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Light-Up Hikaru Skirt Creator's Next Project is Skirt With Robot Arms
The "wearable special effects" skirt project, "Hikaru Skirt" (Shining Skirt) debuted last year, claiming to turn the "zettai ryōiki" (i.e. the "absolute territory" between where a girl's skirt ends and her stockings begin) into "komorebi ryōiki,"or "territory where sunshine filters through the trees." Idol group Mōsō Collaboration wore the skirts for their music video, "Mahou no Juice" last year. ...
Virtual Reality Developer Creates 3 Studio Ghibli Scenes to Explore
While many a developer has used the Oculus Rift and other virtual reality headsets as opportunities for virtual groping, dates, and smooching Hatsune Miku, UK-based studio Fire Panda created a demo with three scenes from beloved Studio Ghibli films for users to explore. In the demo is the boiler room from Spirited Away, the bus stop from My Neighbor Totoro, and the meadow from Howl's Moving Castle...
Kamen Rider Figuarts Dance to Love Live! in Stop-Motion Video
Niconico video user Pegahsa has combined their love of anime idols and tokusatsu heroes to create a series of stop-motion, dancing videos. Beginning last July, Pegahsa has recreated Love Live! idol µ's' music videos using Kamen Rider S.H. Figuarts figures. The latest video recreates the scene where Rin, Maki, and Hanayo sing "Hello, Hoshi o Kazoete" in Love Live! The School Idol Movie. Niconico 【コ...
Dragonball: Evolution's Writer Issues Apology to Fans
Derek Padula, author of The Dao of Dragon Ball book and scriptwriter for Dragon Ball Z: Light of Hope live-action pilot, contacted Dragon Ball Z: Evolution live-action film scribe Ben Ramsey for his next upcoming book, USA DBZ. What he wasn't expecting to get what as an apology. The book will have a chapter focusing on the development of Dragonball: Evolution, a film widely regarded as, at best, a...
Good Smile Company Designs Brand-New Cardcaptor Sakura Figure for 15th Anniversary
Figuremaker Good Smile Company is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a brand-new 1/7-scale Cardcaptor Sakura figure. The figure is based on an entirely new design drawn by CLAMP and sculpted by Takayuki Kawahara. It has so far only been shown unpainted and is currently on display until May 5 at the Animate AKIBA Cultures Zone in Tokyo, Akihabara. Good Smile Company's will also reveal its 600th...
Sayaka, Kyoko Inspire Magical Lingerie from SuperGroupies
Magical girls Sayaka Miki and Kyoko Sakura are inspiring their own bra and panty sets from mail-order fashion website SuperGroupies. The lacy lingerie is the second round in the Madoka Magica intimates line. SuperGroupies debuted Madoka, Homura, and Mami-inspired sets in March. The Sayaka lingerie is light blue and has a "fortissimo" (ff) charm, a reference to the character's hairpin in the Madok...
Footage of THQ/Black Pearl's Scrapped Akira Game Resurfaces
In 1993, Larry Siegel of Black Pearl Software and later THQ managed to acquire the rights to create a a multi-platform video game based on Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira manga and anime film. Jim Gregory worked on the Super Nintendo version and a Game Gear and Sega Genesis version were also in development at the time. The Genesis version was shown at the Consumer Electronics Show in 1994, and issues of g...
Ghost in the Shell Composer Kenji Kawai Talks Inspiration, Home Town in French TV Program
The French television program toco toco began streaming its interview with Ghost in the Shell and Patlabor composer Kenji Kawai on Sunday. In video, Kawai introduces the Kita-Shinagawa area of Tokyo where he grew up and continues to live to this day. The Shinagawa Shrine was Kawai's stomping grounds as a child and its unique festival music was the ultimate inspiration for Ghost in the Shell 2: Inn...
Kill Bill, Live-Action Lupin III Guitarist Tomoyasu Hotei to Play in L.A., N.Y.C.
Tomoyasu Hotei, the singer and guitarist who gained a new wave of international fans with Kill Bill and Transformer's use of his "Battle Without Honor or Humanity" song, will perform two shows in the U.S. in July. Hotei is scheduled to perform at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on July 13 and the Highline Ballroom in New York City on July 15. Tickets are currently on sale. Hotei released his interna...
MechaGodzilla Figure Gets Familiar Color Scheme as Eva x Godzilla Cross Over Continues
Godzilla's extraterrestrial, robot counterpart got a new paint job is what is the latest Evangelion and Godzilla running crossover that launched with an April Fool's Joke this year. Hideaki Anno serving as chief director the Godzilla Resurgence film is apparently a gift that keeps on giving. Bandai's "Movie Monster Series" of toys and 7-Eleven are offering a Unit-01 colored MechaGodzilla with pre...
30 Animators Recreate Super Smash Bros. Melee Opening Sequence
The folks at The Reanimation Station have recreated the opening sequence of Nintendo GameCube's crossover fighting game Super Smash Bros. Melee. A staff of 30 animators, each drawing a segment in their own unique style, contributed to this little bit of nostalgia. The project itself took over a year to complete. Here's the original for comparison. The Reanimation Station is also tackling the origi...
Live-Action Sailor Moon Cast Performs at Daigo and Keiko Kitagawa's Wedding
Kitagawa played Sailor Mars in 2003 television series
― Singer DAIGO (DAIGO Naitō) and actress Keiko Kitagawa held their wedding ceremony at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa in Tokyo on Friday. Among the guests were Kitagawa's costars from her debut acting role: Sailor Mars from the 2003 live-action Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon television series. Ayaka Komatsu (Sailor Venus), Miyuu Sawai (Sailor Mo...
Majestic Prince Film Takes Submissions for Film's Subtitle
Winner will get their name in the end credits
― A new Majestic Prince (Ginga Kikōtai Majestic Prince) film with a completely original story is due out this fall, but the staff have yet to share any details, not even a final title. Now the staff is turning to the fans for interesting subtitle suggestions. When the film was announced in March it was given the tentative title Gekijōban Ginga Kikōtai Maj...
Ichiban Kuji Prize Drawing Teases Wedding With the Osomatsu Brothers
Prizes feature brothers dressed for a wedding, dressed as Cupid
― Ichiban Kuji is holding a Mr. Osomatsu-themed lottery this summer with a very romantic title: "Bokura to Kekkon?" (Will You Marry Us?). While there is no actual marriage proposal up for grabs, the prizes feature the Matsuno brothers all dressed up for their special day, or dressed up in Cupid outfits. But one lucky winner can at least ...
Kingdom Hearts Series Gets Orchestral Concert World Tour Next Year
Tickets on sale now for concerts in New York, London, Paris, Singapore
― Square Enix and Disney's Kingdom Hearts video game series is getting its first official set of orchestral concerts with a world tour set for next year. The "Kingdom Hearts Orchestra -World Tour-" will visit the following countries and cities in 2017: March 10 at the Tokyo International Forum A in Tokyo March 18-19 at the Salle P...
Kanō Sisters to Promote Ensemble Stars! in Commercials
Can you guess which idol they'll choose to produce?
― Kyōko and Mika Kanō, a Japanese celebrity duo, will promote the male idol game Ensemble Stars! in two commercials beginning on May 1. One of them will feature the glamorous duo at a press conference after being appointed producers, and another will show them daydreaming about men. Which of the good-looking young idols will the sisters choose? The ...
Amuro & Char Voice Actors Attend Statue Unveiling at Gundam Designer's Hometown
Designer, voice actors comment on the Gundam and Zaku monuments
― The official unveiling ceremony for the RX-78-2 Gundam and MS-06S Char's Zaku II monuments was held in the city of Inagi on Saturday. The 1/5 scale, 3.6-meter-tall (about 11.8-foot-tall) statues honor Inagi-born mechanical designer Kunio Okawara, who designed both mecha as well as the Inagi mascot. Okawara also helped supervise the con...
Another Magazine Sells Out Thanks to Mr. Osomatsu
May issue of Da Vinci features Mr. Osomatsu bookmarks, interviews, spin-off story
― The May issue of Da Vinci magazine, which went on sale April 6, has sold out of its 140,000-copy print run. It featured actor Yo Oizumi, who's appeared in anime like Nasu: Summer in Andalusia, Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva, and Brave Story, on the cover. But he's probably not why the magazine sold out. The iss...
Fairy Tail's Hiro Mashima Draws Captain America: Civil War Posters
Fairy Tail creator Hiro Mashima showed off his love for American superheroes by drawing posters for the Japanese premiere of Captain America: Civil War. The film opened in Japan on Friday, and Mashima drew both a large-scale poster for the film and a miniature poster that was given out to attendees on opening night. Mashima is a self-professed fan of the Avengers series while Marvel's vice preside...
To Love-Ru Darkness Artbook Gets More Lewd With Nudity-Revealing App
Always at the forefront of ecchi technology, Saki Hasemi and Kentaro Yabuki's To Love-Ru -Trouble- Darkness manga is at it again with the release of To Love-Ru -Trouble- Darkness Art Book Harem Gold. The book is set for release on May 2 and comes with an hidden "enhancement." Customers can download an app on their phone that will remove the characters' clothing. The Augmented Reality (AR) app imit...
Final Fantasy XIV Gets Yo-kai Watch Crossover This Summer
Square Enix announced during the livestream of its panel at Niconico Chōkaigi 2016 event on Friday that characters from Yo-kai Watch will join in the adventure within its MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward this summer. Thirteen characters from Level-5's video game series will appear, along with collaborative weapons and a flying mount. The collaboration goes both ways, with Chocobos and Moogles...
Pirated Manga Artist Gujira Lands Published Series Deal After Controversy
Himitsu no Reptiles to begin on Manga ONE app in May
― Gujira, the manga artist who threatened to quit because he was discouraged by piracy of his work, is now launching a new digital manga series on the Manga ONE app and Ura Sunday website. It is titled Himitsu no Reptiles (Secret Reptiles), and Gujira is writing it under a new pen name: Ryō Kujirakawa. The manga will debut first on the app on May 6...
Ghosts Sadako & Kayako's Bad Behavior Used in Theater Manners Video
Also: popcorn combinations, social media campaigns
― The upcoming film Sadako vs. Kayako pits Japan's two most iconic spooks, Sadako (Ring) and Kayako (Ju-On: The Grudge), along with her son Toshio, against each other. In that spirit, a series of theater videos have suggested a rivalry between the two characters and used them to explain theater etiquette. A "manners" video reminds theater patrons not...
Louvre Comics Exhibit Tours Japan, Features Work From 7 Manga Creators
Hirohiko Araki, Jiro Taniguchi, Mari Yamazaki, Daisuke Igarashi, Katsuya Terada, Shin'ichi Sakamoto as well as non-Japanese artists
― The Louvre Museum in Paris has its own comics line, currently with 11 contributing artists, which aims to convey the museum's charms. Most of the comics are by French artists, though Hirohiko Araki (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure) has contributed Rohan at the Louvre (picture...
Osomatsu-kun Creator Akatsuka Gets Documentary Film
Late manga creator drew gag manga Tensai Bakabon, earliest magical girl manga Himitsu no Akko-chan
― The life of Fujio Akatsuka (Osomatsu-kun, Himitsu no Akko-chan, Tensai Bakabon, Hennako-chan) is inspiring a documentary film to commemorate what would be his 80th birthday (Akatsuka passed away in 2008 at 72). The film will be titled Manga o Hamidashita Otoko: Fujio Akatsuka (The Man Who Went Beyond ...
Is the order a rabbit's Chino's Magical Girl Persona Gets Figure
Last year, the official website for the Is the order a rabbit? anime series changed to Gochūmon wa Mahō Shōjo desu ka? (Is the order a magical girl?) starring Chino for an April Fool's joke. The idea took off, and "Magical Girl Chino" got her own 2015 Summer Comiket goods. Manufacturer Stronger and distributor Anime University Coop are keeping fans hope alive for an actual spin-off with a new fig...
Hideo Kojima Checks Out 'Game On' Museum Exhibit in Latest Video
Video game director Hideo Kojima uploaded the third video to his "Hideo Tube" channel on Thursday. Novelist Kenji Yano returns as a guest as both head to the "Game On" exhibit at the The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) in Odaiba. The exhibit runs until May 30 and goes over the development of the video game industry, from its early beginnings to the latest in virtual r...
Pikachu Takes to the Sky for Newest Pokémon Center Opening
On the heels of the recently opened Pokémon Center in Kyoto, another Pokémon Center is set to open 2,000 feet in the sky. Pokémon Center Skytree Town will open on July 6 in the Tokyo Soramachi shopping area inside the Tokyo Skytree. Like the Kyoto shop and other locations, the new Pokémon Center picked one representative Pokémon. Organizers picked the legendary flying-dragon type Rayquaza. Pikach...
One Piece's New Fanservice Mousepads Feature Luffy, Law, Zoro, Ace
One Piece's latest official mousepad merchandise will be a little different from previous offerings. This time the new mousepads will feature some of the anime and manga's male characters including Luffy, Ace, Law, and Zoro. The mousepads will retail for 1,800 yen (about US$16.50) each, and will be available only at the official One Piece Mugiwara Stores across Japan, although the dates that each...
Pokémon General Election's Preliminary Results Posted
Running parallel to Sanrio's yearly character poll is The Pokémon General Election 720 where trainers can cast their ballots through a variety of means for their favorite Pokémon. Voting opened on April 15 and the organizers released preliminary results a head of the closing date on May 8. The "720" in the title means exactly what it sounds like: voters can choose from all 720 known Pokémon, from ...
Taiwan to Host 'Naruto Run 2016' Road Race Event
Cosplayers appeared in Taipei, Taiwan on Monday to advertise the "Naruto Run 2016" event, a 5-10km road race with a "ninja trial" theme. So far there are two runs planned: first in Taipei on July 16-17 and then in Kaohsiung on October 30. Participants in Taipei can run 5km on both days for a total of 10km, while runners in Kaohsiung can choose whether to aim for 5km or 10km. Runners will receive a...
Nintendo of America Plans Sale of Seattle Mariners Baseball Team
Former president Hiroshi Yamauchi bought the team in 1992
― Nintendo announced on Thursday that Nintendo of America has begun negotiations to sell part of its ownership of the United States Major League baseball team Seattle Mariners to other members of the team's ownership group. If the deal is finalized, Nintendo of America will still own a 10 percent stake in the team, but will no longer be the pr...
Voice Actress Ai Kayano Shares Her Love of Sake in New Web Series
New YouTube channel Animate Times to stream series
― Voice actress Ai Kayano is a big fan of sake, and she's ready to share her love with the world. Kayano is launching a new web series on the Animate Times YouTube channel where she will study methods of drinking sake, talk with guests, and take a look at how sake is made. The title is Kayonomi, a combination of her name and "nomi," which means "drin...
Identity of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure's Theme Song Performer 'Coda' Revealed
Kazusou Oda credited under his real name for Diamond is Unbreakable
― Since his debut performance of "Bloody Stream," the opening theme song for the Battle Tendency segment of the Jojo's Bizarre Adventure anime, the singer Coda's identity has been a mystery. Now the secret has finally been revealed: his real name is Kazusou Oda. "Coda" always kept his face obscured when he appeared at events such as ...
Dress as Your Favorite Matsuno Brother With Mr. Osomatsu Loungewear
Also: Karamatsu's sunglasses offered
― Premium Bandai opened preorders on Tuesday for cotton loungewear based on the Matsuno brothers' outfits in Mr. Osomatsu. The two-piece set includes grey pants and a shirt with their suit design on the front and the pine symbol from their casual clothes on the back. The pine symbol also appears on the back pocket of the pants and in embroidery on the sleeve. Of ...
Tiger & Bunny's Kotetsu, Barnaby Inspire Wristwatch Designs
Premium Bandai opened preorders for two classy new wristwatches based on Tiger & Bunny's Kotetsu T Kaburagi and Barnaby Brooks Jr. on Tuesday. Each watch will come with a cowhide leather strap for business settings and a polyester strap with a more casual look. Kotetsu: Barnaby: The watches will run 14,800 yen (about US$133) each, and are slated to arrive in September. You can dress head-to-toe i...
Cosplay 'Industry's Longest Wig' Offered
Wig is 160 cm long, available in 10 colors
― Cosplay wig store Assist Wig is now offering what it's billing as the "industry's longest wig," which boasts an impressive 160 centimeters (about 5.2 feet) of straight fiber locks on the back and sides, and 38 centimeters (about 1.2 feet) in the front. It can be seen here on a 160-centimeter-tall model (left, in 5-centimeter heels) and a 150-centimeter-ta...
Pyu to Fuku! Jaguar's Usuta Gets Tribute Illustrations from Jump+ Artists
Kyosuke Usuta is getting a series of tribute illustrations from his peers at Weekly Shonen Jump+ to celebrate his 20th anniversary as a manga creator and the release of the second volume of Food Fighter Tabelu. Manga creators Kōhei Horikoshi (My Hero Academia), Ryo Nakama (Isobe Isobee Monogatari ~Ukiyo wa Tsurai yo~), Hideaki Sorachi (Gintama), Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro (Toriko), Kōji Ōishi (Inumaru...
Japanese Final Fantasy XIV 7-Eleven Items Could Head West
Final Fantasy XIV producer and director Naoki Yoshida revealed at the Penny Arcade Expo East convention in Boston over the weekend that Square Enix is in talks to bring over Japanese 7-Eleven Final Fantasy XIV items to North America. Yoshida was scarce on details beyond that discussions were happening. The convenience store chain in Japan quickly sold out of soft drinks with participating game cod...
Naruto's New Sexy Technique Gets a Bishōjo Figure
Premium Bandai opened preorders on Monday for a new Naruto Uzumaki figure... featuring his "New Sexy Technique" (Oiroke no Jutsu). The 1/8 scale figure, from Megahouse's G.E.M. line, will ship in September for 12,528 yen (about US$113). This isn't the New Sexy Technique's first appearance as a figure: Megahouse released a "Naruko" figure among its Petit Chara Land - Naruto Shippuden: Uzumaki Naru...
Love Live! Site Reminds Numazu Pilgrims to Mind Their Manners
The official website for the Love Live! franchise reminded visitors heading to Numazu, Shizuoka, the real seaside town where Love Live! Sunshine!! is set to mind their manners. Shops in Numazu, including Gamers, Animate, Izu Mito Sea Paradise, the Awashima Marine Park, and Deep Sea Aquarium will have shopping bags while the Izuhakone Railway will wrap its Sunzusen 3501 train in Love Live! Sunshine...
Good Smile Company Lends Support to Kumamoto With Figure Sales
Good Smile Company is lending its support to the earthquake affected Kumamoto Prefecture by donating the proceeds from two figure sales to aid relief efforts through Cheerful Japan. Good Smile Company, in collaboration with Crypton Future Media, DMM.com, and Nitroplus is releasing Hatsune Miku: Cheerful version and Nendoroid Mikazuki Munechika: Cheerful version. The Hatsune Miku: Cheerful version...
Mr. Osomatsu App Lets Players Experience Anime Scenes as Mini Games
"Mr. Osomatsu Nonsense Party" launched in Japan on Friday
― The Mr. Osomatsu anime may have ended in March, but D-Techno launched a smartphone game app in Japan on Friday for fans who want to relive the series. It's called Osomatsu-san Hachamecha Party! (Mr. Osomatsu Nonsense Party). Players are able to select from a number of mini games inspired by scenes from the anime, such as the otoshi game in t...
Godzilla vs. Evangelion Continues With Art by Kaiju Designer Yuji Kaida
The staff of this year's Godzilla Resurgence film have continued to play up that the film is helmed by chief director Hideaki Anno. Godzilla faced off against Unit-01 in this year's April Fool's joke on the film's official website and Bandai Namco Entertainment and Granzella Inc.'s upcoming collaboration game Kyoei Toshi (City Shrouded in Shadow) also looks to have both the mecha and monster appea...
Sailor Uniform Loungewear are for Women, Too
Men's sailor uniform loungewear offers "spring" line
― Having had success with its Bokusera line of girls' sailor uniform-inspired loungewear for men, BIBI LABS is now offering something similar in women's sizes. "For those women who want to wear the sailor uniform until they die," the website touts. The line is simply called "Sailor Uniform Collection," or "SeraColle" for short. These cozy cover-up...
Shaft's Madogatari Exhibit Heads to Nagoya with New Heroine Poll
Also: lottery for Shaft character art
― Studio Shaft's Madogatari exhibit, which celebrates their 40th anniversary and focuses on its two most popular works — Puella Magi Madoka Magica and the Monogatari series — saw immense fan turnout in Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo. Now it's touring in Nagoya as well, but with some new features. Exhibit patrons will be able to participate in a popularity pol...
Funko's Pop! Vinyl Figure Series Adds Sailor Moon, More Dragon Ball Z Characters
The cast of Sailor Moon are getting their own figures from Funko's ubiquitous Pop! Vinyl line, which feature super-deformed characters spanning all corners of pop culture. The five Inner Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen are arriving in in July. It would seem Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus are the best value—they come with Luna and Artemis, respectively. Another Sailor Moon figure, this one with her Moon Sti...
Amatsuki Performs Opening Theme to Gainax Fukushima's Masamune Datenicle
Short anime series premiered in Date, online on April 24
― The J-pop singer Amatsuki performed the opening theme to Masamune Datenicle, the short anime series Gainax Fukushima produced to promote the town of Date in Fukushima Prefecture and its native son, 17th-century warlord Masamune Date. The song, "Mikazuki Resize," is written by Mafumafu (Reikenzan: Hoshikuzu-tachi no Utage), who is part of the ...
Gochi-Show! Cooking & Simulation App Gets English Release This Summer
App teaching basic techniques & recipes comes in two versions featuring male or female characters
― The official website of Creative Freaks' Gochi-Show! and Gochi-Show! for Girls cooking game apps began streaming two 30-second English trailers for the games on Saturday. The trailers preview the games' cooking modes and adventure game modes. Creative Freaks' official website states that the English ve...
Vocaloid Study Guides Make Learning History & Science Catchy
Putting rhythm to meteorology and the medieval Japanese monarchy
― Junior high school students associate learning history and science with leafing through dry textbooks and memorizing facts and vocabulary to pass monotonous tests. The Japanese educational publisher Gakken Plus seeks to address this with its Music × Study Project, which combines the sort of historical and scientific concepts middle sc...
Ditto Continues Its Unsuccessful Infiltration of Pokemon Plush Line
The 132nd Pokemon, Ditto, has the rare ability to transform into other Pokemon it comes in contact with. This makes it perfect for infiltration and espionage (as Green in Pokemon Adventures can attest). Unfortunately, sometimes the transformation doesn't quite work out that well. A new set of Pokemon plushies look a lot like Eevee, Jolteon, Flareon, Vaporeon, Gengar and Poliwag... but something's...
This Nissan Car Expresses Driver Emotions With Manga Effects
Car reads driver brainwaves, projects them onto the ground
― Nissan is celebrating the 5th anniversary of its totally electric Nissan Leaf, and to do so it teamed up with NeuroSpace and produced a special version car. As the video below shows, the car comes equipped with a headband that will read the driver's brainwaves and project their emotions on the pavement in the form of one of 33 manga-style s...
Splatoon Wigs Available as Items in Miitomo
Also: Splatoon clothes, ink tanks, squid badges
― On April 20, the Miitomo official Twitter account posted the tweet below, which advertises two Splatoon wigs — one a boy's, one a girl's — as items in Nintendo's new social networking service. The catch? Twitter users had to retweet the tweet first. 10,000 retweets would mean the boy's wig would be available, and the wigs would both be avail...
Asami Imai Performs New Song for Shizuoka Promotional Anime Short
Anime short debuts on May 2 featuring Imai's "spRINGtime" song
― Shizuoka prefecture's SYZ Project, the prefecture's collaboration project with DLE, Inc. (Eagle Talon), announced on Tuesday that it will once again produce a short anime video featuring singer and voice actress Asami Imai's new song "spRINGtime." The anime video will again feature Taimu-chan, the project's mascot character. The video w...
Voice Actor Junichi Miyake, Artist Aoi Nishimata Marry
May 5 ceremony at Tokyo Disneyland, followed by June 24 photo & essay book
― Voice actor Junichi Miyake (pictured at right) and illustrator Aoi Nishimata simultaneously announced on Saturday evening that they are marrying each other. They will hold a formal ceremony at Tokyo Disneyland's Cinderella Castle on May 5, which is Children's Day in Japan. Nishimura posted an illustration for the announcemen...
Defend Your Client in the Ace Attorney Real Escape Game
Spirit medium village has a murder mystery to solve
― The Ace Attorney games and anime adaptation are inspiring a Real Escape game titled "Reibai Mura Satsujin Jiken" (Spirit Medium Village Murder Case) this summer. Yuuki Kaji (the voice of Phoenix Wright/Ryūichi Naruhodō in the anime) and Aoi Yūki (the voice of Maya Fey/Mayoi Ayasato in the anime) recorded original lines for the game, but not necess...
Bakuon!'s Raimu-Senpai Stars in Live-Action Ad, Gravure Photo Feature
Raimu will visit stores for photo ops during Golden Week
― Raimu Kawasaki, the silent senpai of the Okanoue Girls' High Bike Club, has been hard at work advertising the Bakuon! anime adaptation. She starred in live-action commercial for the first Blu-ray and DVD, and has most recently appeared in her own gravure photo feature in Akita Shoten's Young Champion Retsu magazine. The five-page spread ran i...
Game Company Level-5, Rock Singer Yoshiki Donate Millions of Yen to Kumamoto Earthquake Relief
Level-5, the video game company behind Inazuma Eleven, Professor Layton and Yo-Kai Watch, announced on April 22 that it is donating 100 million yen (about $911,893) to the Japan Red Cross in its efforts to aid the victims of the earthquakes that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on April 14 and 16. The company also plans further charity efforts through its media properties. Level-5 is based in Fukuoka, w...
Controversial Artist Rokudenashiko to Marry Waterboys Frontman Mike Scott
Also publishes manga memoir
― Rokudenashiko ("Good-for-Nothing Child"), the pen name of Megumi Igarashi, announced on Nico Nico Douga on April 19 that she will marry Michael Scott, the lead singer of the British-Irish rock band The Waterboys. She is 44 years old, he 57. The wedding is scheduled for this autumn, and the couple plans to live in Ireland afterward. Rokudenashiko achieved notoriety for he...
Illustrator Unearths Top-Notch Flash Animation From 2003
Illustrator and manga artist Zen Yasumori surfaced on Twitter in March and has used his account to post works that have long laid dormant on his HD drive. While many of these are fan art and webcomics, a Flash animation from around 2003 has gained particular attention. The characters shown are from Water Engine, a manga Yasumori drew for the adult magazine Comic Reishiki ("Comic Zero"). While the ...
Cygames Donates 100 Million Yen to Kumamoto Earthquake Relief
In the wake of the Kumaoto earthquakes of April 14 and 16, many have come forward to show their support, whether through words of encouragement, self-restraint, or financial aid. Mobile game developer Cygames announced on April 20 that it will donate 100 million yen (about US$915,323) to earthquake relief. The company will allocate 20 million yen (US$183,065) each to Kumamoto Prefecture, the Japan...
Hideki Kamiya Interested in Making Ōkami Sequel
Game celebrates its 10th anniversary
― The PlayStation 2 game Ōkami, hailed at the time for its artistry and compelling gameplay, reached the 10th anniversary of its initial release in Japan on April 20. Ken'ichirō Yoshimura, the game's lead character designer, posted this commemorative artwork on Twitter. Hideki Kamiya, the game's director, marveled at how recently he had marked the 10th anniversary...
Eiichiro Oda, Hajime Isayama Show Their Support After Kumamoto Earthquakes
One Piece cast also records message for people in affected areas
― As Kumamoto Prefecture continues to cope with the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes of April 14 and 16, figures from the anime anime and manga industry are sending their support. Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, feels a special connection to Kumamoto as it is his hometown, so on April 19 the official One Piece Twitter ac...
Sleeping Bag Pikachu Toys Add More Eeveelutions, Kanto Starters, Ditto, Raichu
The cozy-looking plushies from the Pikachu Nebukuro (Sleeping Bag) Collection are back with more sleeping bags, this time in Banpresto's Crane King claw games. Starting on May 12, players have a shot at grabbing 13-centimeter (about 5-inch) plush Pikachus tucked away in their Vaporeon, Jolteon, or Flarion sleeping bags: The Kanto starters—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—will also arrive on Ma...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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) ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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?...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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: ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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