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Shelf Life - Tonari no Seki-kun
Paul kills time and goofs off with Tonari no Seki-kun, a short-form sleeper hit out on bluray now from Sentai Filmworks. PLUS: an avalanche of this week's new anime releases!
― It's rare for one single scene to sell me on an entire series, but that's exactly what happened when I watched the first episode of Flying Witch last week. Near the end of the episode, the main character wanders off into the ...
Magic User's Club! TV + OVA DVD
Theron takes in the entire Magic User's Club franchise and tries to determine if this once-somewhat-popular romantic comedy still has any magic left in it after all these years.
― Though it has both light novel and manga adaptations, Magic User's Club! started out in 1996 as a six episode anime-original OVA series. (Some sources out on the Web claim that the OVA is an adaptation of the franchise's sh...
ANNCast - Spring Forward, Fall Back
Zac and Jacob wrap up the spring season and pick their favorites from the lot, including My Hero Academia, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress and much much more, plus live questions!
― ANNCast Episode 257: Spring Forward, Fall Back Zac and Jacob wrap up the spring season and pick their favorites from the lot, including My Hero Academia, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress and much much more, plus live question...
Awesome Nozomi Anime Give-Away
Our awesome friends at Nozomi Entertainment have offered to let ANN give-away a bunch of recent and upcoming Nozomi titles. 10 randomly selected entrants will each receive the Nozomi title of their choice.
― Our awesome friends at Nozomi Entertainment have offered to let ANN give-away a bunch of recent and upcoming Nozomi titles. 10 randomly selected entrants will each receive the Nozomi title of th...
Tuesday, April 19
Mario Creator Shigeru Miyamoto Shares Thoughts on 20 Years of Pokémon
Video game designer and producer Shigeru Miyamoto sat down for a brief video to congratulate the Pokémon game series for reaching 20 years. In the short video, Miyamoto reveals that he actually started working on production for the game six years before its release with now president and CEO of The Pokémon Company, Tsunekazu Ishihara, around the same time Nintendo was creating EarthBound. He noted...
Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Break Time Anime Shorts' 2nd Episode Posted
2nd comedy short aired in Japan on April 19 & will stream for limited time
― The official website for the Re: Life in a different world from zero (Re: Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu) television anime series began streaming the second episode of Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Break Time on Tuesday. The spinoff anime short series airs after each episode of the main anime's airing. In the beginning of the vi...
Power Rangers Film Unveils Elizabeth Banks in Costume as Rita Repulsa
Banks describes her villain character for March 2017 film
― People magazine shared the first image of actress Elizabeth Banks (The Hunger Games' Effie Trinket) in costume as Rita Repulsa for the new Power Rangers film on Tuesday. Banks told people that her character is "definitely a modern and edgy re-imagining of the original Rita Repulsa," and that she's looking forward to "being unpredictable as a...
Super Robot Wars OG The Moon Dwellers' 2nd English Promo Video Reveals Summer Release
Game ships in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia in English
― Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia began streaming an English promotional video on Tuesday for the Super Robot Wars OG: The Moon Dwellers (Super Robot Taisen OG: The Moon Dwellers) simulation role-playing game for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3. The video previews the game's story and main characters, and reveals the ...
Disney's Totoro Voice Actor Frank Welker to Receive Daytime Emmys' Lifetime Achievement Award
Voice actor to be honored for nearly 50 years of work
― The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced on Tuesday via press release that voice actor Frank Welker will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 43rd Annual Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards. Welker is most famous for performing the voices for Fred 'Freddy' Jones from in the Scooby-Doo series. Welker has been providin...
Star Fox Zero Wii U Game's Co-op Previewed in Video
Game slated for release on April 22 in N. America
― The official Youtube channel of Shueisha's V Jump magazine began streaming a gameplay video of Nintendo's Star Fox Zero Wii U game on Tuesday. The video features V Jump editor Saitō V and V Jump Nintendo writer Kataoka previewing the game, including its two-player cooperative mode. Star Fox Zero will debut on the Nintendo Wii U console on April 21 i...
Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, April 11-17
2nd live-action Assassination Classroom's theme sells 2,187 more, followed by Daisuke Namikawa & KENN, Divine Gate, S -Saigo no Keikan-, Mr. Osomatsu
― "Sayonara Sensa-tions," the theme song for the live-action Ansatsu Kyōshitsu: Sotsugyō-hen (Assassination Classroom: Graduation) film by the group "Sensa-tions," sold 2,187 copies for a new total of 207,947. In its third week on the overall DVD chart,...
Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, April 11-17
Nana Mizuki sells 1,518 more, followed by Kamen Rider Ghost, Kamen Rider, Is the order a rabbit??, Hentai Kamen
― Nana Mizuki's Nana Clips 7 Blu-ray Disc sold 1,518 more copies for a new total of 15,487. It fell from #3 to #10 in its second weekend on the overall Blu-ray Disc chart. The Kamen Rider Ghost Blu-ray Collection 1 debuted at #11 with 1,405 copies. Kamen Rider Blu-ray Box 3 was #13 with 1,3...
Sound! Euphonium Season 2 Briefly Listed in Fall by Red Cross Campaign
A collaborative campaign between Kyoto Animation's Sound! Euphonium (Hibike! Euphonium) anime and the Red Cross Kyoto Blood Center briefly listed on Monday that the planned second season of the television anime will tie into another campaign this fall. The first version of the page read, "To coincide with the second season's premiere, we will run a similar campaign this fall." After an edit a few ...
Suda 51's Let It Die PS4 Game Previewed in Teaser Trailer
Game will have booth in PAX East in Boston on April 22-24
― GungHo Online Entertainment posted a teaser trailer for Gōichi "Suda51" Suda's (Lollipop Chainsaw, No More Heroes, Killer is Dead) and Grasshopper Entertainment Let It Die PlayStation 4 game on Monday. The teaser highlights the game's main character and combat. GungHo Online Entertainment also began streaming a video featuring Suda51 and Kaz...
Persona 4 Arena Ultimax Stage Play Unveils 3 More Cast Members
Yuuki Fujiwara, Shōichi Honda reprise roles from Persona 3 plays as Akihiko, Ikutsuki
― The staff for the stage play of Arc System Works and Atlus' Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (Persona 4: The Ultimax Ultra Suplex Hold) 2D fighting game revealed additional cast members on Tuesday. The new additions include: From left to right: Sayaka Fujioka as Kikuno Saikawa Yuuki Fujiwara as Akihiko Sanada Shōichi Honda...
Final Gundam Thunderbolt Episode's Ad Highlights Pilot Rivalry
4th episode premieres on Friday after earlier fan club preview
― Bandai Visual began streaming a commercial for the fourth and final episode in the anime of Yasuo Ohtagaki's Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt manga on Tuesday. The commercial highlights the rivalry between Zeon pilot Daryl, and the Earth Federation pilot Io. Text: When the two's conflict is finally over, will the nightmare called "war" en...
Detective Conan: The Darkest Nightmare Earns Franchise's Highest Opening Weekend Box Office
Lates film tops box office with 1.209 billion yen despite Kumamoto quakes
― Detective Conan: Junkoku no Nightmare (Detective Conan: The Darkest Nightmare), the 20th Detective Conan (Case Closed) anime film, opened in Japan last Saturday on 348 screens. It sold 933,800 tickets for 1.209 billion yen (about US$11.1 million) to top the Japanese box office in its opening weekend. The film grossed 38% more...
Kizumonogatari, Attack on Titan Audiobooks' Dates & Casts Revealed
Cristina Vee, Erik Scott Kimerer, Keith Silverstein, Erica Lindbeck voice May/June releases
― North American publisher Vertical announced on Monday that it will launch its light novel audiobook program with three books: Kizumonogatari: Wound Tale, and both volumes of Attack on Titan: The Harsh Mistress of the City. The voice actor and actress revealed for the Kizumonogatari: Wound Tale audiobook incl...
20th Btooom! Manga Volume Will Have 'Important Announcement' in May
The wraparound jacket band of Junya Inoue's third La Vie en Doll manga volume revealed on Tuesday that Inoue's 20th Btooom! manga volume will have an "important announcement." Shinchosha will publish Btooom!'s 20th volume on May 9. Btoom! centers around Sakamoto, a NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) young man and a top-ranked player in the online combat game Btooom! One day, he wakes...
Monday, April 18
One Piece ‒ Episode 737
"This partial-filler episode pads things out just as much as anything else and doesn't aspire to do more."
Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid Manga Gets TV Anime
Seven Seas to publish I Can't Understand What My Husband is Saying creator's comedy manga in N. America
― Amazon's preview of Coolkyoushinja's fourth Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid (Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon or The Dragon Maid of Kobayashi-san) manga volume reveals that a television anime adaptation has been green-lit. Seven Seas will release the manga in North America, and it describes the stor...
Leiji Matsumoto Takes the Stage at Cupitron Concert
Designed "digital fairy" costumes for pop trio
― The idol group Cupitron performed a concert at the Hokutopia Dome Hall in Tokyo on April 17 while wearing the "digital fairy" costumes Leiji Matsumoto had designed for them. As part of the performance, they sang the theme song to the Galaxy Express 999 film — based on a manga Matsumoto created — while a video of the character Maetel played on...
Ajin: Demi-Human Original Anime DVD Promo Previews 'Shinya Nakamura Incident'
Anime episode bundled with 8th volume ships on May 6
― King Records began streaming a promotional video on Tuesday for the original anime DVD (OAD) bundled with the limited edition of the eighth volume of Gamon Sakurai's Ajin - Demi-Human manga. Both the regular and limited edition of the eighth volume will ship on May 6. The limited edition will cost 3,600 yen (about US$29.50). The official website ...
Sailor Moon Crystal: Season III ‒ Episode 29
"Okay, now I know I'm not imagining it – Sailor Moon Crystal's third season is using a lot of yuri imagery."
Nekogahara's Nora Chiyo Comes to Life in Shōnen Magazine Edge
Also runs magazine for a day
― Hiroyuki Takei's manga Nekogahara: Stray Cat Samurai follows a wandering, one-eyed samurai, Nora Chiyo, as he "cuts through insolence." Nora Chiyo also happens to be a cat, but Takei's art style makes him look sufficiently badass. In real life, though, a cat like Nora Chiyo just can't quite cut it. The real-life Nora Chiyo appears in a "gravure" spread in the May issue ...
Comic-Con Int'l to Host Knights of Sidonia/Blame! Creator Nihei
Wirter/artist will be sepecial guest at July 21-24 convention in San Diego
― Comic Con International announced on Monday that it will host writer and artist Tsutomu Nihei as a special guest at this year's convention. Nihei wrote and illustrated the science fiction manga Blame! from 1997 to 2003. The series inspired a net anime adaptation in 2003, and has an upcoming theatrical anime adaptation in the...
Dark Souls III Sets Bandai Namco America Sales Records
Additional trailer streamed for PS4/Xbox One/PC game
― Bandai Namco Entertainment America announced on Monday that From Software's Dark Souls III PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC game is the company's fastest-selling game. It also set Bandai Namco Entertainment's record for most successful day-one sales. The company began streaming an accolades trailer on Monday: The game shipped in North America and ...
3DCG Gantz Film Titled, Slated for October 14 in Japan
GANTZ:O to adapt manga's Osaka arc
― The staff of the upcoming "full 3DCG" anime film based on Hiroya Oku's Gantz manga announced that the film will be titled GANTZ:O and will open in Japan on October 14. The staff also unveiled a visual, pictured right. The film will adapt the original manga's Osaka Arc. Oku launched the original Gantz manga in Young Jump in 2000, and he ended the manga in 2013. Shu...
Sentai Filmworks Adds Trinity Seven Anime
2014 fantasy series streamed on Crunchyroll
― North American anime distributor Sentai Filmworks announced on Monday that it has licensed the anime adaptation of Kenji Saito and Akinari Nao's Trinity Seven manga. The company plans to release the series digitally and on home video. The anime premiered in October 2014, and Crunchyroll streamed the anime as it aired in Japan. Hiroshi Nishikiori (Azumanga...
Kumamon Suspends Twitter Updates in Wake of Kumamoto Earthquake
Also: Mayumi Tanaka, One Piece kabuki troupe support victims
― Kumamon, the beloved mascot of Kyushu's Kumamoto Prefecture, has refrained from updating its Twitter page since an earthquake struck its home on April 14. In response to concerns from its fans for his well-being, the bear's official home page posted that social media updates have been suspended because "we put the people who have been aff...
Godzilla Resurgence's Fearsome Monster Gets Soft Vinyl Lottery Figure
Bandai's Ichiban Kuji lottery is kicking off the inevitable new wave of Godzilla merchandise for Godzilla Resurgence (Shin Godzilla), the first new Japanese Godzilla film in 12 years. The lottery kicks off in late July, just in time for the film's theatrical opening on July 29. Included in the prizes is 35-cm soft vinyl figure of Takayuki Takeya's (Kamen Rider Drive, live-action Attack on Titan) ...
Street Fighter V to Add Guile in April Update
Guile's Air Force Base also announced as 1st DLC stage
― Capcom announced on the US PlayStation blog on Monday that Guile will join Street Fighter V as a DLC in an April update. The playable character will be free for all players until the Zenny shop launches. The update will also include Guile's Air Force Base as the game's first DLC stage. The stage will be available in the shop, but will be free f...
Answerman - Are Physical Anime Releases In Danger?
Common wisdom dictates that most people watch anime streaming now - are DVD and Bluray headed for the dustbin of history? Justin chimes in.
― RPGothic asks: With streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon getting exclusive rights to series and anime programming blocks, plus the recent crunchyroll/kadokawa deal, what does this mean for the home video market? I know dvds and blurays sales are on th...
Amazon Prime Now Offers Video-Only Subscription Plan
Amazon began offering a video-only subscription plan, distinct from its Amazon Prime membership, in the United States on Sunday. In addition, Amazon has added monthly subscription rates for both Amazon Prime and Amazon Prime Video. The monthly rate for Amazon Prime Video is US$8.99 and the monthly rate for Amazon Prime is US$10.99. The regular Amazon Prime membership offers streaming video, as wel...
Shelf Life - Tonari no Seki-kun
Paul kills time and goofs off with Tonari no Seki-kun, a short-form sleeper hit out on bluray now from Sentai Filmworks. PLUS: an avalanche of this week's new anime releases!
― It's rare for one single scene to sell me on an entire series, but that's exactly what happened when I watched the first episode of Flying Witch last week. Near the end of the episode, the main character wanders off into the ...
Series Premiere: Kumamiko - Girl meets Bear (Episodes 1-3)
"It's a sharp and unique little comedy, at the very least hard to forget, an anime like nothing else out there."
Star Fox Zero Game Gets Anime Short by Attack on Titan Studios
Shigeru Miyamoto, Production I.G, Wit Studio make short teased in trailer
― Nintendo posted a teaser trailer on Monday to promote the world premiere of a Star Fox Zero animated short on April 20 at 6:00 p.m. EDT. The staff of "Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins" includes acclaimed game creator Shigeru Miyamoto (Mario, Zelda, Star Fox), Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell, Blood: The Last Vampire, collab...
Kimagure Orange Road Kickstarter Reveals New Reward Tier, Add-Ons
Popular bikini figurine reward returns, new bikini figurine reward tier added
― Digital Manga Inc. updated its Kickstarter page on Friday for its campaign to publish Izumi Matsumoto's romantic comedy manga Kimagure Orange Road to add a new tier and new add-on merchandise. The new reward tier is a US$950 level "Madoka's Bikini Orange" tier. Digital Manga added the reward tier after the “$850-Orange PV...
Hatsune Miku Expo Expands to More Cities in U.S., Mexico
N. American tour will run from April 23 to June 5
― Crypton Future Media announced on Sunday that the Hatsune Miku Expo will tour in 10 North America cities in spring 2016 instead of the originally planned six. The updated locations and dates are: Seattle, WaMu Theater, April 23 San Francisco, The Warfield, April 30 Los Angeles, Microsoft Theater, May 6 Dallas, The Bomb Factory, May 14 Houston, NRG A...
Kagerou Daze Novel Series' 7th Volume Revealed, Slated for August
Yen Press publishes novels, manga of JIN's Kagerou Project
― The official website of songwriter and manga creator JIN's Kagerou Project mixed-media project revealed last Friday that he will release a new Kagerou Daze novel on August 29 as the newest installment in the project. The novel will be the seventh volume in the Kagerou Daze series. JIN's Kagerou Project began as a Vocaloid song series that J...
2nd Season of Assassination Classroom Anime Spinoff Shorts Previewed in Video
Anime shorts will premiere on April 29
― The official YouTube channel of Docomo's dTV streaming service began streaming a promotional video for the second season of the Assassination Classroom anime's unaired "Extracurricular Lesson" episodes. The video features the main series' second season's current opening theme song "QUESTION." Korosensei: This is the announcement of an assignment for all studen...
Kaze no Yō ni Anime Film's Trailer Previews Theme Song
Ekura Animal animates film based on Tetsuya Chiba's 1969 1-shot manga
― The official website of the anime film adaptation of Tetsuya Chiba's (Ashita no Joe, Teppei) Kaze no Yō ni (Like the Wind) one-shot manga began streaming a trailer for the film on Wednesday. The trailer previews the film's theme song "Koi Kaze" (Love Wind) by Kana Matsumoto. Text: The dazzling four seasons in Japan Text: Nature s...
Live-Action Corpse Party Sequel Film's Title, Livestream Shooting Revealed
Corpse Party: Book of Shadows film opens summer with Rina Ikoma, Nozomi Maeda starring
― The official website of the live-action film adaptation of 5pb.'s Corpse Party horror game franchise revealed on Monday that the previously announced sequel to the film will be titled Corpse Party: Book of Shadows, the same title of the 2011 sequel game. The film will begin principal photography on Tuesday. As wi...
My Hero Academia: Battle for All Gameplay Videos Preview Tsuyu, Minoru
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 Sunday for Tsuyu Asui and Minoru Mineta. The video for Tsuyu previews her gameplay mechanics revolving around her "Frog-Form" quirk, which allows her to extend h...
Rewrite TV Anime Features Untold '6th Route' About 'That Girl'
Tensho, the director of the television anime of the Rewrite visual novel, posted on his official Twitter account on Sunday that the Rewrite anime's story will portray a "sixth" route left untold in the game, which will tell the story of "that girl." The original Rewrite visual novel had five main routes, centering on five different characters (Chihaya, Kotori, Shizuru, Lucia, and Akane). While the...
Buddy Go! TV Anime's 3rd Episode Streamed
Nobuhiko Okamoto, Asami Shimoda star in 3-episode short series about cross-dressing idol
― The official YouTube channel for Shueisha's Ribon magazine began streaming the third and final episode on Sunday for the television anime adaptation of Minori Kurosaki's Buddy Go! manga. The channel previously streamed the second episode on April 10 and the first episode on March 31. The "cross-dressing romance...
TARAKO Replaces Nobuyo Oyama as Monokuma in Danganronpa Franchise
TARAKO voices character in upcoming stage play, anime
― The official website of the Danganronpa The Stage 2016 ~Kibō no Gakuen to Zetsubō no Kōkōsei~ (Danganronpa The Stage: The Academy of Hope and the High School Student of Despair) stage play revealed on Monday that voice actress TARAKO will voice Monokuma in the stage play, replacing Nobuyo Oyama in the role. The official website for the Danganron...
Kingdom's 3-Minute Live-Action Short Streamed
Kento Yamazaki, Chihiro Yamamoto, Kenji Gotō star in short based on Yasuhisa Hara's manga
― Shueisha began streaming its live-action short based on Yasuhisa Hara's Kingdom manga on Monday. Shueisha is streaming the short with and without narration, and is also streaming a 60-second version and a making-of video. Full Short With Narration Full Short Without Narration 60-second Commercial Version Makin...
More Character Visuals Revealed for Naruto Stage Musical's New Run
Iruka, Zabuza, The Third Hokage, more revealed in new visuals
― The official website of the Live Spectacle Naruto stage musical unveiled seven character visuals on Monday for the play's new run. The new visuals include: Hidekazu Ichinose as Iruka Umino Asahi Uchida as Zabuza Momochi Kazihiro Hirakawa as The Third Hokage Tatsunari Kimura as Kabuto Yakushi Miho Imamura as Haku Yoshiaki Umegaki as Jiray...
Black Butler Manga Gets New Musical With 'New Cast'
Musical debuts in November with runs in Tokyo, Fukuoka, Hyogo, Aichi
― The May issue of Square Enix's G Fantasy magazine announced on Monday that a new stage musical adaptation of Yana Toboso's Black Butler supernatural manga has been green-lit. The magazine teases that the new stage musical will have a "new cast," but did not specify if this means it will feature a whole new cast or just new charact...
Sunday, April 17
Ghost in the Shell: SAC's Kenji Kamiyama Directs New 'Hirune Hime' Anime Film
I.G Port's Signal.MD animates 2017 film set in Okayama prefecture in 2020
― Director Kenji Kamiyama revealed a new anime film project titled Hirune Hime ~Shiranai Watashi no Monogatari~ (Napping Princess: The Story of the Unknown Me) on Monday. The film is slated to open in Japanese theaters in 2017. The project will be the first film that Kamiyama has helmed in five years since 009 Re:Cyborg in 2012...
Hunter x Hunter Manga's Next Volume Ships on June 3 in Japan
Yoshihiro Togashi resumes series in Shonen Jump on Monday after almost 2 years
― This year's 20th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine announced on Monday that the 33rd compiled book volume of Yoshihiro Togashi's Hunter × Hunter manga is slated for June 3 in Japan. The manga published its first new chapter after a two-year hiatus in the same issue. The manga has been on hiatus since 2014's...
Sailor Moon Exhibit Opens in Usagi's Hometown
Check out original art, light show, tons of merchandise, Queen Neo Serenity's dress, and more
― A lavish Sailor Moon exhibit opened on April 16 in Tokyo's Roppongi Hills Observation Deck, which happens to be located in Sailor Moon's hometown, Azabu #10. The 36-foot-high entrance hall resembles Princess Serenity's Moon Castle and is hung with giant scrolls of the Sailor Guardians drawn by Naoko Takeuc...
Series Premiere: Shōnen Maid (Episodes 1-2)
"If you're in the market for an amusing sitcom with a likable cast and crisp visuals, it should make a welcome addition to your spring anime list."
Shonen Jump Heads to Universal Studios Japan This Summer with Three New Attractions
Represented by One Piece, Death Note, DBZ
― The always popular titles of Weekly Shonen Jump are taking over Universal Studios Japan this summer, with three of the magazine's most famous manga represented with new attractions. This year's 20th issue of Weekly Shonen Jump is announcing on Monday that Dragon Ball Z's Goku will take on the diabolical Freeza again in a 4-D attraction, which ups the realis...
Series Premiere: Re:Zero (Episodes 1-3)
"Its obvious light novel trappings might drive some viewers away, but the series has already shown more to itself underneath the surface."
My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 3
"So far, MHA is constantly finding that balance between extremely traditional Shonen Jump property and something more."
Puzzle and Dragons x Shonen Sunday Collaboration Continues with Case Closed, Kyou Kara Ore Wa!!
Also: new characters from previous series collaborations
― In 2015, the mobile game Puzzle & Dragons formed a collaboration with Weekly Shonen Sunday, allowing several of the magazine's most popular characters to appear in the game. It began with characters from Inuyasha, Flame of Recca, and Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic, and later expanded to include familiar faces from Ushio & Tora, Urusei Yatsura, ...
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure OP Artists Will Hold Joint Concert
The opening theme song artists behind JoJo's Bizarre Adventure are gathering for a special live concert on May 28. "JO☆STARS Special Live 2016 ~Bizarre Night~" will take place at Zepp DiverCity Tokyo with Hiroaki "Tommy" Tominaga, Coda, and Jin Hashimoto. Each performer sang openings for the series as solo tracks before collaborating on "JoJo - Sono Chi no Kioku ~end of THE WORLD~" for JoJo's Biz...
Fukumenkei Noise Shōjo Manga Gets TV Anime
Ryoko Fukuyama's manga about music, one-sided love launched in Hana to Yume in 2013
― The cover of this year's 10th issue of Hakusensha's Hana to Yume magazine will reveal on Wednesday that Ryoko Fukuyama's Fukumenkei Noise shōjo manga will get a television anime adaptation. The preview for the issue on the magazine's official website had teased that the issue would have an important announcement for...
Series Premiere: Flying Witch (Episodes 1-2)
"It leans heavily towards the atmosphere end of the atmosphere-comedy spectrum, but it's hard to complain about a show this charming and solidly constructed."
New Twitter Trend: High School Girls Posing in Noodle Restaurants
Publicity campaign for udon chain
― The Japanese noodle restaurant chain Marugame Seimen, which specializes in udon (thick wheat noodles), has started a social media marketing campaign targeted at high school-age girls, JK Udon Kawaii ("High School Girls Udon Cute"). The idea is to take a picture of yourself posing while at one of Marugame Seimen's restaurants; the goal is to make udon "more cute, fu...
'Jump CS' Project Revealed as Online 'Characters Store'
This year's 20th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed on Monday that the "Jump CS" project announced last month will be an online "characters store" with a variety of new merchandise. The store will open on Monday at noon JST (Sunday at 11:00 p.m. EDT) and will have an opening fair that will last until May 15. The 17th issue of Weekly Shonen Jump had teased the project in March...
New Yu-Gi-Oh! 3DS Game's Title, Original Characters Revealed
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Saikyō no Card Battle game ships this summer with planned global release
― This year's 20th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed on Monday that Konami's Yu-Gi-Oh! game slated for release this summer for the Nintendo 3DS will be titled Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Saikyō no Card Battle (Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Strongest Card Battle). Additionally, the issue prev...
Series Premiere: High School Fleet (Episodes 1-2)
"It's an easy recommendation for fans of cute girls doing military things, and it's approachable enough to entertain viewers outside of its core demographic."
Emi Nitta's Streamed Program Delayed Indefinitely
S Inc. agency will make announcement when program will resume
― Management agency S Inc. announced on Wednesday that "Emint Night," voice actress Emi Nitta's weekly Wednesday Nico Nico livestream program, has been indefinitely postponed. The company explained that it had received opinions and advice from channel members. After considering the content of the opinions, and upon further consultation, th...
Skip Beat! Kickstarter Ends After Raising US$224,546
Pied Piper, Inc.'s Kickstarter campaign to fund an English dub of the Skip Beat! television anime series ended after raising US$224,546 on Saturday. Mela Lee, Cristina Vee, and Erica Lindbeck (the voices of Maria Takarada, Erika Koenji, and Kanae Kotonami, respectively) uploaded a video to thank supporters of the campaign on Friday. Pied Piper, Inc. will at a later date follow up with updates abou...
3rd Flying Witch Petite Short Features Lost Makoto
'Special version' of 1st 2 short episodes to ship as extras on 1st DVD/BD release on June 22
― The official website for the television anime of Chihiro Ishizuka's Flying Witch manga began streaming the third Flying Witch Petit short anime episode on Friday. In the newest episode, Makoto can't seem to find her way to the kitchen. Chito implies that he has already memorized the entire layout of the hou...
Super Robot Wars X-Ω Adds Crayon Shin-chan's Kantam Robo
Game also getting Eureka Seven, Votoms, Overman King Gainer, Grendizer, Evangelion units this month
― The official website of Bandai Namco Entertainment's Super Robot Wars X-Ω smartphone game revealed on Monday that it will add Kantam Robo from the Crayon Shin-chan television anime series to the game in the latter half of this month as a limited-time offer. The site lists that it has also added or wi...
Live-Action I Am a Hero Film Wins Grand Prize at Brussels Int'l Fantastic Film Fest
Film also wins Audience Award, Jury Prize at Portugal's Fantasporto festival
― The live-action film of Kengo Hanazawa's best-selling zombie manga I Am a Hero won the Grand Prize (the Golden Raven) at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF) on March 29. The runner-up prize (the Silver Raven) went to Seoul Station and The Phone. The film also won the Audience Award and the Jury Prize...
GLIM SPANKY Performs Eagle Talon GT Web Anime's Ending Theme Song
Comedy short anime series premiered on April 7
― The official website of the GLIM SPANKY rock duo announced on March 31 that they will perform the ending theme song to the Eagle Talon GT (Taka no Tsume GT) web anime short series. The song is titled "Yoake no Fork" (The Fork of Dawn). GLIM SPANKY members Remi Matsuo and Hiroki Kamemoto appeared in the live-action segment of the anime's first episode o...
Saturday, April 16
Benesse's Shinken Zemi Manga Inspires KANA-BOON Music Video
Music video starring Yūna Taira premieres on Japanese television as commercial on Friday.
― Benesse's Shinken Zemi manga inspired a live-action music video by KANA-BOON (Boruto -Naruto the Movie-, The Perfect Insider) for the band's "Run and Run" song. The music video portrays scenes in the manga, and stars Yūna Taira as the protagonist Chiaki Sakura. Benesse's Shinken Zemi Plus website began streami...
Golden Bomber Band Performs Chibi Maruko-chan Opening Theme
Band members portrayed in new opening animation
― Last Sunday's episode of the Chibi Maruko-chan anime unveiled a new version of the opening theme song "Odoru Pompokorin" by the visual kei band Golden Bomber. The new opening animation footage also portrays the band's four members. Momoko Sakura serialized the original manga that the anime is based on in Shueisha's Ribon magazine from 1986 to 1996. Th...
Season Premiere: The Asterisk War ‒ (Episodes 13-15)
"Character interactions are where the series shines brightest."
Sanrio's Puroland Theme Park Will Get a Facelift
Sanrio's Puroland theme park has hosted all kinds of events amid its own mascot paradise. A mystery event starring Hatsune Miku, a stage reading of a yaoi novel, and a dance event featuring a rapping Frieza have all graced the stage. The Tama park's efforts aren't in vain either, as stock in Sanrio continues to grow. The theme park will invest five billion yen (US$9.2 million) by 2020 to increase ...
New App Lets You Hatch & Raise Your Very Own Boy
Tap items to boost your "love points"
― If you're tired of the same old formula being reused in your otome games, Otomedō is here with an... innovative new idea for getting to know a cute boy: raise him from birth! Chitcha Danshi ("Teeny Boy") starts when you find a mysterious egg on the road, which hatches into... a miniature bishōnen. It's your task to raise him into a fine young man. This involves...
Could Love Live! Make an Appearance at the Tokyo Olympics?
Culture Minister supports the idea
― Love Live! School idol project has taken Japan's anime enthusiast community by storm in the past few years (as any regular reader of ANN can attest), and it's even achieved some mainstream recognition, as epitomized by its appearance in last year's Red and White Song Battle. But is it ready for the world's biggest stage — the Summer Olympics opening ceremony?...
Series Premiere: Ace Attorney (Episodes 1-3)
"It's as close to the game as you can get, resulting in a show with ho hum production values that takes few if any risks."
Live-Action Mars Film's 1st Trailer Streamed
Kis-My-Ft2's Taisuke Fujigaya, Masataka Kubota, Marie Iitoyo reprise TV show roles
― The official website for the live-action film adaptation of Fuyumi Soryo's shōjo manga Mars began streaming the first trailer on Friday. The video previews the continuing story from the live-action television series that will conclude in the film, titled Mars ~Tada, Kimi wo Aishiteru! (Mars ~But, I Love You~). The of...
Series Premiere: Big Order
"Takes what could have been an interesting premise and somehow manages to make it feel both overstuffed and devoid of anything important actually happening."
Concrete Revolutio - Episodes 14-15
"The first two episodes of Concrete Revolutio: The Last Song, especially the second one, are more cohesive than almost all of season 1."
BBK/BRNK Tops Poll of Most Satisfying Winter 2016 Anime
KonoSuba, ERASED take next 2 spots
― The Japanese anime news and review website Anipota conducted a survey of the most satisfying winter 2016 anime from March 23 to April 12. It received 11,557 responses. Here are the results. BBK/BRNK, 2,703 votes KONOSUBA, 2,531 votes ERASED, 1,440 votes Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash, 853 votes GATE, 441 votes Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju, 404 votes Myriad Colors Phant...
Ushio & Tora ‒ Episode 29
"This episode was heavy on flashbacks and world-building, but managed to keep its focus on a fight in the present, leading to a rare half hour of riveting action that lines up chess pieces in the background."
Series Premiere: Kiznaiver (Episodes 1-2)
"There's a potentially great show hiding in Kiznaiver. The mix of Trigger's visual exuberance and Mari Okada's hyper-emotive storytelling seem like a fertile match, and Kiznaiver seems to at least be trying to be exactly that theoretical show."
Eve Burst Error R Game's Promo Video Streamed
El Dia's remake for PS Vita, PC ships in Japan on April 28
― El Dia began streaming a promotional video on Thursday for its EVE Burst Error R visual novel remake for the the PC and PlayStation Vita. The video highlights the game's main characters. The game will ship in Japan on April 28. The first-edition limited version of the game will retail for 7,800 yen (about US$69) for both systems, and the do...
Hakuōki: Otogisōshi TV Anime's 2nd Episode Streamed
Flash anime featuring SD Hakuōki characters also aired on TV
― Flash animation studio DLE's official YouTube channel began streaming the second episode of the Hakuōki ~Otogisōshi~ television anime on Tuesday. The four-minute episode has three animated shorts with separate stories. In the short titled "Kagami" (Mirror), Chizuru puts up a mirror received as a present from Nagasaki in the headquarters. ...
Star Ocean 5 Game's Promo Videos Preview Characters, Kingdoms
Fiore, Victor, Resulia, Langdauq previewed for June 28 release in N. America
― Square Enix North America began streaming a battle trailer for the Star Ocean 5: Integrity and Faithlessness role-playing game for the PlayStation 4 on Tuesday. The company also began streaming character spotlight videos for Fiore and Victor. Square Enix began streaming promotional videos on Friday that preview the Kingdom...
Magic User's Club! TV + OVA DVD
Theron takes in the entire Magic User's Club franchise and tries to determine if this once-somewhat-popular romantic comedy still has any magic left in it after all these years.
― Though it has both light novel and manga adaptations, Magic User's Club! started out in 1996 as a six episode anime-original OVA series. (Some sources out on the Web claim that the OVA is an adaptation of the franchise's sh...
Puzzle & Dragons X 3DS Game's Video Previews Studio Pierrot's Opening
Game to ship in 2 versions on July 28 after anime's premiere
― The official YouTube channel for Shogakukan's Coro Coro Comics magazine began streaming an opening video for the Puzzle & Dragons X Nintendo 3DS game on Friday. The promotional video previews Studio Pierrot's animated opening sequence. The Puzzle & Dragons X game is slated to ship in Japan on July 28 in two versions: "Kami no Shō" (God C...
Season Premiere: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part Four (Episodes 1-3)
"Between Angelo the friendly neighborhood serial killer and the Nijimura brothers, there's a definite theme of evil coming from the inside and spreading its way outward."
Skip Beat! Dub Casts Kyle McCarley, Todd Haberkorn, Bryce Papenbrook
Kickstarter campaign unveils Ishibashi brothers' voice actors for English dub
― Cristina Vee announced on Thursday the cast who will play the Ishibashi brothers for Pied Piper, Inc.'s Kickstarter campaign to fund an English dub of the Skip Beat! television anime series. Kyle McCarley (Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans' Mikazuki, Aldnoah.Zero's Kisaki) will play Hikaru Ishibashi (pictured right...
Series Premiere: The Lost Village (Episodes 1-3)
"The Lost Village is an extremely ridiculous show."
New Lostorage incited WIXOSS Anime to Air This Fall
Card game previously inspired 2 TV anime series, anime film
― The official Twitter account for the WIXOSS trading card game announced on Saturday that a new anime project titled Lostorage incited WIXOSS will be broadcast this fall. The announcement did not specifically state that the project is a television anime series, but did state that the anime will be "broadcast" this fall, and the below announ...
One Piece Burning Blood Videos Feature Gameplay For Buggy, Jozu, Fujitora, Moriah, More
Game ships in Japan on April 21, in N. America on May 31, in Europe on June 3
― Bandai Namco Entertainment began streaming fourth and fifth gameplay videos this week for its One Piece Burning Blood PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, PC, and Xbox One game. The videos feature gameplay for Jesus Burgess, Jozu, Fujitora, Captain Kid, Law, Kuma, Gekko Moriah, and Buggy. Additionally, Bandai Namco Entertainm...
Netflix Japan Streams Kuromukuro Anime With English Subtitles
Netflix began streaming the first episode of P.A. Works' Kuromukuro television anime series in Japan on April 11, and ANN has confirmed that the episode includes English subtitles. New episodes are streaming on Netflix in Japan on Mondays, four days after their television debut. Netflix had announced on April 7 that it had the exclusive worldwide streaming rights to the anime. The announcement sta...
Sega Streams Production I.G's Animated Opening Video for Code of Joker S Arcade Game
Latest version of Code of Joker digital TCG debuts in Japan in late May
― Sega began streaming an animated opening movie on Friday for its upcoming Code of Joker S arcade digital trading card game. Production I.G animated the opening movie and MintJam provided the background music. The new game will debut in arcades in Japan in late May. The game's cast will include: Wataru Hatano as Jin Higami Kanae...
Kamen Rider Ghost, Dōbutsu Sentai Zyuohger Shows Get Films in August
Toei streams teaser for 2 films screening together starting on August 6
― Toei opened a website on Friday to announce that the Kamen Rider Ghost and Dōbutsu Sentai Zyuohger (Animal Sentai Zyuohger) television series are both getting films that will screen together in theaters starting on August 6. The films are tentatively titled Gekijōban Kamen Rider Ghost (Kamen Rider Ghost the Movie) and Gekijōban...
Detective Conan: The Darkest Nightmare Film Streams 2 More Ads
B'z performs theme song for film that opened on Saturday
― The official website of the 20th Detective Conan (Case Closed) anime film, Detective Conan: Junkoku no Nightmare (Detective Conan: The Darkest Nightmare), began streaming a "Don't Miss It" commercial and a "Battle" commercial on Tuesday. Don't Miss It Video Battle Video The website previously streamed two "Countdown" and "Drama" ads earlier t...
Morning Musume Idols Star in Stage Play of Moto Hagio's They Were Eleven Sequel
Tsubaki Factory members, former Takarazuka Revue members also star in June play
― Moto Hagio's Zoku 11-nin Iru! Higashi no Chihei Nishi no Towa manga, the sequel to her earlier science fiction series They Were Eleven (11-nin Iru!), is inspiring a new stage play starring idol group Morning Musume '16. The play will also star members of idol group Tsubaki Factory, acting club Engeki Joshibu, and former...
Friday, April 15
Mr. Osomatsu Brothers Cosplay as Sailor Guardians for YOU Magazine
The brothers of Mr. Osomatsu are revealing their magical girl side on the May issue cover of YOU magazine today. Shueisha's manga magazine shows all of the Matsuno brothers dressed as Naoko Takeuchi's own Sailor Guardians. Osomatsu takes the lead as Sailor Moon, Karamatsu is Sailor Mercury, Choromatsu is Sailor Jupiter, Ichimatsu is Sailor Mars, Jūshimatsu is Sailor Venus, and Todomatsu is Sailor ...
Rina Hidaka Plays Kantai Collection Arcade Before Launch This Month
Voice actress Rina Hidaka (Mutsuki, Yayoi, Mochizuki) tested out the Kantai Collection Arcade game ahead of its nationwide launch on April 26. The game was initially planned for release last summer but has faced continued delays. Throngs of fans came out to Osaka for a location test last month. In the video, Hidaka shows off some of her characters that appear in the game, the room decorating featu...
Q-Pot Accessory Brand Reveals Mouth-Watering Sailor Moon Goods
The high-end accessory brand Q-pot's newest line of Sailor Moon accessories are set for release on June 30, in celebration of Usagi Tsukino's birthday. The accessories incorporate magical items from the third season, Sailor Moon S but with a tasty dessert twist. The items include: Cosmic Heart Macaron charm 13,000 yen (US$119.50) (*also comes in a necklace version for 15,000 yen/US$139) Rainbow M...
New York Times Manga Best Seller List, April 3-9
Attack on Titan, Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma, 3 One-Punch Man volumes, Nichijou, 2 Tokyo Ghoul volumes, Akame ga Kill! Zero, Kiss Him, Not Me!
― The New York Times newspaper listed the manga bestsellers in the United States for the week ending on April 9. Rank Prev. Rank Title Author Publisher Weeks on List Cover 1 -Attack on Titan #18 Hajime Isayama Kodansha Comics 1 2 -Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma...
IBM's Sword Art Online Virtual Reality MMO Project Posts More In-Game Footage
Brief view of what testers saw inside the "Nervegear Prototype" in last month's test
― IBM Japan posted more in-game footage from its "Sword Art Online: The Beginning" virtual reality demonstration on Friday. Those who participated in the demonstration were able to scan their bodies, which were then rendered as 3D avatars for the demonstration. Users were then able to manipulate their in-game avatar ...
ANNCast - Spring Forward, Fall Back
Zac and Jacob wrap up the spring season and pick their favorites from the lot, including My Hero Academia, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress and much much more, plus live questions!
― ANNCast Episode 257: Spring Forward, Fall Back Zac and Jacob wrap up the spring season and pick their favorites from the lot, including My Hero Academia, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress and much much more, plus live question...
English Textbook Publisher Asks for Discretion in Portrayals of Teacher Character Ellen Baker
Asks for fan artists to complete permission form
― Last week we reported on the sudden online popularity of Ellen Baker, a young English teacher featured in the new edition of the Japanese English-language textbook New Horizon. Her cute appearance sparked a surge of interest on Twitter and Pixiv, with fan art, doctored images and English songs. As is usual for anything on the Internet, several of the...
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress Episode 2 Delayed 1 Week
The official Twitter account for Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress announced that the anime's second episode will air on Fuji TV on April 21. The episode will also debut on other channels and Amazon Prime with a one-week delay. The episode was scheduled to air 12:55 a.m. on Friday, April 15 on Fuji TV, but was delayed due to news coverage of a major earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Survey: Will You Boycott the Live-Action Ghost in the Shell Film?
Take a stand against white-washing, or a stand for the anime industry? Or forget standing and just sit down and enjoy the movie?
Tokyo's Fuji TV Will Air Next Assassination Classroom Episode Next Week
The official Twitter account for the Assassintation Classroom anime announced on Friday that the 15th episode of the second season will air on Fuji TV on Friday, April 22 at 1:40 a.m. The episode was scheduled to premiere on Fuji TV on Friday, April 15 at 1:25 a.m. but was delayed due to news coverage of a major earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture.
The Lost Village, Magi: Adventure of Sinbad Episodes Delayed Due to Quake News Coverage (Update 2)
The second episode of The Lost Village and the first episode of Magi: Adventure of Sinbad have been delayed on TBS. TBS' official Twitter account had announced plans to air the two series on Friday night and early Saturday morning, but they have been postponed for breaking news coverage of a second major earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture in as many nights. The first episode of Big Order premiered ...
Kansai Area Airs Shōnen Maid Anime This Week, But Not Sakamoto (Update 2)
The official Twitter accounts for the Shōnen Maid and Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto anime announced on Friday that the series' respective second episodes are still airing this week in the Kansai Region. Shōnen Maid aired as normal on Sun TV at 11:30 p.m. on Friday, while Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto has been delayed 15 minutes to 3:25 a.m. on Saturday on MBS. As of press time, the airtime for...
Fight Flyaways With Cardcaptor Sakura Sealing Wand Hair Dryer
Cardcaptor Sakura's Sealing Wand isn't just for capturing Clow Cards, it also battles bad hair days. A new hair dryer modeled after the magical item is now available for pre-order until May 8. The item is the latest collaboration with mail-order otaku fashion site, SuperGroupies. The hair dyer costs 10,260 yen (US$94) and is expected to ship in July. The appliance folds at the neck for easy stora...
Araki's Kishibe Rohan wa Ugokanai Manga Gets Anime With Jojo Blu-ray/DVDs (Updated)
One-shot series stars Diamond is Unbreakable character
― Warner Brothers Anime announced on Saturday that Hirohiko Araki's Kishibe Rohan wa Ugokanai ("Rohan Kishibe Does Not Move" or "Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan") manga will get an original anime DVD (OAD) that will be distributed to customers who buy all 13 DVD or Blu-ray Disc volumes of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable anime. The f...
Garo: Divine Flame Film Posts 3rd Teaser, More of Cast, Visual
Miyu Tomita plays Leon's little brother in May 21 sequel to 1st Garo anime
― The official website for Garo: Divine Flame, the first Garo anime film, posted the third teaser trailer on Friday. The teaser will begin playing in Japanese theaters on Saturday. The site also posted a new visual and a new cast member on Thursday Miyu Tomita will play Leon's little brother Roberto: The film is a sequel set f...
James Cameron's Avatar Film Sequels Delayed, Expanded to 4 Films
Entertainment news website Deadline reported on Friday that James Cameron's planned trilogy of sequel Avatar films will now be four planned sequel films. Cameron also said that the first sequel be released around Christmas in 2018 with sequels following around Christmas in 2020, 2022, and 2023, respectively. Cameron made the announcements at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. The first sequel had been slated...
Awesome Nozomi Anime Give-Away
Our awesome friends at Nozomi Entertainment have offered to let ANN give-away a bunch of recent and upcoming Nozomi titles. 10 randomly selected entrants will each receive the Nozomi title of their choice.
― Our awesome friends at Nozomi Entertainment have offered to let ANN give-away a bunch of recent and upcoming Nozomi titles. 10 randomly selected entrants will each receive the Nozomi title of th...
The Heroic Legend of Arslan Anime's Character Illustrations Unveiled
The official website for The Heroic Legend of Arslan television anime series unveiled two new illustrations on Thursday featuring the characters Arslan and Daryun as they appear the second season of the series, Arslan Senki: Fūjin Ranbu (The Heroic Legend of Arslan: Dust Storm Dance). The second season will premiere in July. The new season will air on Sundays at 5 p.m. on MBS and TBS, which is th...
planetarian Anime Project Revealed as Both 5-Episode Net Anime & Film
Daisuke Ono, Keiko Suzuki star in anime projects produced at David Production
― The official website for the planned anime project based on Key's planetarian ~the reverie of a little planet~ visual novel revealed on Friday that the adaptation will be both a five-episode net anime adaptation and a film. The website is currently streaming a trailer for both projects. The promotional video and other ann...
Big Order TV Anime's Ad Previews Yousei Teikoku Opening Theme Song
Anime premieres on Friday; Crunchyroll streams series as it airs
― The official Nico Nico Video channel of the television anime adaptation of Sakae Esuno's Big Order manga began streaming a commercial for the anime last week. The video previews the anime's opening theme "DISORDER" by Yousei Teikoku. Crunchyroll will stream the series worldwide outside of Asia starting on Friday, April 15 at 2:00 p.m....
Yuki Kajiura Returns to Compose Music For Heaven's Feel Film Trilogy
The official website for the Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel anime film trilogy project announced on Friday that composer Yuki Kajiura (Sword Art Online, Madoka Magica) will return to handle the music for the project. Kajiura previously composed the soundtrack for both seasons of Fate/Zero. She also composed, arranged, and wrote the ending theme songs for both seasons of Fate/stay night: Unlimited ...
Mashiro Ayano Performs D. Gray-man Hallow Anime's Ending Theme
New series adapting Katsura Hoshino's manga premieres in July
― The official website for D.Gray-man Hallow, the new television anime of Katsura Hoshino's D.Gray-man manga, revealed on Friday that Mashiro Ayano will perform the anime's ending theme. Ayano previously performed the opening theme for Gunslinger Stratos: The Animation and the first opening theme for Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works....
DAYS Soccer Anime Premieres This Summer
The wraparound jacket band of the 16th compiled book volume of Tsuyoshi Yasuda's DAYS manga revealed on Friday that the manga's upcoming television anime will premiere this summer on MBS, Tokyo MX, BS11, and Animax. Kônosuke Uda (One Piece, Ginga e Kickoff!!, Majin Bone) is directing the anime at MAPPA (Terror in Resonance, Rage of Bahamut Genesis). Kazuto Nakazawa (El-Hazard: The Wanderers, The L...
Bandai Namco Files for 'VR-AT Simulator' Trademark
Bandai Namco Entertainment filed a trademark for "VR-AT Simulator," and "Battling Yarō" on March 17. The trademarks include use of the name for electrical applications that can recall and store information for arcade machine programs, arcade game machines, and arcade game cabinets. Bandai Namco opened a virtual reality "experience center" in Tokyo on Friday called "VR Zone: Project I Can." The exp...
Yo-kai Watch 3 Promo Reveals July 16 Release, Game's 2 Versions
Nintendo 3DS game also reveals bonuses for game's different versions
― The official website of Level-5's Yo-kai Watch 3 Nintendo 3DS game began streaming a promotional video on Friday. The video reveals the game's Japanese release date of July 16, and its two release versions titled Yo-kai Watch 3: Sushi and Yo-kai Watch 3: Tempura. The site also revealed the different bonuses bundled with the game's...
Ray Gigant RPG's N. American, European Release Slated for May 3
Los Angeles-based game company acttil announced on Thursday that it will release Experience's PlayStation Vita dungeon-crawling role-playing game Ray Gigant digitally in North America and Europe on May 3. The PS Vita release will be compatible with PlayStation TV. acttil's release will feature the Japanese audio track with English subtitles. acttil describes the game: This adventure is set in the ...
Studio Ghibli Co-Produced Film The Red Turtle to Screen at Cannes
Hirokazu Kore-eda's latest film to also screen
― The Cannes Film Festival revealed its official film selection on Thursday for this year's festival, and the festival will screen the upcoming Studio Ghibli co-produced film The Red Turtle. The film will screen in the festival's "Un Certain Regard" category, which was founded in 1978 to encourage young talent. The "Prix Un Certain Regard" competition ru...
Dragon Ball Fusions Nintendo 3DS Game's Teaser Video Shows New Worlds
Bandai Namco Ent. develops 3DS Dragon Ball RPG for release this year
― The official website for Bandai Namco Entertainment's Dragon Ball Project Fusion Nintendo 3DS game began streaming a teaser video for the game on Friday, revealing the game's new title as Dragon Ball Fusions. The video previews the game's new worlds, which consist of locations in the Dragon Ball universe that have fused. The end o...
Skip Beat! English Dub Kickstarter Campaign Reaches Blu-ray Disc Release Goal
Campaign ends on Saturday, April 16
― Pied Piper, Inc.'s Kickstarter campaign to fund an English dub for the North American release of the Skip Beat! television anime series reached its US$185,000 stretch goal to offer a Blu-ray Disc release in addition to the DVD release on Thursday. The campaign also revealed Taliesin Jaffe as the project's supervising director. The Kickstarter campaign had set an ...
Funimation Announces Harmony Film's Theatrical Dates
2015 Project Itoh science fiction film to play in theaters on May 17-18
― North American anime distributor Funimation confirmed on Thursday that it will screen the Harmony film "in select theaters" on May 17 and 18. The film adapts the science fiction novel of the same name by the acclaimed late author Project Itoh. Funimation is also streaming a teaser trailer for the film: Funimatiion describes the...
Shidou Nakamura Reprises Ryuk Role in Live-Action Death Note 2016 Film
New still released showing Shinigami character for film opening on October 29
― The staff for the live-action Death Note 2016 film revealed on Friday that Shidou Nakamura will reprise his role as Ryuk in the new film. In addition, the staff released a still featuring the character. Ryuk is the Shinigami (God of Death) who owned the original Death Note that Light Yagami came across. Nakamura voiced th...
Hollywood Reporter: Legendary, Warner, Sony Bid for Live-Action Pokémon Rights
Warner Bros. has previously released Pokémon anime films
― Entertainment news source The Hollywood Reporter said on Thursday that Legendary Entertainment, Warner Bros., and Sony are engaged in an auction for the live-action film rights to the Pokémon franchise. The report notes that the auction is nearing completion. Warner already released several of the animated Pokémon films, starting with Pokemon...
The [email protected] Gets Live-Action South Korean Show
Auditions for new idol group begin in mid-May for story set in S. Korea
― Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on Friday that it will launch a South Korea-based live-action show based on The [email protected] franchise. The show is tentatively titled The [email protected], and its broadcast timeframe has not been set yet. The show will begin casting auditions for 15 idols in mid-May, and Interactive Media Mix, ...
Thursday, April 14
Naruto Shippuden ‒ Episode 456
"Itachi's Story is still the most entertaining filler arc in years, but its blunders are becoming increasingly difficult to overlook."
Pokémon General Election's Official Website Opens
The Pokémon General Election 720, a name that harkens to AKB48's own annual popularity contest, opened its official website on Thursday, ahead of upcoming poll. The "720" in the title means exactly what it sounds like: voters can choose from all 720 known Pokémon, from Bulbasaur to Hoopa. The upcoming Pokémon the Movie XY & Z: Volcanion to Karakuri no Magearna featured monsters Volcanion (#721) an...
Nintendo Celebrates 15 Years of Animal Crossing in New Video
On April 14, 2001, Nintendo released its first incarnation of Animal Crossing for the Nintendo 64 console. A world of talking with your animal neighbors, pulling weeds, decorating your house, and attempting to get out from under your crippling debt owed to Tom Nook. Nintendo began streaming a "Thank You" video for the franchise to celebrate its 15th anniversary. Nintendo released Animal Crossing: ...
Japan's Animation TV Ranking, April 4-10
Detective Conan: The Timed Skyscraper film airs
― Case Closed The Movie: The Time Bombed Skyscraper (Meitantei Conan: Tokei Jikake no Matenrou, or Detective Conan: The Timed Skyscraper) aired on NTV on Friday, April 8 at 9:00 p.m. and earned an 8.8% rating. The live-action TV adaptation of Nahoko Uehashi's Moribito novel series aired on NHK on Saturday, April 9 at 9:00 p.m. and earned a 7.4% rating. ...
Justin Bieber Shares His Anime Pin-Up Girl Coloring Page
The recently dreadlocked Justin Bieber has joined the coloring books for grown-ups trend. The singer, who was spotted perusing the coloring book section at Georgia Tech's Barnes & Noble, later shared his finished work on Instagram on Wednesday. The image is of an anime-style tribes girl licking a tomahawk. I colored this its dope Cuz I actually sat down for 30 min and finished I never can sit stil...
Season Premiere: And you thought there is never a girl online? (Episodes 1-2)
"The story is at least giving itself room to develop a deeper story while spinning its romantic comedy antics."
XSEED Games to Release Corpse Party's 3DS Port
Also: release date announced for original PC game
― XSEED Games confirmed on Thursday that it will release the Nintendo 3DS port of Corpse Party this summer. In addition, the company announced that its digital PC release of Corpse Party is slated for April 25. The Nintendo 3DS game will get a "Back to School Edition" physical release for US$49.99 and a digital release via the Nintendo eShop for US$29...
King of Fighters XIV Trailer Introduces Returning Character Mai, New Character Banderas
PS4 game with 50+ fighters slated for this year
― The official PlayStation YouTube channel began streaming a 12th teaser video for SNK Playmore's PlayStation 4 game The King of Fighters XIV on Thursday. The English-subtitled video introduces returning character Mai Shiranui and new character Banderas Hattori. The game is slated for release later this year. SNK Playmore and Atlus USA are partnering to...
U.S. State Department Includes Japan's 'Unfettered' Access to Animated Porn in Human Rights Report
The U.S. State Department released its annual survey of human rights in nations throughout the world on Thursday, noting some improvements in Japan but also listing an array of problem areas. Among the problems listed are an "unfettered availability of sexually explicit cartoons, comics, and video games, some of which depicted scenes of violent sexual abuse and the rape of children." The reports s...
Sentai Filmworks Licenses Hakuoki: Warrior Spirit of the Blue Sky Anime Film
2nd film in 2-part series opened in Japan in 2014
― Sentai Filmworks announced on Thursday that it has licensed the Hakuoki ~ Demon of the Fleeting Blossom: Warrior Spirit of the Blue Sky (Hakuōki Dai-nishō Shikon Sōkyū) anime film and plans to release the film digitally and on home video. Sentai Filmworks announced in February that it has licensed the film Hakuoki ~ Demon of the Floating Blossom: Wi...
Viz Media Licenses Naruto: Itachi's Story, Tokyo Ghoul Novels, Gangsta.: Cursed Manga
Also adds Naruto: Sasuke's Story novel
― North American publisher Viz Media announced on Thursday that it has licensed both Naruto: Itachi's Story novels, the Naruto: Sasuke's Story - Sunrise novel, and the Tokyo Ghoul novels. In addition, it has licensed the spinoff manga Gangsta.: Cursed. Viz Media will release author Takashi Yano's Naruto: Itachi's Story - Daylight (Itachi Shinden: Kōmyō-hen) this...
Grandpa Wants to Live His Pirate Dream in One Piece Burning Blood Live-Action Ad
One grandfather gets the opportunity to live his dream as The King of Pirates in a new live-action ad for One Piece: Burning Blood. After revealing his secret to his grandson, the two face off in battle with their own Devil Fruit powers. Grandson: Grandpa, when you were a kid, what did you wanna be when you grew up? Grandfather: The King of the Pirates. Grandson: Then we're enemies.... Grandfather...
Live-Action Ghost in the Shell Adds Kaori Momoi, Juliette Binoche, More Cast
Chin Han, Danusia Samal, Lasarus Ratuere, Yutaka Izumihara, Tuwanda Manyimo play Section 9 members
― Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures revealed several additional cast and staff members for the upcoming live-action Ghost in the Shell film. French actress Juliette Binoche (2014's Godzilla, The English Patient, Chocolat) will play Dr. Ouelet, and Kaori Momoi (Sukiyaki Western Django, Memoirs o...
Kabaneri, Assassination Classroom, Shōnen Maid, Sakamoto Delayed This Week Due to Quake News Coverage
The second episode of Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress and the 15th episode of Assassination Classroom season 2 were scheduled to air on Fuji TV on Thursday night but have been delayed due to special news coverage of the Kumamoto earthquake. Similarly, the second episodes of Shōnen Maid and Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto were scheduled to air on TBS, but have been preempted by news coverage. The off...
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Final 3DS Game Heads to Americas
Game renamed Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse, slated for this summer
― Atlus USA announced on Thursday that it will release the Nintendo 3DS game Shin Megami Tensei IV: Final in the Americas as Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse. The game will be available for physical and digital release this summer. The game launched in Japan on February 10. While the gameplay is similar to Shin Megami Tensei IV, ...
Season Premiere: Twin Star Exorcists (Episodes 1-2)
"It's a familiar story being presented with such genuine enthusiasm that you can't help but want to go along for the ride."
Daisuki Streams 10th Annual Seiyū Awards Ceremony on Friday
Site also streams M3 the dark metal anime
― Anime Consortium Japan's (ACJ) Daisuki streaming service announced on Wednesday that it will stream the 10th Annual Seiyū Awards ceremony starting on Friday, April 15 at 7:00 a.m. EDT. The program will be available worldwide except for Japan and China, and will be offered with English and Traditional Chinese subtitles. In addition, Daisuki added the M3 the ...
Live-Action Ghost in the Shell Film Posts 1st Photo of Scarlett Johansson as the Major
Filming begins at New Zealand with Weta Workshop for March 2017 release
― Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures presented the first image of actress Scarlett Johansson (The Avengers, Lucy, Lost in Translation) as the Major in their live-action Ghost in the Shell film on Thursday. The two studios confirmed that principal photography is ongoing in Wellington, New Zealand for a planned American rel...
Sabuibo Mask Live-Action Film Gets TV Anime Spinoff Shorts in May
DLE Inc. to produce 1-minute shorts about masked entertainer solving problems in rural town
― The official website of the Sabuibo Mask live-action film announced on Thursday that the film will get a television anime spinoff titled Soreike! Sabuibo Mask. The series of one-minute anime shorts will premiere on Tokyo MX on May 6, and will air every Friday from at 9:55 p.m., with a total of eight episodes...
Kizudarake no Akuma Manga About Bullying Gets Live-Action Film in 2017
Audition for film's theme song artist also ongoing
― Web manga site Comico announced on Thursday that the previously announced live-action project of Volvox Sumikawa's Kizudarake no Akuma (Demon Covered in Scars) manga will be a live-action film opening in 2017. In addition, Being is running an audition for the film's theme song artist. The audition has both a "theme song artist" category and a "visu...
Live-Action Terraformars Film's Clips Show Ichirō, Shunji's Transformations
Takayuki Yamada plays Ichirō Hiruma in clip for film opening on April 29
― Japanese film news 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 Ichirō Hiruma (Takayuki Yamada) transforming into his nemuri yusurika (sleeping chironomid) form. Japanese anime news website Anime! Ani...
2016 Pokémon Film's 2nd Trailer, 3rd Teaser Videos Preview YUKI's Theme Song
Shoko Nakagawa, Mayu Matsuoka, Somegorō Ichikawa VII, Kouichi Yamadera guest star in July 16 film
― The Pokémon Company Japan began streaming the second trailer on Thursday 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. The Pokémon Company Japan also began streaming ...
The [email protected]: Platinum Stars Game's Video Previews Rabbit Ear Accessory
Accessory only available when purchasing game through LalaBit Market store
― The official website of Bandai Namco Entertainment's The [email protected]: Platinum Stars PlayStation 4 game began streaming a video for the game on Thursday. The video previews the "Lala Rabbit Income" item, which adds rabbit ear accessories to the characters. The item is only available to those who purchase the game through Band...
Scared Rider Xechs TV Anime's 2nd Promo Video Posted
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 the second promotional video for the anime on Thursday. The video shows more clips from the anime. In the beginning of the video, Christoph says, "I've been waiting so long for this time to come. Thank...
Gatchaman, Osomatsu-kun Voice Actor Tooru Oohira Passes Away (Updated)
Japanese dub voice of Darth Vader, Homer Simpson was 86
― The Yomiuri Shimbun's Yomiuri Online website reported on Thursday that voice actor Tooru Oohira passed away on April 12. He was 86. Oohira was born in Tokyo and he debuted as a radio announcer in 1956. He then played the Japanese dub voice for Superman in the Superman television film. He is well known for his Japanese dub roles for Western med...
Battle Girl High School RPG App Confirms Anime Adaptation
The official Twitter account for COLOPL's Battle Girl High School game app confirmed on Thursday that the game is getting an anime adaptation. The announcement stated that it will reveal other details about the project in the future. The Twitter account also posted a congratulations image for game's one-year anniversary and for the anime adaptation (pictured below). An unlinked newspage on the gam...
Nanae Chrono's Peace Maker Kurogane Manga Gets New Anime Project
Manga previously inspired TV anime in 2003
― The official Twitter account of Nanae Chrono's Peace Maker Kurogane manga announced on Thursday that a new anime adaptation of the manga has been green-lit. The announcement did not specify the anime's format or release date. The manga previously inspired a 24-episode television anime adaptation in 2003. Mag Garden also released the manga's 10th compiled b...
The Morose Mononokean Anime's Promo Highlights Main Characters
Advance screening of 1st 2 episodes to be held on June 4 in Tokyo
― Tokuma Japan began streaming a promotional video for the television anime adaptation of Kiri Wazawa's The Morose Mononokean (Fukigen na Mononokean) manga on Thursday. The video highlights the two main characters of the anime. An advance screening event of the anime's first two episodes will take place on June 4 at United Cinemas Toyo...
Wednesday, April 13
Skip Beat's English Dub Kickstarter Campaign Casts Christine Cabanos as Mimori
Campaign now accepting PayPal pledges towards US$185,000 stretch goal for Blu-ray
― Voice actress Cristina Vee announced on Wednesday that Christine Marie Cabanos will play Mimori Nanokura in Pied Piper, Inc.'s 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 hit US$165,000. The c...
Sailor Moon Drops Smartphone Game Launches in North America
Puzzle game launched in Japan in September
― Bandai Namco Entertainment began streaming an English-dubbed trailer for its Sailor Moon Drops smartphone game on March 31. The game is now available on iOS and Android devices in North America. The Sailor Moon Drops puzzle game allows players to use a Sailor Senshi of their choice. She will gain new powers and level up as the player progresses through the...
Season Premiere: Bungo Stray Dogs (Episodes 1-2)
"The generally lighthearted tone helps keep things much less dark than they could be, although the ending theme certainly suggests that things could go in that direction later."
Season Premiere: Joker Game (Episodes 1-2)
"Joker Game is already offering viewers a world with rich and varied perspectives, even if the way they express those views is not remotely subtle."
Yummy Mart's Pokemon Lingerie Collection Captures the Sex Appeal
Peach John, the lingerie brand behind recent Evangelion and Sailor Moon collections have set their sights on GAME FREAK's most iconic monster. The company's sister brand Yummy Mart is releasing a lingerie and sleepwear line based on Pikachu beginning on April 20. The line-up includes: Pikachu towel poncho. 5,480 yen (US$50) Eye mask. 1,680 yen (US$15) A pajama set with Pikachu's PokeDex number fe...
One Piece ‒ Episode 736
"After several dozen or so episodes of pure fighting, nuggets of information like this feel so refreshing."
Japanese Comic Ranking, April 4-10
One Piece, Attack on Titan, Assassination Classroom, Natsume's Book of Friends, My Hero Academia in top 5
― Rank Title Est. Weekly Copies Est. Total Copies Release Date Publisher Author Highest Rank Weeks on List 1 One Piece 81 1,714,629 1,849,584 2016/04 Shueisha Eiichiro Oda 1 2 2 Attack on Titan 19 719,197 719,197 2016/04 Kodansha Hajime Isayama 2 1 3 Assassination Classroom 19 522,377 560,107 20...
Character Designer Akio Watanabe Draws Cardcaptor Sakura at Official Café
Character designer Akio Watanabe, also known as Poyoyon Rock, headed to one of the six Animate cafés hosting a Cardcaptor Sakura theme this month. He ordered the Tomoyo Afternoon Tea Set and Kuro-chan's Hot Orange Cocoa before drawing his rendition of the show's lead character. さくらかふぇ いってきたで〜(^O^)/☆ pic.twitter.com/NlJMu7fx6A— ぽよよんろっく㌠ (^-^)ﾉ☆ (@punipoyo) April 13, 2016 Watanabe is the character d...
Devils and Realist Stage Musical Cast Unveiled in Costume
Musical will run June 1-5 in Tokyo
― The official website for the the stage musical of Madoka Takadono and Utako Yukihiro's supernatural manga Devils and Realist (Makai Ōji: Devils and Realist) posted visuals of the cast in costume on Wednesday. The cast includes: Mashū Ishiwatari as William Taiyō Ayukawa as Dantalion Kōhei Norizuki as Kevin Seiya Konishi as Isaac Morton Yūichi Matsumoto as Crosby Ta...
Godzilla Resurgence Trailer Shows Monster's Design
1st Japanese Godzilla film in 12 years debuts on July 29
― The official YouTube channel for Toho movies began streaming a trailer for Godzilla Resurgence (Shin Godzilla), the first new Japanese Godzilla film in 12 years, on Thursday. The film will open in Japan on July 29, and will have IMAX, MX4D, and 4DX screenings. The tagline on the visual above reads, "Japan vs. Godzilla." Mahiro Maeda (Mad Max:...
Japan's Video Game Rankings, April 4-10
Far Cry Primal, Disney Art Academy, Brothers Conflict Precious Baby, Quantum Break games debut
― Japan's Game Ranking: April 4-10 Rank System Title Maker Release Date Weekly Copies Total Copies 4Gamer Reader Review 13DS Yo-kai Sangokushi Level 5 April 2 90,196 359,712 23DS Dragon Quest Monsters Joker 3 Square Enix March 24 49,847 517,146 39 3PS4 Far Cry Primal Ubisoft April 7 25,302 25,302 43DS Disne...
Babymetal Album Is Japan's 1st to Crack U.S. Billboard's Top 40 in 53 Years
Kyu Sakamoto's Sukiyaki reached #14 in 1963; Utada ranked #69 in 2009
― Metal Resistance, the second album from the Japanese idol and heavy metal fusion group Babymetal, charted on the U.S. Billboard's Top 200 at #39 in its first week. It is the first Japanese album to chart on the U.S. Billboard Top 40 since Kyu Sakamoto's Sukiyaki and Other Japanese Hits in 1963, 53 years ago. Metal Resistance ship...
Sentai Filmworks Licenses Flying Witch Anime
Series streaming now on Crunchyroll
― Sentai Filmworks announced on Wednesday that it has licensed the anime of Chihiro Ishizuka's Flying Witch manga. The company plans to release the series digitally and on home video. The series premiered on April 9 and Crunchyroll is streaming the series in several regions as it airs in Japan. Katsushi Sakurabi (Gunparade March, Heaven's Memo Pad, Lunar Legend Tsu...
Exclusive: Empire of Corpses English Clip Shows Undead Army
Film will run in select theaters in the U.S. on April 19-20
― Funimation shared a new English-dubbed clip from The Empire of Corpses anime film exclusively with ANN on Wednesday. Funimation will screen the film in select theaters on April 19 and 20. The cast, under ADR director and scriptwriter Mike McFarland, assistant ADR scriptwriter J. Michael Tatum, ADR engineer Peter Hawkinson, English dialect ...
Animaniacs, Freakazoid Producer Credits Pokémon For WB Cartoon Decline
Producer, director, and animator Tom Ruegger held an Ask Me Anything (AMA) on Reddit on Tuesday where the Animaniacs creator answered fan questions to celebrate the show's move on to Netflix. User "aznprd" asked what led to the decline of Warner Bros. cartoons, like Freakazoid, Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain, and Tiny Toon Adventures. Ruegger responded that it was the advent of Pokemon. According...
Dissidia Final Fantasy Arcade Game Video Showcases Garland
Original Final Fantasy character joins fighting game in April 21 update
― Square Enix began streaming a battle video on Wednesday introducing the original Final Fantasy's Garland to its Dissidia Final Fantasy arcade game. The game already launched in Japanese arcades on November 26, and Garland will be added in update on April 21. Square Enix streamed a preview video for the game's soundtrack last we...
Battle Girl High School RPG App Has Anime Listed
Action RPG has player training girls to take back Earth from invaders
― COLOPL's Battle Girl High School game app has an unlinked news page for its tie-in Sakamoto-P no Nadenade Jōhō-Bu web radio program, and the page lists an anime adaptation which has been green-lit. COLOPL had been planning to make an "important announcement" on the web radio program on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. The school action role...
Live-Action Higurashi Show Reveals Story, NGT48 Theme Song, May 20 Debut
NGT48 idols star in 3 Question arcs & sing Kimi wa Doko ni Iru?" theme
― The live-action television series based on Ryūkishi07 and 07th Expansion's popular When They Cry - Higurashi (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni) horror software will feature a theme song by members of the AKB48 idols' sister group NGT48. The same members are also starring in the series itself, which will premiere on May 20 at 9:00 p.m. ...
2nd Live-Action Chihayafuru Film's Ads Highlight Queen Match, Love Triangle
2nd film of Yuki Suetsugu's manga opens on April 29
― Toho began streaming two commercials for Chihayafuru: Shimo no Ku, the second live-action film of Yuki Suetsugu's Chihayafuru manga, on Wednesday. The first video focuses on Chihaya's match with Shinobu, while the second video focuses on the love triangle between Chihaya, Taichi, and Arata. Both videos preview the film's theme song "FLASH" by Perf...
Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet Pachislot Game Previewed in Video
Game based on Production I.G's original anime project
― Pachislot (pachinko-parlor slot machine) manufacturer D-Light began streaming a long promotional video for its upcoming Suisei no Gargantia (Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet) pachislot game on Sunday. Long Promo Video Production I.G's original science-fiction adventure anime begins in the distant future in the far reaches of the galaxy. The Hum...
Detective Conan: The Darkest Nightmare Film's Ads Tease Story
Film centering on Conan's conflict with Black Organization opens Saturday
― The official website of the 20th Detective Conan (Case Closed) anime film, Detective Conan: Junkoku no Nightmare (Detective Conan: The Darkest Nightmare), began streaming a "Countdown" commercial and a "Drama" commercial on Tuesday. Gin: It's time to judge the traitors. Gin: Five, four, three, two, one, zero. Conan: Detective...
Santa Inoue Draws 3 New Chapters for Tokyo Tribe Manga
1st chapter debuts April 30
― This year's fifth issue of Akita Shoten's Bessatsu Young Champion magazine revealed on April 5 that Santa Inoue is drawing three new chapters of his Tokyo Tribe over the magazine's next three issues, with one new chapter for every issue. The first new chapter will debut on April 30. Inoue published two new chapters for the manga titled "Waru vs. Oni Kyōdai" (Waru vs. Ogr...
Live-Action Aozora Yell Film's Teasers Reveal More of Cast, August 20 Opening
Film about school concert band casts Arata Horii, Fujiko Kojima, Airi Matsui, more
― The official website for the live-action film of Kazune Kawahara's Aozora Yell (Yell for the Blue Sky) manga revealed five new cast members for the film on Wednesday. The new cast includes: Arata Horii as Yasushi Kido Fujiko Kojima as Hitomi Kasuga Airi Matsui as Himari Wakita Yūna Taira as Akane Sawa Yuki Yamada as ...
Live-Action One Week Friends Film Casts Chōtokkyū Vocalist Takashi Matsuo as Shōgo
Film about girl who forgets her friends each week opens February 2017
― The staff for the live-action film of Matcha Hazuki's One Week Friends (Isshūkan Friends) manga revealed on Wednesday that Chōtokkyū band vocalist Takashi Matsuo (shown below in costume) will play Shōgo Kiryū. Shōgo is the close friend of the male lead character Yūki Hase. Matsuo joins Haruna Kawaguchi (Ouran High School Host Clu...
Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Break Time Anime Shorts' 1st Episode Posted
1st comedy short aired in Japan on April 8 & will stream for limited time
― The official website for the Re: Life in a different world from zero (Re: Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu) television anime series began streaming the first episode of Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Break Time last Friday. The spinoff anime short series airs after each episode of the main anime's airing. The short shows Subaru, Emi...
Tales of Berseria RPG's Video Reveals August 18 Date, Bonus Extras
"BURN" theme song by FLOW previewed in 3-minute video
― The official website of Bandai Namco Entertainment's Tales of Berseria role-playing game began streaming a long version of the game's third promotional video on Wednesday. The new three-minute version of the video reveals the game's August 18 release date. Like the previous shorter version, the new version also previews the game's theme song "BU...
Rainbow Days Manga to Bundle Original Anime DVD in September
Volume 13 also bundles 16-page mini-illustration collection, postcard
― The May issue of Shueisha's Bessatsu Margaret magazine revealed on Wednesday that a limited edition of Minami Mizuno's 13th Nijiiro Days (Rainbow Days) manga volume will bundle an original anime DVD on September 23. The DVD will contain a brand-new anime, and the volume will also bundle a 16-page mini-illustration collection and ...
Tuesday, April 12
Persona 3 Films' Lotus Juice Covers Danganronpa Tracks
Japanese rapper Lotus Juice, the voice behind the Persona 3 films themes and songs from Soul Eater, Black Butler, C – Control – The Money and Soul of Possibility, and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, recently played Spike Chunsoft's Danganronpa PlayStation Portable/PlayStation Vita game. He found he really enjoyed the music, so the rapper wrote that before he knew it, he found himself writing to it and d...
Netflix Starts Streaming Ajin TV Anime Outside Japan
Netflix began streaming the Ajin television anime outside Japan on Tuesday. The anime is available in English, Japanese, French, German, and Spanish audio, and is subtitled in those languages, in addition to Italian. The television anime and the related anime film series adaptation are based on Gamon Sakurai's Ajin - Demi-Human manga. The TV anime series premiered in Japan on January 15, and Netfl...
Gainax Expands Into The World of Tomato Farming
Gainax, the animation studio behind Neon Genesis Evangelion and Gurren Lagann is expanding into the world of agriculture. The company is founding "Gainax Marche," an off-shoot company located in the vicinity of Gainax West and dedicated to growing organic tomatoes. The tomatoes and juice can be mail-ordered on the official website. The company is growing three varieties of tomatoes with different ...
Pom Pom Purin Dashes Ahead in Sanrio's 2016 Character Popularity Poll
Voting opened on Sunday for Sanrio's 2016 character popularity poll. Leading the pack is last year's winner Pom Pom Purin, followed by the steadfast Cinnamon in second, and My Melody in third. Despite his lackadaisical nature, Gudetama is sitting at fourth place, followed by Yoshikitty, the mascot created in collaboration with X Japan's Yoshiki. The current Top 10: Pom Pom Purin Cinnamon My Melod...
Skip Beat! English Dub Kickstarter Reaches Goal, Casts Caitlin Glass as Kyoko
Series DVD funded; Blu-ray stretch goal set at US$185k
― Pied Piper, Inc.'s Kickstarter campaign to release the Skip Beat! anime in North America with an English dub reached its funding goal of US$155,000 on Tuesday. Voice actress and English dub producer Christina Vee announced on Twitter that Caitlin Glass (Ouran High School Host Club's Haruhi, Fullmetal Alchemist's Winry, new Escaflowne dub's Hito...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, April 10-16
Tonari no Seki-kun, Gugure! Kokkuri-san anime; I Am a Hero, Monster Hunter: Flash Hunter, Neon Genesis Evangelion: Campus Apocalypse manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Garakowa -Restore the World- Import Edition BD + CDPlease Ponycan USA US$89.98 April 12 Gugure! Kokkuri-san BDCite Sentai Filmworks US$59.98 April 12 Gugure! Kokkuri-san DVDAnimeNewsNetwork Sentai F...
Slayers Illustrator Draws Megumi Hayashibara for Her Birthday
Accomplished singer and voice actress Megumi Hayashibara celebrated her 49th birthday on March 30. Hayashibara wrote on her blog on Tuesday that she received a special gift in the mail. Slayers light novel illustrator Rui Araizumi sent her a doodle of her character Lina Inverse and a portrait to wish her a happy birthday. Starting in 1986, Hayashibara has voiced fan-favorite characters like Faye V...
Wolf Girl & Black Prince Manga Ends on May 13
Shojo series inspired anime, upcoming live-action film
― The official website for Shueisha's Bessatsu Margaret magazine announced that the magazine's June issue will include the final chapter of Ayuko Hatta's Wolf Girl & Black Prince (Ōkami Shōjo to Kuro Ōji) manga when it ships on May 13. The 15th compiled volume of the manga will ship on April 25, and the 16th and final volume is slated for May 25....
Sengoku Basara Dokugan Spinoff Manga Begins on April 26
Story takes place in the future, follows one-eyed man on a motorcycle
― This year's ninth issue of Akita Shoten's Young Champion magazine announced on Tuesday that a new Sengoku Basara manga spinoff series, titled Sengoku Basara Dokugan, will begin in the tenth issue on April 26. Yasuyuki Nekoi is drawing the manga with supervision from Capcom. The story takes place in a new century in Japan, where M...
Prevent the Cockroach Uprising With Terraformars Bug Spray, Traps
The upcoming Terraformars live-action film film has some practical advice to prevent the eventual evolution of cockroaches into bipedal, man-killing monsters: pesticide and traps. The products are part of a larger marketing campaign that includes a Jouji Lab website, a company that appears in the film. The company is shown creating several real products by Earth Chemical, including Black Cap traps...
Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart PC Release Delayed to April 26
Idea Factory International announced on Tuesday that its release of Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart for PC via Steam has been delayed from April 18 to April 26. The game will cost US$29.99, but will be 40% for the first week after launch. Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart shipped for the PlayStation Vita in February 2015 in North America and Europe. The Entertainment Software Ratin...
SNK Playmore, Atlus USA Partner for King of Fighters XIV's American Release
PS4 game trailer introduce Mui Mui, Kukri
― SNK Playmore and Atlus USA announced on Tuesday that they are partnering to release SNK Playmore's PlayStation 4 gameThe King of Fighters XIV in the Americas. The game is slated for release later this year. Atlus USA also began streaming a trailer introducing Mui Mui and Kukri as playable characters. The game will feature more than 50 playable fighters, inc...
Live-Action Horror Film Midori/Shōjo Tsubaki's Trailer Shows Anime Segments
"Ano ko no Jinta" theme song by Charan-Po-Rantan also previewed in trailer
― Japanese entertainment news website Natalie began streaming a trailer for the live-action film adaptation of Suehiro Maruo's Shojo Tsubaki horror manga on Tuesday. The trailer previews the film's theme song "Ano Ko no Jinta" by musical sister group Charan-Po-Rantan, and reveals that the film will feature anime segments. (Not...
'Amazing Katamari Damacy' Trademark Filed in Europe
A trademark for "Amazing Katamari Damacy" was filed under Bandai Namco Entertainment's name in Europe on Monday. Bandai Namco released the rolling puzzle game Katamari Damacy for the Playstation 2 in 2004. Katamari Damacy inspired numerous sequels in North America and Japan for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, and mobile devices. Bandai Namco Entertai...
BlazBlue: Central Fiction Heads to PS4, PS3 with Xblaze's Es
Arc System Works' Toshimichi Mori introduces console version in Famitsu Thursday
― Kadokawa's Famitsu magazine is reporting this week that Arc System Works' popular fighting game Blazblue: Central Fiction is going from the arcades to the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 consoles in Japan. The magazine's 10-page feature includes information on the new character Es from the XBlaze games and an interview...
Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, April 4-10
2nd live-action Assassination Classroom's theme sells 4,938 more, followed by Nana Mizuki, S -Saigo no Keikan-, Starmyu, Mr. Osomatsu
― "Sayonara Sensa-tions," the theme song for the live-action Ansatsu Kyōshitsu: Sotsugyō-hen (Assassination Classroom: Graduation) film by the group "Sensa-tions," sold 4,938 copies for a new total of 205,760. In its third week on the overall DVD chart, it stayed at #3...
Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, April 4-April 10
Nana Mizuki sells 13,969, followed by Is the order a rabbit??, Starmyu, S -Saigo no Keikan-, Myriad Colors Phantom World
― Nana Mizuki's Nana Clips 7 Blu-ray Disc sold 13,969 copies to rank #3 on the overall Blu-ray Disc chart. S -Saigo no Keikan- Dakkan Recovery of Our Future, the film inspired by Yōichi Komori and Yutaka Tōdō's manga S -Saigo no Keikan-, landed at #9 with 2,236 copies. The Animelo ...
Usumaru Furuya Ends Joshikōsei ni Korosaretai Manga in July
Furuya's Teiichi no Kuni manga ended in Jump Square last week
― This year's June issue of Shinchosha's Go Go Bunch magazine revealed on Saturday that Usamaru Furuya's Joshikōsei ni Korosaretai (I Want to be Killed by a High School Girl) manga will end in the 12th issue of the magazine on July 9. Joshikōsei ni Korosaretai follows a man who becomes a teacher because he wants to be killed by a beautiful...
Yuri Kuma Arashi Manga Ends on April 30
Akiko Morishima's manga adapts Kunihiko Ikuhara's Yurikuma Arashi anime
― Manga creator Akiko Morishima announced on her blog on April 3 that she will end her Yuri Kuma Arashi manga in the June issue of Gentosha Comics Inc.'s Monthly Comic Birz magazine, which Gentosha Comics will publish on April 30. The manga adapts the Yurikuma Arashi anime by director Kunihiko Ikuhara (Revolutionary Girl Utena, P...
Tatsuya Egawa Launches New Bōkyaku no Hate Manga on Club Sunday Site
Manga centers on high school manga creator who wants to talk to cute girls to draw better manga
― Shogakukan's Club Sunday web manga site began publishing a new series by Tatsuya Egawa last month titled Bōkyaku no Hate, 16-sai no Jibun e no Tegami (Horizon of Oblivion, A Letter to the 16-Year Old Me). Egawa released the first chapter on the site on March 11, and released the second chapter last Frida...
Kendi Oiwa, Makoto Fūgetsu Launch Granblue Fantasy Manga
1st chapter available now for manga drawn by Welcome to the N.H.K. artist
― The official Twitter account of Cycomi, Cygames' manga app, announced on April 4 that Kendi Oiwa (Welcome to the N.H.K., Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag -Kakusei-, Goth) and Makoto Fūgetsu will launch a manga adaptation of Cygames' Granblue Fantasy smartphone game. Fūgetsu is writing the script and Oiwa is drawing the manga. T...
Takako Shimura, Fumiko Fumi Both Launch New Series in May
New series launching in Be x Boy magazine
― The official website of Libre Publishing's Be x Boy magazine revealed last week that manga creators Takako Shimura and Fumiko Fumi will both launch their own respective new manga series in the magazine's June issue on May 6. Fumi's new manga is titled Josō Danshi to Menhera Oji-san (The Crossdressing Young Man and the Uncle With Mental Illness). Libre Publi...
Gundam the Origin III: Dawn of Rebellion Anime's English-Dubbed Trailer Posted
3rd episode in video anime series premieres in Japanese theaters on May 21
― The Gundam.info website posted an English-dubbed version of the second trailer for the Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin anime's third episode, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin III Dawn of Rebellion (Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin III Akatsuki no Hōki), on Monday. The site previously streamed the video in February with Japanese a...
Skip Beat's English Dub Kickstarter Campaign Casts Cristina Vee, Mela Lee
Vee plays Erika Koenji, Lee plays Maria Takarada; campaign hits US$145,000 of US$155,000 goal
― Voice actress Cristina Vee announced on Monday that she and Mela Lee (Fate/stay night's Rin, Durarara!!'s Erika) will join the cast of Pied Piper, Inc.'s planned English dub of the Skip Beat! television anime series. Vee will play Erika Koenji, and Lee will play Maria Takarada. The Kickstarter campaign for...
Monday, April 11
Kingdom Manga Gets Live-Action Short to Celebrate 10th Anniversary
3-minute video starring Kento Yamazaki debuts on April 18
― Shueisha filmed a special live-action video for Yasuhisa Hara's Kingdom manga to celebrate its 10th anniversary this year. The three-minute video stars Kento Yamazaki in the role of Shin, one of the manga's protagonists, and was filmed in Hengdian World Studios in China. The production released four stills from the video (see gallery below)....
Cerevo Inc's Psycho-Pass Dominator Accessories for Sale
Cerevo Inc's Psycho-Pass Dominator smart toy went on sale on in March and the company recently opened pre-orders for its accompanying protective case and display stand. The Cerevo Dominator goes above and beyond previous Dominators created by Bandai's Proplica line and Ichiban Kuji's release with a camera viewer and wireless LAN capabilities, allowing users to view Crime Coefficients with their s...
Giant Robot Takes The Stage at Nana Mizuki's Tokyo Dome Concerts
Nana Mizuki welcomed an extra-large guest on to the stage during her two-day concert at the Tokyo Dome. 80,000 people attended the "NANA MIZUKI LIVE GALAXY 2016" concerts on Saturday and Sunday to see the Cross Ange singer perform but got a special surprise when a 7.7m tall, 1.5 ton robot joined her on stage. The "GALAXY-7" moved on the stage, allowing Mizuki to sit on it during her performance of...
'Recently, my sister is unusual.' Manga Ends in May
Manga inspired television anime, live-action film adaptations in 2014
― The May issue of Kadokawa's Monthly Dragon Age magazine announced last Saturday that Mari Matsuzawa will end her Saikin, Imōto no Yōsu ga Chotto Okashiin Da Ga. (Recently, my sister is unusual.) manga in the June issue when it ships on May 9. The manga centers on Mitsuki Kanzaki, a girl living with her step-brother Yūya after her...
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal: Season III ‒ Episode 2
"The positive changes to this season of Sailor Moon Crystal seem to be sticking so far, not just with its transformations but also with its character interactions and plot progressions."
Cocktail Prince Game Expands Its Stable of Intoxicating Love Interests
Geechs' Cocktail Ōji (Cocktail Prince) mobile game starring male characters inspired by alcoholic drinks is expanding its cast of characters before the game's release this fall. The simulation game lets players manage and decorate a bar and participate in training mini-games with their favorite guy. Geechs announced a total of nine characters so far, including three new ones. The official website ...
2nd Live-Action Assassination Classroom Tops Box Office Chart for 3rd Week
Doraemon, Chihayafuru films also hold positions at #2, #4
― 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 third weekend on 318 screens. Over the weekend of April 9-10, the film sold 167,429 tickets for a total of 201,085,000 yen (about US$1...
Event Report: Sailor Moon Fan Club Launch
Performances by Kotono Mitsuishi, Kenji Nojima, Mitsuko Horie, Momoiro Clover Z
― This past Sunday was the launch event for the official Sailor Moon Pretty Guardians fan club. Held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, over 2,000 pre-registered members lined up to pick up their membership cards and bonus lip gloss. The entrance was decorated with a giant moon that visitors could sit on and take a pict...
Sailor Moon Sailor Stars' Final Episode Gets TV-MA Rating (Updated)
The final episode of Sailor Moon Sailor Stars debuted with English subtitles on Hulu on Monday with a TV-MA rating. All previous episodes in the series have been rated TV-PG. Sailor Moon Crystal's English-subtitled version was also rated TV-PG for the first two seasons, but the currently-airing third season has a TV-14 rating. The English-dubbed version of Sailor Moon Crystal has a TV-14 rating. T...
Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness PS4/PS Vita Game's Western Release Slated for September
NIS America announced on Monday that Mages and 5pb.'s Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness game is slated for release in North America on September 13 and Europe on September 16. The game will have both physical and digital releases on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita. The company also confirmed that it plans to release the game on PC via Steam, but has not yet shared a release date. In addition the...
Industry Shares Messages After Digimon Singer's Passing
Kouji Wada's passing on April 3 touched Digimon fans and colleagues alike. The 42-year-old "Butter-Fly" singer passed away from cancer in his upper pharynx, a disease he had battled since a malignant tumor was discovered there and on a lymph node in his neck in 2003. The following are comments posted on Twitter from Wada's colleagues upon hearing the news of his passing. Koji Wada, you did a good ...
Tekken's Harada, Appleseed's Aramaki, Production I.G Collaborate on 'Argyle Shift' VR Demo
Players can pilot giant robot, interact with female AI copilot
― Katsuhiro Harada (Tekken series, "Summer Lesson") is supervising and writing the original plan for the robot shooting game demonstration "Argyle Shift," which utilizes the HTC Vive virtual reality (VR) headset. Production I.G is handling the world design and scenario, Shinji Aramaki (Appleseed) is directing, and Takayuki Yanase (Ghost i...
Series Premiere: My Hero Academia (Episodes 1 & 2)
"The first two episodes of My Hero Academia are as indicative of the genre as you can imagine when it comes to plot, but the execution makes it shine so much stronger."
Corpse Party for 3DS Listed by U.S. Rating Board
The American organization Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) lists the Corpse Party game for release on Nintendo 3DS. A 3DS release has yet to be announced for the United States. ESRB describes the game and its M rating for "Blood, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence": This is a survival-horror adventure game, in which players help high-school students escape from a haunted elemen...
Gintama's 1st 'Love Potion' Original Anime DVD Previewed in Visual
The official website for the Gintama anime franchise posted a key visual for the original anime DVD that will be bundled with the 65th volume of Hideaki Sorachi's original Gintama manga on August 4. This original anime DVD and the next one (bundled with the 66th volume on November 4) adapt the "Love Potion" story arc, which covers chapters 492-496 of the original series. The website promises that ...
Square Enix Reveals Valkyrie Anatomia: The Origin RPG with Valkyrie Profile's Lenneth
Site lists Spring digital release & "Valkyrie Profile," "Lenneth" in source code
― Square Enix opened a teaser site for Valkyrie Anatomia: The Origin, a role-playing game slated for "digital distribution" this spring. The website lists Square Enix's Yoshinori Yamagishi (Valkyrie Profile, Star Ocean RPGs) as the producer, sound composer Motoi Sakuraba (Saiyuki, Valkyrie Profile, Tales of, and Star Oce...
One Piece Burning Blood Game's Videos Preview Bonus Costumes
Swimsuits for Robin, Nami, Hancock, Perona; Gear 4 Luffy previewed in videos
― Bandai Namco Entertainment began streaming three more views for its One Piece Burning Blood PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, PC, and Xbox One game on Monday. The videos preview the bonus swimsuit costumes for Nami, Robin, Hancock, and Perona, and the Gear 4 Luffy character. Nami, Robin, Hancock Swimsuit Costume Video Peron...
Ryōsuke Fuji's Attack on Titan: Lost Girls Manga Ends in May
Fujicue!!!, Sekitō manga, Bokura wa Satsui Biytori novel also end in May
― The May issue of Kodansha's Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine revealed on Saturday that Ryōsuke Fuji's Attack on Titan: Lost Girls, Shōichi Taguchi's Fujicue!!!, Keishi Daibu and Ryō Ogawa Sekitō manga, and Tahi Saihate and Mitsuru Hattori's Bokura wa Satsui Biyori novel will end in the magazine's next issue, which Kodansha will publis...
Ace Attorney 6 Game's Commercial Previews Limited Time DLC Costumes
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 a 15-second commercial previewing the game's limited time downloadable content costumes on Sunday. Phoenix Wright (Ryūichi Naruhodo): I am Phoenix Wright, a lawyer. Maya Fey (Mayoi Ayasato): It's...not Phoenix? Phoenix Wright: Objection! This is a limited...
Crunchyroll, Kadokawa Announce Partnership
Crunchyroll to exclusively stream Kadokawa anime outside of Asia for next year, will co-produce Kadokawa anime
― Media distribution service Crunchyroll and Japanese publisher Kadokawa Corporation announced a partnership on Monday that will grant Crunchyroll exclusive worldwide digital distribution rights outside of Asia for anime titles published by Kadokawa in the next year. The partnership will als...
Kadokawa Purchases 51% Stake in Yen Press
Hachette Book Group, Kadokawa to rename Yen Press as Yen Press, LLC in May
― Japanese publisher Kadokawa Corporation announced on Monday via press release that it is entering into a joint venture with New York-based publishing company Hachette Book Group to publish manga and light novels in English. Under the new joint venture, Hachette's Yen Press imprint will split off from being a completely-owned...
Buddy Go! TV Anime's 2nd Episode Streamed
Nobuhiko Okamoto, Asami Shimoda star in 3-episode short series about cross-dressing idol
― The official YouTube channel for Shueisha's Ribon magazine began streaming the second episode on Sunday for the television anime adaptation of Minori Kurosaki's Buddy Go! manga. The channel previously streamed the first episode on March 31. The "cross-dressing romance" centers around Ai Shizukuishi, a shy, plai...
Tsubasa Hazuki's Sword Art Online: Mother's Rosary Manga Ends
3rd volume of manga adapting 4th arc of Sword Art Online novels slated for June 10
― Tsubasa Hazuki published the final chapter of the Sword Art Online: Mother's Rosary manga in the May issue of Kadokawa's Dengeki Bunko Magazine on Saturday. The magazine also revealed that Kadokawa will publish the manga's third and final compiled book volume on June 10. Sword Art Online: Mother's Rosary adapts the f...
My Hero Academia: Battle for All Gameplay Videos Preview Ochaco, Tenya
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 Sunday for Ochaco Uraraka and Tenya Iida. The video for Ochaco previews her gameplay mechanics revolving around the "Zero Gravity" quirk, including a "rocket gau...
Key Visual Revealed For Naruto Stage Musical's New Run
Main cast also revealed in costume in character visuals
― The official website of the Live Spectacle Naruto stage musical unveiled the key visual on Monday for the play's new run. Additionally, the website will reveal character visuals for the cast over the course of the next three weeks. The first five visuals revealed on Monday are: Kōdai Matsuoka as Naruto Uzumaki Ryūji Satō as Sasuke Uchiha Yui I...
The Flowers of Evil Stage Play Cast Pictured in Visual
21 more cast members added to play opening in Tokyo in July
― The staff of the stage play adaptation of Shūzō Oshimi's The Flowers of Evil (Aku no Hana) manga revealed the play's key visual on Saturday. The play's main cast is: Naoya Shimizu as Takao Kasuga Mio Hanana as Sawa Nakamura Narumi Akizuki as Nanako Saeki Additional cast members include: Shigeaki Fukui Naruya Hagiwara Yū Morioka Haruka Miwa...
Sunday, April 10
Skip Beat!'s English Dub Kickstarter Campaign Casts Richard Epcar as Lory Takarada
Campaign hits US$140,000 of US$155,000 goal; will announce more cast at US$145,000
― Voice actress Cristina Vee announced on Saturday that Richard Epcar (Durarara!! ×2's Sloan, Lupin the Third's Daisuke Jigen) will play Lory Takarada in Pied Piper, Inc.'s planned English dub of the Skip Beat! television anime series, and revealed that Deborah Crane (Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal, Ikki Tousen: X...
Upcoming Horror Film Rain Woman to be Screened in 4DX
Format lets you feel water, wind, motion and more
― Takashi Shimizu (Ju-On: The Grudge) is famous for his frightening horror movies, and his latest offering, Ame Onna ("Rain Woman"), seems like it won't disprove his reputation. The film follows Rika (Nana Seino), who's sinking into depression and alienating her boyfriend, Ryū (Shuntarō Yanagi). Every night she has the same dream: a little girl waits ...
California's Fanime Hosts Voice Actor Masaya Matsukaze
Japanese vocal dance group Da-iCE to also appear at May 27-30 event
― California's FanimeCon announced on Monday that it will host voice actor Masaya Matsukaze at the event. Matsukaze has been working as an actor and voice actor since 1997. He has voiced Kyoya Ootori in Ouran High School Host Club, Gaelio Bauduin in Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, Mikami Teru in Death Note, Illumi Zoldyck i...
Japanese Readers Pick Shonen Jump's Most Erotic Manga
Masakazu Katsura does well
― As Weekly Shonen Jump gradually becomes more sexualized, the Japanese survey site Goo Ranking wondered which older titles defied the magazine's young demographics to get its readers hot and bothered. Naturally, it surveyed Shonen Jump readers to see which series they remembered most fondly. The survey was carried out from March 29 to 31 and collected results from 250 men,...
Comic-Con Int'l Hosts Pokémon Adventures Manga's Hidenori Kusaka, Satoshi Yamamoto
Artist, writer currently work on Pokémon XY, Pokemon Adventures: ΩRuby & αSapphire manga
― Comic Con International announced last Monday that Pokémon Adventures manga's writer Hidenori Kusaka and artist Satoshi Yamamoto will appear as special guests at this year's convention. The convention will run from July 21-24 at the San Diego Convention Center. Kusaka (pictured right) is the writer of the Pokém...
The Empire of Corpses Film's English Video Introduces John Watson
Film will run in select theaters in the U.S. on April 19-20
― Funimation Entertainment began streaming a video on Thursday for its upcoming screening of The Empire of Corpses anime film. The video introduces the film's protagonist John Watson. Funimation previously streamed a trailer on Wednesday that previewed the film's English dub. The cast, under ADR director and scriptwriter Mike McFarland, assi...
Japan's Highway Service Stations Get Anthropomorphized in Web Novel
Character designs by Mel Kishida and Noizi Itō
― Just when you think you've seen everything get anthropomorphized into moe characters, something else comes along to prove otherwise. The latest project turns Japan's highway service stations into attractive female characters. NEXCO Central Japan, which operates highways in central Japan, in cooperation with the telecommunications company Dwango, is pub...
Three Leaves, Three Colors/Sansha Sanyō BDs/DVDs to Add 3 Unaired Episodes
12 TV episodes listed on six Blu-ray/DVD volumes, which start shipping on June 29
― The television anime of Cherry Arai's Sansha Sanyō (Three Leaves, Three Colors) manga premiered on Sunday, and a television commercial for the anime's Japanese home video release aired during the premiere. The ad reveals that the first Blu-ray Disc/DVD volume will ship on June 29, and the volume will include the first...
Postal Worker Uses [email protected] Alias to Commit Fraud
Steals $75,000 worth of parcels
― In late March, the postal worker Kazuki Kasai was arrested for theft and abusing his position to commit mail fraud. He used several aliases in his crimes, including "Hibiki Ganaha" — an [email protected] character. Kasai worked at the Kyoto Central Post Office, where he was in charge of directing parcels to their proper points of delivery. He took advantage of this po...
Dates, Titles Revealed for Kuroko's Basketball's 3 Compilation Films
1st compilation film Winter Cup Sōshū-hen ~Kage to Hikari~ slated for September 3
― This year's 19th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump revealed the titles and opening dates for the three Kuroko's Basketball compilation films on Monday. The first film is titled Winter Cup Sōshū-hen ~Kage to Hikari~ (Winter Cup Compilation ~Shadow and Light~), and it will open in Japan on September 3. The second f...
Ray Gigant RPG Gets Digital Release in N. America, Europe in May
English screenshots revealed for dungeon-crawling RPG for PS Vita
― Los Angeles-based game company acttil revealed more information and new screenshots (see gallery below) on Saturday for its PlayStation Vita dungeon-crawling role-playing game Ray Gigant. The game will be available digitally in North America and Europe in May. acttil's release will feature the Japanese audio track with English subtit...
Joshi Kōsei Girls-High Manga's 13th Volume Will Be Last
Joshi Kōsei Girls-Live sequel is still running in Comic High! magazine
― Manga creator Towa Oshima posted on her official Twitter account on Monday that the 13th compiled book volume of her Joshi Kōsei Girls-High (High School Girls or Girl's High) manga will be the last. Joshi Kōsei Girls-High follows close friends Eriko, Yuma, and Ayano at a girls' high school. Oshima launched the Joshi Kōsei Girls-...
Tanaka-kun is Always Listless BD/DVDs Include Bonus Anime Episodes
1st 2 BD/DVD volumes feature extra anime episodes, other extras
― The official website for the Tanaka-kun is Always Listless (Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge) television anime series has revealed that the show's first and second home video releases will each include one episode of the anime series plus a bonus special anime episode. The first Blu-ray Disc and DVD volume will bundle a bonus episode tent...
Loverin Tamburin Band's Hawaii Concert Cancelled
Band was scheduled to perform at Kawaii Kon this weekend
― LOVERIN TAMBURIN pianist Akihiro Nagao announced on Twitter on Friday that the band's scheduled performance at Hawaii's Kawaii Kon has been cancelled. The band was supposed to perform at Kawaii Kon on Saturday and Sunday. Nagao said the cancellation was due to "various circumstances" and did not elaborate beyond that, but he apologized to the...
Fushigi Yugi Musical's Cast Pictured in Action
LoVendoЯ's Reina Tanaka plays Miaka Yūki in 1st Fushigi Yugi musical
― Japanese manga news website Comic Natalie revealed more than 50 pictures on Thursday of the cast of the first stage musical adaptation of Yuu Watase's Fushigi Yûgi manga, Fushigi Yûgi ~Ake no Shō~ (Fushigi Yûgi ~Vermilion Chapter~). The pictures feature the cast in costume at an interview and in action during a dress rehearsal. Th...
Live-Action Terraformars Prequel Series Previewed in Video
3-episode series premieres on dTV online service on April 24
― dTV began streaming a preview video on Friday for Terraformars: Aratanaru Kibō (Terraformars: A New Hope), the live-action prequel series to the live-action Terraformars film. The prequel will center on the research institute responsible for screening candidates for the Mars mission. The candidates will cheat and betray each other in a me...
Star Ocean 5 Game's 1-Hour English Gameplay Video Streamed
Sony confirms June 28 release date for the West
― Video game news website Polygon began streaming a 70-minute English gameplay video on Saturday for the Star Ocean 5: Integrity and Faithlessness role-playing game for the PlayStation 4. The video covers the opening areas of the game and a later section 10 hours into the game. Sony's PlayStation Blog additionally confirmed on Friday that the game will ...
North Carolina's Animazement to Host Aya Hirano, Yuu Mizushima
Shingo Adachi, Keiko Han, Masao Maruyama, more also to appear at May 27-29 event
― North Carolina's Animazement convention announced last month that it will host voice actress Aya Hirano, animator Shingo Adachi, Aniplex producer Shinichiro Kashiwada, and musical guest Oreskaband (ORE SKA BAND). Hirano began acting as a child, but she received her big break when she starred in the title role of The Me...
Production I.G Animates T.M. Revolution's Latest Music Video
T.M. Revolution, the singer who has performed theme songs for such anime as Rurouni Kenshin, Soul Eater, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny, and Valvrave the Liberator, released a new music video on Saturday for his song "Committed RED" that features animation by Production I.G. The below video is region-locked and not available in all areas. The concept of the video is "the ...
Saturday, April 9
Resident Evil Umbrella Corps Game's Latest Video Reveals June 21 Delay
3rd-person shooter game for PS4/PC was originally slated for May
― Capcom released a "mercenary customization trailer" on Wednesday for its upcoming third-person shooter game Umbrella Corps for PlayStation 4 and PC. The trailer highlights the game's different interchangeable gear and weapon varieties, and also confirms that Capcom is delaying the game to June 21 in the West. Capcom streamed a Japanes...
Makoto Sanda Pens Rental Magica Short Story
Short story is set 10 years after the main story's ending, focuses on Ren Nekoyashiki
― Light novel author Makoto Sanda announced on his official Twitter account on Monday that he is writing a new short story based on his Rental Magica light novel series that centers on the character Ren Nekoyashiki, and is set 10 years after the original story ended. The short story is titled "Neko Onmyōji - Nekoyas...
MyAnimeList Adds More Anime From Hulu, Crunchyroll (Updated)
20,000 anime episodes now available in selected regions outside of Japan
― Mobile app developer DeNA confirmed via a press release on Monday that its MyAnimeList.net website has added anime embedded from Hulu and Crunchyroll. The videos are accessible to selected regions outside of Japan. The number of anime episodes available on the site now numbers over 20,000. DeNA has already partnered with Anime...
Prime Minister Abe: Dōjinshi Safe Under TPP
Also: Japanese government targets illegal video hosting websites
― The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a trade agreement signed in February between 12 Pacific Rim nations (Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam), has long unsettled manga and anime fans because its intellectual property provisions could reclassify dōjinsh...
Macross Franchise Gets New Game App by DeNA
The official portal website of the Macross franchise announced on March 21 that mobile app developer DeNA is developing a new game based on the Macross anime franchise. The announcement did not reveal any further details. The latest Macross anime project, the Macross Delta television series, premiered on April 3 at 10:30 p.m. on the Tokyo MX channel. A commercial for the game app ran during the an...
Season Premiere: Ushio & Tora (Episode 27)
"It appears that Tora has literally met his match, and this show has given me nothing but reasons to be excited for what happens next."
Japanese Netizens Pick the Most Handsome Pokémon
Charmander was Japanese college student's and ANN readers' favorite original starter Pokemon but gamers had a different pick when it came to the "most handsome." Plenty of attention is given to cute Pokemon, but a different set of criteria is considered when picking a handsome team of fighters. The top choice was the scientifically-created Mewtwo. Voters found his appearance stylish and his top-ti...
Hakuōki: Otogisōshi TV Anime's 1st Episode Streamed
Flash anime featuring SD Hakuōki characters also aired on TV
― Flash animation studio DLE's official YouTube channel began streaming the first episode of the Hakuōki ~Otogisōshi~ television anime on Tuesday. The three-minute episode has two parts titled "Otōsama o Sagashite" (Search for Your Father) and "Zoku - Otōsama o Sagashite" (Search for Your Father Continued). The episode introduces Chizuru, w...
Yui Ogura Tries Out Police Work for a Day
Promotes traffic safety in hometown
― On April 6, voice actress and idol singer Yui Ogura (Tsukiko in The "Hentai" Prince and the Stony Cat., Binkan-chan in SHIMONETA, Kokona in Yama no Susume) donned a police uniform for a day and took on the duties of a police chief in the mountain city of Kiryū her hometown in Gunma Prefecture northwest of Tokyo. She participated in a spring campaign to improve tr...
Love Live! Sunshine's Animated Ads Preview 2nd Single (Updated)
"Koi ni Naritai Aquarium" ships on April 27 with Blu-ray of animated music video
― The streaming program Love Live! Sunshine!! Aqours Niconico Live Extracurricular Activity ~It's a trio! One [Ichi], Two [Ni], Sun[San or Three]shine!!~ previewed the second single from the Love Live! Sunshine!! project's idol group Aqours on Saturday. Lantis posted a set of two commercials, 60 seconds and 15 seconds lo...
Nana Mizuki Sings Kono Bijutsu-bu niwa Mondai ga Aru! Anime's Opening
Singer's 35th single also includes Tower of Princess app's "Antiphona" song
― The "Nana Mizuki Live Galaxy 2016" concert on Saturday announced that the singer will release her 35th single in July. One of the songs in the single will be the opening theme song for the July television anime of Imigimuru's Kono Bijutsu-bu niwa Mondai ga Aru! (This Art Club Has a Problem!) comedy manga. Mizuki also voices...
Job Listing in Japan Seeks Mr. Osomatsu Fans to Help with Their Favorite Show
Blu-Ray/DVD, manga editing position
― Mr. Osomatsu may have inspired pages and pages of fanart, but a new listing on the Japanese employment listing website an gives fans a chance to actually contribute to the production of their favorite show. The listing seeks a "hatarakimatsu" (hataraki means "working") to take part in editing sessions for a series of shorts to be included on the Mr. Osomatsu Blu-...
Savage Garden's Darren Hayes Gives a Shout-Out to Latest JoJo Ending
The second episode of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable premiered on Friday, and with it the show's opening and ending theme song. Like previous seasons, Diamond is Unbreakable tapped a Western artist to provide the ending theme, which is fitting, given the show's many references to Western pop and rock music. Season four makes use of duo Savage Garden's 1996 track "I Want You." Voc...
Touhou Sōjinengi PS Vita Game Ships in Japan on April 28
The official website of Strawberry Bose's Touhou Sōjinengi role-playing game revealed on Monday that the game's PlayStation Vita release is slated for April 28. The PS Vita version is titled Touhou Sōjinengi V. The game is based on Team Shanghai Alice/ZUN's Touhou Project franchise. In the game, players will form a party to investigate a strange event in Gensōkyō. Players will fight enemies to gai...
Working/Wagnaria!!'s Karino Takatsu Launches My Monster Girl's Too Cool for You Manga Prequel
Hyōtenka no Kanojo ni Nanika Yōkai launched 1st chapter on Monday
― Manga creator Karino Takatsu (Working!!, Servant × Service) launched a new four-panel manga titled Hyōtenka no Kanojo ni Nanika Yōkai (The Girl Below Freezing is Some Kind of Monster) on Square Enix's Gangan Online web manga site on Monday. The series is a spinoff of her My Monster Girl's Too Cool for You (Ore no Kanojo ni Nanika Yōk...
AKB49 Stage Musical Based on Manga Gets New Run This Month
SKE48 members will comprise cast
― Nelke Planning announced on Friday that its stage musical adaptation of Reiji Miyajima and Motoazabu Factory's AKB49 ~Renai Kinshi Jōrei~ (AKB49 ~Love Ban Ordinance~) manga will run again at Aichi's Chūnichi Theatre from April 21-26 with a new cast. Like the March 2015 run, the cast will consist entirely of members of SKE48. The original run in 2014 starred members ...
Shirobako Producers Discuss Possibility of Sequel
Takayuki Nagatani: "If we could decide on a theme, there might be a chance [for a sequel]"
― During a panel at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival (TAAF) on March 20, PA Works CEO Kenji Horikawa, voice actress Juri Kimura (Aoi Miyamori in Shirobako), Kohei Kawase of Warner Entertainment Japan, and Takayuki Nagatani of Infinite discussed the potential of a sequel to the Shirobako anime. When asked what epi...
One-Punch Man Ranks #2 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan March List
5 Tokyo Ghoul volumes, 1 Naruto volume, 1 Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal volume also rank
― The fifth volume of ONE and Yuusuke Murata's One-Punch Man manga ranked #2 on the Nielsen BookScan's Top 20 list for March. The first volume ranked #14. The first, second, and fourth volumes previously ranked on February's list. Five volumes of Sui Ishida's Tokyo Ghoul manga also ranked in the top 20: the fifth volume ranked...
Setoutsumi Live-Action Film's 3rd Short Skit Streamed
Sousuke Ikematsu, Masaki Suda star in film opening on July 2
― The official website of the live-action film adaptation of Kazuya Konomoto's Setoutsumi manga began streaming a third skit video from the film on Thursday. The video, titled "Standing Ovation," features Utsumi (Sousuke Ikematsu) and Seto (Masaki Suda). In the short, Utsumi asks Seto to do a standing ovation. Seto replies with, "Why the he...
Anime Expo Hosts Your Lie In April Creator Naoshi Arakawa, Singer Michi
Both guests to hold panels, autograph sessions at July 1-4 event in Los Angeles
― Los Angeles anime convention Anime Expo announced this week that it will host Your Lie in April manga creator Naoshi Arakawa and singer Michi at this year's event. Arakawa's appearance at Anime Expo will mark his first overseas convention appearance. Arakawa debuted as a manga creator in 2007 by drawing Tsumetai Kōsha n...
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."
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...
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...
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 3 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...
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...
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...
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