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C³ BD+DVD
C3 is a surprisingly entertaining take on some well-worn action-fanservice territory.
― Released five years ago now, C³ was one of Silver Link's earliest productions, before they were renowned for… well, making a whole lot of shows exactly like C³. The show falls in the timeless “action-fanservice adaptation themed around torture/bondage gear” subgenre, which has more recently featured the legitimate...
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 ...
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...
Thursday, April 21
Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE! Season 2's July Debut, Tie-In Events Revealed
May 25 artbook & May 21 marathons for season 1, June 2-July 3 theme park campaign
― The official website for the Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE! television anime announced that the second season, titled Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE! LOVE! (Binan Kōkō Chikyū Bōei-bu Love! Love!), will premiere this summer. The official Twitter account specifies a July premiere. The website also announced that ...
C³ BD+DVD
C3 is a surprisingly entertaining take on some well-worn action-fanservice territory.
― Released five years ago now, C³ was one of Silver Link's earliest productions, before they were renowned for… well, making a whole lot of shows exactly like C³. The show falls in the timeless “action-fanservice adaptation themed around torture/bondage gear” subgenre, which has more recently featured the legitimate...
Fudanshi Kōkō Seikatsu Comedy Manga About Male Yaoi Fan Gets TV Anime
Atami Michinoku's web manga about male BL fan & his "normal," female, & gay friends
― A television anime adaptation of Atami Michinoku's Fudanshi Kōkō Seikatsu (Rotten Boys' High School Life) manga has been green-lit for a July premiere. The comedy depicts the daily life of Sakaguchi, a high school boy and also a "fudanshi" who loves boys-love stories. Fudanshi is a wordplay on fujoshi (literally, "r...
Final Fantasy XV Spinoff Game Justice Monsters Five Gets Android Release Next Week
Final Fantasy XV director Hajime Tabata announced during a livestream event on Thursday that the Justice Monsters Five smartphone and PC game will launch next week for Android devices. The game will then launch on iOS in June and on PC for Windows 10 this summer. The English pre-launch pages for the game lists that the game will be available in April 2016 for Android and June 2016 for iOS. Justice...
Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV CG Film Opens in Japan on July 9
Aniplex publicity producer Toshiyuki Kanzezawa and Final Fantasy XV director Hajime Tabata announced during a livestream event on Thursday that the Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV feature-length CG film will open in Japanese theaters on July 9. Pre-order tickets will go on sale on April 23. Tabata is producing the film. Takeshi Nozue (Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children co-director, co-producer) is d...
The Heroic Legend of Arslan 2nd Season Reveals Narsus, Elam Character Illustrations
The official website for the Arslan Senki: Fūjin Ranbu (The Heroic Legend of Arslan: Dust Storm Dance) television anime series revealed the character illustrations for Narsus and Elam on Thursday. Daisuke Namikawa and Natsuki Hanae respectively are returning to voice the two characters. Daisuke Namikawa as Narsus Natsuki Hanae as Elam The website had revealed the character illustrations for Arslan...
The [email protected]: Platinum Stars PS4 Game's 1st Promo Video Previews Bonuses
Game centering on 13 aspiring idols ships in Japan on July 28
― Bandai Namco Entertainment began streaming the first promotional video on Thursday for The [email protected]: Platinum Stars PlayStation 4 game. The game is slated for release on July 28. Those who pre-order the game will receive a product code for the PS4 menu featuring art of all 13 idols of 765 Pro. Those who purchase the game through Bandai...
GameBusiness Site: Platinum Games Founder, CEO Tatsuya Minami Resigns
Japanese video game news website GameBusiness.jp reported on Thursday that Platinum Games' founder and president and CEO Tatsuya Minami resigned from his position at the end of March. GameBusiness additionally reported that Kenichi Satō has taken over as president and CEO, and that Seigo Tabira and Atsushi Inaba are now board members. Platinum Games has not officially confirmed GameBusiness' repor...
Dynasty Warriors Eiketsuden Strategy RPG's Promo Shows Characters, Combat
Strategy game spinoff slated for release this year on PS4, PS3, PS Vita
― The official website of KOEI Tecmo Games' Shin Sangoku Musou: Eiketsuden (Dynasty Warriors: Legend of Great Heroes), the strategy RPG spinoff of its Dynasty Warriors (Shin Sangoku Musou) action game franchise, began streaming a promotional video for the game on Wednesday. The video previews the game's characters and combat syst...
Gundam Thunderbolt Anime Gets Director's Cut Screening, Home Video Release
Final episode premieres in Japan online on Friday
― The official website for the anime of Yasuo Ohtagaki's Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt manga revealed on Thursday that the anime will get a director's cut edition that will screen for two weeks in 15 Japanese theaters starting on June 25. The new Kidō Senshi Gundam Thunderbolt: December Sky (Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt: December Sky) anime will in...
Caligula PS Vita RPG's 2nd Promo Introduces Main Characters
Game centering on students trying to escape world made by virtual idol ships on June 23
― The official website of FuRyu's upcoming Caligula PlayStation Vita role-playing game began streaming the game's second promotional video on Wednesday. The video previews the game's main characters, and mentions that players can interact with over 500 student NPCs. The official website streamed the first promotio...
Danganronpa 3 Anime Casts Hidekatsu Shibata, Keiji Fujiwara
Romi Park, Hiroki Yasumoto, Jun Fukuyama also reprise roles from Danganronpa 2 game
― The official website of the Danganronpa 3: The End of Kibōgamine Gakuen (Danganronpa 3 -The End of Hope's Peak Academy-) anime revealed additional cast members for both its "Mirai Hen" and "Zetsubō Hen" parts on Thursday. The new cast members appearing in the "Mirai Hen" part of the anime include: Hidekatsu Shibata ...
Kagerou Project Gets Immersive MX4D Anime Short Film in Winter
23-year-old illustrator Sidu debuts as anime director in film project
― The official website of songwriter and manga creator JIN's Kagerou Project mixed-media project revealed on Thursday that ultraCeep Inc. and Aniplex will launch a collaborative project to produce a theatrical anime titled MX4D Kagerou Daze -in a days-, based on JIN's Kagerou Daze novel series. The production claims the anime is th...
Wednesday, April 20
Scared Rider Xechs TV Anime's Theme Song Artists Revealed
Tatsuhisa Suzuki, Mamoru Miyano sing opening & KENN sings ending
― The official website for the television anime of Rejet and Red Entertainment's Scared Rider Xechs romance adventure game revealed details on the anime's opening and ending theme songs on Wednesday. Tatsuhisa Suzuki and Mamoru Miyano are performing the duet opening theme song "Ao to Kurenai no Forzato." Chiyomaru Shikura is writing the...
Production I.G's Quake-Themed Short 'Pigtails' Wins Award at WorldFest Houston
Short film was in stage play based on Machiko Kyō's Mitsuami no Kami-sama manga
― "Pigtails," Production I.G.'s animated short film based on Machiko Kyō's Mitsuami no Kami-sama (Braided Pig-Tail Deity) manga, won the Platinum Remi Award in the Classic Cel Animation Category at the WorldFest Houston International Film Festival. The screening of the short during the April 8-17 film festival marked the ...
Naze Ikiru Anime Film of Buddhist Book Previewed in Trailer
Studio Deen animates film opening on May 21
― Japanese film news website Cinema Today posted a trailer for the anime film of Kentetsu Takamori's Buddhist book Naze Ikiru as a film. Naze Ikiru -Rennyo Shōnin to Yoshizaki Enjō- (Why We Live: The Priest Rennyo and the Yoshizaki Fire) on Wednesday. The trailer is also streaming on the film's official website. Ryōken: It's my fault... Text: Why do people ...
Star Fox Zero Anime Short by Attack on Titan Studios Streamed
Game's overview trailer also posted; game out in N. America on Friday
― Nintendo began streaming the "Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins" animated short for its Star Fox Zero game on Wednesday. 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, collaboration on Attack on ...
Japanese Comic Ranking, April 11-17
Attack on Titan, Case Closed, One Piece, The Seven Deadly Sins, Magi in top 5
― Rank Title Est. Weekly Copies Est. Total Copies Release Date Publisher Author Highest Rank Weeks on List 1 Attack on Titan 19 414,184 1,133,381 2016/04 Kodansha Hajime Isayama 1 2 2 Detective Conan (Case Closed) 89 287,931 287,931 2016/04 Shogakukan Gosho Aoyama 2 1 3 One Piece 81 265,973 2,115,557 2016/04 Shueisha Eiich...
Japan's Video Game Rankings, April 11-17
Divinity: Original Sin, Republique, Skull Girls 2nd Encore games ship
― Japan's Game Ranking: April 11-17 Rank System Title Maker Release Date Weekly Copies Total Copies 4Gamer Reader Review 13DS Yo-kai Sangokushi Level 5 April 2 41,768 401,481 40 23DS Dragon Quest Monsters Joker 3 Square Enix March 24 24,489 541,635 57 3PS4 Dark Souls III From Software March 24 8,833 267,654 83 4PS4 Far Cry Primal U...
Fate/Grand Order Smartphone Game to Run Fate/Zero Special Event
Gen Urobuchi writes original story
― The official Type-Moon YouTube channel began streaming a streaming a commercial for the Fate/Zero-themed special event within its Fate/Grand Order smartphone game on Wednesday. The event will take place from April 27 to May 11. The event, "Fate/Accel Zero Order," will have an original story composed by original Fate/Zero novel writer Gen Urobuchi. Iskander will ap...
Sentai Filmworks Licenses When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace Anime
Studio Trigger animated 2014 series about students with supernatural powers
― Sentai Filmworks announced on Wednesday that it has licensed the anime When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace and plans to release the series digitally and on home video. The 12-episode anime premiered in October 2014, and Crunchyroll streamed the series as it aired in Japan. Masanori Takahashi directed the series at ...
Metroid Prime: Federation Force 3DS Game Delayed
Nintendo announced on Wednesday that its Metroid Prime: Federation Force co-op shooter game for Nintendo 3DS is slated for August 19 in North America and in Europe on September 2. The game was initially slated for this spring. Additionally, Nintendo delayed the game's Japanese release date from June to August 25. The company cited "balance adjustments" as the reason for the delay. In addition to t...
Zero Time Dilemma Game Trailer Introduces Characters
3rd Zero Escape game slated for June on PS Vita/3DS
― Spike Chunsoft began streaming a trailer introducing the main characters of its upcoming Zero Time Dilemma game, the third game in the Zero Escape series, on Wednesday. The game will ship in North America and Europe on June 28 for the PlayStation Vita and Nintendo 3DS, and will ship on June 30 in Japan. The Japanese cast includes: Tomokazu Sugita ...
'Solgaleo', 'Lunaala' Trademarks Registered in Japan
Trademarks for 'Solgaleo' and 'Lunaala' were filed in Japan, and went public on March 22. The applicant is an individual named "Yusuke Inui," not a company. Nintendo announced in February that its next Pokemon games will be titled Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon, and are slated for the 2016 holiday season. [Via Siliconera]
Answerman - Is Anime Translated Faithfully In Other Languages?
Do non-English anime translations come directly from the original Japanese, or are they translated from the English version? Justin gets into why Spanish-language Pokemon sounds a lot like English-language Pokemon.
― Alfonso asks: The Latin American Spanish dubs of Sailor Moon and Pokemon used the American names of the characters on this region. While I haven't verified it myself, I would assume the...
Awesome Nozomi Anime Give-Away
Last chance! This give-away ends tonight at Midnight EDT!
― 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. Here are the titles available! El-Hazard The Wanderer Release Date: 6/7/2016 Makoto always upstages Jinnai without trying, which just ag...
Space Brothers Manga Volume 29 Bundles #0 Film With New Footage
Volume also includes booklet of Chūya Koyama's script, storyboard
― This year's 21st issue of Kodansha's Morning magazine is revealing on Thursday that Chūya Koyama's 29th Space Brothers (Uchū Kyōdai) manga volume will bundle a special edition DVD of the Uchū Kyōdai #0 anime film. The special edition DVD will contain new footage exclusive to this limited edition, and the bundle will also include a bo...
HoneyWorks' Zutto Mae Kara Suki Deshita: Kokuhaku Jikkō Iinkai Film Posts New Trailer, Visual
1st film based on Vocaloid song project opens Saturday
― The official website for Zutto Mae Kara Suki Deshita: Kokuhaku Jikkou Iinkai (I've Always Liked You: Confession Executive Committee), the anime film of HoneyWorks' Vocaloid song project "Kokuhaku Jikkō Iinkai ~Renai Series~," posted the full trailer on Wednesday. Natsuki: I'm sorry this is so sudden... I... I've been in love with you for a long...
Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force's N. America, Europe Releases Dated
PS4 game slated for N. America on July 26, Europe on July 29
― Idea Factory International announced on Tuesday that it will release Compile Heart's Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force PlayStation 4 game in North America on July 26, and in Europe on July 29. The game will have both physical and digital releases. Idea Factory International is also streaming the game's opening movie, featuring the theme s...
Netflix to Stream Magi: Adventure of Sinbad TV Anime Worldwide (Updated)
Streaming begins in Japan on Thursday, followed by other regions later
― Netflix will be the exclusive streaming service for the fantasy television anime series Magi: Adventure of Sinbad in Japan, and it will also stream the anime worldwide. Weekly streaming in full HD will begin on Thursday, April 21 in Japan, followed by other regions later. The television anime adapts Shinobu Ohtaka and Yoshifumi ...
California's FanimeCon to Host Voice Actor Daisuke Sakaguchi
Anime, manga academic Gilles Poitras to also appear at May 27-30 event
― California's FanimeCon announced on Thursday that it will host voice actor Daisuke Sakaguchi. Sakaguchi has voiced Shinpachi Shimura in Gintama, Jacuzzi Splot in Baccano!, Leonardo Watch in Blood Blockade Battlefront, Xeno in World Trigger, Satoshi Fukube in Hyōka, and Youhei Sunohara in Clannad, among many others. FanimeCon als...
Sony Samples PlayStation 4 2016 Lineup in Video
Video includes rap by Moga Mogami, tofubeats
― The official Japanese Youtube channel for Sony's PlayStation systems posted a video to highligh the games slated for release on the PlayStation 4 this year. The video features a rap by Denpagumi.inc member Moga Mogami and tofubeats describing each game previewed. Some of the games shown include One Piece: Burning Blood, Dragon Quest Heroes II, Lego Star ...
Gash/Zatch Bell's Makoto Raiku to Launch School Fantasy Manga
Animal Land creator launches Vector Ball on April 27
― This year's 21st issue of Kodansha's Weekly Shonen Magazine revealed on Wednesday that Makoto Raiku will launch a manga series titled Vector Ball in the next issue, which Kodansha will publish on April 27. The magazine describes the new series as a "school fantasy manga about bonds." The manga's first chapter will be 62 pages long with a color op...
Kimagure Orange Road Kickstarter Funds 2nd Omnibus Volume
Next stretch goal to fund 3rd omnibus volume set at US$74,900
― Digital Manga Inc.'s Kickstarter campaign to publish Izumi Matsumoto's romantic comedy manga Kimagure Orange Road reached its first stretch goal of US$56,900 on Tuesday. This will allow the company to publish a second 3-in-1 omnibus volume for the manga. The other four omnibus volumes will be stretch goals at the following amounts: Omnib...
Danganronpa 3 Anime Casts Saki Fujita, Inori Minase, Takuya Eguchi
Anime will conclude "Hope's Peak Academy" story
― The official Twitter account of the Danganronpa franchise announced additional cast for the Danganronpa 3: The End of Kibōgamine Gakuen (Danganronpa 3 -The End of Hope's Peak Academy-) anime on Wednesday. Saki Fujita as Seiko Kimura Inori Minase as Ruruka Andō Takuya Eguchi as Sōnosuke Izayoi All three characters are new to the franchise, and will fea...
Overlord/Kanon's Naoyuki Itou Directs 2017 Madhouse Film
Yozakura Quartet's Manabu Ishikawa pens script & Kimikoe Audition winner will be part of cast
― Tohokushinsha Film's "Kimikoe Project" website confirmed on Wednesday that it will produce a new anime film animated by the studio Madhouse (Summer Wars, Chihayafuru, One-Punch Man). The film is slated to open in 2017. Naoyuki Itou (Overlord, Eiga Dokidoki! Precure Mana Kekkon!!? Mirai ni Tsunagu Kibō no D...
Tuesday, April 19
20th Crayon Shin-chan Film Earns 400 Million Yen to Rank #2
2nd Assassination Classroom tops 1st film with projected 3 billion yen
― 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 933,781 tickets for 1,209,158,900 billion yen (about US$11.1 million) to top the Japanese box office in its opening weekend. Eiga Crayon Shin-cha...
Sailor Moon Crystal Season III Ending Theme Song's Solo Versions Previewed
Series premiered on April 4 with duet version by Sailor Uranus (Junko Minagawa) & Sailor Neptune (Sayaka Ohara).
― The official Sailor Moon Youtube channel began streaming two videos for the Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal: Season III television anime series on Tuesday. The two videos preview solo versions of the first ending theme song "eternal eternity" by Sailor Uranus (Junko Minagawa) and Sai...
Get a Summer Job Voice Acting in HoneyWorks' Next Anime
HoneyWorks next anime film is looking for some part-timers to fill out its voice acting ranks. The TownWork website is hosting a job listing for voice actors with recording planned to start in June. The chosen applicants will receive a 30,000 yen (US$275) daily wage for up to eight hours of work per day. Applicants can be inexperienced since dedicated staff will be on hand to help with voice train...
Kodansha's Sam Yoshiba Supports Scarlett Johansson Casting Choice for Live-Action GitS
Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks Pictures' live-action Ghost in the Shell film has not been without its detractors since production started with its lead, Scarlett Johansson, filling the role of Major Motoko Kusanagi. Many lamented the decision as just another in a long line of Hollywood whitewashing, where a non-White character is recast with a White actor or actress. Essays on the topic, citing...
Japan Happy Meal Toys Opt for Show By Rock's President Over Popular Bands
McDonald's in Japan are getting in on the Sanrio popularity contest by offering tie-in toys of some of the frontrunners. Pom Pom Purin, Cinnamon, My Melody, Gudetama, Little Twin Stars, Hello Kitty, Kirimi-chan, and three of the bands from Show by Rock are currently in the lead. All the mascots are getting their own prizes with the exception of the Show by Rock bands. For some reason, the entry i...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, April 17-23
Yamishibai anime; The irregular at magic high school novel ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Aldnoah.Zero Set 4 Limited Edition Blu-rayPlease Aniplex of America US$94.98 April 19 Aldnoah.Zero Set 4 DVDCite Aniplex of America US$39.98 April 19 Black Butler Season 3 Limited Edition BD/DVDAnimeNewsNetwork Funimation Entertainment US$84.98 April 19 Black Butler Season 3 BD...
Danganronpa 3 Anime Confirms 3 Returning Cast Members
Megumi Ogata, Yōko Hikasa, Yoshimasa Hosoya join TARAKO in cast
― The official website for the Danganronpa 3: The End of Kibōgamine Gakuen (Danganronpa 3 -The End of Hope's Peak Academy-) anime announced the first round of cast members on Tuesday. Yōko Hikasa will play Kyōko Kirigiri in "Mirai Hen," Yoshimasa Hosoya will play Kazuichi Sōda in "Zetsubō Hen," and Megumi Ogata will play both Makoto Naeg...
Anime Nazi Image Lands Russian Activist in Police Questioning
A campaigner for the Russian liberal democratic political party, The People's Freedom Party (PARNAS), was summoned for questioning by Russian police after he shared a video on social media that included an anime character wearing a swastika armband. Public display of Nazi symbols is outlawed in Russia and Semyon Kochkin, who shared the video on his VKontacte page, could face 15 days in jail. The v...
Assassination Classroom, A Bride's Story, Master Keaton, Mizuki's Showa, A Silent Voice, Sunny Manga Nominated for Eisner Awards
Winners will be announced at Comic Con International in July
― The 2016 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards panel of judges announced its nominees for the best works in the comic book industry on Tuesday. Six manga titles are vying for the Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia award: Assassination Classroom Volumes 2-7 Yusei Matsui Viz Media A Bride's Story Kaoru Mori Yen Press Master Keaton...
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...
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 ...
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...
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