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The X Button - Interview: Return to PopoloCrois
This week, we talk with XSEED’s Tom Lipschultz about the wonders of Return to PopoloCrois: A Story of Seasons Fairy Tale! Plus Black Rose Valkyrie, Bravely Second, and a retro-gaming debacle.
― A new Nintendo Direct airs later today, well after this column regularly shows its face. So I'll do what any proper pundit does: I'll make predictions. And when the Nintendo Direct actually broadcasts and con...
Win a 1-Year Loot Crate Subscription
We're giving away 6 subscriptions to Loot Crates new anime crate: Loot Anime.
― Loot Crate does anime! And you can win a 1-year subscription to Loot Anime. A Monthly Crate of Anime & Manga Gear Loot Anime is a monthly mystery bundle of figures, collectibles, manga, apparel, accessories and more from some of your favorite anime and manga series with a new theme every month! $60+ value in every crate! ...
My Hero Academia GN 3
My Hero Academia takes a few chapters to catch its breath before charging towards the next arc in this relatively low-key third volume.
― My Hero Academia's second volume was a whirlwind of challenges and cliffhangers and punches, cramming a full day of two-on-two hero battles and an unexpected attack by actual villains into a few action-packed chapters. The manga's third volume unsurprisingly can't ...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of Feb 19-25
In a shocking twist, Active Raid climbs up the chart and threatens the top spots! How did the rest of your favorite Winter 2016 anime perform in our weekly user rankings?
― 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...
Behind the Scenes!! GN 1
Bisco Hatori's new series is here, and it's no Ouran knock-off, despite some superficial similarities. It also hasn't quite gotten off the ground yet, but it has potential.
― For everyone who thinks they're weird, there's someone even stranger to help put things in perspective. That's how it works in fiction, anyway, and for the hero of Bisco Hatori's new series, it all turns out to be a question of ...
Shelf Life - Lord Marksman and Vanadis
It's all big swords, big fantasy, and big... well, adventure in Lord Marksman and Vanadis, and Paul's never been readier for it. PLUS: This week's new releases, and a new collection to admire!
― I took a look at the promo clips from the Terraformars live-action movie the other day. I'm not sure they made want to see the whole film, but they did make me briefly consider going back and rewatching Star...
Blast of Tempest
Blast of Tempest weaves a wild tale of love, magic, and revenge, though its high ambitions aren’t necessarily matched by its execution.
― You have to admire the confidence of a show that not only names itself after one of Shakespeare's greatest plays, but also quotes the bard directly on an episodic basis. That's about as bold of a choice as you can make - not just subtly riffing on classic tragedies...
Thursday, March 3
ERASED/Boku dake ga Inai Machi Manga Gets Spinoff in June
Original manga concluded on Friday; 8th volume ships on May 2
― The April issue of Kadokawa's Young Ace magazine revealed on Friday that Kei Sanbe will begin serializing a spinoff of his Boku dake ga Inai Machi manga in the magazine's July issue on June 4. The spinoff is tentatively titled Boku dake ga Inai Machi Gaiden. Kei Sanbe concluded the original manga in this Friday's issue of Young Ace, and ...
Assassination Classroom season 2 ‒ Episode 9
"While the dreaded career survey has long been a popular plot device in anime, Assassination Classroom puts its own twist on the old formula."
Eiichiro Oda Supervised Line Art For One Piece Film Gold Video
Video promotes Toho cinemas; will begin appearing in theaters on Saturday
― The official website of the upcoming One Piece Film Gold anime film began streaming a special video on Friday. The video, which features line art supervised by One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda, promotes Toho cinemas, and features the previously shown "black leather" outfits of the characters in the film. The video will begin pl...
Attack on Titan Characters Trick-or-Treat Early in Latest Game
Eren has already tried his luck as a LAWSON employee. Now the Survey Corps. member and his cohorts are celebrating Halloween early courtesy of a new costume pack in KOEI Tecmo Games' Attack on Titan console game. The characters suit up as classic monsters like werewolves, vampires, and witches. Armin appears to be a pumpkin-pants gentleman of some sort. The new DLC is 350 yen per costume or 1,200 ...
Japan's Animation TV Ranking, February 15-21
The File of Young Kindaichi Returns, Dragon Ball Super, Yo-kai Watch, Maho Tsukai Precure! in top 10
― The live-action drama based on Saburō Megumi's Fragile - Byōrii Kishi Keiichirō no Shoken (Fragile - The Finds of Pathologist Keiichirō Kishi) manga aired on Fuji TV on Wednesday, February 24 at 10:00 p.m. and earned a 9.8% rating. Title Station Date Time Length Average Household Rating Sazae-san Fu...
My Hero Academia Casts Eri Kitamura, Kōsuke Kuwano, Kei Shindou, Masakazu Nishida
TV anime of Kōhei Horikoshi's superhero manga debuts April 3
― This year's 14th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine is announcing four more voice cast members in the television anime of Kōhei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia (Boku no Hero Academia) manga on Monday: Eri Kitamura as Mina Ashido Kōsuke Kuwano (Fushigi Yugi, Prince of Tennis musicals) as Yūga Aoyama Kei Shindou as Kyōka Jirō Masa...
Naruto Shippuden ‒ Episode 451
"After putting the main story on the backburner for half a year, the producers decide to throw us a bone and show us what's happening in the “real” world."
Haruchika – Haruta & Chika ‒ Episode 9
"There have definitely been more exciting episodes of HaruChika, but this stands out as one of the easiest to recommend to more traditional "mystery" fans."
Twin Star Exorcists Anime Casts Jun Fukuyama as Original Character
Tomoaki Maeno, Daisuke Namikawa, Kaito Ishikawa also join cast for anime premiering April 6
― The official website for the television anime of Yoshiaki Sukeno's Twin Star Exorcists (Sōsei no Onmyōji) manga revealed the anime's premiere date, new key visual, and additional cast members on Friday. The series will premiere on TV Tokyo on Wednesday, April 6 at 6:25 p.m. It will also air on TV Osaka, TV ...
Simpson Motorcycle Helmets Are Latest to Collab with Bakuon!! Anime
The upcoming TV and OAV anime adaptation of Mimana Orimoto's Bakuon!! manga is tying up a bunch of deals with real motorcycle clubs and merchandise companies. The series is adding the NORIX SIMPSON motorcycle helmet. The character Raimu Kawasaki will wear the helmet in the show. NORIX joins Kawasaki, Suzuki, Ducati, Honda, and YAMAHA motorcycle manufacturers. Real bikes made by the companies are b...
Flying Witch Anime's 2nd Promo Previews Opening Theme Song
Singer for theme song featuring 96 Neko will be announced at later date
― The official website for the television anime of Chihiro Ishizuka's Flying Witch manga streaming the anime's second promotional video on Friday. The video introduces the main cast and previews the opening theme song "Shanranran feat. 96 Neko" by an as-yet-unannounced artist. 96 Neko (pronounced "kuro neko," meaning "black cat")...
Kickstarter-Funded Urbance Animated Pilot Posted
Animation director Hiroshi Shimizu collaborated on Franco-Japanese project
― Conceptual art company Steambot began streaming the pilot film for Jöel Dos Reis Viegas, Sébastien Larroudé, Franco-Japanese animation studio Yapiko Animation, and Hiroshi Shimizu's "Urbance" animation project on Wednesday. The pilot was previously made available to Kickstarter backers and screened at festivals, but is now a...
Cutie Honey Gets New Live-Action Film Starring Mariya Nishiuchi
Cutie Honey -Tears- slated for this fall
― Go Nagai's Cutie Honey manga is inspiring a new live-action film titled Cutie Honey -Tears- this fall. Mariya Nishiuchi (live-action Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo, Switch Girl) will star in the film. Asai Takeshi (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex opening) is directing the film and Shirogumi Inc.'s Ryo Higuchi is the VFX director. The film's near-future ...
Award-Winning One Piece Kabuki Play Inspires Figure, Official Merch
The award-winning Kabuki stage play based on Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga was a hit with both critics and fans during its run last year. So much so, the play returned this year for runs in both Osaka and Fukuoka. MegaHouse's Portrait of Pirate (P.O.P.) figure line is commemorating the performance with a 1/8-scale Luffy figure wearing his Kabuki regalia from the Osaka performances. The Kabuki Ed...
ERASED ‒ Episode 9
"ERASED continues to be a propulsive, well-directed, and generally thoughtful thriller."
Tonkatsu DJ Agetaro TV Anime Premieres on April 10
The official Twitter account for the television anime adaptation of author Ipyao and artist Yūjirō Koyama's Tonkatsu DJ Agetarou manga revealed on Thursday that the anime will premiere on Tokyo MX on April 10 at 10:15 p.m. The anime will also air on Yomiuri TV, Chukyo TV, and BS11. Akitaro Daichi (Sexy Commando Gaiden: Sugoi yo!! Masaru-san, Fruits Basket) is directing the anime at Studio DEEN (Fa...
Active Raid ‒ Episode 9
"Active Raid pulled off another strong episode this week, and did it even while moving Logos' very silly organization to the forefront."
Ghibli Museum Will Require ID Verification Starting in July
Move intended to discourage scalpers; museum closes for 2+ months for maintenance
― The official website of the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo announced on Tuesday that, beginning in July, it will begin asking visitors for identification before entry. Visitors whose name does not match the name used to purchase the ticket will be turned away. The move is intended to discourage scalpers who purchase tickets a...
New Power Rangers Film's 1st Visual Unveiled
Media news source Entertainment Weekly published the first photograph of the main cast of the new Power Rangers film in costume on Thursday. The film stars R.J. Cyler as the Blue Ranger Billy, Naomi Scott as the Pink Ranger Kimberly, Ludi Lin as the Black Ranger Zack, Dacre Montgomery as the Red Ranger Jason, and Becky Gomez as the Yellow Ranger Trini. In addition, Elizabeth Banks will play Rita R...
Moto Hagio's Sci-Fi Artwork Gets Exhibit in Tokyo
Moto Hagio, the creator of classic manga works like The Heart of Thomas and They Were 11, is getting her own exhibit this month dedicated to her sci-fi works. The "Moto Hagio Sci-Fi Original Space Play Exhibition, Fly Into a Different World" will open on April 9 at the Kichijoji Art Museum in Mushashino, Tokyo. The exhibit will focus on Hagio's Star Red, Hyakuoku no Hiru to Senoku no Yoru, They We...
P.A. Works' Kuromukuro Anime Unveils Ending Theme Performer, Additional Cast, Premiere Date
Michi to perform ending theme song for anime premiering April 7
― The official Twitter account for for Kuromukuro, the 15th anniversary project of the anime studio P.A. Works, announced the premiere date, ending theme song performer, additional cast, and mecha designs on Thursday. The anime will premiere on Thursday April 7 on Tokyo MX at 10:00 p.m. It will also air on KBS Kyoto, Sun TV, BS11, and ot...
Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma Manga's 19th Volume Bundles Original Anime
19th volume slated for July 4
― The official website of Yūto Tsukuda and Shun Saeki's Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma manga revealed on Tuesday that the manga's 19th volume will bundle an original anime DVD on July 4. The anime will follow Sōma and his friends on a short summer vacation before the Autumn Elections. The anime will be 25 minutes long. The manga's 18th volume will bundle the Shokugeki no S...
Seisen Cerberus TV Anime Previews Suzuko Mimori's Ending Theme in Promo Video
Anime based on mobile game premieres on April 4
― TV Tokyo began streaming a video on Thursday for Seisen Cerberus: Ryūkoku no Fatalite, the television anime adaptation of GREE's Seisen Cerberus mobile game. The video previews the show's animation and Suzuko Mimori's ending theme song "Xenotopia." Mimori's sixth single featuring the song will ship on May 25. Pony Canyon is also streaming a 90-second ...
AnimEigo's Riding Bean Kickstarter to Launch on Sunday
Initial goal listed at US$30,000 to release anime on BD
― AnimEigo founder and CEO Robert J. Woodhead announced on his official Twitter account on Wednesday that AnimEigo's planned Kickstarter campaign for a "High Octane Edition" Blu-ray Disc release for Riding Bean will launch on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. EST. Woodhead also shared a preview of the campaign's Kickstarter page, which currently shows a plann...
The X Button - Interview: Return to PopoloCrois
This week, we talk with XSEED’s Tom Lipschultz about the wonders of Return to PopoloCrois: A Story of Seasons Fairy Tale! Plus Black Rose Valkyrie, Bravely Second, and a retro-gaming debacle.
― A new Nintendo Direct airs later today, well after this column regularly shows its face. So I'll do what any proper pundit does: I'll make predictions. And when the Nintendo Direct actually broadcasts and con...
Myriad Colors Phantom World ‒ Episode 9
"So at this point the expectation for the series is no longer “when is the plot going to get rolling?” and instead “what gimmick is the series going to play around with next?”
Fairy Tail Stage Play Reveals Misaki Momose in Costume as Wendy
Play based on Hiro Mashima's manga 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 Misaki Momose in costume as Wendy Marvell on Wednesday. The website previously revealed visuals for the following cast members: D-BOYS actor Shuuto Miyazaki as Natsu Atsushi Shiramata as Gray Hirofumi Araki as Jellal Kento Ono as ...
KonoSuba – God's blessing on this wonderful world!! ‒ Episode 8
"The comedy effectiveness of KonoSuba has varied greatly from episode to episode. This is one of the “up” episodes."
New Japan Pro-Wrestling Plans Tiger Mask Anime
Organization's wrestlers to appear in anime of Ikki Kajiwara's wrestling hero classic
― The New Japan Pro-Wrestling organization's owner Takaaki Kidani (Bushiroad) announced on Thursday that an anime adaptation of Ikki Kajiwara's Tiger Mask manga is in the works. According to the organization, its wrestlers will appear in the project under their own names. They plan to release the anime not only in J...
Akira Amano's ēlDLIVE Manga Gets TV Anime in 2017 by Pierrot
Manga by Reborn! creator centers on boy with alien living inside his body
― Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine opened a website on Thursday to announce that Akira Amano's ēlDLIVE manga is getting a television anime adaptation in 2017. Studio Pierrot (Naruto Shippuden, Twin Star Exorcists) will animate the series. Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ app will reveal more details about the anime in the future. ...
Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE! Stage Play Reveals Transformation Costumes
Stage play adaptation of comedy anime runs in Tokyo on March 10-13
― Marvelous' official website for the stage play adaptation of the Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE! anime updated on Thursday with visuals of the Earth Defense Club and Conquest Club cast members in costume in their transformation costumes (although each transformation costume features the actor facing away from the camera). The cas...
Hai-Furi TV Anime Casts Lynn, Sora Amamiya
2 voice actresses join Shiina Natsukawa in April show by Non Non Biyori's writer, artist
― The official website for the Hai-Furi television anime series announced two more cast members and character designs and descriptions on Wednesday and Thursday. Lynn as Mashiro Munetani (nickname: Shiro-chan), who likes fortune-telling and raw flounder sashimi, but not beef rib meat. She excels at all school sub...
Beat Takeshi Joins Live-Action Ghost in the Shell Film as Daisuke Aramaki
Actor, director, comedian to play Public Security Section 9 chief, founder
― Japanese entertainment news website Cinema Today reported on Thursday that director, comedian, and actor Beat Takeshi (also known as Takeshi Kitano) will play the Public Security Section 9 founder and chief Daisuke Aramaki in Dreamworks and Paramount's live-action Ghost in the Shell film. Kitano said regarding the role that ...
Dōkyūsei/Classmates Boys-Love Anime Film Sells 68,944 Tickets for 101,781,100 Yen
The anime film of Asumiko Nakamura's Dōkyūsei (Classmates) boys-love manga sold 68,944 tickets for 101,781,100 yen (about US$892,000) as of March 1, its 11th day in theeaters. It topped the country's "mini theater ranking" for two weeks in a row, as well as Pia's opening-day satisfaction ranking. The film opened at #9 in the Japanese box office on February 20. It sold 23,395 tickets for 34,308,700...
Comic Natalie: New Cardcaptor Sakura Manga Is A Short Story
The Japanese manga and anime news website Comic Natalie reported on the new Cardcaptor Sakura manga project on Thursday, stating that the manga will be a short story. Comic Natalie did not specify if the manga will be more than one chapter long, but it and the official website for Kodansha's Nakayoshi magazine both use the verb "to publish" regarding the manga instead of the verb "to serialize." T...
Kazuo Koike to Hold Reddit AMA on Thursday
― Manga creator Kazuo Koike will hold an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Reddit on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. EST. Koike will reveal the Reddit URL on his official Twitter account before the AMA takes place. The manga creator's latest project includes a Kickstarter campaign for a motion comic version of Lone Wolf and Cub in Japanese and English. Koike co-created several popular manga titles that have been licen...
Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge Anime's Promo Reveals April 9 Premiere
"Utatane Sunshine" opening theme by Unlimited tone also featured
― The official website for the upcoming television anime adaptation of Nozomi Uda's Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge (Tanaka is Always Listless) manga began streaming a promotional video for the anime on Wednesday. The video reveals the anime's premiere date of April 9, and previews the anime's theme song "Utatane Sunshine" by Unlimited to...
Mushroom Garden Smartphone Game Gets TV Anime in April
Anime stars Haruka Fukuhara, Atsumi Tanezaki, Mayumi Iizuka, more
― Software developer BeeWorks announced on Thursday that its Osawari Tantei Nameko Saibai Kit (Mushroom Garden) smartphone game will receive a television anime adaptation titled Nameko ~Sekai no Tomodachi~ (Nameko ~A Friend of the World~). The anime will premiere on April 10 in NHK E-TV's Nyanchū World Hōsōkyoku Sunday children's telev...
2016 Pokémon Film's Trailer Show's Ash, Volcanion's Connection
Kunihiko Yuyama returns to direct film premiering on July 16
― The official website of the upcoming Pokémon the Movie XY & Z: Volcanion to Karakuri no Magearna (Pokémon the Movie XY & Z: Volcanion and the Tricky Magearna, official English title not yet revealed) film began streaming a trailer and a second teaser trailer for the film on Wednesday. The trailer describes the film's plot, new setting, an...
Eternal Sailor Moon's Weapons Imagined as Pens, Sailor Starlights Get Pullip Dolls
The final season of the Sailor Moon's original TV run is getting its share of merchandise. The Prism Stationary collection, which has turned the characters' magical items into pointers and pens since the 20th anniversary began in 2013, might be wrapping up. The "Eternal Set" includes the Eternal Tiare and the Holy Moon Chalice. The two can be combined to create the Moon Power Tiare. The ball-poin...
Live-Action Terraformars Film's Trailer Previews Theme Song
April 29 film features Sandaime J Soul Brothers from Exile Tribe's "Break of Dawn" song
― The official website for the live-action film of Kenichi Tachibana and Yū Sasuga's science-fiction manga Terraformars began streaming a trailer on Thursday. The trailer features the film's theme song "Break of Dawn" by Sandaime J Soul Brothers from Exile Tribe. The film's staff previously streamed three clips in...
Win a 1-Year Loot Crate Subscription
We're giving away 6 subscriptions to Loot Crates new anime crate: Loot Anime.
― Loot Crate does anime! And you can win a 1-year subscription to Loot Anime. A Monthly Crate of Anime & Manga Gear Loot Anime is a monthly mystery bundle of figures, collectibles, manga, apparel, accessories and more from some of your favorite anime and manga series with a new theme every month! $60+ value in every crate! ...
Wednesday, March 2
Tralfagar Law Gets Gender-Swapped for Sexy P.O.P. Figure
MegaHouse's Portrait of Pirates (P.O.P.) Limited Edition B.B. figure line has included sexy swimsuit versions of Nico Robin, Boa Hancock, and Nami. P.O.P. Limited Edition is just one of 13 collections in the P.O.P line. Previous collections included "Motion Ability Statue," "Edition-Z," "Neo MAXIMUM," "Sailing Again," and more. MegaHouse is now adding "I.R.O (Informal Request ONE PIECE)" to the s...
Romance Novelist Iris Johansen's Stormy Vows Gets Manga Adaptation
New York Times best-selling author Iris Johansen's romance novel Stormy Vows got the manga treatment by Ohzora Publishing. The one volume manga is titled Arashi no Oka de no Chikai and was released on Monday. The author's official website describes the original novel: Fiercely proud of her independence, Brenna Sloan felt her assurance crumble under Michael Donovan's forceful approach. They were bo...
Gintama ‒ Episode 312
"Despite its aesthetic shortcomings, this latest offering manages to briskly move the story along and set the stage for what's sure to be an epic conclusion."
Japanese Comic Ranking, February 22-28
My Love Story!!; The Seven Deadly Sins; Omoi, Omoware, Furi, Furare; Ace of Diamond Act II; ReRe Hello in top 5
― Rank Title Est. Weekly Copies Est. Total Copies Release Date Publisher Author Highest Rank Weeks on List 1 My Love Story!! 11 170,491 170,491 2016/02 Shueisha Story: Kazune Kawahara / Art: Aruko 1 1 2 The Seven Deadly Sins 19 156,215 506,935 2016/02 Kodansha Nakaba Suzuki 1 2 3 Omoi, Omo...
Replace Your Platinum With a Sailor Moon Crystal Credit Card
If you plan to charge your next purchases in Akihabara, Tsutaya's T-Card credit cards will fit right in. The company is releasing two Sailor Moon Crystal credit card designs. One features Sailor Moon herself while the other is a silhouette of the five original Guardians. Applications for the Sailor Moon design will open on April 1. The silhouette design is currently available for order and will s...
Clock Tower Spiritual Successor NightCry's PC Trailer Reveals Spring Release
Clock Tower's Hifumi Kōno, Ju-on/The Grudge's Takashi Shimizu's game met Kickstarter goal last year
― Playism began streaming a trailer for Clock Tower game developer Hifumi Kōno and Ju-on/The Grudge film director Takashi Shimizu's Project Scissors: NightCry point-and-click horror game on Tuesday. The trailer reveals that the game will launch for PC via Playism and Steam this spring. The creators suc...
Prince of Stride: Alternative ‒ Episode 9
"When everyone's upset, what's there to do except go to the pool?"
Marukome Questions the Meaning of 'Kawaii' in Avant-garde Miso Soup Ad
Marukome is a food company best known for its Ryōtei no Aji (First-Class Flavor) miso products not asking existential questions like, "what is 'kawaii' ?" In a new ad, the company tackles the question through the mind of a girl pondering whether it's "cute" or "sexy" or sometimes a little "gross" or "pure." She eventually decides that it is both a fleeting window of time and an eternal concept fro...
Sentai Filmworks Adds Strawberry Marshmallow OVAs
License includes 2007's 3-episode OVA, 2009's 2-episode Strawberry Marshmallow Encore OVA
― Sentai Filmworks announced on Wednesday that it has licensed the three-episode Strawberry Marshmallow OVA and the two-episode Strawberry Marshmallow Encore OVA. The company plans to release them digitally and on home video. The 2007 and 2009 OVAs are sequels to the 2005 television anime. The anime adapted Bara...
Japan's Video Game Rankings, February 22-28
Kamen Rider Battride War Sōsei, Megaman: Legacy Collection, AOKANA games debut
― Japan's Game Ranking: February 22-28 Rank System Title Maker Release Date Weekly Copies Total Copies 4Gamer Reader Review 1PS4 Kamen Rider Battride War Sōsei (Including Limited Editions) Bandai Namco Entertainment February 25 33,195 33,195 60 23DS Megaman: Legacy Collection Capcom February 25 23,942 23,942 3PSV Kamen Rid...
New Power Rangers Film's Premise, Composer, More Staff Revealed
Production began on February 29
― Lionsgate announced on Monday that it has begun production on the new Power Rangers film. The press release reveals a plot premise and additional staff members, including additional writers and the composer. Lionsgate describes the film: Saban's Power Rangers follows five ordinary high school kids who must become something extraordinary when they learn that their sma...
Dōkyūsei/Classmates Boys-Love Anime Film Tops 100 Million Yen
Film opened on 30 screens on February 20
― The official Twitter account for the anime film of Asumiko Nakamura's Dōkyūsei (Classmates) boys-love manga announced on Wednesday that the film has earned more than 100 million yen (about US$881,000) in 11 days of theatrical screenings. The film opened at #9 in the Japanese box office on February 20. It sold 23,395 tickets for 34,308,700 yen (about US$305,6...
Japanese Government Plans to Relax Visa Restrictions on Foreign Animators, Designers
Bill aims at professionals graduating from Japanese schools to work at Japanese companies
― The Japanese government's Council on National Strategic Special Zones, chaired by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, met on Wednesday to discuss a bill that could relax visa restrictions for foreigners working in Japan's special economic zones as animators, designers, and cosmetics professionals. The current Japanese ...
Answerman - Who Actually "Owns" An Anime?
If you aren't familiar with what a production committee is, it's one of the most crucial components of the anime production pipeline. Justin lays it all out.
― Chris asks: While watching Clannad for the first time, I noticed that Pony Canyon leads in the production committee (they're listed on top of the credits). Do they own the show, or is it Kyoto Animation's? Is it like how there are higher ups ...
Sports Show to Debut in World Trigger's Current Timeslot
TV Asahi announced in a Wednesday presentation of its April 2016 changes that it will launch a live Sports Sunday program on Sundays from 6:30 to 7:00 a.m. TV Asahi has been airing anime in this timeslot in Tokyo's Kanto region since 2000, and its network of national affiliates have also been airing anime in this timeslot since 2011. World Trigger now runs in this slot. Neither TV Asahi nor World ...
My Hero Academia GN 3
My Hero Academia takes a few chapters to catch its breath before charging towards the next arc in this relatively low-key third volume.
― My Hero Academia's second volume was a whirlwind of challenges and cliffhangers and punches, cramming a full day of two-on-two hero battles and an unexpected attack by actual villains into a few action-packed chapters. The manga's third volume unsurprisingly can't ...
Live-Action Terraformars Film's 3rd Clip With Incomplete CG Streamed
Shun Oguri's Dr. Honda tells Hideaki Itō & Emi Takei's lead characters about Bug Operation
― The staff of the live-action Terraformars film released a third 15-second clip from the film on Monday. The clip features incomplete CG footage. In the scene, Dr. Kō Honda (Shun Oguri) briefs the lead character Shōkichi Komachi (Hideaki Itō) and heroine Nanao Akita (Emi Takei) about the Bug Operation: Honda: ...
CLAMP to Publish New Cardcaptor Sakura Manga
2016 marks 20th anniversary of shojo magical girl series
― The April issue of Kodansha's Nakayoshi magazine announced on Thursday that the members of the creative team CLAMP are publishing a new manga in their Cardcaptor Sakura franchise. The announcement does not list any details about the new work, and the magazine says it will announce which future issue will run the new manga when that is decided...
Fairy Tail Manga Gets New Mavis Original Anime DVD
"Yōsei-tachi no Batsu Game" anime DVD also slated for May 17
― Retailers are listing Hiro Mashima's 56th Fairy Tail manga volume in a limited-edition bundle with a new original anime DVD on July 15. The "Natsu vs. Mavis" anime centers on Mavis, who is feeling downcast. The guild members, starting with Natsu and Erza, try to make her feel better. In addition, the 55th manga volume is listed with a lim...
Fairy Tail Manga Gets New Christmas Original Anime DVD
Friends gather at Lucy's home for Christmas party in November 17 anime release
― Retailers are listing Hiro Mashima's 58th Fairy Tail manga volume in a limited-edition bundle with a new original anime DVD on November 17. The "Yōsei-tachi no Christams" (Fairy Christmas) anime will follow the companions when they gather at Lucy's home and hold a Christmas party. The manga follows the adventures of worl...
Yuua Oda's Furenaba Ochin Manga Gets Live-Action Drama Adaptation
Series about a woman whose family wants her to be prettier begins this summer
― The wrap-around jacket band of the third compiled volume of Yuua Oda's Saito-san Motto! manga announced on Thursday that Oda's earlier manga series, Furenaba Ochin, will get a live-action drama series adaptation. The series will begin this summer on NHK and BS Premium. The story follows Natsu Kamijō, a married woman who l...
One Piece Kabuki, Universal Studios Japan, Splatoon Win Digital Contents Awards
Softbank's robot Pepper, Minecraft among other winners
― The Kabuki stage play based on Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga, the Universal Studios Japan park, and Nintendo's Splatoon Wii U game won the Award of Excellence at Japan's Digital Content of the Year 2015/19th annual Association of Media in Digital (AMD) Awards on Tuesday. Digital Content of the Year Award of Excellence is the highest award offe...
Sakura no Ame Film Posts 24-Minute Behind-the-Scenes Video
Film based on Vocaloid song by halyosy opens in Japan on Saturday
― The official Youtube channel for Sakura no Ame, the live-action film inspired by Vocaloid composer halyosy's song "Sakura no Ame" (Rain of Cherry Blossoms), began streaming a 24-minute behind-the-scenes video on Tuesday. Narrated by Yūki Inoue, who plays the character Rin Sayama in the film, the video shows the filming process of the...
Pokkén Tournament Game's N. American Trailer Streamed
Nintendo UK holding "Countdown Clash" event leading up to game's March 18 launch
― Nintendo began streaming the North American trailer for Bandai Namco Entertainment's Pokkén Tournament fighting game on Tuesday. Bandai Namco Entertainment and Nintendo will release the game on the Wii U in North America, Europe, and Japan on March 18. Nintendo UK also announced its “Countdown Clash” event for the game...
Funimation's Escaflowne Dub Reaches Kickstarter Goal
Company to record new English dub for TV series, film; campaign continues until March 31
― Funimation's Kickstarter campaign to gauge interest in and fund a new English dub for The Vision of Escaflowne anime series reached its US$150,000 goal on Tuesday. As of press time, the campaign has earned US$152,858, and will end on March 31. The company plans to release the director's cut of the series in HD ...
Majestic Prince to Have Important Announcement in April
Franchise will have stage program in AnimeJapan 2016 with anime's cast
― The April issue of Shogakukan's Monthly Hero's magazine revealed on Tuesday that Rando Ayamine and Hikaru Arashima's Majestic Prince manga will have an important announcement in the next magazine issue, which will ship on April 1. Majestic Prince will also have a stage event at the AnimeJapan 2016 event on March 26. Shintarō Asa...
Live-Action One Week Friends Film's Cast, Staff, February 2017 Date Revealed
Haruna Kawaguchi, Kento Yamazaki star in film about girl who forgets her friends each week
― The staff for the live-action film of Matcha Hazuki's One Week Friends (Isshūkan Friends) manga revealed on Wednesday that it has cast Haruna Kawaguchi (Ouran High School Host Club, Say "I love you".) and Kento Yamazaki (Orange, Death Note, Your Lie in April) for the film's main roles, and released a visual f...
Tuesday, March 1
Naruto & Sasuke Face Off in New 1/6-Scale Statues by Tsume
Luxembourg-based Tsume created its first 1/6-scale Naruto statues to celebrate the release of the Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 video game. The statues depict the titular character facing Sasuke Uchiha in a dynamic showdown. Only 1,000 statues were made and are already sold out. Each costs 279 euros (US$303) separately or both could be purchased together for 529 euros (US$575). Tsume al...
Kuroko's Basketball Anime Gets Extra Game Film & 3 Compilation Films
Compilation films slated for this year, Extra Game film in 2017
― This year's first issue of Shueisha's Jump Next magazine is revealing on Thursday that the Kuroko's Basketball anime will get three compilation films this year, as well as a brand-new anime film adaptation of Tadatoshi Fujimaki's Kuroko no Basuke Extra Game manga in 2017. The three compilation films will compile the Winter Cup episodes...
Sony President, Square Enix CEO Settle the Score in Call of Duty: Black Ops III
Sony Computer Entertainment Japan and Asia President Atsushi Morita challenged Square Enix CEO Yosuke Matsuda to a Call of Duty: Black Ops III duel a few weeks ago. Morita issued the challenge via an official video on the PlayStation Japan YouTube channel on February 19. Not one to go back on his word, both parties showed up to battle in a live-streamed event on Nico Nico Douga on Friday. Viewers ...
S.H. Figuarts Ultraman Fights Invasions While You Sleep
Bandai's S.H. Figuarts line is adding a 50th anniversary Ultraman figure, standard Ultraman figure, and his foe alien Baltan to the line-up. The company kicked off the announcement with a stop-motion video of Ultraman and Baltan. The two wage battle while their own snoozes on the couch. The 50th anniversary edition will go on sale in July for 8,640 yen (US$76). The set includes alternate hand pos...
Age 12 TV Anime's Cast, Staff, Premiere Date Revealed
Ai Kakuma, Sōma Saitō return from earlier OVAs to star
― Shogakukan opened an official website for Nao Maita's shōjo 12-Sai. (Age 12) manga and its upcoming television anime adaptation 12-Sai ~Chiccha na Mune no Tokimeki~ (Age 12: A Little Heart-Pounding), announcing the premiere date, cast, and staff. The series will premiere on April 4 at 7:30 p.m. on Tokyo MX and 9:00 p.m. on AT-X. It will also ru...
Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons 20th Anniversary Game Slated for June 23
Kadokawa's Weekly Famitsu magazine is reporting on Thursday that Bokujō Monogatari: Mitsu no Sato no Taisetsu na Tomodachi (Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons: Precious Friends From Three Villages) will ship for the Nintendo 3DS on June 23 in Japan. The magazine will also introduce characters—including the player's marriage candidates—from Lulucoco Town, one of the three locales in the game. More infor...
This UFO Catcher Game Is Totally Rigged, Part II
UFO catcher games are part skill and part dedication. Few are designed to get a prize on a first try or even first five tries. This can be frustrating, but nothing more so than a game that is literally impossible to win. Twitter user @Aru0000 encountered that problem while trying to get a Love Live! plush. The outcome was so absurd, they couldn't help but laugh. りんちゃんとるぞぉ!……!!!???アームがとれました。 pic.tw...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, February 28-March 5
Wizard Barristers anime; Shuriken and Pleats, Pokemon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Death Note Complete Series Omega Edition Blu-rayPlease Viz Media US$69.99 March 1 Death Note Complete Series Blu-rayCite Viz Media US$54.97 March 1 Digimon Fusion Season 2 DVDAnimeNewsNetwork New Video Group US$34.93 March 1 Mobile Suit Z...
God Eater Anime's Meteorite Arc Promo Video Subtitled
Final 4 episodes will premiere this week
― The streaming service Daisuki posted the promotional video for the Meteorite arc, which makes up episodes 10-13 of the God Eater anime, with subtitles on Tuesday. The subtitles are in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Spanish (for Latin America), Brazilian Portuguese, and Russian. Daisuki will launch the arc on March 5. The video shows excerpts from...
Shiina Natsukawa Stars in Hai-Furi TV Anime
Schoolgirl trains to protect the seas in April show by Non Non Biyori's writer, artist
― The official website for the Hai-Furi television anime series announced on Tuesday that Shiina Natsukawa will lead the voice cast as the heroine Akeno Misaki. Natsukawa is a member of the group TrySail, which is performing the opening theme song. She will appear at the April 2 preview screening of the anime's fir...
Hatsune Miku Song Ranks Top Choice for High School Graduation Theme
In America there are plenty of go-to tracks used ad nauseum every year for high school graduation. Baz Luhrman's "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)" and Green Day's "Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)" are almost as traditional as "Pomp and Circumstance." The Japanese music app Nana asked teens which song the want most for their own high school graduation. Surprisingly, many students didn't choo...
Etrian Odyssey V RPG Slated for 3DS on August 4
This week's issue of Famitsu magazine is reporting that Atlus will release the latest entry in the Etrian Odyssey series, Sekaiju no Meikyū V: Nagaki Shinwa no Hate (Etrian Odyssey V: The End of the Long Myth), on August 8 for the Nintendo 3DS. Famitsu will be releasing more information in a 10-page spread on Thursday, including an overview of the game's story and interviews with its developers. E...
The Best and Worst of the Season So Far: Week of Feb 19-25
In a shocking twist, Active Raid climbs up the chart and threatens the top spots! How did the rest of your favorite Winter 2016 anime perform in our weekly user rankings?
― 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...
Behind the Scenes!! GN 1
Bisco Hatori's new series is here, and it's no Ouran knock-off, despite some superficial similarities. It also hasn't quite gotten off the ground yet, but it has potential.
― For everyone who thinks they're weird, there's someone even stranger to help put things in perspective. That's how it works in fiction, anyway, and for the hero of Bisco Hatori's new series, it all turns out to be a question of ...
Skip Beat! Anime's Indiegogo Campaign Launches
Campaign seeking funds for English dub will run until March 31
― Pied Piper, Inc.'s Indiegogo campaign to release Skip Beat on DVD and Blu-ray in North America with an English dub launched on Tuesday at 12:00 EST. The campaign will run until March 31. The campaign's goal is US$210,000 for localization costs, including a basic English dub. The company has also set stretch goals to enhance the quality ...
Attack on Titan Team's Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Slated for April 7
The official website for Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress (Kōtetsujō no Kabaneri), the April original television anime from WIT Studio (Attack on Titan), announced on Tuesday that the series will premiere on April 7 during Fuji TV's Noitamina timeslot. The first episode will air at 24:25 (effectively 12:25 a.m. on April 8), while the remaining episodes will air at 24:55 (12:55 a.m.). Tickets for the ...
Mr. Osomatsu ‒ Episode 21
"I enjoy heartfelt episodes as much as the next person, but Mr. Osomatsu is in top form when it does away with any semblance of schmaltz and embraces its inner jackass."
'And you thought there is Never a girl online?' Anime's Opening Song Previewed in Video
Luce Twinkle Wink☆ sings "1st Love Story" for anime debuting on April 7
― The official website for the television anime of Shibai Kineko's Netoge no Yome wa Onna no Ko ja nai to Omotta? (And you thought there is Never a girl online?) light novels began streaming a promotional video on Tuesday. The video previews the opening theme song "1st Love Story" by the five-member idol group Luce Twinkle Wink☆....
Bungo Stray Dogs Anime's 2nd Video, April 6 Debut, Split-Season Plans Revealed
Episode 13 onward will premiere in October
― The official website for the television anime of Kafka Asagiri and Sango Harukawa's Bungō Stray Dogs manga began streaming the second promotional video on Tuesday. The video features the opening theme song "Trash Candy" by Granrodeo. Atsushi: I've lived my whole life being thrown away... Not being allowed to cry, not being recognized by anyone, and without...
Clannad/Charlotte Writer Jun Maeda Hospitalized
Writer recently wrote, composed Charlotte TV anime series
― Visual Art's/Key writer and composer Jun Maeda posted on his Twitter account that he has been hospitalized as of Monday. The 41-year-old did not provide a reason for the hospitalization, or his current condition, but he stated that he will receive treatment so that he can recover his health. Maeda is well-known for writing the Visual Art's/K...
Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, February 22-28
Mr. Osomatsu sells 34,047, followed by Boy & The Beast, Tōken Ranbu, Hetalia, Owarimonogatari
― The musical Tōken Ranbu Trial Performance DVD sold 4,577 copies to debut at #14 on the overall DVD chart. The musical Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon -Un Nouveau Voyage- landed at #30 with 2,013 copies. "Ai to Yūki no 25-Shūnen Kinen Fire Emblem Matsuri" (25th Anniversary of Love and Courage: Fire Emblem Festi...
Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, February 22-28
Boy & The Beast sells 11,674 + 9,857, followed by Mr. Osomatsu (28,141), Owarimonogatari, Kuroko's Basketball, [email protected]
― "Girls und Panzer Orchestra Concert ~Herbst Musikfest 2015~" sold 5,843 copies to debut at #15 on the overall Blu-ray Disc chart. "The Sound of Tiger & Bunny" concert landed at #!7 with 5,506 copies. Rank Last Week Title Weekly Copies Total Copies Release Date Maker Artist/Categ...
Star Ocean 5 RPG's Final Trailer Showcases Characters
androp performs "Astra Nova" theme song for March 31 PS3/PS4 RPG
― The official website of Square Enix and tri-Ace's Star Ocean 5: Integrity and Faithlessness role-playing game began streaming the "final trailer" for the game on Tuesday. The video previews the game's characters, as well as the game's theme song "Astra Nova" by androp. The game originally had a February 25 release date, but Square Eni...
English Legend of the Galactic Heroes Novel Translation Previewed in Excerpt
Viz to publish Vol. 1: Dawn on March 8
― Website io9 posted an excerpt from the first book of Viz Media and translator Daniel Huddleston's English edition of Yoshiki Tanaka's Legend of the Galactic Heroes novel series. Tanaka's space opera novel series follows the epic conflict between the Galactic Empire and Free Planets Alliance, as well as the personal stories of Imperial Admiral Reinhard von Lohe...
Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Dark Side of Dimensions Film's New Video Previews Duel
Yugi & Kaiba's scene from April 23 film reworked to promote Toho Cinemas' Cinema Mileage membership
― The official website of the Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Dark Side of Dimensions film began streaming a special promotional video for Toho Cinemas on Tuesday. The video features a duel between Yugi and Kaiba from the film, but it reworks the dialogue to promote Toho Cinemas' Cinema Mileage membership service. In t...
Sony to Close PSP's Native PlayStation Store in N. America in March
Sony announced on Monday that it will close the native PlayStation Store service for its PlayStation Portable platform in North America on March 31. While the store will be inaccessible from PSP devices, players will still be able to make in-game purchases. PSP content can still be purchased from the web-based PlayStation Store, and those who own products purchased from the Store can still re-down...
Monday, February 29
Kurosaki-kun Film Opens at #1, Milky Holmes Earns 16 Million Yen on 11 Screens
Nobunaga Concerto drops to #3, Girls & Panzer stays in top 10 after 15 weekends
― The live-action film of Makino's shōjo manga Kurosaki-kun no Iinari ni Nante Naranai opened at #1 at the Japanese box office this past weekend. It pushed The Martian to #2, after that film had topped the chart for three straight weekends. Kurosaki-kun sold 157,680 tickets to earn 190,705,900 yen (about US$1.689 million)...
Rumiko Takahashi's 2nd RIN-NE Anime Series Adds New Cast
Suzuko Mimori, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Akira Ishida, Yuko Sanpei cast in April 9 anime
― This year's 14th issue of Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine is announcing additional cast for the second anime series based on Rumiko Takahashi's RIN-NE (Kyōkai no Rinne) manga on Wednesday. The new cast includes: Suzuko Mimori as Suzu Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Oboro Akira Ishida as Kurosu Yuko Sanpei as Shōma...
New Strike Witches Anime's 1st Video Reveals 2016 Airing, Characters, Staff, Title
Silver Link. animates Brave Witches about 502nd Joint Fighter Wing
― The official website for the Strike Witches anime franchise began streaming the first promotional video for the Brave Witches spinoff anime on Tuesday. The video introduces the franchise's third television anime and its characters from the 502nd Joint Fighter Wing "Brave Witches" (as opposed to the 501st Joint Fighter Wing from the ...
Have a Magical Stay in the Mahō Tsukai Precure! Hotel Suite
Shirakaba Resort's Ikenotaira Hotel facing Shirakaba Lake in Nagano prefecture is creating a room suite fit for a magical girl. The Mahō Tsukai Precure! Dream Room will open on March 4 and be available for booking until January 9, 2017. Note: Above is the Go! Princess Precure room design offered last year. The room includes unique PreCure wallpaper and decor, toothbrushes, puzzles, hair scrunchies...
Drifters' New Anime Casts Takahiro Sakurai, Shiho Kokido, Masakazu Nishida
Voices of Oct members in latest anime of Kouta Hirano's manga
― The official website for the new anime of Kouta Hirano's Drifters manga announced more of the voice cast for the members of the Oct on Monday. Takahiro Sakurai as Abe no Seimei Shiho Kokido as Olminu Masakazu Nishida as Kafeto (Historical Japanese names are listed family name first here, while modern names are listed given name first.) T...
Mr. Osomatsu's Todomatsu, Ichimatsu Bishōnen Hug Pillow Designs Revealed
The final two bishōnen hug pillow design of the Mr. Osomatsu sextuplets were revealed this weekend. The youngest and spoiled sibling Todomatsu and the cat-loving Ichimatsu round out the group. Brothers Karamatsu, Osomatsu, Choromatsu, and Jūshimatsu's designs were revealed last week. The bishōnen character designs first appeared in the premiere episode of Mr. Osomatsu. The pillowcase costs 16,200...
Seven Seas Licenses Re:Monster Manga
Protagonist is reborn into fantasy world as lowly goblin in manga slated for November
― North American manga publisher Seven Seas Entertainment announced on Monday that it has licensed Haruyoshi Kobayakawa's manga series Re:Monster. The company plans to release the first single volume on November 8. The manga is based on Kogitsune Kanekiru's light novel series, which was initially published online. A...
Snow White with the Red Hair ‒ Episode 20
"It's always nice to have things explained, provided it's done properly…and I can't help but feel like this episode of Snow White with the Red Hair was just a tad bit too glib with its backstory."
Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, More Join Mysterious Joker Anime's 3rd Season
Atsumi Tanezaki, Daisuke Kishio also voice new characters for April anime
― The official website for the Mysterious Joker television anime announced three new cast members for Mysterious Joker Season 3 (Kaitō Joker Season 3) on Sunday. The new cast includes: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma's Sōma Yukihira) as Phoenix/Tsubasa Akai Atsumi Tanezaki (Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign's S...
Dagashi Kashi ‒ Episode 7
"Hotaru only made a couple of brief appearances in this week's Dagashi Kashi, but that turned out to be for the best."
New How to Draw Panties Manga Drawing Book Teaches Exactly That
Manga artists and character designers have released videos and hosted seminars to better novices' art skills. There's plenty of how-to books on the market for the same purpose, from questionable "pose books" to detail books teaching how to draw hands or men's fashion. Publisher Ichijinsha's latest highly-specific entry is concerned with one intimate garment. The book is titled Pants no Kakikata (H...
Rie Murakawa Performs Opening Theme for Age 12 Shōjo TV Anime
Series begins in April
― Voice actress and singer Rie Murakawa (Non Non Biyori, Is the order a rabbit?) announced on Twitter on Tuesday that her song "Sweet Sensation" will be the opening theme to 12-Sai ~Chiccha na Mune no Tokimeki~ (Age 12: A Little Heart-Pounding), the television anime of Nao Maita's shōjo 12-Sai. (Age 12) manga. The song will ship on Murakawa's first single CD with "Baby, My Firs...
Answerman - Who Polices Anime Copyrights?
If you've ever seen a Youtube takedown notice, you may have wondered just who or what is actually policing anime copyrights on the internet - Justin has the answer.
― Jacob asks: I'm seeing that there is Anime that is uploaded to YouTube by people that don't have copyrights. My question is Who is enforcing the Copyright (The Japanese Holder, The American License Holder, or the Manga Holder)? It depe...
Dimension W ‒ Episode 8
"Dimension W has always suffered from a lack of momentum, but it's reaching critical mass now."
Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam: Ghost Manga Ends in March
Yuichi Hasegawa's latest Crossbone Gundam manga ends in Gundam Ace
― The April issue of Kadokawa Shoten's Gundam Ace magazine revealed on Friday that Yuichi Hasegawa's Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam: Ghost manga will end in the May issue of the magazine on March 26. Hasegawa launched the manga in Gundam Ace in 2011. The 11th compiled volume of the manga shipped in Japan on December 24. The first Mobile...
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash ‒ Episode 8
"Just because we can't understand the “words” doesn't mean that there isn't a conversation going on between these goblins."
New Vegeta Figure Literally Trembles with Fear
Premium Bandai is accepting pre-orders for a slightly more interactive Dragon Ball Z figure. The "Hajimete no Gatagata" (Trembling for the First Time) Vegeta figure shows an injured, crying, sweating Vegeta that actually shakes. The figure recreates the moment when Vegeta stood in front of Frieza's final form in episode 85 and found himself crying for the first time in his life. The vibrating ped...
Mayoiga Original TV Anime Begins Crowdfunding
Also: ending theme song title revealed for April anime
― The staff of the Mayoiga original TV anime series opened campaign on crowdfunding platform Makuake this week. The project is seeking to raise 3,330,000 yen (about US$29,500) in order to support the anime's production. The project is offering five tiers of rewards for backers from 3,000 to 400,000 yen (about US$27 to US$3,500). The top-tier rewa...
One Piece ‒ Episode 731
"It's a strange thing when a quality jump between episodes can be felt immediately. It's not always apparent why that is, either."
Guilty Gear Xrd -Revelator- Game's Main Visual, New Promo Video Revealed
PS4/PS3 versions ship on May 26 in Japan, on June 5 in N. America
― Arc System Works began streaming a second trailer on Friday for the upcoming console versions of Guilty Gear Xrd -Revelator-. The company also released the main visuals for the standard and limited editions of the game. The new video highlights the characters new to Guilty Gear Xrd -Revelator- — Johnny, Jack O, Jam Kuradoberi, Kum Ha...
Code Geass: Oz the Reflection 02 Manga Ends
Second part of Code Geass spinoff manga ends in Monthly Comp Ace
― Chika Tojo, Bandai Hobby Japan, and Sunrise's Code Geass: Oz the Reflection 02 (Code Geass : Sōbō no Oz 02) spinoff manga ended in the April issue of Kadokawa Shoten's Monthly Comp Ace magazine on Friday. The manga's fifth and final compiled volume will have an additional epilogue when it ships. Additionally, May issue of Monthly Comp...
Shelf Life - Lord Marksman and Vanadis
It's all big swords, big fantasy, and big... well, adventure in Lord Marksman and Vanadis, and Paul's never been readier for it. PLUS: This week's new releases, and a new collection to admire!
― I took a look at the promo clips from the Terraformars live-action movie the other day. I'm not sure they made want to see the whole film, but they did make me briefly consider going back and rewatching Star...
Blast of Tempest
Blast of Tempest weaves a wild tale of love, magic, and revenge, though its high ambitions aren’t necessarily matched by its execution.
― You have to admire the confidence of a show that not only names itself after one of Shakespeare's greatest plays, but also quotes the bard directly on an episodic basis. That's about as bold of a choice as you can make - not just subtly riffing on classic tragedies...
Schwarzes Marken ‒ Episode 8
"In a police state like East Germany, keeping secrets is paramount to survival even as the state seeks to learn all of them."
K: Dream of Green Manga Ends
Manga's 1 compiled volume ships on April 7
― The April issue of Kodansha's ARIA magazine published the final chapter of Rei Rairaku and Yui Kuroe's K: Dream of Green manga on Saturday. The issue also revealed that Kuroe will launch a new manga in the July issue of ARIA, which will ship at the end of May. Kodansha published the prologue of K: Dream of Green in ARIA last September, and the series offic...
Late Author Cocoa Fujiwara's Katsute Mahō Shōjo to Aku wa Tekitai Shiteita. Manga Gets 3rd Volume Release
Posthumous volume compiling last chapters of manga slated for March 22
― The March issue of Square Enix's Gangan Joker magazine announced last Monday that late author Cocoa Fujiwara's Katsute Mahō Shōjo to Aku wa Tekitai Shiteita. manga will get its third and final volume on March 22. In addition, Square Enix will also publish an art book containing illustrations by Fujiwara at a later date. Fujiwara...
Only Yesterday Film Reveals More U.S., Canadian Screenings
Film by Studio Ghibli, Isao Takahata opened across N. America on Friday
― The official English website of Studio Ghibli and Isao Takahata's Only Yesterday (Omohide Poro Poro) film released an updated theater list on Friday that includes additional screenings in Canada and North America. The full list is as follows: February 26 Los Angeles, CA - Landmark Nuart Theater Irvine, CA - Regal University Tow...
Tokyo Plans Temporary Locale for Tokyo Big Sight Events During Olympics Preparations
Comiket shortens industry booth days this summer due to construction
― Tokyo revealed plans to provide a temporary exhibition space from 2019 to 2020, when the Tokyo Big Sight convention center would be reserved for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. The plans will use an area near the Rinkai Line's Tokyo Teleport station, itself located in the same Odaiba area as Tokyo Big Sight. The 37,000-sq...
Sony Ends Shipments of PlayStation TV in Japan
Mini-console still available in the West
― The official Japanese website of Sony's PlayStation brand is listing that it is no longer shipping the PlayStation Vita TV (PlayStation TV in North America) product. Sony released the PlayStation Vita TV in November 2013 for 9,954 yen (about US$82). The system allows users to play PlayStation Vita games on the television, download PlayStation Portable and Pl...
The Boy and the Beast Film Gets Canadian Screenings Starting on May 27
Also: Cineplex to screen Psycho-Pass The Movie in Canada on March 16
― Toronto-based film distributor Mongrel Media confirmed on Friday that it will release Mamoru Hosoda's The Boy and the Beast film in Canada. The company will release the film in theaters starting on May 27, and it will also release the film on-demand and on home video. Mongrel Media's website indicates that the film will screen in ...
Jewelpet Attack Chance Short Anime's 1st Episode Streamed
Sega Toys streams web anime starring Ayaka Saito as Ruby
― Sega Toys began streaming the first episode of the Jewelpet Attack Chance!? short web anime on February 18. In the video, Labra comments that she's very sad that the previous anime has ended. While she's crying, Ruby appears, but has become and fat due to having too much time on her hands after the anime ended. Lovera states that they're goin...
Tokyo Anime Award Festival 2016's Current Fan Vote Tallies
While the nominees for Animation of the Year at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival 2016 have already been announced, fans get to make their voices heard too. The fan vote for Anime of the Year will be held until March 6. The initial list of 489 titles has already been whittled down to 20, all of which were aired/screened between November 2014 and October 2015. The current ranking is: SHŌNEN HOLLYWOOD ...
Suzuko Mimori, Izumi Kitta, Natsuko Hara Cast in Onigiri TV Anime
Aina Suzuki, Eriko Matsui, others star in series premiering on April 7
― The official website for the upcoming anime adaptation of Cyberstep's massively multiplayer online role-playing game Onigiri revealed three new cast members on Monday. The website has also revealed sample voice clips for the characters. Suzuko Mimori (Love Live! School Idol Project's Umi Sonoda) as Ibaraki-dōji Izumi Kitta (Wata...
Magi: Sinbad no Bōken TV Anime's 1st Ad Streamed
Staff/cast from OVAs return to spinoff series premiering on April 15
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Shinobu Ohtaka and Yoshifumi Ōtera's spinoff manga Magi: Sinbad no Bōken (Magi: Adventure of Sinbad) began streaming the first commercial for the anime on Sunday. Text: The long-awaited TV anime adaptation! Yunan: The miraculous child of power. The child who will become t...
Tokyo Theater to Screen Girls und Panzer Film with 'Extreme' 4DX
The Girls und Panzer movie is showing in Japanese theaters equipped with 4DX technology. This provides a much more immersive theater-going experience, with sometimes aggressive chair movements, mist, steam, scents, and chairs pounding your back like you're at a massage. The Cinema Sunshine Heiwajima, in Tokyo's Heiwajima district, is taking 4DX one step further on March 5 with "extreme" screenings...
I Am A Hero Live-Action Film Reveals Stills, Drama Prequel
Also: Manga's 19th volume delayed to March 15 due to error in printing data
― The staff of the live-action film of Kengo Hanazawa's best-selling zombie manga I Am A Hero unveiled 10 new production stills from the film last Wednesday (see gallery below). In addition, the film's website revealed a live-action drama that will serve as a prequel to the film. The prequel is titled I Am A Hero: Hajimari no...
Staff, Fall Premiere, Cast Announced for Luger Code 1951 Story's Anime
Shinya Takahashi directs anime at Studio DEEN; Takuya Eguchi cast
― The final chapter of Haruto Haneki and Akira Akatsuki's Luger Code 1951 manga announced the staff and premiere date for the planned anime adaptation of Haneki's original story on Monday. Shinya Takahashi (Urusei Yatsura: Only You character designer, Patlabor 2: The Movie key animation) will make his directorial debut with the anime a...
Sunday, February 28
Fist of the North Star Statue to Welcome Hokkaido Bullet Train
To be located in North Star city
― On March 26, the Hokkaido Line will finally connect Honshu, Japan's main island, to the northern island of Hokkaido by high-speed bullet train. To welcome the occasion, the Oshima-Ōno Station in Hokuto, Hokkaido, will be remodeled into the "New Hakodate-Hokuto Station," and will receive a bronze Fist of the North Star statue. Hokuto means "north star" or more accura...
One Piece Film Gold Anime Film's Visual by Eiichiro Oda Unveiled
The official website for the One Piece franchise unveiled the visual on Monday for the One Piece Film Gold anime film. One Piece manga creator Eiichiro Oda drew the visual for the film. The site previously revealed the costume designs for the characters. Oda designed the costumes exclusively for the film. He is also serving as the film's executive producer as well as being credited with the origin...
Unaired Assassination Classroom Episodes to Run on dTV Service
4 "Extracurricular Lessons" premiere on streaming service on March 11
― Docomo's dTV streaming service announced that it will stream the Assassination Classroom television anime series' unaired "Extracurricular Lesson" episodes. The unaired content will have four episodes with each episode being five minutes long. The first episode will premiere on March 11. The Anime Japan 2016 website listed that t...
Inside Out, 'Bear Story' Win Animated Oscars
Pete Docter and Jonas Rivera won the Animated Feature Film category at the 88th Academy Awards for Pixar and Disney's Inside Out film on Sunday. The film competed against Hiromasa Yonebayashi and Studio Ghibli's When Marnie Was There film as well as Anomalisa, Boy and the World, and Shaun the Sheep Movie. No anime were nominated for this year's Animated Short Film category. The nominees were "Bear...
Flying Witch Anime Announces Cast for Familiar Characters
Ai Kayano, Ayane Sakura, Ari Ozawa join cast for April anime
― The official website for the television anime of Chihiro Ishizuka's Flying Witch manga added the cast for the three familiar characters for the anime. They are: Ai Kayano as Chito, Makoto's familiar, a smart 17-year old cat who is older than her. Ayane Sakura as Kenny, Akane's familiar, who is knowledgeable about anthropology and archaeol...
Bus Tour of Live-Action Patlabor Filming Locations Planned
Also: visit to life-size Patlabor
― On February 25, the crew that maintains and sets up the life-size Patlabor mecha, the AV-98 Ingram, announced via Twitter that a bus tour of the filming locations of The Next Generation -Patlabor- is being planned for March 27. The tour will conclude with a visit to "Section 2" to see the Patlabor in person and take pictures with it. More details are promised short...
Durarara!! ×2 The Third Arc ‒ Episodes 7-8
"Over the course of these two episodes, everything changes in ways that nobody can just smooth over with another anticlimax."
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans ‒ Episode 21
"While I can review most episodes without giving away their most significant plot points, this wasn't one of them."
Business School for Japanese Pop Culture to Open in Akihabara
Study how to be an idol, cosplayer, or dōjinshi artist
― The Tokyo School of Anime will open a spin-off school, the Akiba Business School, in Tokyo's Akihabara district, its main pop culture shopping district. The school will train students out of high school for careers in Japan's pop culture and entertainment industry. Tokyo School of Anime's mascot The school has six majors: Idol, Idol Producer, M...
Haikyu!! Second Season ‒ Episode 21
"And it's another tense episode for Haikyuu as the match against Aoba Johsai continues!"
BBK/BRNK ‒ Episode 8
"As entertaining as the new kids may be, their presence doesn't seem to merit putting the brakes on a story that had finally started to pick up speed."
Luck & Logic ‒ Episode 8
"It still has serious pacing issues, confusing story elements, and animation inconsistency, but for once I can say that Luck & Logic has heart."
Relive Dramatic Scenes from One Piece, Dragon Ball Z with Figures
Sanji's farewell and Gohan vs. Cell
― Banpresto's Dramatic Showcase line of figures recreates memorable or emotional scenes from One Piece. In early March, the sixth set in the series will be released, and it depicts the scene in Episode 30 where Sanji bids farewell to his mentor, Chef Zeff, to join the Straw Hat pirates, prostrating himself before the chef in respect. A set of figures from Dragon Ba...
Rio - Rainbow Gate! Anime to Get English Dub
Crunchyroll and Blu-ray Disc release planned for English dub
― North American anime distributor Media Blasters revealed on Wednesday that it is producing an English dub of Rio - Rainbow Gate!. Sound Cadence Studios and Fever Dreams Sound Factory will share the production, and Amber Lee Connors will be in charge of ADR directing and writing. Media Blasters plans to release the English dub on Crunchyro...
Makoto Shinkai's She & Her Cat TV Anime Previewed in Promo Video
Kana Hanazawa plays girl, Shintarō Asanuma plays cat in TV anime of 1999 short
― The first promotional video for the Kanojo to Kanojo no Neko: Everything Flows television anime series debuted on Saturday. Text: The gem of a short anime series returns as a TV series She: On hottest day in summer, my life alone with a cat began. The usual morning. The sunset I saw. The precious time we spent together. ...
Luck & Logic Streams 7th 'We Are Luck & Logic Club' Anime Short
Newest episode in 1-minute short series to ship on 4th BD/DVD on June 24
― The official YouTube channel for the Luck & Logic franchise began streaming the seventh 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...
htoL#NiQ Game Slated for PC on March 14
Steam updated its page for the PC release of NIS America's htoL#NiQ: The Firefly Diary game on Thursday to announce the game will be available on March 14. NIS America describes the story: In the depths of a labyrinthine ruin, a young girl named Mion rises from a deep sleep. Lost, alone, and with no memory of how she got here or where her parents are, she is greeted by two fireflies—one composed e...
Future Card Buddyfight Gets 3rd Anime Season in April
Tomo Muranaka, Shouta Aoi join cast for Future Card Buddyfight DDD series
― TV Aichi revealed on February 19 the cast for an upcoming third season of the Future Card Buddyfight television anime series, titled Future Card Buddyfight DDD (or Future Card Buddyfight Triple D). The anime will premiere on April 2 at 8:00 a.m. The anime will star: Marie Mizuno as Gaō MikadoTomo Muranaka as Bal Sōma Saitō as...
Symphogear Anime Gets Both 4th & 5th Seasons With Game in Production
Announced at weekend's Symphogear Live 2016 event
― The official website for the Senki Zesshō Symphogear GX anime confirmed on Sunday that production on both a fourth television anime season and a fifth television anime season has been green lit for the Senki Zesshō Symphogear franchise. The announcement was made at the Sunday session for this weekend's Symphogear Live 2016 event. Thomas Romain, the ...
Funimation's Escaflowne Kickstarter Goes Live
Campaign seeks US$150,000 to fund new English dub for both TV series, film
― North American anime distributor Funimation Entertainment launched its Kickstarter campaign on Saturday to gauge interest in and fund a new English dub for The Vision of Escaflowne anime series. The company plans to release the director's cut of the series in HD on Blu-ray Disc, including scenes that were not available when ...
My Hero Academia Anime's 4th Promo Video Previews Animation
New key visual, more staff revealed for series premiering on April 3
― The official website for the television anime of Kōhei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia (Boku no Hero Academia) manga began streaming the show's fourth promotional video on Sunday. The video previews animated clips from show. Izuku: In the present day, where approximately an eighth of humanity have become super humans due to a special...
Food Wars Anime's 2nd Season's Title, Summer Premiere Revealed
New series is titled Shokugeki no Sōma: Ni no Sara
― The official Twitter account for the Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma anime series revealed on Sunday that the show's second season is titled Shokugeki no Sōma: Ni no Sara (Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma: The Second Plate). The series will premiere this summer. The anime's official website had streamed a promotional video for the second season in Decembe...
Garo the Animation, Rage of Bahamut: Genesis Videos Preview English Dubs
Blu-ray Disc, DVD home video releases set for April 26
― Funimation began streaming preview videos for the Garo the Animation and Rage of Bahamut: Genesis anime series on Saturday that tease their English dubs. The cast of Garo the Animation includes: Ricco Fajardo as León Luís David Wald as Germán Luís Justin Briner as Alfonso San Valiante Ivan Jasso as Bernardo Dion Vic Mignogna as Mendoza Anastasi...
Kunio Okawara's Mechanical Designs Revealed for PriPara Film
The staff of the upcoming PriPara Mi~nna no Akogare Let's Go PriPari (PriPara Eeeeveryone's Longing Let's Go PriPari) anime film revealed the film's mechanical designs by Mobile suit Gundam and Armored Trooper Votoms mechanical designer Kunio Okawara on Saturday. The designs are for a three-person motorcycle with a bear face, and for a motorbike with a sidecar. The designs are on display at a "Pri...
Sekai Project Cancels WAS -The Hourglass of Lepidoptera- Kickstarter Campaign
Company cites legal issues, noncompliance by game's developer as reasons for cancellation
― Visual novel distributor/localizer and manga publisher Sekai Project announced on Saturday that it has cancelled its Kickstarter campaign to localize SRL's WAS –The Hourglass of Lepidoptera– visual novel. Sekai Project stated that the reasons for the cancellation were "legal issues" and "noncompliance by... SR...
Monaco's Shibuya Productions Posts Cobra: Return Of Joe Gillian Series Teaser
Buichi Terasawa's A-girl Rights collaborates with Astro Boy reboot's studio
― Monaco-based studio Shibuya Productions posted a teaser video on Saturday for the "original animation series" Cobra: Return Of Joe Gillian. "Joe Gillian" is one of the names used for the eponymous character in the Space Adventure Cobra anime franchise. The video lists Shibuya Productions co-founder Cedric Biscay as a produc...
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