also isn't reducing the story to a simple damsel in distress tale."
North American Anime, Manga Releases, February 7-13
Akame ga Kill, IGPX, Lord Marksman and Vanadis, Shirobako anime; Angel Beats!: Heaven's Door manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Akame ga Kill Collection 1 Collector's Edition Blu-ray/DVDPlease Sentai Filmworks US$129.98 February 9 Akame ga Kill Collection 1 Blu-rayCite Sentai Filmworks US$69.98 February 9 Akame ga Kill Collection 1 DVDAnimeNewsNetwork Sentai Filmw...
Get a Closer Look at Yukai Engineering's Singing, Dancing Hatsune Miku Nendoroid
At this year's WonderFest Winter, Yukai Engineering's iDoll Tokyo in partnership with Good Smile Company, debuted a Hatsune Miku figure that can sing, dance, and communicate. The Hatsune Miku by iDoll x Nendoroid was presented as a live exhibit that showcased the figure's abilities. Hatsune Miku utilizes 10 articulated joints to dance, react to questions, and assist users in conjunction with a sm...
BBK/BRNK ‒ Episode 5
"This episode is a small step up in overall quality from its predecessor, thanks to a more nuanced pair of Bubuki duelists and a reduction in clunky character movements."
Endride Anime Reveals More Character Designs by Rurouni Kenshin's Watsuki, Bastard!!'s Hagiwara
Yūma Uchida, Shizuka Itou join cast
― The official website for the Endride television anime posted character designs for the main characters on Wednesday, and added Yūma Uchida and Shizuka Itou to the cast. Each character was designed by either Nobuhiro Watsuki (Rurouni Kenshin, Buso Renkin) or Kazushi Hagiwara (Bastard!!). Kensho Ono as Shun Asanaga (designed by Watsuki) Toshiki Masuda as Emilio Ran...
Cardcaptor Sakura's 3rd Ending Theme Inspires SD Figures
The third ending theme to CLAMP and Madhouse's Cardcaptor Sakura anime series is inspiring three super-deformed figures. The song "Fruits Candy" shows Sakura, Kero, and Tomoyo making sweets together. The three figures recapture that with a tiny 5cm-high Sakura holding a fancy cake, Tomoyo holding a box of chocolates, and Kero looking ready to eat next to a giant chocolate heart. All three figures...
Trustick to Perform Shonen Maid Anime's Opening Theme
My Love Story!!, Unlimited Fafnir duo contribute song for April anime
― The official Twitter account for the television anime of Ototachibana's Shōnen Maid manga announced on Tuesday that Trustick will perform the anime's opening theme song. The Trustrick duo consists of vocalist Sayaka Kanda and guitarist Billy. Trustrick performed the opening theme songs for the Unlimited Fafnir anime that premiere...
Dōkyūsei/Classmates Boys-Love Film to Open in U.S. Theaters in May
― Update: Eleven Arts has removed a Twitter post that indicated that the Dōkyūsei (Classmates) anime film will open in the United States in May. The original article appears below: Film distribution company Eleven Arts announced over Twitter on Tuesday that the anime film of Asumiko Nakamura's Dōkyūsei (Classmates) boys-love manga will open in theaters in the United States this May. Aniplex of Ameri...
Keijo!!!!!!!! Aquatic Sports Anime's 1st Key Visual Posted
Shogakukan's official website for Weekly Shonen Sunday posted the first key visual for the anime of Daichi Sorayomi's Keijo!!!!!!!! aquatic sports manga on Wednesday. The visual also appeared in the magazine's 11th issue on Wednesday to accompany the anime announcement. The manga takes place in an alternate Japan where a sport called "Keijo" by law in 2003 became a sport alongside horse racing, bo...
Trigger's Kiznaiver Anime Adds More Cast, Theme Songs, April Premiere
Nobunaga Shimazaki, Rina Satou, Kōtarō Nishiyama join cast; Boom Boom Satellites perform opening
― The official website for Studio Trigger's Kiznaiver television anime series announced three new cast members, the theme song artists, and broadcast information on Wednesday. The series will premiere in April on Tokyo MX, ABC Asahi, and BS11, though the staff will host an advance screening of the first t...
Aldnoah.Zero Part 3 Limited Edition
Aldnoah.Zero's second season can't quite live up to the finale of the first, but it does use some interesting themes and references to build its story of an increasingly senseless war.
― In all honesty, the first twelve episodes of Aldnoah.Zero didn't really need a sequel. With their pointed conclusion they made a definitive statement about the follies of war while leaving viewers the space to fill i...
BPO Publishes Viewer Complaint About Man Catching Brother Masturbating in Anime
The Japanese Broadcasting Ethics and Program Improvement Organization (BPO) watchdog group has recently published viewer complaints from January, one stemming from a masturbation scene from a late night anime program. According to the complaint, the scene featured a man teasing his brother after catching him masturbating. The parents stated that while the anime airs during a late night block, the ...
Accel World: Infinite Burst Key Visual Posted
The staff of the Accel World: Infinite Burst anime film shared a new key visual with news outlets on Wednesday to accompany the announcement of the release date. The film will open on July 23 in Japan. Original light novel series author Reki Kawahara (Sword Art Online) is writing the story for the original new anime, and it will add new characters. The returning staff and cast include:Original Cre...
Austin Tindle, Ricco Fajardo, Natalie Hoover Star in Prince of Stride English Broadcast Dub
Jason Liebrecht, Clifford Chapin, Micah Solusod, more also voice characters
― North American anime distributor Funimation Entertainment posted the first English-dubbed episode for the Prince of Stride: Alternative anime on Tuesday. The broadcast dub cast, under director Caitlin Glass, ADR engineers Domonique French and Matt Grounds, and writer Monica Rial, includes: Natalie Hoover as Nana Sakurai Aus...
One-Punch Man Creator's Mob Psycho 100 Anime Presents Teaser Video With Cast, Staff
Setsuo Itō, Takahiro Sakurai star in BONES show with Death Parade director, Ajin writer, Ghost in the Shell composer
― The official website for the television anime of ONE's Mob Psycho 100 manga posted a teaser promotional video that lists the main cast and staff on Wednesday. Text: When he hits 100%, something happens Text: Setsuo Itō as Shigeo "Mob" Kageyama Sign: Talk About Spirits Agency Text: Ta...
Attack on Titan Game's Training Grounds & PS3/PS Vita Gameplay Videos Posted
Attack on Titan game to ship February 18
― Koei Tecmo began streaming two gameplay videos from its upcoming Attack on Titan game. The videos features gameplay from the training grounds, and gameplay from the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita versions of the game. Last month Koei Tecmo uploaded a series of gameplay videos titled, "Teach Me, Captain Levi," introducing the stages of gameplay. Several m...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of Jan 29-Feb 4
Witness the meteoric rise of Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans in our user rankings this week! What mighty shows have fallen in its wake?
― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Winter 2016 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season. Keep in mind that these rankings ...
Mr. Osomatsu ‒ Episode 18
"Everything from Mario Kart to Mad Max is parodied throughout this episode's Wacky Races-like clusterfudge."
Actor Ken Watanabe Undergoes Surgery for Early-Stage Stomach Cancer
Godzilla/Last Samurai star delays Broadway return to The King and I to recuperate
― The agency of 56-year-old actor Ken Watanabe announced on Tuesday that he underwent an operation for stomach cancer in its early stages. The cancer was discovered during a full medical checkup in January, so Watanabe received laparoscopic surgery. He is now recuperating after the successful operation. Watanabe was pla...
Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, February 1-7
Mr. Osomatsu sells 8,743 more, followed by Piece of Cake, Saiyuki Gaiden Monkey Perm, One Piece, Empire of Corpses
― The live-action film of the Piece of Cake manga sold 1,959 copies to rank #16 on the overall DVD chart. The live-action film of Atsuko Nanba's shōjo high school romance manga Senpai to Kanojo sold 956 copies of its special edition at #36. Funassyi's Funa no Mix 3 ~Nassyi Bakansu Hokkai...
Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, February 1-7
Empire of Corpses sells 6,871, followed by Mr. Osomatsu, 2015 Aikatsu! film, Steins;Gate
― The live-action film of the Piece of Cake manga sold 1,612 copies to rank #17 on the overall Blu-ray Disc chart. Rank Last Week Title Weekly Copies Total Copies Release Date Maker Artist/Category Highest Rank Weeks on Chart 1 - Empire of Corpses (Limited Complete Pressing) 6,871 6,871 16/2/3 ANX Animation 1 1 2...
Fairy Tail Stage Play Reveals Kento Ono in Costume as Hibiki
Play to run in Ikebukuro from April 30-May 9
― The official website for the stage play of Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail manga revealed a visual of Kento Ono in costume as Hibiki Lates on Wednesday. The website unveiled a visual of D-BOYS actor Shuuto Miyazaki, Atsushi Shiramata, and Hirofumi Araki in costume as the protagonist Natsu Dragneel, Gray Fullbuster, and Jellal Fernandes, respectively, last mont...
Unsung Story RPG's Developer Loses Key Staff, Shifts to Other Projects
Development goals unchanged, though with no release date set yet
― Game developer Playdek announced in a Kickstarter update for its Unsung Story: Tale of the Guardians role-playing game on Sunday that the loss of key staff members has "impacted" its progress on the game. Playdek elaborated that "for the financial strength of the company," it will focus in the near term on other products for which it ...
Gundam Thunderbolt Anime Episode 2 Previewed in Ad
Wide digital release of 2nd episode on Friday in Japan
― Bandai Visual began streaming a commercial for the second anime episode based on Yasuo Ohtagaki's Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt manga on Monday. Bandai Visual previously streamed a longer promotional video last month. The second of four 18-minute episodes will begin streaming on Friday at 12:00 p.m. JST, though the Gundam Fan Club app hosted a...
Terraformars Film Gets Live-Action Prequel Special
Prequel premieres April 24, & will share some cast with film along with new cast
― Docomo's dTV streaming service announced on Tuesday that it will premiere a live-action special based on the live-action film of Kenichi Tachibana and Yū Sasuga's science-fiction manga Terraformars manga on April 24, just five days before the film. The live-action drama will be a prequel to the film titled Terraformars...
'And you thought there is Never a girl online?' Anime Slated for April 7
The 48th volume of Kadokawa's Dengeki Bunko Magazine is revealing on Wednesday that the television anime of author Shibai Kineko and illustrator Hisasi's Netoge no Yome wa Onna no Ko ja nai to Omotta? (And you thought there is Never a girl online?) light novels will premiere on the Tokyo MX channel at 11:30 p.m. on April 7. It will also premiere on the Sun TV and BS11 channels on April 7 at 26:00 ...
Accel World: Infinite Burst Film Slated for July 23
Film with original story, characters by Reki Kawahara opens in 24 theaters
― The 48th volume of Kadokawa's Dengeki Bunko Magazine is revealing on Wednesday that the Accel World: Infinite Burst anime will be a film opening in Tokyo's Shinjuku Piccadilly and 23 other theaters in Japan on July 23. The official website for the Accel World franchise previously streamed a promotional video for the anime fi...
Spice & Wolf Light Novel Series Gets Sequel on 10th Anniversary
Holo & Lawrence's story resumes on April 9 in Dengeki Bunko Magazine
― The 48th volume of Kadokawa's Dengeki Bunko Magazine is revealing on Wednesday that author Isuna Hasekura is writing a sequel to his Spice & Wolf light novel series to celebrate both the series' 10th anniversary, and the 10th anniversary since his novel writing debut with the first Spice & Wolf novel in February 2006. The sequel w...
Monday, February 8
Shiren the Wanderer 5 PS Vita RPG Gets N. American Release on July 26
Game shipped for PS Vita in Japan last June
― The official U.S. PlayStation blog announced on Monday that publisher Aksys Games will release Spike Chunsoft's Fushigi no Dungeon Fūrai no Shiren 5: Fortune Tower to Unmei no Dice PlayStation Vita role-playing game in North America under the title Shiren The Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate on July 26. As with other Mystery Dungeon tit...
Mr. Osomatsu's 'Fapping in Progress' Sign Recreated as a Tissue Box Cover
The trend of raunchy tissue box covers continues with Mr. Osomatsu. This cover hearkens back to the series' 13th episode where Osomatsu makes a signboard that reads "Fapping in Progress" after accidentally walking in on his brother Choromatsu. The signboard is a visual reference to the common "Construction in Progress" signs used in Japan, although the bowing construction worker is replaced with ...
Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 Shares Helena Image Video
PS4/PS Vita game slated for March 24 release in Japan
― KOEI Tecmo Games began streaming an image video for the character Helena from its Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 PS4/PS Vita game on Monday. Koei Tecmo Games previously streamed a video for Marie Rose. The game is slated for release on March 24, after a delay from its original February 25 release date. Koei Tecmo will publish the game exclusively in Jap...
Goku Cosplayer Takes His Flying Nimbus to Taipei
Goku took his flying nimbus out to play in the streets of Taipei, avoiding traffic and delighting kids. YouTuber "YEKON1" constructed the cloud using an electric board and covering it fluffly yellow and white stuffing. The crew was inspired by a previous take on a similar concept. PrankvsPrank's Jesse rode through the streets of New York City on a "magic carpet" made using an electric skateboard. ...
Love Live! School Festival, Bleach Brave Souls Developer KLab's Profits Drop
Mobile game developer KLab (Love Live! School Idol Festival, Bleach: Brave Souls) released its December 2015 balance sheet on Monday, reporting a 60.9% decrease in its net profit from 2014 to 2015. The company earned a net profit of 700 million yen (about US$6 million) from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015, compared to last year's 1.8 billion yen (about US$15.6 million). Total sales were ...
Puzzle & Dragons Collaborating With BLEACH Soon
The characters of Tite Kubo's Bleach manga are ready to face some fantastical monsters in the Puzzle & Dragons mobile game. Gung Ho Online Entertainment announced on Monday that Ichigo, Rukia, Orihime, Uryu and more will appear in the game soon. The Puzzle & Dragons mobile game has previously collaborated with Crows x Worst Attack on Titan, Ghost in the Shell, DC Comic characters, Dragon Ball Z Ka...
Capcom Producer: Discussions on New Onimusha Game Happening at 'High Levels'
Capcom producer Yoshinori Ono (Street Fighter, Onimusha) addressed the prospects of a new Onimusha game in an interview with UK news website Daily Star Online on Monday. "I've spoken internally with people who made Onimusha with me originally and talked about maybe how interesting it would be to revisit that series," Ono said. "But fans should know that we're not further down that road than the di...
Yūki Amami to Guest Star in 20th Detective Conan Movie
Actress plays mysterious member of Black Organization
― The official Twitter account for the Detective Conan films announced on Tuesday that actress Yūki Amami (Ponyo's Granmamare, live-action Kaiji's Rinko) will guest star in the 20th Detective Conan (Case Closed) anime film, Detective Conan: Junkoku no Nightmare (Detective Conan: Pitch Black Nightmare), as the "mysterious woman" whose eyes are diff...
Get the Skinny on GSC, Fate Series Figures from WonderFest
Toymakers and collectors came out to play at this year's Wonder Festival Winter event on Sunday at Makuhari Messe in Chiba. Below you'll find a selection of upcoming and current releases for the popular Fate/Stay Night franchise and Good Smile Company's upcoming releases. Fate series There was nary a booth didn't have a Saber figure or a character from the Fate/Grand Order role-playing game. Anip...
Sansha Sanyō Anime Casts Machico, Aina Suzuki, Rika Momokawa
Series adapting 4-panel manga will premiere in April
― The official website for the television anime of Cherry Arai's Sansha Sanyō four-panel manga announced three additional cast members on Tuesday. Machico as Serina Nishiyama, Teru and Futaba's classmate. She declares herself Teru's rival but always loses. As an animal lover, she only gets along with Teru where animals are concerned. Aina Suzuki as...
Street Fighter V CG Trailer Shows All 16 Fighters
PS4/PC game ships February 16 in N. America, Europe
― The official Street Fighter YouTube channel began streaming a full-length CG trailer for the upcoming Street Fighter V game on Monday. The trailer features stylized battle animation with all 16 characters that will be playable on launch. Street Fighter V is the latest entry in the Street Fighter fighting game franchise. The game contains new featu...
Mr. Osomatsu x Margaret Magazine Collaboration Announced
Hana Yori Dango creator draws Dōmyōji in Ichimatsu's sweatshirt
― A collaboration between the increasingly popular Mr. Osomatsu anime series and the shōjo manga magazine Margaret is in the works. This year's sixth issue of the magazine will include a special crossover when it's released on February 20. The magazine will bundle a special clear file and include crossover work by Saki Aikawa (Meikyū Rom...
Medarot/Medabots Girls Mission Game's 1st Promo Video Previews Characters, Costume Break Feature
Franchise's newest game to have 2 versions with all-female cast
― The official website for Rocket Company's new Nintendo 3DS game Medabots: Girls Mission (Medarot: Girls Mission) updated on Monday with the first promotional video, character profiles, and a list of bonus extras. The video introduces the story, in which an Artemis Cup tournament debuts for high school girls only. It then introduces som...
Shout! Factory to Release Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir on Home Video
N. American release slated for 2016
― North American video distributor Shout! Factory announced on Monday that it has entered a distribution alliance with entertainment group Zag to release Zag's Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir series in the United States and Canada. The rights include DVD, Blu-ray, and select digital outlets. Shout! Factory plans to begin releasing the series in 2016. The 3D...
Answerman - Why Do So Many Anime Take Place in High School?
It's an inevitable question: why are so many anime series set in and around high school, or star high-school age folks? Justin gets into it.
― Julian asks: After watching a lot of Anime, depending on the demographic, a good chunk of it tends to take place in a high school setting or the characters, while not always, range from the ages 14-17. This has led me to believe or assume writers of Anime or ...
P.A. Works Reveals Kuromukuro TV Anime's Story, More of Cast & Staff, April Debut in New Video
"Mecha action" story follows samurai reawakened at modern U.N. robotics lab
― Monday's live-streamed Niconico program for Kuromukuro, the 15th anniversary project of the studio P.A. Works, debuted a new character promotional video. The video reveals the anime's story and April premiere, as well as more of the characters, cast, and staff. Text: P.A. Works' 15th Anniversary Work Text: Director: Tensai ...
Dimension W ‒ Episode 5
"While there continue to be problems with the execution, this episode demonstrates that Dimension W contains a wealth of thematic potential, all thanks to its titular science fiction device."
Shelf Life - Mobile Suit Gundam Part 2
Gabriella straps in to her mobile suit and conquers the second half of the original Mobile Suit Gundam series, along with all of this week's new anime releases!
― I spent most of this past weekend stuck in bed with a cold, but I did at least get a valuable life lesson out of the experience. While reading manga can be a good way to kill time, think twice before opening a volume of Monster Musume when...
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans ‒ Episode 18
"Fittingly, an episode titled “Voice” has some of the most impactful one-liners we've heard so far."
Schwarzes Marken ‒ Episode 5
"It provides a satisfying amount of action on the mecha front while also scattering throughout elements of the political situation and small doses of character development."
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Blu-Ray
The sequel series to the original Mobile Suit Gundam is a much darker look at the horrors of war, and now it's out on bluray in English! Our resident Gundam expert Lauren Orsini weighs in.
― Don't be fooled by the new name or the young new protagonist—Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam is a sequel series. Its many tie-ins to the One Year War at the center of Mobile Suit Gundam 0079 cement it as a follow-up to t...
Heavy Object ‒ Episode 17
"This is a return to the more complicated storylines that characterized Heavy Object's early plot arcs, and that means we've got plenty of exposition to slog through."
Live-Action Terraformars Film's New Poster Features Komachi & Crew Mates
Sci-fi film opening on April 29
― The official website for the live-action film of Kenichi Tachibana and Yū Sasuga's science-fiction manga Terraformars updated on Monday with a new poster visual. The still shows Komachi and his crew mates. The film will open in Japan on April 29, during the Golden Week holidays. Takashi Miike (live-action films of Ichi the Killer, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, Yatter...
Ryō Kitamura, Shuuto Miyazaki, Ryō Matsuda Perform Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V's New Opening Theme
New 3-man vocal unit consisting of actors performs song debuting in April
― Japanese entertainment news website Comic Natalie revealed on Monday that the Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V television anime series will receive a new opening theme song in April. A three-man unit consisting of actors Ryō Kitamura (pictured below, at left), Shuuto Miyazaki (pictured below, in center), and Ryō Matsuda (pictured below, at ri...
Chika Chika Idol Anime's Japanese Crowdfunding Campaign Launches
English Kickstarter delayed, promo video streamed for planned anime by Index director Hiroshi Nishikiori
― The official Twitter account of Symphonium's Chika Chika Idol CG anime project announced on Saturday that it has launched a campaign for anime on the Japanese crowdfunding service Makuake. The English version of the project's official website additionally announced on Thursday that a Kickstarter...
To-Mas Soundsight Fluorescent Forest, Clammbon Perform Theme Songs for She and Her Cat: Everything Flows Anime
Kana Hanazawa plays girl, Shintarō Asanuma plays cat in TV anime of 1999 short
― The official website of the Kanojo to Kanojo no Neko: Everything Flows television anime series announced on Saturday that TO-MAS SOUNDSIGHT FLUORESCENT FOREST will perform the opening theme song and background music for the anime. Additionally, the website announced that Clammbon will perform the ending theme song. TO-MA...
Sensa-tions Performs 2nd Assassination Classroom Live-Action Film's Theme Song
2nd live-action film based on Yusei Matsui's manga premieres on March 25
― Japanese entertainment news website Comic Natalie announced on Monday that Sensa-tions will perform the theme song "Sayonara Sensation" for Ansatsu Kyōshitsu ~Sotsugyō-hen~ (Assassination Classroom ~Graduation Edition~), the second live-action Assassination Classroom (Ansatsu Kyōshitsu) film. A DVD containing the single will s...
Media Blasters to Release Juden Chan on Blu-ray Disc
Media Blasters announced on its official Facebook page on February 2 that it will release Juden Chan on Blu-ray Disc. The company added that the Blu-ray Disc will ship after Crunchyroll adds the English-dubbed version of the anime to its streaming catalog. Additionally, Media Blasters revealed that Kitty Media has acquired the Kanojo x Kanojo x Kanojo - San Shimai to no DokiDoki Kyōdō Seikatsu adu...
Daichi Sorayomi's Keijo!!!!!!!! Aquatic Sports Manga Gets TV Anime
Manga centers on gambling sport where women push each other off floating platforms
― This year's 11th issue of Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine is revealing on Wednesday that Daichi Sorayomi's Keijo!!!!!!!! aquatic sports manga is getting a television anime adaptation. The manga takes place in an alternate Japan where a sport called "Keijo" by law in 2003 became a sport alongside horse raci...
Dance With Devils Musical's Long Promo Video Streamed
Daiki Ise, Kōhei Norizuki, Ryūjirō Izaki, Subaru Kimura cast in March 3-13 musical
― The official website for the Dance With Devils stage musical began streaming the long version of its promotional video on Saturday. The video previews the song "Mademoiselle," as sung by the stage play's cast. (The song was also used as the ending theme for the Dance With Devils anime series.) The website previously ...
Udon no Kuni no Kiniro Kemari Manga Gets TV Anime This Year
"Heartwarming fantasy" story follows 30-year-old man who meets a tanuki child
― This year's March issue of Tokuma Shoten's Animage magazine is revealing on Wednesday that Nodoka Shinomaru's Udon no Kuni no Kiniro Kemari (The Udon Country's Golden Furball) manga is getting a television anime adaptation this year. The anime will air on NTV and other channels. The "heartwarming fantasy" manga takes plac...
Sunday, February 7
ReLIFE Anime to Star Kensho Ono, Ai Kayano
Yayoiso's original manga surpasses 1 million copies in print
― The staff for the anime adaptation of Yayoiso's ReLIFE manga revealed the show's main cast on Monday. Kensho Ono (Kuroko's Basketball's Kuroko, Magi's Hakuryū Ren) will star in the series as Arata Kaizaki, and Ai Kayano (Anohana's Menma, Your Lie in April's Nagi Aizato) will costar as Chizuru Hishiro. TMS Entertainment is producing the ad...
My Hero Academia Reveals Character Designs For Denki Kaminari, Eijirō Kirishima
The official website for the television anime of Kōhei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia (Boku no Hero Academia) manga revealed the character designs in and out of costume on Monday for characters Denki Kaminari and Eijirō Kirishima. This year's 10th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine announced the voice cast for the two characters on Monday. Tasuku Hatanaka (Ushio & Tora's Ushio, Yu-Gi-Oh...
Kuroko's Basketball Stage Play's Visual Features 10 Cast Members in Costume
Hyūga, Izuki, Takao, more shown in costume for first time for play debuting in April
― The official website for Kuroko's Basketball The Encounter, the stage play adaptation of Tadatoshi Fujimaki's Kuroko's Basketball sports manga, revealed a main visual on Monday that shows the show's main cast in costume. The visual shows for the first time the characters of Junpei Hyūga (played by Tetsuya Makita), ...
Original Pokémon Soundtrack Issued on Limited Edition Pokéball Vinyl
The Pokémon Red & Blue video games' soundtrack are getting the vinyl treatment. Moonshake records has added every one of Junichi Masuda's original compositions for the game onto 500 red and white vinyl records that looks like a Pokéball. Additional tracks from the anime series are also included. The limited pressing is available at Turntable Labs until supplies run out for US$49.95. The Pokémon C...
Nestlé Reminds Candy Fans That Sake KitKats Are Not for Kids
Nestlé's KitKat chocolates debuted a new Japan-exclusive flavor this month: sake. The item was created to appeal to tourists and demand quickly had online shops stocking the snack for import around the world. The flavor includes actual sake powder, and unsurprisingly, the possible side effects that come with consuming alcohol. The packaging notes that the chocolates, with their 0.8% alcohol conten...
English-Language Naruto Yaoi Fanfiction Reworked into Japanese Drama CD
Setting modernized, but characters still recognizable
― Circle K Sunkus, a Japanese convenience store chain, is taking preorders for a yaoi drama CD called Yours for an Hour. What makes this particular CD noteworthy is its origins: an English-language fanfiction posted on FanFiction.net in 2010 by Hic iacet Mori (who is credited as the original author), also known as "Yours for an Hour." That story w...
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash ‒ Episode 5
"Knowing that someone is dead is one thing. Coming to realize it, to truly understand it, is another."
Chihayafuru, Love Live!, Macross Delta Among Sculptures at 2016 Sapporo Snow Festival
It's deep in the middle of winter, and in Hokkaido, Japan, that means it's time for the Sapporo Snow Festival, that island's celebration of snow, ice, skiing, skating, and all things winter. It's most famous for its exhibition of snow sculptures, which frequently reference trending pop culture. This year does not disappoint, with several creations celebrating Japan's signature anime. The upcoming ...
New York Times Manga Best Seller List, January 24-30
Akame ga Kill!, 4 One-Punch Man volumes, Naruto: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring, Noragami, 2 Tokyo Ghoul volumes, Blue Exorcist
― The New York Times newspaper listed the manga bestsellers in the United States for the week ending on January 30. Rank Prev. Rank Title Author Publisher Weeks on List Cover 1 -Akame ga Kill! #5 Story: Takahiro / Art: Tetsuya Tashiro Yen Press 1 21One-Punch Man #...
Pack of Cute Guys Puts the "Gum" into "Shinsengumi"
Third incarnation of "Gum Boyfriends" project
― If you've ever developed romantic feelings for your chewing gum, then it's likely that you're a big fan of Gum Kare! (or Gum Boyfriends), a project by the food corporation Lotte that anthropomorphizes Japanese gum brands into cute boys. The project was launched in 2014 and includes six gum-based characters. The main character is an "extremely ordinary s...
Star Wars: TFA Is 1st Film Since Frozen to Top 10 Billion Yen
Walt Disney Studios Japan announced that Star Wars: The Force Awakens has earned over 10 billion yen (about US$82 million) at the Japanese box office as of January 31. The film is the first one to reach this threshold at the Japanese box office since Frozen in 2014, and the first live-action film to do so since Alice in Wonderland in 2010. Between its December 18 opening and January 31, Star Wars:...
My Little Monster GN 12
There's one volume left, but the main story ends here in a book that is sweet, thoughtful, and thoroughly satisfying.
― Stable, happy couples don't tend to make for great reading, but they do provide excellent happy endings. Robico's My Little Monster has never fully promised us either of these things as it followed the rocky, awkward romance between emotionally wounded Haru and deliberately cold Shi...
Hatsune Miku Project Diva X's New Features Previewed in Promo Video
Rhythm game slated for PS Vita on March 24, for PS4 this fall
― Sega debuted the latest promotional video for its rhythm game Hatsune Miku Project Diva X at the Snow Miku 2016 event. Saki Fujita, the voice actress who lent Hatsune Miku her vocal samples, narrates the new features in the game such as the "Live Quest Mode." The video also previews the opening theme song "Tsumi no Namae" by Ryo (superce...
Live-Action Film of School Life Manga Setoutsumi Opens in July
7 new cast members, production stills unveiled
― The staff of the live-action film adaptation of Kazuya Konomoto's Setoutsumi manga announced the film's July 2 opening and additional cast on Tuesday. The film's additional cast includes: Shōhei Uno Takuji Suzuki Amane Okayama Eiki Narita Isao Okumura Kumi Ryū Motomi Makiguchi They will join Sousuke Ikematsu (The Last Samurai, live-action Tetsujin 28-g...
Sound! Euphonium Anime Film's New Visual Revealed
The official website for the Sound! Euphonium (Hibike! Euphonium) anime project revealed a new key visual for the upcoming Gekijō-ban Hibike! Euphonium ~ Kitauji Kōkō Suisōraku-Bu e Yōkoso~ (Sound! Euphonium the Movie: Welcome to the Kitauji High School Concert Band) anime film on Friday. The website also announced that starting on February 14, select theaters will include special Valentine's Day-...
Fire Emblem Fates' Western Release Won't Include Japanese Audio
Nintendo RPG to ship February 19
― Nintendo confirmed with video game news website Polygon on Friday that the western release of Fire Emblem Fates Nintendo 3DS game will only contain English audio. Although the previous game in the Fire Emblem series, Fire Emblem: Awakening, contained a menu option to change the voice language, this option was missing from Fire Emblem Fates' menu. Polygon posted a 2....
Yaoi-Con to Host The Tyrant Falls in Love's Hinako Takanaga
Little Butterfly, The Devil's Secret manga creator to attend September event in California
― The official website for YaoiCon announced on Thursday that The Tyrant Falls in Love's Hinako Takanaga will be YaoiCon 2016's Guest of Honor. Takanaga previously attended the event in 2007 and as a Guest of Honor in 2010. YaoiCon 2016 will be held at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport from September 16-1...
Kagewani Monster Suspense Anime Gets 2nd Season in April
Series to air in "Ultra Super Anime Time" block of anime shorts
― The official website for the Kagewani monster suspense series announced on Sunday that the series will get a second season titled Kagewani: Shō that will premiere on April 1 on the "Ultra Super Anime Time" programming block. The official Twitter account for the series began streaming an announcement video for the second season on Sunda...
PonyCan USA Announces Release Details for Garakowa Film
Ponycan USA announced release details for the Garakowa -Restore the World- film on Saturday. The company will release the film on an import edition Blu-ray Disc with Japanese audio and English subtitles. The set will include a bonus CD featuring the singles "Sendan Life" by Remo (Yumiri Hanamori), "Insomnia" by Dual (Risa Taneda), and "Hello" by Dorothy (Ayane Sakura). The set will also include a ...
Rage of Bahamut: Manaria Friends Anime's Cast, Character Designs Revealed
Series to air in "Ultra Super Anime Time" block of anime shorts starting in April
― The official website for the Rage of Bahamut: Manaria Friends television anime series revealed new cast information on Sunday. The website revealed that Nana Mizuki (Naruto's Hinata Hyūga, Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha's Fate Testarossa) will play the role of Hanna, the student council president of Mysteria Academy who ...
Hiroyuki Imaishi's Uchū Patrol Luluco TV Anime Reveals Cast, Characters, Staff, Story
Crunchyroll to stream April series starring M.A.O., Junya Enoki, more
― Studio Trigger opened a website on Sunday for Hiroyuki Imaishi's (Kill la Kill, Gurren Lagann, Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt) Uchū Patrol Luluco (Space Patrol Luluco) TV anime series of shorts. The website reveals the show's full staff, main cast, character designs, story, and key visual. Studio Trigger had announced last mont...
Yuko Minaguchi, Kikuko Inoue Join Cast of Root Letter PS4/PS Vita Game
Kadokawa plans worldwide release, Chinese version of mystery game
― Kadokawa Games announced more "Mystery Actress" cast members at the Taiwan Game Show on February 2 for its upcoming √Letter (pronounced "Root Letter") PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita adventure game. The additional voice cast includes: Yuko Minaguchi as Shiori, the eldest of three sisters who is from Tokyo. Her blood type is A. She...
When Marnie Was There, The Boy and The Beast Shut Out of Annie Awards
Studio Ghibli's When Marnie Was There and Mamoru Hosoda's The Boy and The Beast films did not win any awards at the 43rd Annual Annie Awards on Saturday. Both films were nominated for the Best Animated Feature-Independent award, but Filme de Papel's Boy and the World film won the award. In addition When Marnie Was There's Hiromasa Yonebayashi was nominated for Outstanding Achievement awards in the...
Saturday, February 6
Voice Actor Noriaki Sugiyama Joins Daisuke Namikawa's Stay-Luck Agency
Voice of Naruto's Sasuke to serve as teacher at attached training school
― Voice actor Noriaki Sugiyama announced on his official blog on Monday that he has joined the Stay-Luck agency — the voice acting agency founded by fellow voice actor Daisuke Namikawa — as of February 1. Stay-Luck's official website notes that Sugiyama will also serve as a teacher at Stay-Luck's attached training school, Follow...
Luck & Logic Streams 4th 'We Are Luck & Logic Club' Anime Short
Newest episode in 1-minute short series to ship on 2nd BD/DVD on April 22
― The official YouTube channel for the Luck & Logic franchise began streaming the fourth episode of the "Watashi-tachi, Rakuroji-bu!" (We Are the Luck and Logic Club!) short anime series on Saturday. The one-minute anime series is airing before each full Luck & Logic TV anime episode. The anime short features the three high sch...
New Chinyūki Theater Ad Warns Patrons Against Using Cell Phones
Japanese theater patrons this month may find themselves being admonished not to using cell phones during the movie from an unlikely source: Chinyūki. The ad features Tarō (Ken'chi Matsuyama) bickering with his companion, Genjō (Kana Kurashina), apparently very profanely. But it turns out Genjō's chain isn't the only one Tarō's yanking. The tagline promises "A truly BLEEPing live-action movie." Chi...
UPPERS PS Vita Action Game's Videos Show Playable Characters in Action
Brawler game set on island where brawling is entertainment slated for April 21
― Marvelous streamed five digest gameplay videos this week for its upcoming UPPERS brawler action game. The videos show various characters in battle. Ranma Kamishiro (Freestyle) and Michiru Sakurai (Kickboxing): Seiya Koyanagi (Kenka) and Junya Koyanagi (Boxing): Max Guren Heart (Wrestling) and Nagi Shiraishi (Mixed Martia...
Utawarerumono: The False Faces ‒ Episode 18
"Like all the episodes before it, this installment of U2warerumono does a pretty poor job of detailing how Haku feels about much of anything."
Japanese Anime Fans Pick Which Characters They Want to Get Valentines From
Wide spread, though K-ON! is popular
― Valentine's Day is approaching, and in Japan that means women must give chocolates to their male coworkers, colleagues, classmates or friends. But of course there's a romantic element to it still, and men daydream about getting fine chocolate from their secret crushes. The college student-oriented website My Navi Gakusei no Madoguchi polled 205 male college stud...
Luck & Logic ‒ Episode 5
"The human equivalent of Luck & Logic would be an attractive face who can't express an original thought to save their life."
Jūhan Shuttai! Manga Gets Live-Action TV Series in April
Show about manga production stars Haru Kuroki, Joe Odagiri, Kentaro Sakaguchi, more
― A live-action television series adaptation of Naoko Matsuda's Jūhan Shuttai! (Second Print Run Confirmed!) manga has been green-lit. The show will premiere on TBS in April on Tuesdays. The show's cast includes: Haru Kuroki as protagonist and newbie editor Kokoro Kurosawa Joe Odagiri as "Vibes" magazine editor-in-chi...
Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū ‒ Episode 5
"While it's not for everyone, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju easily continues to be the most challenging anime of the year so far."
Learn How to Draw Character Designs with Kill la Kill's Syūichi Iseki
Course oriented towards aspiring animators
― In December 2015 and January 2016, animator Syūichi Iseki (Kill la Kill, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, The Mystic Archives of Dantalian) taught an online course on character design. That course is now available for purchase. The course is divided into four parts. Part 1 is an introduction and discusses the differences between character design for anim...
Haikyu!! Second Season ‒ Episode 18
"It wasn't a stretch of the imagination to think that this week's episode of Haikyu!! would be a tense one."
GATE ‒ Episode 17
"GATE excels here because it successfully generates a heavy degree of tension despite the viewer being reasonably sure that none of the main characters are going to buy the farm."
Joshiraku Creators Launch Nankuru Nee-san Manga
Series about young man who worries too much debuted on Friday
― The third issue of Kodansha's Young Magazine the Third magazine launched a new manga by Joshiraku creators Koji Kumeta (story) and Yasu (art) on Friday. The new manga is titled Nankuru Nee-san (pictured at right with image of girl holding flowers). The manga follows Issa Kinishi, a young man who worries and concerns himself too much over...
Aichi Prefecture to Build Major Convention Center at Nagoya Airport
Could it be home to Comiket in 2020?
― The 2020 Olympics has thrown the future of Comic Market (or Comiket), Japan's biggest dōjinshi convention, into doubt. Tokyo Big Sight and Makuhari Messe, Tokyo's biggest convention centers, have been earmarked to hold Olympics events. There is a scarcity of other suitable events spaces in the Tokyo area. A Comiket questionnaire recently asked dōjin circles whet...
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 Video Shows Off Adventure Mode
PS4/Xbox One/PC game ships in N. America on February 9
― Bandai Namco Entertainment began streaming an introduction video for its Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 game, hosted by CyberConnect2's CEO Hiroshi Matsuyama, on Wednesday. In the video, Matsuyama explains the new third mode, adventure mode, which allows players to freely explore Konoha and Suna villages and perform missions. Meeting ...
Take a Closer Look at Pokémon's 20th Anniversary Nendoroids
The Pokémon Company International kicked off 2016 with a series of announcements to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Pokémon Red & Blue. Included in that announcement were Nendoroids of the game's classic starters' evolutions and protagonist. The first of these Nendoroids are the characters Red, his rival Green, and Mew. They also come with a backpack and two Pokéball accessories. Both character...
Steins;Gate Creator Teases 'Science Visual Novel' Anonymous;Code in Video
Chiyomaru Shikura opens site with new video about hacker facing truth of the world's existence
― The teaser website for Anonymous;Code, the first standalone title from MAGES. President Chiyomaru Shikura's Chiyomaru Studio, opened on Saturday. The website is streaming a new teaser video for this "science visual novel." The story begins on February 6, 2036 at 06:28:15, when New York, London, Shanghai, ...
Mr. Osomatsu Coverage Leads to Pash! Magazine's Highest Ever 1st Printing of 100,000
March issue has Mr. Osomatsu cover, cast & staff interviews, clear file, poster
― Publisher Shufu-to-Seikatsu Sha is printing over 100,000 copies for the March issue of its monthly anime magazine Pash! on February 10. This is the magazine's highest first printing since it switched to a monthly schedule in 2012. The March issue features the Mr. Osomatsu anime on its cover, and the first special featur...
More Details Revealed for Toukiden 2 Game's Open World Gameplay
Sequel to March 2014 action game slated for this year
― Kadokawa's Famitsu.com website revealed an excerpt on Thursday from this week's Weekly Famitsu issue that highlights the features and combat of Koei Tecmo's upcoming Toukiden 2 action game. Players will be able to explore an open world, where they will see the culture of the mononofu (called "slayers" in the English release of the original game)...
UQ Holder! GN 2
UQ Holder maintains its polish and consistency, but has yet to truly find its voice in this second volume.
― In many ways, UQ Holder feels like the series Ken Akamatsu has been wanting to write for most of his career. His first major hit, Love Hina, started off as a traditional harem series, with serial failure Keitaro Urashima finding himself the manager of a lady's dorm and comedy predictably ensui...
GTO's Tohru Fujisawa Ends Soul Reviver South Manga
Series began in 2014 after end of original Soul Reviver manga
― This year's March issue of Shogakukan's Monthly Hero's magazine published the final chapter of Tohru Fujisawa's Soul Reviver South manga on Monday. The third and final volume will ship in Japan this spring. The magazine asked readers to await Fujisawa's next work. The story takes place in Okinawa and begins with 19-year-old Naki Kamisato...
Initial D Creator: If I Do a Sequel, It Will Be About Rally Racing
Creator is currently drawing Sailor Ace about girls' baseball
― Manga creator Shuuichi Shigeno said in an interview on Friday that if he makes a sequel to his Initial D manga, he would like it to be about rally racing as opposed to highway racing. "When Initial D was starting, I considered highway racing and rally racing," Shigeno said. "From here on I'd like to continue drawing manga, and if I do an...
Dagashi Kashi ‒ Episode 5
Dagashi Kashi pulled off another solid episode this week, and at this point seems to have largely figured out its own comic rhythm.
Magico's Naoki Iwamoto Designs Next Battle Spirits Anime
Battle Spirits Double Drive manga previewed as Burning Soul manga ends
― The March issue of Shueisha's Saikyō Jump magazine announced on Friday that Battle Spirits Double Drive, the next television anime series inspired by Bandai's Battle Spirits card game, will premiere on six TV Tokyo network stations this spring. Manga creator Naoki Iwamoto (Saikyō Jump's magico) drafted the original character des...
Valkyria Chronicles Remastered RPG's Video Previews Battle System
HD remaster for PS4 ships in Japan on February 10, in the West this spring
― Sega began streaming a battle system introduction video on Thursday for its Valkyria Chronicles Remastered PlayStation 4 game. Previous videos have introduced the game's story, world, and characters. Sega will release the game in North America and Europe this spring. The remastered edition features: HD "CANVAS" Graphics Engi...
Tekken 7: Fated Retribution Arcade Game's Introduction Trailer Streamed
Location tests start on February 12 with updated game hitting arcades this summer
― The official website for Bandai Namco Entertainment's Tekken 7: Fated Retribution arcade game began streaming an introduction trailer for the game on Saturday. The video reveals that the game is slated to hit arcades this summer. Tekken 7: Fated Retribution is an update for Tekken 7 that will include a graphics update...
Fields: New Ultraman Series to Premiere in July
Ultraman X TV seres garners around 400 million views overseas
― Fields Corporation, the parent company of Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd., revealed in a financial presentation on February 1 that a new Ultraman series will premiere in July. The report did not mention any other information about the new series. The report did add that the Ultraman X series (pictured at right) has received approximately...
1st Danganronpa Stage Play Returns in June With New Cast
Kanata Hongou reprises lead in June play with Yūichi Nakamura
― Theatrical troupe CORNFLAKES announced during the final performance of the Super Danganronpa 2 ~Sayonara Zetsubo Gakuen~ (Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair Academy) stage play in December that the first Danganronpa stage play is returning to the stage with a new cast and director. The play's full title is Danganronpa The Stage 2016 ~Kibō no...
2016 Soreike! Anpanman Film's Title, July 2 Premiere Unveiled
Film features motif from late Anpanman creator's song "Yūki no Runda"
― The 28th and newest film in the Anpanman anime franchise will be titled Soreike! Anpanman Omocha no Hoshi no Nanda to Runda (Let's Go! Anpanman: Nanda and Runda of the Toy Star), and it will open in Japan on July 2. The film's heroine is the high-class clockwork girl Runda who comes from the toy star. Runda is a spoiled girl who ...
Nippon Ichi Software Opens Teaser Site for New Project
Nippon Ichi Software opened a teaser website for a new project on Friday. The website contains a teaser video but does not reveal the title. Nippon Ichi Software released an 8-bit style RPG ClaDun: This is an RPG for PlayStation Portable in 2010 and a sequel, ClaDun X2, in 2011. [Via Gematsu]
Square Enix Considers PS Vita Adventures of Mana Release in the West
Final Fantasy Adventure remake launched for iOS, Android on Thursday
― Square Enix responded on its official blog on Friday to requests for a PlayStation Vita release of its Adventures of Mana game in the West. The game's development team issued a message: Thank you for all of your comments on a PS Vita edition of Adventures of Mana. We've been listening to your feedback and because of your passion f...
Friday, February 5
XSEED Games Releases Popolocrois Story Manga in English Digitally
3-volume series debuted in 1981
― XSEED Games' official website for the Return to PoPoLoCrois: A Story of Seasons Fairytale (PoPoLoCrois Bokujō Monogatari) Nintendo 3DS game began publishing an English translation of Yohsuke Tamori's Popolocrois Story (Popolocrois Monogatari) manga on Thursday. The manga is available for free, and it marks the series' first English release. The series served as Tamor...
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash's 'Episode 2.5' Video Previews Bath Scene
TV anime's 1st BD/DVD release ships with OVA on March 16
― TOHO Animation began streaming an "avant" video for the Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash anime's "Episode 2.5" original video anime (OVA) on Friday. The video previews a scene in the OVA, titled "Furo no Kabe ni Kaketa Seishun--One More Centimeter" (Youth Hung on the Bath Wall--One More Centimeter), in which Yume and Shihoru are taking a bath while...
Columbia Records Marks Dragon Ball's 30th Anniversary with CD Set
Dragon Ball anime series is in the middle of its 30th anniversary celebrations. V Jump published the Dragon Ball 30th Anniversary Super History Book, a look back at 30 years of one of Japan's most famous manga anime. Columbia Records is also celebrating with a three disc CD and DVD set. The track line up for the CD is still forthcoming, but Columbia did announce the seven videos included on the D...
Return to PoPoLoCrois 3DS Game's Trailer Shows Game's Features
PoPoLoCrois Monogatari, Bokujō Monogatari crossover game features farming, undertaking quests
― North American localizer and publisher XSEED Games began streaming an announcement trailer on Thursday for its upcoming North American release of Epics' Return to PoPoLoCrois: A Story of Seasons Fairytale (PoPoLoCrois Bokujō Monogatari) Nintendo 3DS game. The video confirms the game's March 1 release date....
Funimation Announces Psycho-Pass Film's Theatrical Dates
2015 film to run in 100+ theaters in N. America on March 15, 16
― Funimation confirmed on Friday that it will screen the Psycho-Pass film in more than 100 theaters in the United States and Canada on March 15 and 16. Advance tickets will be available beginning on February 18. The English dub cast includes: Kate Oxley as Akane Tsunemori Robert McCollum as Shinya Kogami Josh Grelle as Nobuchika Ginoza C...
New PreCure Illustration Collection Chronicles Heroines From Original to Latest
From Futari wa Pretty Cure in 2004 to this year's Mahō Tsukai Precure!, Toei's giant magical girl franchise has introduced 12 television series and even more tie-in films. An upcoming illustration collection will take fans through the timeline with 78 pages full of sketches, commentary, and artwork. Bonus posters are included in the back of the book. Futago Kamikita×All Precure Illustration Colle...
Kamen Rider Battride Genesis Game's Video Introduces More Heisei-Era Riders
10 Kamen Riders previewed for February 25 game
― Bandai Namco Entertainment began streaming a new promotional video on Thursday for the Kamen Rider Battride War Genesis crossover game. The video introduces more Heisei-Era Kamen Rider characters who starred in various Kamen Rider TV series. The video previews the following Kamen Riders in action: Kamen Rider Kabuto Kamen Rider Gatack Kamen Rider Den-O...
Arina Tanemura to Begin New Manga in March
Full Moon O Sagashite creator ended Neko to Watashi no Kinyōbi in November
― This year's fifth issue of Shueisha's Margaret magazine announced on Friday that Arina Tanemura (Full Moon O Sagashite, Phantom Thief Jeanne, The Gentlemen's Alliance Cross) will launch a new manga series. The manga will begin in the magazine's eighth issue on March 19. The magazine teases the manga as a "fantasy love" story...
Cerevo Inc's Psycho-Pass Dominator Gets Release Date
Cerevo Inc. first introduced its impressive replica of The Dominator from Psycho-Pass last summer. Originally dubbed the Dominator Maxi, the highly-realistic prop includes lights, sounds from the anime series, and an expanding Eliminator mode. The Cerevo version goes above and beyond previous Dominators created by Bandai's Proplica line and Ichiban Kuji's release with a camera viewer and wireless...
Lupin the Third (TV 2015) ‒ Episode 18
"This episode feels like the beginning of the series' grand finale."
Naruto Shippuden ‒ Episode 447
"Yet another entertaining story arc and iconic villain have fallen victim to the whims of a terrible (and apparently clairvoyant) author."
Shimauma Manga Gets Live-Action Film in May Starring Ryō Ryūsei
Kenta Suga, Kyoko Hinami, Masaya Kato also star in film of Fumio Obata manga
― Toei announced on Friday that it is producing a live-action film adaptation of Fumio Obata's Shimauma manga. The film will open in Japan on May 21. Toei opened a website for the film, which is streaming a teaser for the film that reveals the film's main cast. The film's main cast includes (photos above, from left to right)...
Japanese University Tests Aspiring Students Using JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
"How many countries did the Joestar group pass through?
― It's college entrance exam season in Japan, and high school seniors are flipping through textbooks and study guides and crunching out math problems long into the night. At times like these, it's best to put down the manga and focus on your studies, right? Well, one university shows that a little understanding of manga can be educational too. ...
Himitsu - The Top Secret Film Opens in Japan on August 6
The official website for the live-action film of Reiko Shimizu's Himitsu - The Top Secret psychological science-fiction manga revealed the film's opening date of August 6. The mystery manga takes place in Japan five decades from now. Brain scanners have been perfected to the point that the government can retrieve up to five years' worth of memories from people's minds — even if they are dead. As t...
Love Live! Anime's English Dub to Premiere on US TV Tonight
English cast announced for 9:00 p.m. broadcast on Mnet America
― Asian entertainment television network Mnet America and North American anime distributor NIS America announced on Friday that the English dub of the Love Live! School Idol Festival anime will begin airing on the US network at 9:00 p.m. EST. Both the first and second season will air, with new episodes debuting on Fridays. The network is ...
Fire Emblem Fates Video Shows English Version Without 'Petting' Feature
Face-to-face animation, support bonuses still included
― Video game news website Polygon posted a 2.5 hour gameplay video for the English version of Fire Emblem Fates on Thursday. The video includes the section of the game where the "petting" feature has been removed for the western release. In the Japanese version, the player must "pet"one of their party member's face by rubbing on the screen or tap...
Compile Heart, Idea Factory, IFI Reveal Black Rose Valkyrie PS4 Game
Kousuke Fujishima designs characters, Takumi Miyajima writes scenario for new game
― Compile Heart, Idea Factory, and Idea Factory International announced on Tuesday that they are developing a new PlayStation 4 game titled Black Rose Valkyrie (Kuro Bara Valkyrie). The project is part of the new brand titled IDEA FACTORY INTERNATIONAL, and the game marks the first time Idea Factory's California-based ...
ERASED, Durarara!!, Dagashikashi Top Ranked for Winter 2016
We're four weeks into the Winter 2016 anime season. Japanese fans on Charapedia and Nico Nico Douga weighed in on their most anticipated shows in December, selecting Assassination Classroom and ERASED, respectively. Anime News Network readers also weighed in, selecting Assassination Classroom as the #1 choice, followed by Durarara!!×2 Ketsu, Snow White with the Red Hair, Ajin, and Fairy Tail Zero....
One Piece ‒ Episode 728
"Fourth Gear lovers rejoice as the action picks back up with our new Bounceman Luffy continuing to wale on Doflamingo as the two trade blows and flex their Devil Fruit-y muscles."
Exclusive: Discotek Licenses 8 Man After OVA
Series to be available for 1st time with English subtitles
― Discotek Media announced on ANNCast on Friday that it has licensed the four-episode original video anime (OVA) 8 Man After. The company plans to release a DVD with all four episodes with English and Japanese audio. Streamline Entertainment licensed the OVA and Image Entertainment released the OVA on DVD in 2001 with an English dub track onl...
Answerman - Why Are Americans In Anime Always Blonde?
One reader wants to know why Americans in anime are almost always portrayed as blonde-haired and blue-eyed. Justin Sevakis, a non-blonde American, explains.
― Dana asks: My question is how Americans are labeled in anime. I have read and seen a lot of anime and manga. In all of them, Americans are all drawn being blonde and blue eyed. This just irks me sometimes. I'm American and I have brown hair an...
Final Code Geass: Akito the Exiled Episode's 1st 10 Minutes Streamed
5th & final episode to open in 36 theaters in Japan on Saturday
― The official website for the Code Geass: Akito the Exiled anime project began streaming the first 10 minutes from "Itoshiki Mono-tachi e" (To Beloved Ones), the fifth and final episode of the series, on Saturday. The episode will open in Japan in 36 theaters in Japan on Saturday, February 6, after being delayed from its original fall 2...
Assassination Classroom season 2 ‒ Episode 5
"This series is good enough that I'd like to see it take a few more risks, which is why I'm hoping we'll see more of Asano this season."
Ghibli's Isao Takahata to Receive Annie Awards' Lifetime Achievement Award
Director says he has "several projects" in mind he's currently working on, but might not be finalized
― Entertainment news website Variety announced on Thursday that Studio Ghibli's co-founder Isao Takahata will receive the Winsor McCay Award for lifetime achievement at the 43rd Annie Awards on Saturday. Takahata will receive the award alongside Phil Roman (Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown's co-dire...
Kitaro's Shigeru Mizuki, Singer Ichiro Mizuki Win TAAF's Lifetime Achievement Award
North Star helmer Toyoo Ashida, Jungle Emperor voice Yoshiko Ohta, Flanders writer Yoshiaki Yoshida, more also honored
― The staff of the Tokyo Anime Award Festival (TAAF) event announced the winners of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award on Thursday: Character Designer/Director Toyoo Ashida (Cyborg 009, Space Battleship Yamato, Vampire Hunter D) Sound Director Yasuo Urakami (Doraemon television a...
Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū Manga to End in 10th Volume
Crunchyroll currently streams TV anime adaptation of manga
― The ninth volume of Haruko Kumota's Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū manga revealed on Friday that the manga's 10th volume will be its last. The announcement reveals the 10th volume will ship this summer. The manga's story revolves around a mature prisoner who was released on good behavior during Japan's Showa Genroku era (1960s to early 1970s)....
Gen Urobuchi, Good Smile Company Launch Thunderbolt Fantasy Puppet TV Series
Japanese/Taiwanese collaboration starring Kousuke Toriumi, Junichi Suwabe premieres this summer
― Nitroplus, Good Smile Company, and Taiwanese company PILI launched a website on Friday to announce Thunderbolt Fantasy: Tōriken Kōki, a new puppet TV series that will premiere this summer. Gen Urobuchi (Madoka Magica, Fate/Zero, Psycho-Pass, Aldnoah.Zero) is credited with the show's original work, and is...
Naruto Shippūden: Itachi Shinden-hen TV Anime's Teaser Video Streamed
Naruto spinoff anime about Itachi Uchiha premieres on March 3
― The official website of the Naruto Shippūden anime began streaming a 30-second teaser video on Friday for the television anime adaptation of the Naruto spinoff novels Itachi Shinden. The end of the video features Itachi saying the phrase, "I will take the light." The anime will premiere on March 3. The title of the anime when it was anno...
Crunchyroll Adds Saint Seiya Hades Anime, More Square Enix Manga Volumes, Android TV App
Media distribution service Crunchyroll announced this week that it has added Saint Seiya Hades to its anime catalog, and it is also adding compiled volumes of select Square Enix titles to its manga catalog. Crunchyroll also announced that the Crunchyroll App is now available on Android TV. Crunchyroll added Saint Seiya Hades to its catalog on Wednesday, and the anime is available for members in th...
Naruto Stage Musical Runs Again in Tokyo, Osaka This Summer
Kōdai Matsuoka, Ryūji Satō to reprise respective roles as Naruto, Sasuke
― The Live Spectacle Naruto stage musical that ran last year will have another run this summer. The play will run first at the AiiA 2.5 Theater Tokyo, followed by performances at the Umeda Arts Theater in Osaka. Kōdai Matsuoka and Ryūji Satō will reprise their roles as Naruto and Sasuke, respectively. The musical covers the mang...
Macross Delta Gets 4 Manga, Novelization, New Visual, April Premiere
Kei Ichimonji, Tatsuwo, Shion Mizuki, Azuki Fuji write spinoff manga, Ukyō Kodachi pens novel
― The official website of the Macross Delta television anime unveiled a new visual for the anime on Friday. The visual, drawn by the anime's character designer Chisato Mita, reveals the anime's April premiere on the Tokyo MX and BS11 channels, and features the characters Hayate Immelmann, Freyja Wion, and Mi...
Flying Witch Anime Casts Minami Shinoda, Eri Suzuki, Shinsuke Sugawara
Character designs also previewed for anime premiering in April
― The official website for the television anime of Chihiro Ishizuka's Flying Witch manga revealed the main cast and character designs on Friday. Minami Shinoda as Makoto Kowata Eri Suzuki as Chinatsu Kuramoto, Makoto's cousin who lives with her in the Kuramoto household Shinsuke Sugawara as Kei Kuramoto, Chinatsu's older brother The comic...
Ace Attorney Anime's April 2 Premiere Revealed
The official website for the television anime of CAPCOM's Ace Attorney (Gyakuten Saiban) games has revealed the anime's April 2 premiere date. The Crank In! website describes the anime's full title as Gyakuten Saiban: Sono "Shinjitsu," Igi Ari! (Ace Attorney: That "Truth," Is Objection!), but the Akiba Sōken website describes "Sono 'Shinjitsu,' Igi Ari!" as the anime's tagline. The anime's officia...
Sentai Filmworks Announces Wizard Barristers' English Dub Cast
Brittney Karbowski, Rob Mungle, Kira Vincent Davis, Shelley Calene-Black star
― Sentai Filmworks announced the English dub cast for the Wizard Barristers television anime on Thursday. The cast, under director Christopher Ayres, includes: Cecil Sudou Brittney Karbowski Nanagenie Rob Mungle Natsuna Hotaru Kira Vincent Davis Ageha Chono Shelley Calene-Black Seseri Chono Mark X Laskowski Mitsuhisa Hachiy...
Creature Designer Yasushi Nirasawa Passes Away
52-year old designer worked on Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, Dragon's Heaven
― The official Twitter account of creature designer, modeler, and illustrator Yasushi Nirasawa announced on Friday that he had passed away due to kidney failure on Tuesday. He was 52. Nirasawa started out as an assistant of illustrator Makoto Kobayashi, and debuted in the Hobby Japan Extra magazine in 1987 with a remodeled ki...
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