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Kingdom DVD
By all rights Kingdom should be a grand epic, but it falters in its storytelling by over-narrating and failing to find a balance between action and character development.
― Note: I use the Romanization provided by Funimation in the subtitles, but from the pronunciation it isn't entirely clear if pinyin or Wade-Giles is being used. Refer here for pronunciation differences. In some ways Kingdom is to C...
Interview: Bluefin and the World of Anime Collectibles
If you've ever bought a Gundam model, it likely says 'Bluefin' on it somewhere; we sat down for a chat with the folks at Bluefin, who are responsible for getting some of the coolest anime merchandise into your hot little hands.
― If you've ever purchased a Gundam model kit in America, you've probably seen the name Bluefin on the back somewhere. Having recently opened a brand-new warehouse space in So...
The X Button - First Impressions: Star Fox Zero
This week: the sights, sounds, and gimmicky little robots of Star Fox Zero! Plus Assault Suits, Mega Man, and yet another game-industry departure.
― Last week, we heard a little bit about Valkyrie Profile 3. To be specific, we heard about Shuichi Kobayashi, producer of the new Star Ocean, keeping a Valkyrie Profile 3 proposal in his files. That's no real shock, of course. Game companies have plenty ...
Princess Jellyfish [Omnibus] GN 1
Princess Jellyfish is finally available in English, and it is definitely worth the wait. Akiko Higashimura's story is touching, funny, and just all around a good read.
― If you have ever felt weird, alone, or socially anxious, Princess Jellyfish is a manga you ought to read. One of the most honest, and funniest, stories about not quite fitting in, Akiko Higashimura's tale of a group of self-proclaime...
Your Lie in April Vol. 1 Blu-Ray
Music shapes and defines the life of Kosei Arima in this acclaimed drama, out on bluray now from Aniplex of America. Theron Martin dives in.
― This release from Aniplex of America covers the first 11 episodes of the adaptation of Naoshi Arakawa's award-winning manga, which constitutes the first of the series' two seasons. Ostensibly it is a series about classical music, and indeed, that is featured r...
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash
Grimgar presents a unique and compelling take on a well-worn premise, offering a more meditative style of fantasy adventure.
― Grimgar's premise is probably one you've heard before: “boy from our world finds himself waking up in a strange, medieval fantasy world. In this world, players must choose classes and then fight monsters, acquiring gold and new skills over time. And so the boy gathers togethe...
Saturday, April 9
Edge of Tomorrow Film Hires Writers For Sequel
Race's Joe Shrapnel, Anna Waterhouse to write sequel with Doug Liman slated to helm
― Entertainment news website Deadline reported on Friday that Joe Shrapnel (Race, Frankie & Alice) and Anna Waterhouse (Race, On the Shoulders of Giants) have been hired to write a sequel to the live-action Edge of Tomorrow film. Edge of Tomorrow director Doug Liman is attached to direct the sequel, and Erwin Stoff an...
Kodansha USA Announces 35th Anniversary Set for Akira Manga, Vinland Saga Book 8
Also: Sam Humphries, Simon Spurrier produce works for Attack on Titan Anthology project
― Kodansha Comics announced at its panel at Emerald City Comicon on Friday that it will release a 35th anniversary box set for Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira manga. The company additionally announced that it will release an eighth omnibus volume of Makoto Yukimura's Vinland Saga manga. The Akira 35th Anniversary Box Set ...
Discotek Adds A Wind Named Amnesia, Pilot Candidate, Soul Hunter Anime
Pilot Candidate release to include OVA episode
― Discotek Media announced on Friday that it has licensed the A Wind Named Amnesia anime film as well as the Pilot Candidate and Soul Hunter television anime series. Discotek Media plans to release all three anime on June 28. The company added that its release of Pilot Candidate will include the OVA that Bandai Entertainment did not previously release in...
Crunchyroll Adds Piacevole Manga, Wagamama High Spec, Usakame Anime
RIN-NE 2, Blue Exorcist dub, Hai-Furi also stream in April
― Crunchyroll announced on Friday that it has licensed Atsuko Watanabe's Piacevole manga series. The media distribution service also announced that it will stream the Wagamama High Spec, Usakame, and RIN-NE 2 television anime. The first volume of Piacevole is now available for Crunchyroll members worldwide. Crunchyroll is collaborating with t...
Friday, April 8
David Hayter Returns as Solid Snake in Ford YouTube Commercials
Original Solid Snake voice actor David Hayter is reprising his role in a pair of Ford commercials on YouTube. The "Overdubs" ads include "A Codec Call to Remember" and "A Meeting with Psycho Mantis." The first shows Solid Snake and Col. Roy Campbell (Paul Eiding) discussing the Ford Focus' "Practical Vehicular Action." The second ad has enemy Psycho Mantis trying to sell Snake on the merits of a 2...
Infini-T Force 'Full 3DCG' Anime's 1st Promo Video Teases Gatchaman
Tatsunoko Productions, Digital Frontier project features Tekkaman, Casshern, Gatchaman, Hurricane Polymar
― Tatsunoko Productions began streaming the first promotional video for the "full 3DCG" anime adaptation of the Infini-T Force ~Mirai no Byōsen~ (Infini-T Force: Writing Line of the Future) manga on Friday. The video teases a 3DCG version of the title character from the anime Gatchaman. The video...
Skip Beat's English Dub Kickstarter Campaign Casts Vic Mignogna as Yukihito Yashiro
Campaign hits US$130,000 of US$155,000 goal; will announce more cast at US$140,000
― Pied Piper, Inc. announced on Friday that Vic Mignogna (Dragon Ball Z's Broly, Ouran High School Host Club's Tamaki) will play Yukihito Yashiro in the planned English dub of the Skip Beat! television anime series. The Kickstarter campaign for the show's North American release revealed the voice actor once the campaig...
Precure Animators Make Ninninger Sentai Project's 1st Animated Sequence
Fūka and Kasumi are animated in direct-to-video film
― Toei announced details for its upcoming direct-to-video film Kaettekita Shuriken Sentai Ninninger: Ninnin Girls vs. Boys Final Wars on Friday. The film includes the Shuriken Sentai Nininger project's first animated sequence. Kozue Komatsu (Eiga Smile Precure: Ehon no Naka wa Minna Chiguhagu! character design, animation director) is serving as an...
English Teacher Illustrator Comments on Character's Sudden Popularity
"It's kind of amazing how much activity went into this"
― On Thursday, we wrote about the new Japanese middle school English-language textbook, New Horizon, and its cute English teacher character, Ellen Baker. Japanese netizens swiftly became infatuated with Ms. Baker, and Twitter and Pixiv have been flooded with fanart of her. (The previous article focuses on a particular meme involving Ms. Baker de...
Masato Hagiwara, Arisa Komiya Join Garo: Divine Flame Film's Cast
Film sequel to 1st Garo anime premieres May 21 in Japan
― The official website for Garo: Divine Flame, the first Garo anime film, announced two new cast members on Friday. They are: Masato Hagiwara (Kaiji's title character, The Place Promised in Our Early Days' Takuya Shirakawa) as Dario Montoya/Kokuyō Knight Zem Arisa Komiya (Love Live! Sunshine!!'s Dia Kurosawa) as Sara, princess of Vazelia The 80-...
Cancelled Metal Gear Solid Fan Remake Returns with David Hayter
The cancelled Metal Gear Solid Unreal Engine 4 "Shadow Moses" fan remake has reemerged as the The Fan Legacy: Metal Gear Solid. The new project is a virtual reality, first-person museum experience focusing on fan-art gifted from contributors of the "Shadow Moses" project. Original Solid Snake voice actor David Hayter has signed on to contribute to the project. It's slated for release for free for ...
Anime Network Online Also Streams Bakuon!!, Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto, Tanaka-kun is Always Listless Anime
The Anime Network announced on Thursday that it will stream the television anime of Mimana Orimoto's BAKUON!! manga as part of its spring 2016 lineup. The Anime Network will begin streaming Bakuon! on April 18. It will be available to subscribers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and Turkey. New episodes will air every Monday at...
Latest Berserk Promotional Video Streamed with English Subtitles
9mm Parabellum Bullet to perform opening theme song for July anime
― Media distribution service Crunchyroll began streaming the latest promotional video for the new television anime of Kentarou Miura's Berserk dark fantasy manga with English subtitles on Wednesday. The video, which is the same as the one NBC Universal posted at the end of last month, features a quote in German from Aphorism 146 from ...
Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart Heads to PC on April 18
Game shipped on PS Vita last year
― Idea Factory International announced on Friday that it will release Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart for PC via Steam on April 18. Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart shipped for the PlayStation Vita in February 2015 in North America and Europe. The Entertainment Software Rating Board listed PC release that month The game is a spin-off of the Hyperdime...
Nintendo Offers Kirby, Super Smash Bros.-Themed Amiibo Diorama Kits
Both diorama kits available on April 28 in Japan
― Nintendo revealed on Thursday that it will offer diorama kits for its Amiibo figures. The company will offer Kirby- and Super Smash Bros.-themed diorama kits on April 28 in Japan. Each diorama kit will have space to display the Amiibo figures, as well as accessories to match the theme. Users can also fold the kits for storage or transport. The Kirby...
Yuuki Kaji's Assassin Anime Osiris no Tenbin Gets Season 2
Yuka Komatsu, Mamoru Miyano also star in 5-minute, self-contained suspense stories
― Osiris no Tenbin (The Balance of Osiris), the original Fuji TV on Demand anime starring Yuuki Kaji as the assassin, is returning for a second season on April 22 at 6:00 p.m. Kaji, Yuka Komatsu, and Mamoru Miyano reprise their roles as the regular voice cast of Osiris no Tenbin -Season 2-. Ayumu Murase, Takahiro Sakur...
New York Times Manga Best Seller List, March 27-April 2
Nichiou, 3 One-Punch Man volumes, Princess Jellyfish, 3 Tokyo Ghoul volumes, No Game No Life light novel, Akame ga Kill! Zero
― The New York Times newspaper listed the manga bestsellers in the United States for the week ending on April 2. Rank Prev. Rank Title Author Publisher Weeks on List Cover 1 -Nichijou #1 Keiichi Arawi Vertical Comics 1 2 4One-Punch Man #1 Story: ONE / Art: Yuusuke Murata Viz M...
My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU TOO! PS Vita Game to Bundle Original Anime Blu-ray
Blu-ray Disc will have anime focusing on Iroha Isshiki
― The staff of the My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU TOO! PlayStation Vita game announced on Friday that the game will ship in Japan on July 28, and the limited edition will include an original anime Blu-ray Disc. The original animation will be titled "Kitto, Onna no Ko wa Osatō to Spice to Suteki na Nanika de Dekiteiru" (Undoubtedly, Girls Are Made ...
Tomoyo After ~It's a Wonderful Life~ Game's English Opening Video Streamed
VisualArts puts English version of game on Steam Greenlight with expected summer release
― Visual novel publisher VisualArt's began streaming an English opening video on Friday for its Key brand's Tomoyo After ~It's a Wonderful Life~ visual novel software. VisualArt's added the English version of the game to Steam's Greenlight program on Friday. Under the Steam Greenlight program, developers advertis...
Drifters OVA Previewed in Video
DVD bundled with manga to include cut of 1st 2 upcoming TV anime episodes
― NBC Universal Anime began streaming two promotional videos on Saturday for the anime DVD that will ship with the fifth compiled volume of Kouta Hirano's Drifters manga. The DVD will have a 36-minute edited version of the first and second episodes of the upcoming Drifters television anime adaptation. The videos show the same a...
Anthropomorphized Version of Sanrio's Fillet Mascot Kirimi-chan Gets 2 Manga in April
Kirimi-chan credited for 1st manga, Soyogo Iwaki draws 2nd manga
― The official website of Kadokawa's Sylph magazine announced on Monday that the magazine will begin serializing a manga this month based on the anthropomorphized version of Sanrio's Kirimi-chan mascot. The manga is titled Kirimi-chan Gijinka Aquarium ~Kirimi-tachi no Legend~, and Kirimi-chan herself is credited as the writer, with assi...
Answerman - How Common Is It For Japanese Kids To Spend Time Overseas?
The mysterious overseas transfer student who is suddenly at the center of the story: you see it in countless anime, but how common is it? Justin gets into it.
― David asks: I've noticed that a common practice in anime to have a "foreign" character is to have them be someone born in Japan, but who moved to another country (it usually seems to be the US, although I believe I remember a few cases where...
Big Order Anime Unveils 2 New Key Visuals
Series based on manga by Future Diary creator to stream on Crunchyroll
― The staff of the anime adaptation of Sakae Esuno's Big Order manga unveiled two new key visuals on Friday. Crunchyroll will stream the series worldwide outside of Asia starting on Friday, April 15 at 2:00 p.m. EDT. The series will air in Japan at 1:40 a.m. on April 16 on Tokyo MX and other channels. A first episode viewing party...
Assassination Classroom season 2 ‒ Episode 14
"I'll give the series the benefit of the doubt on this one, but the last thing Assassination Classroom needs to do is to start making up plot twists as it goes along."
Naruto Shippuden ‒ Episode 455
"Although a decent chunk of episode 455 is taken from previous installments, this week's Naruto Shippuden adds a number of intriguing new details to a story we all thought we knew."
Senran Kagura Producer: I Hope to Localize Valkyrie Drive Bhikkhuni, Uppers Outside Japan
Kenichiro Takaki, producer of the Senran Kagura series, posted on his English Twitter account on Thursday that he would like to localize the Valkyrie Drive: Bhikkhuni and Uppers games outside of Japan. It's not official. But I hope to launch localized versions of both #ValkyrieDrive Bhikkhuni and #Uppers outside Japan in the near future! :)— Kenichiro Takaki ©En (@KenichiroTakaEn) April 7, 2016 Ma...
One Piece ‒ Episode 735
"We're still in the calm before the huge post-arc info dump comes, and all the characters who need out are packing up and heading home."
Kingdom DVD
By all rights Kingdom should be a grand epic, but it falters in its storytelling by over-narrating and failing to find a balance between action and character development.
― Note: I use the Romanization provided by Funimation in the subtitles, but from the pronunciation it isn't entirely clear if pinyin or Wade-Giles is being used. Refer here for pronunciation differences. In some ways Kingdom is to C...
Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization RPG's Gameplay Videos Streamed
Videos show fight against "Named Monster," large sword moves
― Kadokawa's Dengeki Online website began streaming two gameplay videos for Bandai Namco Entertainment's Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization game on Wednesday. The first video shows a battle against a "Named Monster" (a stronger monster type), and the preparation needed to fight it. The end of the video shows the entire party dying to the ...
VisualArt's/Key Reveals Rewrite+ Visual Novel
New version shipping on July 29 to include scenario improvements, new illustrations, fandisc
― Visual novel publisher VisualArt's Key brand revealed the Rewrite+ PC visual novel on Friday with a video. Key will release the game in Japan on July 29. The new game will include improvements and revisions to the game's scenario, with more sound effects added. The game will also include additional illustra...
One-Punch Man Original Video Anime Episode 6 Previewed in Video
Final OVA about murder incident ships with 6th BD/DVD volume on May 27
― Bandai Visual began streaming a video on Friday that previews the first minute of the original video anime (OVA) that will ship with the sixth Blu-ray and DVD volume of the One-Punch Man anime (the linked video is region-locked to Japan). The volume will ship on May 27. Like the previous OVAs, the sixth (and final) OVA, "Fukanō-...
Matsuri Hino Launches New Vampire Knight Manga in June
Sequel series following Yūki, Zero launches in LaLa DX magazine
― The official website for Hakusensha's LaLa DX magazine has revealed that Matsuri Hino will launch a new Vampire Knight manga in the magazine's July issue, which will ship on June 10. Hakusensha publishes the magazine every other month. The announcement above reads: "New serialization!! The curtain rises on a new legend! Bloody legend V...
Romancing SaGa 2 Game's New iOS, Android Ports Get Worldwide Release
Square Enix released new port for PS Vita, smartphones in Japan on March 24
― The official Twitter account for the Romancing SaGa 2 PlayStation Vita and smartphone re-release announced on Thursday that Square Enix is "working to create 'Romancing SaGa 2' for iOS/Android" worldwide. The account added that it will reveal more information about the release later this month. Square Enix did not state if ...
A Silent Voice Anime Film's Visual, Teaser Video, Release Date, More Staff Revealed
Reiko Yoshida, Futoshi Nishiya added to staff for film opening on September 17
― The official website for Kyoto Animation's anime film adaptation of Yoshitoki Ōima's A Silent Voice (Koe no Katachi) manga opened on Friday to reveal the film's release date, teaser visual, teaser video, more staff, and main character designs. Text: The best-selling comic with more than 2.5 million copies printed. Text: ...
Assassination Classroom Anime Reveals New Visual, 2nd Season of Spinoff Shorts
'Final season' of main anime premieres next week
― The official website for the Assassination Classroom television anime series revealed a new visual on Friday for the anime's "final season," which will start with the second season's 15th episode on April 14. Docomo's dTV streaming service has additionally revealed that it will stream a second season of the anime's unaired "Extracurricular Lesson" ep...
Jessica Nigri Returns to Voice Sonico in English Release of Sonicomi Game
JAST USA to release PC game with dual audio tracks this summer
― JAST USA announced on Friday that it will feature an English dub option for its release of Nitroplus' Communication With Sonico (SoniComi) PC game. Jessica Nigri is returning to voice the character in the dub from the Super Sonico The Animation television anime series. The game will also include the original Japanese audio track. JAST U...
Live-Action Terraformars Film's Clip Shows God Lee Fighting Terraformar
Kane Kosugi plays God Lee in clip for film opening on April 29
― Japanese film website Cinema Today began streaming a clip from the live-action film of Kenichi Tachibana and Yū Sasuga's science-fiction manga Terraformars on Thursday. The clip features God Lee (Kane Kosugi) fighting a Terraformar creature. The film's official website streamed a music trailer on March 30 featuring the film's theme song...
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Anime's 1st Episode Available Now With English Subtitles
The official Twitter account for Amazon Video announced on Thursday that the first episode of WIT Studio's original television anime series Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress (Kōtetsujō no Kabaneri) is available for streaming worldwide on Amazon Prime Video (in countries where Amazon Prime Video is available). The episode is available with English subtitles. Amazon and Fuji TV signed a deal last month ...
Digimon Theme Song Singer Kouji Wada Passes Away
Fan farewell event to take place in Tokyo later this month
― Japanese singer Kouji Wada passed away on Sunday, April 3 due to cancer in his upper pharynx. He was 42. Close relatives held a private service for him. Wada's agency Solid Vox will hold a "Wada Kouji Owakare no Kai" (Kouji Wada Farewell Event) event for his fans. The event will take place in Tokyo in the latter half of this month. Solid Vo...
Tales of Berseria Game Casts Toshiyuki Morikawa as Aizen
New promo video debuts on April 13 with game's release date
― This year's 19th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine is revealing a new character for Bandai Namco Entertainment's Tales of Berseria role-playing game on Monday. The new character is named Aizen, and Toshiyuki Morikawa voices the character. Minoru Iwamoto designed the character. The character is described as a pirate and rival,...
Ema Skye, Trucy Wright, More to Appear in Ace Attorney 6 Game
Nintendo 3DS game ships in Japan on June 9
― Capcom's official website for its Gyakuten Saiban 6 (Ace Attorney 6) Nintendo 3DS game introduced four new characters for the game on Thursday. The characters include videos that preview the character. Minuki Naruhodō (Trucy Wright) (voiced by Chieko Higuchi) An energetic and positive magician girl Naruhodō took in as his adopted child nine years ago. Her ...
Frontwing to Offer Wheel Country, Sunflower Girl -Sharin no Kuni- Visual Novel in the West via Kickstarter
Campaign launches in June for release from AKABEi SOFT 2
― Developer Frontwing announced on Thursday that it will launch a Kickstarter campaign with AKABEi SOFT2 to localize and release AKABEi SOFT2's visual novel Sharin no Kuni, Himawari no Shōjo under the title Wheel Country, Sunflower Girl. The campaign will launch in June, and the project's Prefundia page is currently under construction. AKABEi S...
Thursday, April 7
Fans Recreate Classic Zelda in 3D for 30th Anniversary; Nintendo Takes it Down
Developers Mike McGee and Scott Lininger created an ode to Nintendo's classic The Legend of Zelda game for the franchise's 30th anniversary. The result was is a browser game that took the original pixel art from the NES game and brought it into a 3D world. Unfortunately, the game didn't get to stay up very long. Nintendo asked the creators to remove the game for copyright infringement not long aft...
Superdimension Neptune VS Sega Hard Girls PS Vita Game Heads West in Fall
Game to have digital & physical editions, PS TV support, English dub
― Idea Factory International announced on Thursday that it will release Compile Heart's Superdimension Neptune VS Sega Hard Girls (Chōjigen Taisen Neptune VS Sega Hard Girls: Yume no Gattai Special) PlayStation Vita game in North America and Europe in fall. Idea Factory International launched a website for the game. Idea Factory Int...
Arina Tanemura Draws Idolish 7 Project's 'Koi no Kakera' Album Jacket
The CD jacket art for the Mezzo single, the latest CD release from Idolish 7 "big media-mix project" was revealed on Tuesday. Like the previous Good Night Awesome single, Arina Tanimura drew the jacket artwork. Kasumi Fukagawa (Persona 3 The Movie #1 Spring of Birth assistant animation director) also drew art for the release. MEZZO is a duo consisting of Tamaki Yotsuba (KENN) and Sogo Ohsaka (Atsu...
Erotic Sketch of Code Geass' C.C. Auctioned for 830,000 Yen
An erotic sketch of Code Geass' C.C. drawn by the series' character designer Takahiro Kimura fetched 830,000 yen (US$7,670) on the auction site Mandarake on Wednesday. The auction opened last month with a starting price of 60,000 yen (US$554) but climbed to its sale price after 60 bids. The sketch is signed by Takahiro Kimura with a January 4, 2009 date. If your curiosity has gotten the better of ...
Japan's Animation TV Ranking, March 28-April 3
Ace Attorney anime premieres in top 10
― The film Eiga Crayon Shin-chan: Ora no Hikkoshi Monogatari ~Saboten Daishūgeki aired as part of the Doraemon Crayon Shin-chan Haru da! Eiga da! 3-jikan Anime Matsuri special on TV Asahi on Friday, April 1 at 7:35 p.m. and earned a 10.8% rating. The live-action TV adaptation of Nahoko Uehashi's Moribito novel series aired on NHK on Saturday, April 2 at 9:00 p.m...
SAO/A Certain Magical Index Editor Leaves Kadokawa to Form New Firm
Company to focus on managing writing talent, producing content
― Kadokawa's Dengeki Bunko Editor-in-Chief Kazuma Miki left the company on March 31 and started a new company called Straight Edge on April 1. Kazutomo Suzuki, executive manager at Kadokawa's ASCII Media Works, is also tied to the new company as a board member. The new company's focus will be on managing talent and producing content such ...
Mega Man Creator Inafune Makes His Own Super Mario Maker Level
The Polygon website's YouTube channel streams an interesting series called "Devs Make Mario" where video game developers like Castlevania's Koji Igarashi and Shovel Knight's level designer Michael Herbster make their own Mario levels in Super Mario Maker. The latest developer is Mega Man's Keiji Inafune. He created a jump-focused level with a retro feel. Inafune is currently working on the crowd-f...
Crunchyroll to Stream Flying Witch Anime
Series about witch in training premieres Saturday
― Crunchyroll announced on Thursday that it will stream the anime of Chihiro Ishizuka's Flying Witch manga as it airs in Japan. The stream will premiere on Saturday, April 9 at 3:30 p.m. EDT. The series will stream in the United States, Canada, Central and South America (including the Caribbean), Australia and New Zealand, South Africa, Europe, the Mi...
Sentai Filmworks Licenses Cobra the Animation OVAs
Company also licensed Cobra the Animation TV series
― Sentai Filmworks announced via press release on Friday that it has licensed the Cobra The Animation: The Psychogun and Cobra The Animation: Time Drive original video anime (OVAs) in addition to the Cobra the Animation television anime. Crunchyroll streamed the two OVAs before launching a simulcast of the 13-episode television series. The two OVAs ...
University Professor Uses Bakemonogatari in Japanese Literature Class
Wants to break down barriers between "literature" and "light novels"
― Are light novels "literature?" With their fantastic elements, casual writing style and dialogue, and young demographics, Japanese generally do not think so. They are rarely taught in university classes on Japanese literature. But Masahiro Hirose, a professor in the subject at the Aichi University of Education near Nagoya, is tryin...
Crunchyroll to Stream Big Order Fantasy Anime
Series based on manga by Future Diary creator premieres next Friday
― Crunchyroll confirmed on Thursday that it will stream the anime adaptation of Sakae Esuno's Big Order manga as it airs in Japan. The stream will premiere worldwide outside of Asia on Friday, April 15 at 2:00 p.m. EDT. The manga's story centers on an introverted high school student named Eiji Hoshimiya with a huge secret — he wished...
Interview: Bluefin and the World of Anime Collectibles
If you've ever bought a Gundam model, it likely says 'Bluefin' on it somewhere; we sat down for a chat with the folks at Bluefin, who are responsible for getting some of the coolest anime merchandise into your hot little hands.
― If you've ever purchased a Gundam model kit in America, you've probably seen the name Bluefin on the back somewhere. Having recently opened a brand-new warehouse space in So...
Dark Horse Comics Licenses Hatsune Miku: Mikubon Manga
4-panel manga by creators of Miku's “Ievan Polkka” video to debut in October
― Dark Horse Comics announced at Anime Boston on March 26 that it has licensed Ontama's four-panel manga Hatsune Miku: Mikubon (titled Mikubon in Japan) and will debut the volume on October 5, 2016. Dark Horse Comics describes the manga: Hatsune Miku and her friends Rin, Len, and Luka are not only back in manga…they're back ...
Kingdom Hearts χ PC Browser Game Ends Service in September
Square Enix released prequel game set during Keyblade War in 2013
― Square Enix announced on Thursday that it will end service on its Kingdom Hearts χ ("chi", pronounced "key") PC browser game in the beginning of September. The company said it will announce details such as when the game will formally end service, when the billing system will go offline, and other information at a later date. Square E...
Koei Tecmo's Attack on Titan Game Gets Western Release Dates, Platforms
Western release adds Xbox One, PC releases
― Koei Tecmo Games America and Koei Tecmo Games Europe announced the western release details for its Attack on Titan game on Thursday. In Europe the game will be titled A.O.T: Wings of Freedom and ship on August 26, while in the Americas it will be titled Attack on Titan and ship on August 30. The game will get Xbox One and PC via Steam releases in addition ...
Final Fantasy XV Gameplay Video Shows Game's 1st Chapter
Game director Hajime Tabata discusses September 30 game's design
― Video game website Game Informer began streaming a gameplay video on Wednesday of Square Enix's Final Fantasy XV PlayStation 4 and Xbox One game. The video shows game director Hajime Tabata discussing the game's first chapter, showing how the game begins, and previewing the open world elements of the game. Square Enix will release the...
The X Button - First Impressions: Star Fox Zero
This week: the sights, sounds, and gimmicky little robots of Star Fox Zero! Plus Assault Suits, Mega Man, and yet another game-industry departure.
― Last week, we heard a little bit about Valkyrie Profile 3. To be specific, we heard about Shuichi Kobayashi, producer of the new Star Ocean, keeping a Valkyrie Profile 3 proposal in his files. That's no real shock, of course. Game companies have plenty ...
Princess Jellyfish [Omnibus] GN 1
Princess Jellyfish is finally available in English, and it is definitely worth the wait. Akiko Higashimura's story is touching, funny, and just all around a good read.
― If you have ever felt weird, alone, or socially anxious, Princess Jellyfish is a manga you ought to read. One of the most honest, and funniest, stories about not quite fitting in, Akiko Higashimura's tale of a group of self-proclaime...
Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ Game's N. American Launch Trailer Streamed
Prequel game released in N. America on iOS, Android on Thursday
― Square Enix began streaming the launch trailer on Thursday for its Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ smartphone game. Square Enix had announced on Monday that it would release the game in North America on Thursday. The game is available now on iOS and Android. Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ is a smartphone version of the Kingdom Hearts χ 2013 bro...
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- Anime Gets SD Spinoff Shorts
Re:ZERO kara Hajimeru Break Time short series premieres on April 8
― The official website for the Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- (Re: Life in a different world from zero or Re: Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu) television anime series announced on Thursday that the series will get a spinoff of anime shorts that will air after each episode's airing on the AT-X channel. The short, titled Re...
Bananya TV Anime's Promo Video Streamed
Crowdfunding campaign for anime launched on March 25, seeks 3 million yen
― Frontier Works began streaming a promotional video on Thursday for Bananya, the television anime adapting Q-Lia's Bananya banana cat mascot character. (Note: The video below is not available in some regions.) Yuuki Kaji (Attack on Titan's Eren Jaeger) will play the titular character. Kyō Yatate (Sockie's Frontier Quest) is di...
Makoto Shinkai's Kimi no Na wa./your name. Film's 2nd Teaser Previews RADWIMPS Song
RADWIMPS band performs over 20 tracks for August 26 film's soundtrack
― The official website of Makoto Shinkai's new Kimi no Na wa. (your name) anime film began streaming a second teaser for the film on Thursday. The teaser previews the song "Zen Zen Zense" by the Japanese rock band RADWIMPS. Mitsuha: It was probably from that day... Taki: ...that I've been searching for someone. Mitsuha: It can't be...
Scared Rider Xechs TV Anime's Promo Previews Animation
Satelight animates summer series based on otome game
― The official website of the television anime adaptation of Rejet and Red Entertainment's Scared Rider Xechs romance adventure game began streaming a promotional video for the anime on Thursday. The video reviews the franchise's history and previews the upcoming show's animation for the first time. In the beginning of the video, Christoph says, "I...
Teekyū Spinoff Usakame TV Anime's Ad Reveals April 11 Premiere
Earth Star Dream voice characters, perform theme songs for anime about "official rivals" of Teekyū
― The official website of the television anime for Roots and Jūzō Kirisawa's Teekyū spinoff manga Usakame began streaming a commercial for the anime on Thursday. The video reveals the anime's April 11 premiere date. The anime will premiere on April 11 on Tokyo MX at 25:05 (effectively 1:05 a.m. on April...
YUKI Performs Theme Song for 2016 Pokémon Film
"Post ni Koe o Nageirete" song debuts with promotional video for film on April 14
― The official website for the 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) anime film announced on Thursday that singer YUKI will perform the film's theme song "Post ni Koe o Nageirete" (Put Your Voice ...
Funimation Posts The Empire of Corpses Film's English Dub Cast With Trailer
English dub's staff also revealed
― Funimation Entertainment began streaming a trailer on Wednesday for its upcoming screening of The Empire of Corpses anime film. The trailer previews the film's English dub. Funimation also revealed the film's English dub cast. The cast, under ADR director and scriptwriter Mike McFarland, assistant ADR scriptwriter J. Michael Tatum, ADR engineer Peter Hawkinson, Eng...
XSEED Games Registers "FateExtella.com" Domain Name
North American video game publisher XSEED Games registered the "FateExtella.com" domain name on Wednesday. The company also registered the "0r0Ch1r1s1Ng.com" domain name in March. Marvelous recently revealed in March that it is developing the Fate/Extella action game for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita. The game will feature the character Nero Claudius (Sakura Tange) from Marvelous Entertai...
Netflix to Stream P.A. Works' Kuromukuro Anime Series Worldwide
Netflix's stream begins on April 11 in Japan with new episodes every Monday
― The official website of Kuromukuro, the 15th anniversary project of the anime studio P.A. Works, announced on Thursday that Netflix has exclusive worldwide streaming rights to the anime. Netflix will begin streaming the series in HD in Japan on April 11, four days after its Japanese premiere, and will stream new episodes ev...
CEO Marc Perez Leaves Anime Expo's Parent Company SPJA
Ray Chiang named acting CEO; Perez had assumed CEO role in 2010
― Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) CEO Marc Perez announced on Facebook on Tuesday that he has left his job at the SPJA. Perez explained that "it's time to move on," and added, "I wish all of the employees and volunteers the very best and look forward to seeing you in the future." The SPJA's Board of Directors said ...
English Textbook Character Inspires Battle-Ready Meme
The English-teaching textbook New Horizon released its newest edition and added a new character, Ellen Baker. Ellen is a cute, blonde assistant language teacher that appears through out the pages to help teach concepts. Her design has attracted attention on Twitter, not only for being cute but also because one particular image is ripe for meme images. In the original, Ellen-sensei is discussing he...
Wednesday, April 6
Future GPX Cyber Formula Zero Inspires New Merch Ahead of 2017
The Future GPX Cyber Formula Zero original video anime is inspiring a resurgence of merchandise. Why this particular OAV? Within the series, Formula Zero took place in 2017; a futuristic sounding year when the episodes were released in 1994. The line of goods includes two new zip-up parkas and a reprint of Bleed Kaga's earrings. The zip-up designs are based on Hayato Kazami's Sugo Asurada team an...
Netflix in Final Talks to Produce Live-Action Death Note Film
Former Warner project aims to start shooting in June with star Nat Wolff, director Adam Wingard
― Entertainment news source Variety reported on Wednesday that Netflix is in "final negotiations" to acquire and produce a live-action Death Note film, which was previously in development at Warner Bros. The report states that STX and Lionsgate are some of the other studios that sought to acquire the proje...
Sanrio Boys Get Their Own Line of Merchandise
The official Twitter account for the cute guys of "Sanrio Danshi" (Sanrio Boys) project announced that they will get their own line of merchandise starting in June. Sanrio will release clear files, keychains, a calendar, and more on a monthly basis. The project opened its website earlier this year. The project stars Kōta Hasegawa, a high school boy that loves the yellow Pom Pom Purin dog. By mere ...
Japanese Comic Ranking, March 28-April 3
Otaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii, One Piece, Tokyo Ghoul:re, Hozuki no Reitetsu, Saki in top 5
― Rank Title Est. Weekly Copies Est. Total Copies Release Date Publisher Author Highest Rank Weeks on List 1 Otaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii 2 208,765 208,765 2016/03 Ichijinsha Fujita 1 1 2 One Piece 81 134,955 134,955 2016/04 Shueisha Eiichiro Oda 2 1 3 Tokyo Ghoul:re 6 84,087 730,897 2016/03 Shueisha Sui Ishida 1 ...
Watch Babymetal Make Their U.S. Television Debut on The Late Show
The official YouTube channel for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert began streaming the Japanese idol group Babymetal's performance from last night's show. The trio performed the track "Gimme Chocolate!!" from their 2014 album Babymetal. Their new album, Metal Resistence was released on April 1. The trio's world tour kicked off with a performance at The SSE Arena Wembley in London on April 2. The ...
Crunchyroll to Stream Tonkatsu DJ Agetaro Anime
Gag series premieres on April 10
― Media distribution service Crunchyroll announced on Friday that it will stream the television anime adaptation of author Ipyao and artist Yūjirō Koyama's Tonkatsu DJ Agetaro (Tonkatsu DJ Agetarou) manga as it airs in Japan. The first episode will premiere on April 10 at 11:45 a.m. EDT. The stream will be available in the United States., Canada, United Kingdom, Irela...
Locodol Anime Gets 3rd OVA
"We tried to make a promotional video" episode slated for home video release in June
― The official blog for Locodol, the anime adaptation of Kōtarō Kosugi's Futsū no Joshikōsei ga Locodol Yattemita four-panel manga, revealed screenshots for a third original video anime (OVA) on March 25. The 25-minute episode is titled "PV Tsukuttemita." (We tried to make a promotional video). img IMG loco5.jpg IMG ...
Japan's Video Game Rankings, March 28-April 4
Yo-kai Sangokushi, Star Ocean 5 -Integrity and Faithlessness- games debut
― Japan's Game Ranking: March 28-April 4 Rank System Title Maker Release Date Weekly Copies Total Copies 4Gamer Reader Review 13DS Yo-kai Sangokushi Level 5 April 2 269,516 269,516 2PS4 Star Ocean 5 -Integrity and Faithlessness- Square Enix March 31 113,022 113,022 49 33DS Dragon Quest Monsters Joker 3 Square Enix March 24 98,6...
Assault Suit Leynos Game Heads West on PS4, PC
Side-scroller will have physical edition on PS4
― Rising Star Games announced on Wednesday that it will release Dracue Software's side-scrolling shooter game Assault Suit Leynos on PlayStation 4 and PC in North America and Europe. The company will release a physical edition for PlayStation 4 that will include a double-sided poster. The game shipped for PlayStation 4 in Japan on December 23. The game ...
Oscar-Winning Studio Robot Animates 4th Marukome Miso Ad
The anime studio Robot returned to animate the fourth commercial for Marukome, a food company best known for its Ryōtei no Aji (First-Class Flavor) miso products. The 30-second and 90-second versions of the "Ryōtei no Aji-Eki Miso Jōkyo-Hen (Ryōtei no Aji Brand Liquid Miso Soup: Moving to Tokyo Chapter) ad are streaming on Marukome's website, and will debut on television on April 7. The story foll...
Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū Manga Ends on June 7
10th and final volume to ship this summer
― This year's 31st issue of Kodansha's Itan magazine announced on Thursday that the final chapter of Haruko Kumota's Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū manga will run in the magazine's next issue on June 7. The tenth and final volume will ship this summer. The manga's story revolves around a mature prisoner who was released on good behavior during Japan's Showa Genr...
AnimEigo's Riding Bean Kickstarter Ends, Meets Stretch Goal to Reprint Manga
Campaign ends with US$135,589 of US$30,000 goal
― North American anime distributor AnimEigo's Kickstarter campaign for a "High Octane Edition" Blu-ray Disc release for the Riding Bean OAV ended on Tuesday with 1,752 backers pledging US$135,589—over 450% of its US$30,000 goal. AnimEigo reached its sixth stretch goal of US$135,000 on Tuesday, and so will translate and print a 10-page manga that appeare...
Crunchyroll to Stream Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto Anime
Series about perfect high school student premieres Friday night
― Crunchyroll announced on Wednesday that it will stream the television anime of Nami Sano's Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto (Sakamoto desu ga?) manga. The stream will premiere on Saturday, April 9 at 1:00 a.m. EDT. The stream will be available in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Scandinavia, South Africa, Turkey, the Middle Eas...
Answerman - Why Would A Licensor Require a Dub?
Just how common is it for a Japanese company to require an English dub, like with Skip Beat, and why would any licensor demand that in the first place? Justin gets into it.
― Ryan asks: I have never thought of this until I read about the Skip Beat! kickstarter. Why would a Japanese company require a english dub for an American company to license a property? Wouldn't they be just as happy with a sub ...
Haruka Tomatsu, Tomokazu Seki Join Sweetness and Lightning Anime Cast
Series about single father raising a daughter premieres in July
― The official website for for the television anime of Gido Amagakure's Sweetness and Lightning (Amaama to Inazuma) manga announced two additional cast members on Thursday. They are: Haruka Tomatsu (Sword Art Online's Asuna) as Shinobu Kojika, Kotori's friend and classmate Tomokazu Seki (Fate/stay night's Gilgamesh) as Yūsuke Yagi, a caf...
Dance in the Vampire Bund's Tamaki Starts New Manga
Soul Liquid Chambers "gothic cyberpunk action" manga launches in April
― Manga creator Nozomu Tamaki announced on his official Twitter account on March 16 that he is launching a new manga titled Soul Liquid Chambers in Shonengahosha's Young King Ours GH magazine on April 16. Tamaki posted an image from the Young King Ours GH magazine from March 16, where describes the manga as a "gothic cyberpunk act...
Your Lie in April Vol. 1 Blu-Ray
Music shapes and defines the life of Kosei Arima in this acclaimed drama, out on bluray now from Aniplex of America. Theron Martin dives in.
― This release from Aniplex of America covers the first 11 episodes of the adaptation of Naoshi Arakawa's award-winning manga, which constitutes the first of the series' two seasons. Ostensibly it is a series about classical music, and indeed, that is featured r...
Studio Deen Makes Anime Film of Buddhist Text Naze Ikiru
Kotaro Satomi, Katsuyuki Konishi, Hideyuki Tanaka, Ayumi Fujimura star
― Studio Deen is animating Kentetsu Takamori's Buddhist text Naze Ikiru as a film. Naze Ikiru -Rennyo Shōnin to Yoshizaki Enjō- (Why We Live: The Priest Rennyo and the Yoshizaki Fire) will open on May 21 at Tokyo's Cinemart Shinjuku and other theaters. The story centers around Ryōken, a young man who lamented his misfortune and de...
Seikima II Performs Ring/Ju-on Crossover Film's Theme Song
Heavy metal band's CD single for Sadako vs. Kayako horror film slated for June 15
― Kadokawa streamed a video on Wednesday to reveal that the heavy metal band Seikima II created a new song called "Noroi no Shananana" (Curse's Shananana) as the theme for the upcoming Sadako vs. Kayako horror film. In the video, Seikima II's vocalist and band leader Demon Kakka proclaims that a "demon world and spirit ...
Full Time Managing Editor Wanted in Tokyo
For a project we are developing with one of our partners, Anime News Network is looking for a full time managing editor for a new website. The candidate must possess the following: Experience with online journalism publishing, preferably in anime or a similar niche market (e.g. videogames); Native, professional English language writing skills; Familiarity with the anime industry, market and fandom...
The [email protected]: Platinum Stars PS4 Game Slated for July 28
Game's "Platinum Edition" contents detailed
― The official blog of The [email protected] franchise announced on Wednesday that Bandai Namco Entertainment's PlayStation 4 game The [email protected]: Platinum Stars is slated for release on July 28. Both the standard and digital download editions of the game will cost 8,200 yen (about US$74), while the "Platinum Edition" will cost 12,400 yen (about US$112). Those who...
Goro Miyazaki & Polygon Pictures' Ronja the Robber's Daughter Wins International Emmy
Ghibli collaborated on 2014 TV anime
― The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the winners of the International Emmy Kids Awards on Tuesday. Goro Miyazaki and Polygon Pictures' Ronja the Robber's Daughter television anime won the Animation category. Shimajiro's WOW! (Shimajirō no Wow!) was nominated in the Preschool category, but lost to Bing. The Ronja the Robber's Daughter...
Live-Action Hyouka Mystery Film's Casting Call Posted by City
Ju-On: Black Ghost's Mari Asato listed as director, writer
― The official website of Annaka City in Gunma Prefecture posted a casting call for a live-action film adaptation of Honobu Yonezawa's mystery novel Hyouka. The casting call is seeking extras for high school student characters and teachers, and it outlines the wardrobe, hairstyles, and accessories that potential extras should be wearing. Shoo...
Makoto Shinkai's Kimi no Na wa./your name. Film Trailer Reveals August 26 Opening, Song
RADWIMPS band performs over 20 tracks for film's soundtrack
― Yahoo! Movies began streaming a new trailer for Makoto Shinkai's new Kimi no Na wa. (your name) anime film on Wednesday. The trailer reveals the film's August 26 opening date, and previews the song "Zen Zen Zense" by the Japanese rock band RADWIMPS. Boy: On that day... That day when stars fell from the sky... It was almost like... Girl: It...
Anthem of the Heart Has 2016's Highest 1st-Week Sales for Anime Films Thus Far
Film's BD release sold 29,666 copies in 1st week
― The Blu-ray Disc release of The Anthem of the Heart (Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterun Da.) anime film has the highest first-week sales for anime films in 2016 thus far, according to Oricon's overall Blu-ray Disc sales chart for the week of March 28-April 3. The film's Blu-ray Disc sold 22,966 copies in its first week. It beat the previous record holder, Ao...
Skip Beat's English Dub Kickstarter Campaign Casts Robbie Daymond as Ren Tsuruga
Campaign hits US$120,000 of US$155,000 goal; will announce milestone at US$130,000
― Pied Piper, Inc. announced on Tuesday that Robbie Daymond (Sailor Moon's Tuxedo Mask, The Seven Deadly Sins' Gilthunder) would play Ren Tsuruga in the planned English dub of the Skip Beat! television anime series. The Kickstarter campaign for the show's North American release revealed the voice actor once the campaig...
Tales of Link Smartphone Game Released in English
App with classic Tales of series characters debuted in Japan in 2014
― Bandai Namco Entertainment released an English version of its Tales of Link smartphone game on the Google Play store. Bandai Namco Entertainment describes the game: Your favorite characters from the popular “Tales of” series are here in an all-new story, crafted just for your mobile screen! TALES OF LINK is a free-to-play RPG in w...
Tuesday, April 5
Crunchyroll to Stream Crane Game Girls Anime
Anime about girls who save Earth from asteroids via games premieres Wednesday
― Media distribution service Crunchyroll announced on Tuesday that it will stream the Crane Game Girls (Bishōjo Yūgi Unit Crane Geeru) television anime series as it airs in Japan. The stream will begin on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. EST. The stream will be available for users in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Irelan...
Series Premiere: Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal: Season III
"I realize that it might be too early for a celebration, but it really looks like the third season of Sailor Moon Crystal is going to be far superior to the first two."
Sailor Moon Crystal: Season III's 1st Blu-ray/DVD Art Previewed
The first episode of Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal: Season III debuted this week and pre-orders quickly opened for the season's first Blu-ray and DVD releases. The franchise's official website revealed that like previous seasons, the home video release will include a limited edition that comes in a special box. The first volume's box shows Uranus and Neptune. Special features include audio ...
Girls & Panzer Film Tops 1.8 Billion Yen at Box Office
The official blog for the Girls und Panzer anime franchise announced on Tuesday that the Girls und Panzer film has sold 1,096,617 tickets for a total of 1,805,276,384 yen (about US$14,162,000) as of April 4. The film has been in theaters for 20 weeks. The film opened in Japan last November, and it ranked #38 in the top 39 highest grossing Japanese domestic films of 2015 (tied with Grasshopper). Th...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, April 3-9
Ghost In The Shell: The New Movie, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Parasyte the maxim, Rail Wars anime; Hour of the Zombie manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Gakuen Alice DVD Anime ElementsPlease Nozomi Entertainment US$34.99 April 5 Ghost In The Shell: The New Movie BD/DVDCite Funimation Entertainment US$34.98 April 5 Ghost in the Shell: Arise The New Movie DVDAnimeNews...
Funassyi Follows Up Budōkan Announcement With Virtual Reality Stage Play
Funassyi is following up its solo Budōkan concert announcement with another one-of-a-kind mascot experience.The unofficial pear-fairy mascot of Funabashi City will star in a virtual reality stage play at the DMM VR theater beginning on June 30. The story is titled "Legend of Funassyi" and promises to be an "epic fantasy adventure" performed live on a holographic stage in full CG animation. Tickets...
Japan Anima(tor)'s Exhibition's Teddyloid, DAOKO, Hibiki Yoshizaki Return for College CM
The minds behind Japan Anima(tor)'s Exhibition's "ME! ME! ME!" and "GIRL" shorts teamed up for a commercial to promote HAL Tokyo College of Technology & Design. Composer Teddyloid (Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, Space Patrol Luluco), rapper DAOKO, director Hibiki Yoshizaki (Yozakura Quartet ~Hana no Uta~) and character designer PALOW created the commercial. The video streamed on YouTube ahead o...
Sentai Filmworks Licenses Onigiri Anime (Updated)
Shorts based on MMORPG to premiere on Wednesday on The Anime Network
― Sentai Filmworks announced on Tuesday that it has licensed the anime adaptation of Cyberstep's massively multiplayer online role-playing game Onigiri. The company plans to release the series through select digital outlets, but has not announced plans for a home video release. The Anime Network also announced on Tuesday that it wil...
Joker Game Anime Blu-rays to Include Original Animation
Spy mystery anime premiered Tuesday on Crunchyroll
― The official website for the Joker Game anime announced details on the series' home video releases on Tuesday. The 12-episode series will get two Blu-ray Disc box sets that will also include an original animation titled "Kuroneko Yoru no Bōken" (Black Cat Yoru's Adventure). The animation will be split into two parts across the two box sets. The set...
Sengoku Basara: Sanada Yukimura-Den Slated for September in Japan
Kadokawa's Weekly Famitsu magazine is reporting on Thursday that CAPCOM will release its "stylish hero action" game Sengoku Basara: Sanada Yukimura-Den (Sengokua Basara: The Legend of Sanada Yukimura) for the Playstation 4 and Playstation 3 in September. Famitsu will reveal more information about the game, including information on the franchise's first appearance of adolescent Sanada Yumikura (His...
Crunchyroll to Stream Tanaka-kun is Always Listless Anime
Comedy series about perpetually-sleepy high school boy premieres Saturday
― Crunchyroll announced on Tuesday that it will stream the anime Tanaka-kun is Always Listless (Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge) as it airs in Japan. The stream will premiere on Saturday, April 9 at 10:00 a.m. EDT. New episodes will premiere on future Saturdays at the same time. The stream will be available in the United States, ...
Babymetal Idol Group's Late Show Appearance Confirmed
The official website for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert confirmed the Japanese idol group Babymetal will appear on the show tonight. The group's American distributor RED announced in February that the group was confirmed to appear on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert the week of the album's April 1 release. Since the announcement, the information was removed from RED's website for the album, ...
Eri Suzuki, Ai Kayano, More Star in Amanchu! Anime
Saori Onishi, Yuichiro Umehara, Shizuka Itou, Yurika Kubo, Kikuko Inoue join cast for July anime
― The official website for the anime adaptation of Kozue Amano's Amanchu! manga has announced the main cast on Tuesday. The cast includes:. Eri Suzuki as Hikari Kohinata Ai Kayano as Futaba Ooki Saori Onishi as Ai Ninomiya Yuichiro Umehara as Makoto Ninomiya Shizuka Itou as Mato Katori Yurika Kubo as Cha-...
Dynasty Warriors Franchise Gets Strategy RPG
Koei Tecmo Games reveals Shin Sangoku Musou: Eiketsuden
― Kadokawa's Weekly Famitsu magazine is reporting on Thursday that Koei Tecmo Games' Dynasty Warriors (Shin Sangoku Musou) action game franchise is inspiring a strategy role-playing game titled Shin Sangoku Musou: Eiketsuden (Dynasty Warriors: Legend of Great Heroes). The magazine is publishing a six-page feature with information on the game and...
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash
Grimgar presents a unique and compelling take on a well-worn premise, offering a more meditative style of fantasy adventure.
― Grimgar's premise is probably one you've heard before: “boy from our world finds himself waking up in a strange, medieval fantasy world. In this world, players must choose classes and then fight monsters, acquiring gold and new skills over time. And so the boy gathers togethe...
Season Premiere: Sailor Moon Crystal (Episode 27)
"I realize that it might be too early for a celebration, but it really looks like the third season of Sailor Moon Crystal is going to be far superior to the first two."
Higurashi Kizuna/Gal Gun Game Publisher Alchemist Files for Bankruptcy
Developed & released games since Kimi ga Nozomu Eien's 2002 Dreamcast port
― The 4Gamer website reported on Tuesday that game publisher and developer Alchemist filed for voluntary bankruptcy at the Sapporo District Court on April 1, the first day of the new fiscal year. Alchemist was established in 1991, and began developing and releasing game software with the Sega Dreamcast port of Age's PC game Ki...
Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, March 28-April 3
2nd live-action Assassination Classroom's theme sells 14,993 more, followed by Anthem of the Heart, Mr. Osomatsu, Digimon tri., Wagnaria!!3
― "Sayonara Sensa-tions," the theme song for the live-action Ansatsu Kyōshitsu: Sotsugyō-hen (Assassination Classroom: Graduation) film by the group "Sensa-tions," sold 14,993 copies for a new total of 200,822. In its second week on the ovrall DVD chart, it dropp...
Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, March 28-April 3
Anthem of the Heart sells 22,966, followed by Animelo, Digimon tri., Charlotte, Mr. Osomatsu
― The Animelo Summer Live 2015 -The Gate- 8.28 concert release sold 8,252 to rank #4 on the overall Blu-ray Disc chart, followed by Animelo Summer Live 2015 -The Gate- 8.29 (7,250 copies) and Animelo Summer Live 2015 -The Gate- 8.30 (6,572 copies) at #5 and #6, respectively. The Premium Box for Toshokan Sensō...
Zelda, Final Fantasy, Sonic, Pokémon, Space Invaders Nominated for Video Game Hall of Fame
The Strong Museum will announce new selections on May 5
― The Strong, the self-described "national museum of play" in Rochester, New York, announced the finalists for its 2016 World Video Game Hall of Fame on March 29. The games include: Elite (1984), Final Fantasy (1987), Minecraft (2011), Grand Theft Auto III (2001), John Madden Football (1988), The Legend of Zelda (1986), Nürburgring (1975), The O...
Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ Smartphone Game Slated for N. America on April 7
Square Enix announced on Monday that the date for the North American release of its Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ game will be Thursday, April 7. The announcement also includes an interview with Kingdom Hearts game director Tetsuya Nomura, where he elaborates on details of the game's story. Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ is a smartphone version of the Kingdom Hearts χ 2013 browser game. The smartphone ga...
Dōkyūsei/Classmates Boys-Love Anime Film Tops 200 Million Yen
The anime film of Asumiko Nakamura's Dōkyūsei (Classmates) boys-love manga has sold 135,730 tickets for 201,492,100 yen (about US$1.8 million) in 43 days of theatrical screenings. It expanded from the current 41 theaters to an eventual 60 theaters for a second run starting on Saturday. The film opened on 30 screens at #9 in the Japanese box office on February 20. It sold 23,395 tickets for 34,308,...
2nd Live-Action Assassination Classroom Stays at #1 With 393 Million Yen
1st Chihayafuru jumps back to #4, Doraemon keeps #2
― Ansatsu Kyōshitsu: Sotsugyō-hen (Assassination Classroom: Graduation), the second live-action film based on Yusei Matsui's Assassination Classroom manga, retained its #1 rank in the Japanese box office in its second weekend on 318 screens, selling 335,418 tickets and earning 393,471,200 yen (about US$3.54 million). It is projected to sell over 2 m...
New Live-Action Death Note Film Reveals 2 Stills of Cyber-Terrorist Yūgi Shion
Genius hacker reveres Kira & his "new world" in October 29 film
― The staff for the live-action Death Note 2016 film revealed two stills on Monday. Both stills feature Masaki Suda as Yūgi Shion, a genius hacker who works for many terrorist organizations and who reveres the infamous vigilante Kira. He performs state-sponsored cyber-terrorism to form Kira's "new world," while toying with the investigat...
Joshiraku Manga Gets New Stage Play With Nogizaka46 Idols
May 12-22 play is set in the year 2066
― A new stage play of Kôji Kumeta and Yasu's Joshiraku manga about female rakugo storytellers has been green-lit. It will be titled Joshiraku Ni ~Toki Kakesoba~ (Joshiraku II: Time Soba Noodles in Broth) and will be set in the year 2066. As with last year's stage play, it will star members of the female idol group Nogizaka46. As before, each of the five main cas...
Eir Aoi to Perform in New York's Gramercy Theatre in May
Crunchyroll offering VIP tickets to Premium members
― Sony Music Entertainment announced on Monday that singer Eir Aoi will perform in New York City's Gramercy Theatre on May 25. The event will mark the singer's first solo concert in New York. Media distribution service Crunchyroll is offering VIP tickets for its Premium members, which will include priority entrance, access to a talk session with Eir...
Digital Manga's Kimagure Orange Road Kickstarter Funds 1st Omnibus Volume
Company plans to release 1984-87 romantic comedy series in 6 omnibus volumes
― Digital Manga Inc.'s Kickstarter campaign to publish Izumi Matsumoto's romantic comedy manga Kimagure Orange Road reached its initial goal of US$34,900 on Monday evening. The initial goal will allow the company to publish the first 3-in-1 omnibus volume. The other five omnibus volumes will be stretch goals at the following...
Monday, April 4
Latest Unreal Engine Fan Project is Castlevania
Fans have been revisiting classic video games and souping them up with the Unreal Engine for high-definition remakes. Amateur game developers have taken on Pokemon, environments from The Legend of Zelda, and Super Mario 64. The "Shadow Moses" project was attempting to remake Metal Gear Solid but staff shuttered the project last month. YouTuber Dejawolfs spent four months on his own remake of Castl...
Wrestling Trio Go Super Saiyan for Wrestlemania 32
The WWE's Wrestlemania 32 kicked off on Sunday with plenty of surprises outside of headline matches between Roman Reigns and Triple H, the Undertaker and Shane McMahon, and Dean Ambrose and Brock Lesnar. One ring entry that grabbed anime fans was the trio The New Day. The group busted out of a giant cereal box to reveal themselves in Saiyan Armor from Dragon Ball Z. The #BootyOs are flowing on the...
Emi Nitta's Agency Denies Reports That Voice Actress Appeared in Adult Video
Article published on Tuesday linked Love Live! voice actress with adult video
― Voice actress Emi Nitta's agency S Inc. responded on Tuesday to recent rumors that Nitta had appeared in an adult video. The agency wrote: Regarding a piece that ran in a weekly magazine- Thank you for your constant support. According to some news sources, Nitta has been accused of appearing in adult videos, and we have b...
Terraformars Revenge Anime to Have 13 Episodes
Warner Brothers Home Entertainment will release the full Terraformars Revenge sequel anime on a DVD box set with 13 episodes. The set will ship in Japan on September 28 for 8,900 yen (about US$80). The series will also be available on limited edition Blu-ray singles, the first of which will contain the anime's first two episodes and is slated for June 22. The series premiered on April 1. Viz Media...
Final Fantasy XV Director: Square Enix May Increase Production on Ultimate Collector's Edition
Game director Hajime Tabata said on Twitter on Monday that, while the preorders are already sold out for the Final Fantasy XV's Ultimate Collector's Edition, Square Enix is currently "coordinating internally to see if it can increase production." Square Enix revealed a Deluxe Edition and Collector's Edition release for Final Fantasy XV at its "Uncovered: Final Fantasy XV" event last week. The Delu...
Goku Cosplayer Takes His Flying Nimbus to Los Angeles
Goku cosplayers on flying nimbuses are popping up all over the world to delight and astound civilians. The latest cosplayer is Johannes from Melonboard Electric Skateboards who rode around on a few of company's boards in Los Angeles. YouTuber YUKON1 made a similar video in February where he rode around in Taipei. A previous Goku cosplayer was spotted flying around Dragon Con in Atlanta last year. ...
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Anime Listed With 25 Episodes
Retailer Amazon is listing nine Blu-ray and DVD volumes for the Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- anime with a total of 25 episodes. Only the first episode is listed with a runtime that is twice as long as the other episodes. The series premiered on Crunchyroll on Sunday at 2:35 p.m. EDT. The anime is inspired by Tappei Nagatsuki and illustrator Shinichirou Otsuka's light novel series of th...
Crunchyroll to Stream Shonen Ashibe GO! GO! Goma-chan Anime
Also: Anime gets new manga adaptation starting on April 25
― Crunchyroll announced on Thursday that it will stream the Shonen Ashibe GO! GO! Goma-chan television anime. The series will premiere worldwide outside of Asia on April 5 at 7 a.m. EDT. The Shōnen Ashibe GO! GO! Goma-chan television anime will premiere on NHK's E-Tele channel on April 5, and will run during the "Ten-Tele Anime" timeslot with...
Life-Size Godzilla Reminds Visitors To Manage Their Oral Hygiene
Official Shinjuku tourism ambassador and rampaging monster Godzilla wants to remind visitors that taking care of their teeth is important for bodily health. The Godzilla bust atop Kabuki-cho's TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku can be seen holding an equally giant cup with the word "Isodine" written on the side. Isodine is a brand of mouthwash being promoted by Mundipharma in collaboration with Toho. The cup w...
Skip Beat! English Dub Kickstarter Campaign Casts Grant George as Sho Fuwa
Campaign hits US$110,000 of US$155,000 goal; will announce more cast at US$120,000
― Pied Piper, Inc. announced on Monday that voice actor Grant George (Fate/Zero's Lancer, Kill la Kill's Uzu Sanageyama) will play Sho Fuwa in the planned English dub of the Skip Beat! television anime series. The Kickstarter campaign for the show's North American release revealed the voice actress once the campaign hi...
40th Annual Kodansha Manga Awards' Nominees Announced
Seraph of the End, Noragami, My Hero Academia, Say I Love You, Rainbow Days, First Love Monster, Kiss Him, Not Me, Ajin, Boku Dake ga Inai Machi among nominations
― Japanese publisher Kodansha announced the nominees on Friday for its 40th annual Manga Awards, honoring 14 titles across three categories. The winner for each category will be announced on May 12. Best Shōnen Manga Seraph of the End (Owar...
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Takes Over Shibuya in Commercial, Wall Ads, Masks
Staff dressed as "Kabane" hand out tissues
― Fuji TV's Noitamina programming block began streaming a new commercial on Monday for WIT Studio's original television anime series Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress (Kōtetsujō no Kabaneri). The video features the main cast giving a message to fans and features animation from the upcoming series. Text: Shibuya-only commercial Cast: Everyone currently walking th...
Answerman - What's With All The Censorship Lately?
Justin cuts to the chase about what is and is not "censorship" and where all the content edits in anime and video games are coming from these days.
― James asks: I have been seeing much news about censorship in video games, recently, and I am wondering why it is still occurring; in this day and age, when people can access virtually anything instantly on the internet, how can companies still think th...
Crunchyroll to Stream Cerberus Anime
Fantasy series about boy avenging his parents' death premieres Monday
― Crunchyroll announced on Monday that it will stream Cerberus (Seisen Cerberus: Ryūkoku no Fatalite), the television anime adaptation of GREE's Seisen Cerberus mobile game. The stream will premiere on Monday, April 4 at 2:15 EDT worldwide outside of Asia. The anime will premiere in Japan on TV Tokyo and other channels on April 4. ...
Nioh PS4 Game Gets Alpha Demo, Manga Adaptation
Demo available in English from April 26-May 5
― The official PlayStation YouTube channel began streaming a video on Monday to announce that Koei Tecmo Games' Nioh "dark warring-states action RPG" will get an alpha demo on the PlayStation 4. The demo will be available to download on the PlayStation Network Store between April 26 and May 5. Those who clear a stage of the demo will get "The Mark of the ...
Ace of Diamond The Live Stage Play Gets 3rd Play in August
2nd stage play's home video release set for August 3
― The official website of the Ace of Diamond The Live II stage play adaptation of Yūji Terajima's Ace of Diamond (Daiya no A) baseball manga announced on Sunday that the stage play series will get a third installment in August. The announcement was first made at the second play's final performance in Osaka on Sunday. Ace of Diamond The Live III wil...
Capcom Poll Offers 'Mega Man 11' as Hypothetical Example
Capcom is holding an online poll regarding its Mega Man Legacy Collection (Rockman Classics Collection), and used the hypothetical title "Rockman 11" (Mega Man 11) in one of the questions. The question asks, "If a new title (such as Mega Man 11) were to go on sale, do you think you would want to play it?" The poll also asks, "If one of the past Mega Man series collections were to be released on mo...
More Details Revealed For Mayumi Kojima's Insert Song for One Piece Film Gold
The official website for this year's One Piece Film Gold anime confirmed on Monday that Mayumi Kojima (Ghost Hound) will perform an insert song for the film. The song will appear in the film's opening. Kojima commented that the song will be a "big band swing" song over 10 minutes long. The film's guest cast includes: (pictured from left to right): Kazuhiro Yamaji (Kamen Rider Blade's Kei Karasuma,...
Live-Action Wolf Girl and Black Prince Film Casts Yuki Yamada
Yamada plays man who hits on Reika Sata
― The staff of the live-action film of Ayuko Hatta's shōjo manga Wolf Girl & Black Prince (Ōkami Shōjo to Kuro Ōji) revealed on Monday that Yuki Yamada will play a character in the film. Yamada will play a man (seen left in picture right) who hits on Nanao's character Reika Sata (right). Yamada previously starred in the film Strobe Edge in 2015, also directed b...
Survey: Online Japanese Media
How do you consumer Japanese media online, what influences your decisions, and what are you looking forward to?
Macross Delta Anime's 1st Blu-ray/DVD Listed With English Subtitles
Amazon is curently listing the first Blu-ray Disc and DVD volume of the Macross Delta television anime with an option for English subtitles. The second through ninth volumes of the home video release are also listed on Amazon, but they do not currently list English subtitles. The limited edition of the first Blu-ray Disc and DVD volume will go on sale on July 22 for 7,344 yen (about US$66) and wil...
Bleach's Rock Musical Returns After 4 Years
Yasuyuki Tsutsumi will direct and write latest play
― Nelke Planning opened a website on Monday to reveal that the rock musical adaptation of Tite Kubo's Bleach manga will return to theaters in Tokyo and Kyoto this summer. The musical will run at the AiiA 2.5 Theater Tokyo and Kyoto Gekijō. Yasuyuki Tsutsumi (scriptwriter for One Piece 3D: Mugiwara Chase, One Piece Episode of Luffy: Hand Island no Bō...
Live-Action Film of Usamaru Furuya's Teiichi no Kuni Manga Casts Masaki Suda
Also: Manga ended with last chapter on Monday, 14th volume out on May 2
― The May issue of Shueisha's Jump Square magazine revealed on Monday that the live-action film adaptation of Usamaru Furuya's Teiichi no Kuni (Teiichi's Country) manga has cast Masaki Suda (seen right) as the protagonist Teiichi Akaba. Furuya also published the final chapter of the manga in the same issue. He had previously anno...
My Hero Academia: Battle for All 3DS Game's Play Videos Preview Characters
May 19 game features same voice cast as anime, includes side stories for each playable character
― The official website of Bandai Namco Entertainment's My Hero Academia: Battle for All Nintendo 3DS game began streaming two gameplay videos on Friday and Sunday for Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugō, respectively. The video for Izuku previews his gameplay mechanics, including a "one for all gauge" that ...
Ace Attorney 6 Game's Ads Preview Short Stories
Nintendo 3DS game ships in Japan on June 9
― Capcom's official website for its Gyakuten Saiban 6 (Ace Attorney 6) Nintendo 3DS game began streaming two commercials for the game on Monday. The first video previews the two short stories included for preordered copies game. The second video shows Phoenix shouting the series' trademark lines alone, after realizing it's been a while since he last did it. ...
4 New Versions of McDonald's Anime Shorts With AKB48 Idols Streamed
Chūgoku, Kyūshū, Hokkaido, Chūbu/Hokuriku versions streamed
― McDonald's is streaming four more versions of its "Mirai no Watashi" (The Future Me) campaign anime shorts. The first video is the Chūgoku version of the short, featuring the voice of Ikumi Nakano, who is from Tottori prefecture in the Chūgoku region of Japan. The second video, the Kyūshū version, features Narumi Kuranoo, who hails from Ku...
Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Dark Side of Dimensions Film Listed in Early 2017 Outside Japan
Entertainment news source World Screen reported last week that the Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Dark Side of Dimensions film will open in theaters outside Japan in early 2017. Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine previously teased the film's story, which takes place six months after the end of the manga: In the past Yūgi Yami and Kaiba have clashed many times!! Yami Yūgi, who resides in Yūgi Mutō's body, and ...
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