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Get Your Morning Calisthenics In With Sebastian, Ciel, Undertaker, & Grell
If you need some motivation to get you in gear for your exercise routine, the main characters from Black Butler are here for you. The Aniplex+ shop opened reservations on Thursday for a "Radio Calisthenics CD" featuring Sebastian, Ciel, Undertaker, and Grell coaching listeners through exercises. The CD art shows the characters in the workout clothes. The artwork will also be used to create pin ba...
Aqours Appears in Yukata for Love Live! Sunshine!! ED Single Video
The girls behind Love Live! Sunshine!! went to a summer festival together in the audio video for the "Sunshine Pikapika Ōndo" track. The song is included on the ending theme single along with "Yume Kataru Yori Yume Utaou" and karaoke versions. The CD goes on sale on August 24 and is the group's fifth single. The opening theme single "Aozora Jumping Heart" (Blue Sky Jumping Heart) sold 47,154 copie...
Moyoco Anno Draws Shin Godzilla Character
Sugar Sugar Rune and Sakuran manga creator Moyoco Anno shared a drawing on her Twitter account of the character Kayoko from her husband's live-action film, Shin Godzilla. Kayoko is the U.S. envoy in the film played by Satomi Ishihara. カヨコさまも描いてみました。モヨコ#シンゴジラ #シン・ゴジラ #庵野秀明 #庵野監督 pic.twitter.com/O9STJLfpnZ— 安野モヨコ (@anno_moyoco) August 17, 2016 Moyoco Anno and Hideaki Anno have supported each other's...
Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dark Side of Dimensions Voice-Over Contest Held This Weekend
Yu-Gi-Oh! fans can try their luck to land a bit role in the upcoming English version of the Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Dark Side of Dimensions film. 4K Media is launching a contest to find people to voice extras this weekend at the 2016 Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game World Championship in Orlando. The first audition will be held on August 20 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando at 10:30 a.m. to 12:3...
Pokémon Trading Card Game Nostalgia Continues in Goofy Ads
What would you trade a Pokémon card for? In a latest series of ads one boy tries to trade various things for his classmates Pokémon card. Sometimes he gets lucky, like trading a Zapdos card for a Charizard, or a Pikachu for a Charmander. Other times he's not so lucky, like trying to pass off a photo of his mom for an Onyx. The ads are a recreation of the original "Torikaekko Please" (Let's Trade, ...
'Skull Knight & Behelit' Bust Gets New Edition for 2016
The Art of War's latest Berserk collectible brings to life one of the most popular monochrome illustrations from the series. The Art of War's rendition of the symbolic Skull Knight head with Behelit and rose crown is hand-painted and revamped from the previous 2014 version. Only 50 busts are planned, each costing 48,600 yen (US$484) or 62,640 yen (US$624) with frame included. Pre-orders are curre...
Hideaki Anno Pays Surprise Visit to Special Shin Godzilla Screening
On August 15, the manga artist Kazuhiko Shimamoto hosted a special screening of Shin Godzilla that allowed shouting, cosplay, and light sticks at the Shinjuku Wald 9 theater in Tokyo, and Hideaki Anno, the director of the film, made a surprise appearance. At the event, the movie was started on Shimamoto's signal, as he led the audience in the chant, "Please show us the true ability of Hideaki Ann...
Jude Law Stars in Newest Episode of Momotarō Pepsi Commercials
The latest installment in the series of epic Momotarō Pepsi Strong commercials starring Shun Oguri (One Piece Film Gold, The Boy and the Beast, Densha Otoko, Gokusen) features Jude Law as Momotarō's long-time enemy, Oni. The previous episodes of the commercial series, episodes 0-3, follow the famous fairy-tale hero Momotarō, who was born from a peach, as he battles a mighty ogre and meets legendar...
Hideo Kojima Counts Down His Fav 2016 Films So Far
Video game director Hideo Kojima uploaded the fifth video to his "Hideo Tube" channel on Thursday. Novelist Kenji Yano returns as a guest as both count down their favorite films of 2016 so far. The episode is filmed at the screening room of Tokyo Laboratory's TOGEN. Kojima also revealed that his studio's mascot, Ludens, is getting a variety of figures including a Nendoroid by Good Smile Company. H...
Horror Manga Creator Kazuo Umezu Gets Coloring Book
Kazuo Umezu, the creator of horror manga like The Drifting Classroom and Cat Eyed Boy, is getting a coloring book featuring his creepiest characters. The Umezu Kazuo no Kyōfu Nuri e book comes with bookmarks, message cards, and a pouch bag. The book also includes coloring tips from Umezu himself. The book is slated for release on August 24. Retailers will also include a special postcard. Aspiring...
Fushigi Yugi Creator Draws Hypothetical 2016 Versions of Characters
Yū Watase, creator of Fushigi Yugi, started posting 2016 versions of the series' characters on Twitter on Sunday. The beginning tweet reads, "when drawing characters for 'Fushigi Yugi's New Production/20 Years Later Remake,' it became a style like this! Project ٩( ᐛ )و by author." She also emphasized that the designs are for fun, and asked fans to not take talk of the hypothetical remake seriously...
Kazuhiko Shimamoto's Shin Godzilla Dōjin Becomes Surprising Hit at Comiket
Manga artist Kazuhiko Shimamoto's Shin Godzilla book was a shocking hit at this past weekend's Comiket. The book sold out by the end of the last day on Sunday and the crowd of fans that flocked to the booth of Shimamoto's circle, Urashimamoto, even caught the interest of the event's staff. Shimamoto himself said that the book "was supposed to be ridiculous," yet the announcement of the book, offic...
NYC Orchestra Holds Concert Honoring Shōnen Anime
New York's animation ensemble iconiQ The Soundtrack Orchestra, a chamber ensemble, is opening its 2016-2017 season with "[email protected] Music," a tribute to shōnen and magical girl anime. The season opens with the first of four concerts on October 7 at 7:30 p.m. at The DiMenna Center for Classical Music. The line-up includes selections from Astro Boy, Lupin the Third, Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, One-Punch Ma...
Pokémon Uranium Fan Game is Latest Shut Down by Nintendo
Nintendo's latest takedown request has put an end to the fan-made Pokemon Uranium game a week after it launched, but not before 1.5 million users downloaded it. Lawyers representing Nintendo of America contacted sites hosting the game and the developers have since removed links from their official website. "While we have not personally been contacted, it's clear what their wishes are, and we respe...
Guilty Gear Series' Director Gives Work Area Tour in French TV Program
BlazBlue producer Toshimichi Mori also stops by
― Guilty Gear video game series director Daisuke Ishiwatari as recently featured on the French television program toco toco, which interviews Japan artists and creators about places that are meaningful to them. In the video, Ishiwatari takes viewers on a tour of Arc System Works where he composes music, writes game scenario, and draws up character desig...
New Orleans' Mysterious Pikachu Statue Set for Benefit Auction
Norwegian village gets its own Pokémon statue
― The mysterious Pikachu statue that appeared in a New Orleans' park earlier this month will be finding a new home. The mysterious statue attracted both "controversy and vandalism" and an outpouring of positive attention from residents after it was erected at an unused fountain in Coliseum Square. The statue is now gone, with the exception of a sign that ...
Mr. Osomatsu Gets Caps With Mesh Face Masks, Ladies' Underwear Sets
Premium Bandai Fashion Net began selling a new line of Mr. Osomatsu hats at Comiket 90 at the Tokyo Big Sight this weekend. The hats are priced at 3,500 yen, or about US$34. Each hat is themed after one of the six Matsuno siblings and includes a mesh face mask with its character's face on it. Jūshimatsu's hat is modeled after the baseball cap that he wears in the show, while the other hats have a...
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress' Mumei Gets Life-Size Figure
Kabane fighter Mumei of popular, recent anime Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress receives a life-size upgrade. The prototype figure, based off illustrations by original character designer Haruhiko Mikimoto, stands poised in full gear with guns ready. The figure commemorates the upcoming release of the two Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress compilation films. The life-sized Mumei will be on display starting...
Sailor Moon Guardians Get Jeweled Bag Charms, Clip-On Earrings
The accessory brand Aerl*les bijoux has announced new Sailor Moon Crystal bag charms and clip-on earrings. Pre-orders for both the bag charms and the earrings opened on August 10 and will be accepted until September 11. The items will be delivered at the end of October. The bag charms and earrings are also available for sale on the Animate online shop. The Sailor Moon Crystal bag charms are price...
Man at Arms: Reforged Reproduces Trunks' Sword from Dragon Ball Z
The web series "Man at Arms: Reforged" created Trunks' sword from Dragon Ball Z in their most recent episode on August 8. Hosted by the stage combat weaponry shop Baltimore Knife & Sword, the series features a different weapon every other Monday, focusing on weapons from popular characters. The show has previously forged Voltron's blazing sword, Erza Scarlet's sword and armor from Fairy Tail , Asu...
Hunter x Hunter's Togashi Draws His Birth City's Magazine Cover
Yoshihiro Togashi illustrated a special Hunter x Hunter magazine cover for the August issue of Shinjō city's public relations magazine Kōhō Shinjō (Public Relations Shinjō). The cover features Gon, Kurapika, Killua, Leorio, and Biscuit surrounding a festival float that appears to have come to life. Togashi's handwritten comments appear on one page of the magazine. Every household in Yamagata prefe...
Fans Create CG Tribute to Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira
Two talented fans, Brad Kremer of Brad Kremer Films and Dean Fowler of Machine Films, have created a stunning CG tribute trailer for Katsuhiro Otomo's classic cyperpunk film Akira. Akira 28 from Brad Kremer on Vimeo. Kremer wrote the following about the project upon posting the video: This project started many years ago when both Dean and I lived on Tybee Island. I came to Dean with the idea to do...
Evangelion Manga Artist Yoshiyuki Sadamoto Draws Nadia
Evangelion manga artist Yoshiyuki Sadamoto gives a special tribute to Gainax's first TV anime series Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water with Nadia artwork posted on his Twitter on August 8. Sadamoto captioned the image with "The front cover is the circus girl haha; this is the crop of the picture. I haven't painted in a long time~." He also added, "generally now when I draw, it's in this sort of feel...
Make Your Dōjinshi at 7-Eleven Stores
There's a new special service coming to 7-Eleven convenience stores in Japan —high quality copy machines for creating your dōjinshi. Just in time for Comiket on Friday, these multi-copy machines are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 7-Eleven stores. The idea is quick and affordable booklet printing that makes dōjinshi more easy and fun. You can print in high resolution 2,400 dpi and i...
BPO Publishes Complaints About Pokémon Go News Coverage
The watchdog group Japanese Broadcasting Ethics and Program Improvement Organization, or BPO, published complaints that it collected from the Japanese public about the popular smartphone game Pokémon Go and its portrayal in news programs. One individual said, "The news programs are all taking up Pokémon Go. Before it was released in Japan, accidents repeatedly occurred overseas. Even thought the C...
T.M. Revolution Reveals Comiket T-Shirts, Dōjinshi
Singer and actor actually shows up at his booth
― Singer and actor T.M.Revolution announced details for the merchandise sold at his booth at the 90th Comiket dōjinshi convention, held at the Tokyo Big Sight from August 12-14. The booth is selling a T.M.Revolution dōjinshi and t-shirts modeled after the outfit worn by T.M.Revolution in the video for his 1998 single "Hot Limit" that come with a black w...
Code Geass Celebrates 10 Years on November 27
This October will mark 10 years since audiences were introduced to Lelouch and The Empire of Britannia. The staff behind the series are taking note of the occasion with a special 10th anniversary website and a special event at the Maihama Amphitheatre in Chiba on November 27. The "Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion: Anniversary of a Miracle" event is the first in a series of 10th anniversary cel...
Get Up Close & Personal With Godzilla in Behind-the-Scenes CG Video
Toho is giving a behind-the-scenes look on the CG effects used to create Shin Godzilla's titular monster in a new streaming video. The video gives a panoramic look at Godzilla from his colorless CG form to a fully complete monster. Computer graphic layer breakdowns also show scenes of destruction were created as Godzilla smashes through the coastline and characters' homes. This film is the 29th Go...
RightStuf Looks to Canada in New Anime Survey
North American retailer and distributor Right Stuf, Inc. opened its survey to gauge the interests of its Canadian customers. Users that complete the survey are entered to win one of five US$50 gift cards for use on the website. Right Stuf, Inc. distributes series in the Gundam franchise with producer Sunrise Inc. and also licenses and releases anime under its Nozomi and Lucky Penny imprints. Right...
One Piece's Luffy Shows Off Soccer Moves Beside National Player Shinji Kagawa
One Piece's Luffy keeps up with Japan's national team's midfielder Shinji Kagawa in a promotional video posted by Toei Animation on August 7. Luffy and Kagawa show off their moves side by side as the video states that a "dream will change the world." The video celebrates 19 years of One Piece and promotes the recent One Piece Film Gold. One Piece Film Gold opened on July 23 and quickly became Japa...
Metroid II Remake Shut Down After DMCA Copyright Claim
Project AMR2, the fan project to remake Nintendo's Metroid II game came to a halt on Monday after the project's site and the Metroid Database fan site received DMCA notices from a legal firm representing Nintendo of America. Project AMR2 and the Metroid Database were hosting the remake. The game was released this week and you can watch a playthrough below. Nintendo issued a statement to the gaming...
Image of Spice & Wolf Leads' Daughter Revealed
The official character design for Myuri, the daughter of Holo and Lawrence from Isuna Hasekura's Spice & Wolf light novel series was revealed in the 51st issue of Dengeki Bunko Magazine on Tuesday. The young girl takes her hair color from her father but appears to have inherited her mother's wolf traits. Myuri is the main character in Hasekura's sequel light novels Shinsetsu Ōkami to Kōshinryō Ōka...
Gantz Creator Urges Fans to Buy Manga New, Not Used
Gantz manga creator Hiroya Oku should be enjoying the upcoming premiere of his series' latest film adaptation but a recent tweet shows he has other things on his mind. Oku took to Twitter recently to discuss how the different avenues to read his manga are in some ways harmful despite the convenience they provide for readers. Specifically, Oku mentioned the used manga market and "manga grazing" and...
40th Anniversary "Kochikame Jump" Includes Artwork by Creators of Naruto, One Piece
Weekly Shonen Jump is releasing a special "Kochikame Jump" issue celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Kochikame manga on August 16, and in it the creator of Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto, and the original artist of To Love-Ru -Trouble-, Kentaro Yabuki, will be drawing their takes on the manga. The issue will also include a collaborative Kochikame poster featuring artwork by Hirohiko Araki of Jojo's...
Yo-Kai Watch Pairs With Scentco for Perfumed Merch
Scented stationary and toy company Scentco is collaborating with the Yo-Kai Watch video game and anime franchise to create ghostly goods for fans' noses. The collection is slated for next year and will hit markets in the U.S. and Canada. Yo-Kai Watch will join Scentco's line of Squeezables and Learning Kits, plus Smencils, Smens, Sketch & Sniff Gel Crayons, Smarkers, Smencil Buddies, Sniff Its (p...
Special Shin Godzilla Screening Allows Shouting, Cosplay, Light Sticks
The official website for the current Shin Godzilla movie announced a special "shouting-is-allowed screening" at the Shinjuku Wald 9 cinema on August 15. In this screening, attendees are allowed to shout, come in cosplay, and even bring their own light sticks. Tickets went on sale starting midnight on August 8 at Shinjuku Wald 9's website and sold out in minutes. There have also been other eccentri...
Indonesia Takes 1st Place at World Cosplay Summit 2016
The World Cosplay Summit 2016 competition crowned Indonesia representatives Ryan Cyd and Frea Mai as the Grand Champions at the award ceremony on Saturday. The duo's presentation was based on Trinity Blood with Cyd dressed as Cain Knightlord and Mai dressed as Seth Nightlord. Both costumes employ some impressive technical tricks, where at one moment Mai appears to be split in half and Cyd flies on...
America's 1st Pokémon Go Master Interviewed in Japan
Nick Johnson, America's first Pokémon Go master, is currently in Japan or a media tour. Johnson was the first to catch the 142 available in the United States in late July, mere weeks after the game launched. After his success stateside, Marriott Rewards and Expedia sponsored his trip to catch the remaining region-specific Pokémon in France, Australia, and Hong Kong. When asked how it feels to capt...
Itasha Taxi Will Drive Comiket Goers Around in Style
A taxi company is targeting a very specific clientele at one of the largest fan gatherings the world over. The Gojo Transport service announced on Monday that it will deploy its Itasha Taxi on August 12, just in time for the Comiket 90 dōjinshi convention. The Itasha Taxi will ferry customers around the Tokyo International Exhibition Center for rates comparable to a regular taxi service. The taxi ...
IDOLiSH 7 Project Gets 2nd Manga by Arina Tanemura
IDOLiSH 7, Bandai Namco's fictional male idol group multimedia project, is getting a second manga but the project's original character designer Arina Tanemura. The manga is titled IDOLiSH 7 MEZZO: Murasaki Ao no Hekireki (IDOLiSH 7 MEZZO: The Purple-Blue Thunderclap. The story follows the MEZZO idol group introduced in the game and chronicled in the novel IDOLiSH 7 Ryūsei ni Inoru (IDOLiSH 7: Pray...
Limited Edition Lupin the Third Ukiyo-e Prints Available Internationally
The limited edition Lupin the Third ukiyo-e prints shown at Isetan Shinjuku Store's Fashion Museum earlier this year are now available for sale internationally. Tokyo Otaku Mode is offering a limited number of the prints created by the Takezasado woodblock printing company. Each print is made to order and ranges in price from US$697.99 to US$1,744.99. There are individual framed prints of Lupin, ...
Pikachu Parade Splashes Through Yokohama Despite Summer Heat
Crowds gathered in Yokohama on Sunday to kickoff the annual "Pikachū Tairyō Hassei-chū" in the Yokohama Minato Mirai mall area on Sunday. Lines of fans withstood 90-degree heat to catch a glimpse of the dancing Pikachus, stilt-walkers, and parade floats. Each year, hundreds of giant Pikachu gather in the district to dance their tails off. This year the theme is “This Time We'll Be Getting Wet???” ...
Fans Can Decide Which Oreimo Character Gets Life-Size Figure
The Dengeki Bunko imprint announced that characters from Tsukasa Fushimi's light novel series Oreimo (Ore no Imōto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai) will get full-size figures courtesy of Figure X. Which character, their pose, and their costume design will be left up to fans to decide. Fans will be able to give input during the Tsukasa Fushimi 10th anniversary streaming event on Nico Nico Douga on Au...
Pikachu Continues His Campaign for Ketchup in Short Song
The Pokémon XY & Z character song project added Pikachu's first-ever solo song and it's all about ketchup. This isn't the first time Pikachu has shared its love for the tomato condiment. The electric mouse Pokémon is the current face of Japanese food company Kagome's “Ketchup Daze! Pokémon Campaign.” It's Pikachu's third stint representing the company's ketchup, a match chosen thanks to the easy p...
Haikyu's Nekoma High Characters 'Beckon' as Cat Statues
Haikyu!! fans, bring yourself a little extra luck with Maneki-neko (Beckoning Cat) figures of Nekoma High's Kenma Kozume and Tetsurō Kuroo. The set comes with the two 90 × 50 × 50 mm (3.5 × 2 × 2 inches) character cats for 2,500 yen (US$24.50). Animate Limited's website is accepting pre-orders now, with shipping scheduled for November. Ensky Hobby tweeted that there are currently sample displays ...
Bandai Creates Cup Noodles That Transform Into Ultraman Characters
Bandai has announced a new, edible line of Ultraman merchandise: cup noodles that transform into Ultraman characters. These "Ultranoodles" launched on August 6 and are individually priced at 850 yen, or about US$8.44. Six different characters will be featured: the original Ultraman, Ultraman Zero, Ultraman X, Ultraman Belial, Baltan, and Demaaga. After their three-second transformations, the char...
Gantz Black Sphere Makes Appearance at Gantz: O Event
Manga creator Hiroya Oku, director Yasushi Kawamura discuss film
― FabCafe Tokyo held an event on August 3 called "GANTZ: O NIGHT ~ @hiroya_oku SHIBUYA Mission ~" for the 3DCG anime film GANTZ: O. Director Yasushi Kawamura and actress Asami Katsura, the motion capture performer for the film's heroine Anzu Yamasaki, attended the event. Hiroya Oku, original author of GANTZ, also joined via a digital br...
Latest Attack on Titan Real Escape Game Story Traps Players in a Castle
With only a few comrades left alive, hiding in an old castle quickly crumbling beneath a horde of titans' strength, do you have what it takes to escape? The Attack on Titan Real Escape Game saga continues with "Escape from the Castle Surrounded by Titans." To celebrate its opening, Nico Nico held a special live broadcast "Real Escape Game x Attack on Titan: Escape from Nico-ni Castle Surrounded by...
9-year-old Girl Wins Voice Acting Competition, Was Inspired by Himōto! Umaru-chan Actress
Voice talent company 81 Produce recently held the final round of its 10th annual "Next Generation Seiyū Discovery Auditions" on August 1. This was the first time that the competition was held without an age restriction, and one talented 9-year old girl, Hikari Torio from Osaka, wowed the judges, winning several prizes. In the acting portion of the audition, Torio's recitation of her lines was pre...
Free Gundam Model Building Lessons Offered for Japanese Children
Hobby shops all across Japan will be offering free Gundam model building lessons to children in middle school or younger beginning on August 6 as part of a new promotional event. Participating children will learn how to build their own RX-78-2 Gundam and will be able to take their completed model home free of charge. The RX-78-2 is the robot piloted by Amuro Ray in Yoshiyuki Tomino's original Mob...
Studio Trigger Graffiti Shibuya PARCO Wall
The Shibuya PARCO store in the Udagawacho area is being redeveloped, including the sixth floor of PARCO Part1. Prior to closing the floor on Saturday, the staff of Studio Trigger hijacked one of the walls and decorated it with their own drawings. Every inch was doodled on with characters from Space Patrol Luluco, Kiznaiver, Kill la Kill, Ninja Slayer, and Little Witch Academia. The walls were draw...
Stage Your Own Tank Battles with Girls und Panzer Papercraft Book
Girls und Panzer fans can practice their folding skills with a new craft book. The Girls und Panzer Papercraft Book includes instructions to create six tanks out of paper from different schools in the series. The results are a 1/35-scale paper tank ready for display in a diorama or to decorate your work desk. The book includes patterns for the Panzer IV Ausf. D (Ōarai Girls High School), Churchil...
Behind-the-Scenes Videos Reveal Studio Ghibli's Meticulous Process
Ghibli producer Hirokatsu Kihara is giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at Studio Ghibli's detailed animation process in a new series of videos. In the videos, Kihara explains the studio's process, including things that would easily be missed by the untrained eye. The frames for the now retired Hayao Miyazaki's beloved films had to pass through three people before getting approval. In the intervi...
America's 1st Pokémon Go Master Finishes Worldwide Pokédex
London's Ahmed Ali also one of the first to complete game's Pokédex
― Brooklyn's own Nick Johnson (seen far right in photo) finally caught 'em all in the Pokémon Go mobile game after traveling overseas. Johnson was the first to catch the 142 available in the United States in late July, mere weeks after the game launched. The game currently offers 145 first-generation Pokémon, three of which are regio...
Watch Tamashii Nations' Toy Story Set Transform Into Woody Robo Sheriff Star Robot
Tamashii Nations' transforming Woody and Buzz Lightyear sets opened for preorder. Each set takes Pixar's characters and turns them into parts to create one of two giant robots. The sets themselves can then also be combined to create one larger robot, "Gangreat King." The first set is "Chōgattai Daisakusen Woody Robo Sheriff Star" and combines Woody, his steed Bullseye, Hamm, Slinky Dog and Rex. B...
Pikachu Statue Mysteriously Appears Overnight in New Orleans Park
In an act of guerilla art, a statue of the iconic electric-type Pokémon Pikachu was installed overnight in the Coliseum Square Park in New Orleans. Authorities are at a loss to explain it, especially since the statue looks quite heavy. The statue was placed on top of an old, unused fountain, and it appears to be made of fiberglass, with a cement base. Early photos of the statue also show a piece o...
Marina Inoue Will Scold Internet Users via AI Chat Program
Voice actress Marina Inoue (Attack on Titan's Armin, Owarimonogatari's Sodachi, My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU TOO!'s Yumiko) will scold internet users as the voice of a new AI chat program character. Sony Music Entertainment and the Institute of Language Understanding co-developed a new AI called "Project Samantha." The AI uses personality data to provide a variety of services. Currently in beta, ...
Wrestling Voice Actress Ai Shimizu Reveals Marriage to Ring Announcer
Voice Actress Ai Shimizu (Minawa in Mahoromatic: Something More Beautiful, Serafall in High School DxD New, Road in D.Gray-man) announced on her Twitter on August 2 that she is now married to DDT Pro-Wrestling's ring announcer Maiku Inoue. The post reads: "The report- This time, I, Ai Shimizu, and #ddtpro ring announcer and @Bar_swandive manager Maiku Inoue (@maikuinoe) took the next step and got ...
Love Live! Sunshine!! Drops for New Game! in 2016 Summer Poll
Let us know which shows are living up to their hype and which have fallen from grace
― The Japanese anime and video game character website Charapedia asked viewers to weigh in on which summer 2016 anime they're still watching each week. The same site asked users last month to cast their vote for the most anticipated show of the season. Love Live! Sunshine!! was Japan's top choice but the idol show ha...
Pokémon Strike Back in Basel, Chase Trainers with Giant Pokéballs
The Basel Tourism agency has released a video titled "Pokémon Go: The Revenge" starring actors dressed in Pikachu costumes that attack aspiring trainers with giant Pokéballs, taking revenge for all the Pokémon caught with the popular smartphone game Pokémon Go. The video, which was created by the digital content development group Fadeout, is part of a viral marketing campaign to encourage tourists...
Cocktail Prince Mobile Game Announces Next Round of Cast
Geechs' Cocktail Prince, the upcoming smartphone game that revolves around a cast of attractive young male bartenders who all represent cocktails, announced its next round of characters and voice actors. "The Taciturn Natural Glutton" Dirty Mother Voiced by: Hikaru Midorikawa A quiet band member with a big appetite. He makes food disappear around him at a supernatural rate. He's careful not to wo...
Shonen Jump Holds 1st "Heroine Auditions" Among Female Readers
Weekly Shonen Jump has announced a new "heroine audition" event, in which female readers can compete for the title of "School of Jump Girl." The winner will make regular appearances in the "School of Shonen Jump Homeroom" live broadcasts, will get to travel to Shueisha headquarters 1-2 times a month, and will appear in the Shonen Jump magazine in manga character form. The competition is open to g...
Tamashii Nations Follows Up Woody Robot with Buzz Lightyear Combination Robot Set
Tamashii Nations, Bandai's high-end brand famous for anime collectibles, released details for the "Space Ranger Robo" Chōgattai Buzz Lightyear robot, the partner combination robot toy to the "Woody Robo Sheriff Star." Both sets are available as part of the Toy Story Chōgattai Daisakusen line, which began with a short film released on June 8 that only showed off the Woody combination robot. Bandai...
Lollipop Chainsaw Developer Suda51 Talks Game Development in French TV Program
Video game developer Gōichi Suda, also known as Suda51, was recently featured on the French television program toco toco, which interviews Japan artists and creators about places that are meaningful to them. Suda, who is currently the CEO of the video game company Grasshopper Manufacture, worked on No More Heroes, Lollipop Chainsaw, Killer is Dead, and Short Peace: Ranko Tsukigime's Longest Day. I...
Himouto! Umaruchan's Aimi Tanaka Becomes Latest Vocaloid
The latest Vocaloid 4 library expansion introduces the "sugar & spicy" character Otomachi Una voiced by Himouto! Umaruchan lead voice actress Aimi Tanaka. Tanaka is a relatively new voice actress. Umaru Doma marked her first major role and she has since appeared in this season's Active Raid Second television anime as Marimo Kaburagi. The download version launched on July 30 followed by the package...
Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura Dons Seraph of the End Cosplay
67-year-old mayor Takashi Kawamura continued his tradition of dressing up for the World Cosplay Summit event in his city of Nagoya this year. Kawamura was seen chatting it up with participants dressed as Crowley Eusford from the aptly chosen Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign and Seraph of the End: Battle in Nagoya anime series. The vampire takes over Nagoya's mayor office in the second series. Howe...
Metal Gear's Yoji Shinkawa's NERV Anti-Godzilla Weapon Gets Action Figure
We've seen an Asuka and Godzilla mash-up, Unit-01-colored Godzillas and a Godzilla-colored Unit-01. The crossover between Hideaki Anno's Godzilla film and his Eva franchise keeps spiraling out to the point where it practically has its own in-universe logic. This includes NERV's Anti-Godzilla Division. 初出し!企画進行中!G x EVA x Yoji.S 彩色済みアクションフィギュア NERV製対G兵器(仮称) Design by. Yoji Shinkawa ©︎カラー TM&©︎TOHO...
Studio Trigger Fukuoka Animates Kirin Beer Ad
Trigger's Fukuoka studio premiered a series of animated ads on Tuesday to promote Kirin Beer's fruity Hyoketsu (freezing) alcoholic beverage line. Trigger animator alum Keiichi Honda (Space Patrol Luluco) directed the animation in the commercial and designed the characters while Trigger studio founder Kazuya Matsumoto served as animation producer. The commercial follows two pairs, an older sister ...
Tokyo's 1st Female Governor Advocated for 'Anime Land'
Tokyo made headlines on Monday when its citizens elected its first female governor, 64-year-old former Environment Minister and Defense Chief Yuriko Koike. The candidate made waves by announcing her plans to run before receiving the official blessing from her party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). As a result, Koike ran as an independent while the LDP backed a different candidate. Despite this...
Asuka x Godzilla Crossover Design Has Figure Plans
While the larger-than-life Godzilla booth drew fans at this summer's WonderFest, the staff behind the Evangelion x Godzilla crossover campaign were already dreaming up their next mash-up. Artist Nanakamado Anno drew Second Child Asuka covered in a plugsuit growing Godzilla-like plating and a tail. The design is currently available on t-shirts, stickers, a pass case, and as an acrylic stand. A fig...
Olympic Athletes Prepare for Pokémon Go Withdrawals in Rio
The Pokémon Go mobile game surged in popularity since it debuted in the U.S. on July 6 followed by its launch in Japan on July 22. Players are capturing monsters in 30 countries across the globe. Unfortunately, Brazil is not one of those countries and Olympic athletes in Rio this month are adding it to the list of disappointments alongside more serious quality concerns. Athletes like British canoe...
Life-Size Flying Nausicaä Glider Gets 1st Public Test Flight
The life-size Möwe (Mehve in English) jet-assisted glider from Hayao Miyazaki's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind film took to the skies above Hokkaido on Sunday for its first public test flight. 50-year-old artist and the glider's pilot Kazuhiko Hachiya soared above spectators at Takikawa Skypark. The moment was the culmination of years of work. The glider started as the "Open Sky" project datin...
Final Issue of ROLA Fashion Magazine Features Ai Yazawa Cover
Shinchosha's women's fashion magazine ROLA is ending its print run with the final physical issue hitting store shelves today. Fittingly, the issue is featuring Paradise Kiss and NANA creator Ai Yazawa for the magazine's "Manga Chronicle for Women 'Ai Yazawa's Bible'" issue theme. Yazawa's artwork is featured on issue's cover and an e-mail interview with the creator is included. Yazawa put her Nana...
Godzilla Stomps Into Universal Studios Japan for New Attraction in 2017
Godzilla is following Dragon Ball Z and Evangelion with a multi-sensory theater attraction at Universal Studios Japan. Godzilla: The Real 4D will bring the fight against Hideaki Anno's incarnation of the monster to life. Godzilla: The Real 4D marks Godzilla's first foray as an amusement park attraction. Godzilla: The Real 4D will open at the park on January 13 after the "Universal Jump Summer" att...
Madoka Magica Slot Machine Boasts New Animated Footage
While SHAFT teases a new Madoka Magica anime with its event "concept movie," another avenue for brand new Madoka Magica footage will debut soon. Universal Entertainment's "Slot Puella Magi Madoka Magica 2" slot machine will include new anime footage. A promotional video is currently streaming on the game's official website. It introduces the game's touchscreen features, different game modes, and p...
Godzilla x Eva Mash-Up Reaches New Heights at WonderFest
Godzilla's ongoing battle with Unit-01 reached its zenith at this year's WonderFest Summer on July 24. Amidst the crowds of figure prototypes was where a booth displaying the toys, art, and other merchandise crossing over Japan's iconic monster and Hideaki Anno's popular psychological mecha series. The most prominent attraction to the booth was the huge replica of the reimagined Godzilla from the...
"Moon Animate Make-Up! 2" Sailor Moon Fan Animation Streamed
Kaitlin Sullivan's popular "The Moon Animate, Make Up!" project's is second episodeis now streaming. This time the team of animators, each tackling a short shot in their own style, recreated the Sailor Moon R episode 68: "Protect Chibi-Usa: Clash of the Ten Warriors." Unlike the previous episode, this one is reanimated to the original Japanese voice track. Over 250 animators participated in the fi...
Square Enix Takes Us Behind the Scenes With Its 'Epic Meal Time' Collaboration
Food and cooking are "absolutely essential element" of the game
― Japanese video game company Square Enix posted a behind-the-scenes video of its collaboration with the gut-busting Canadian cooking web video series "Epic Meal Time" on Friday. The collaboration originally streamed in April, after the meat-loving cooks were flown to Japan by Square Enix to throw together a cheeseburger bentō box for th...
New Shonen Jump Rookie Contest Has Gag Manga Artist Kyosuke Usuta as Judge
Usuta: "You don't have to do a gag manga... [but] maybe it's better"
― Shonen Jump Rookie, a webcomic portal for novice artists, is holding a contest for aspiring manga artists with gag manga artist Kyosuke Usuta (Sexy Commando Gaiden: Sugoi yo!! Masaru-san, Pyu to Fuku! Jaguar) serving as the judge. Usuta explains what he's looking for on the contest's webpage: This is the first time I've given an a...
Tokio Member Masahiro Matsuoka Admits He Got His Hairstyle from Slam Dunk
Masahiro Matsuoka, the drummer and vocalist for the rock band Tokio, stands out with his hairstyle, which stands up in the front. On July 27, he revealed on Tokio's TV program, Tokio Kakeru, where he got the look: Slam Dunk. "I look like this now, but I think long ago it stood up even more," Matsuoka said. "It was more like [Akira] Sendou's." His bandmates agreed that the resemblance to Matsuoka w...
Love Live's Yurika Kubo Promotes Blood Drive in Nara Prefecture
Donors get 8-minute voice clip as reward
― Getting people to voluntarily give up their own blood isn't always easy, forcing blood banks to think of strategies to attract donors. The Nara Prefecture Red Cross Blood Center and the Nara Story Tourism Executive Committee are choosing an appealing face from that prefecture to pull in a young crowd: voice actress Yurika Kubo (Hanayo in Love Live! School id...
Affordable Animator Dorm Expansion Crowdfunding Closes Short of Goal
82% of US$10,000 pledged
― The IndieGoGo campaign to expand the low-income Animator Dormitory from housing six animators to eight has closed. It aimed to raise US$10,000 (about 1.03 million yen) but has only raised US$8,211 (about 849,000 yen) from 175 backers. However, its goal is considered "flexible," meaning that the campaign will keep the money it raised. The dormitory is the work of a non-profi...
Wake Up to Soothing Swordsmen with Tōken Ranbu Alarm Clocks
Also: prepaid shopping card, microfiber towels
― Next month, the Japanese convenience store chain Lawson is launching a collaboration with the popular stage musical adaptation of the online game Tōken Ranbu. Fans of the suave swords can buy alarm clocks featuring their favorite characters as portrayed by their actors — and including voice clips from the actors to wake them up in the morning. Fr...
Pet Monogatari's Nadeko on Your Smartphone
Phone wallpaper is your reward
― Nademonogatari ("The Tale of Nadeko"), the latest installment in NisiOisin's Monogatari light novel series, shipped on Friday. To commemorate the new book, a website has opened allowing fans of the series to... pet Nadeko. You see, naderu means "to pet" in Japanese, and Nadeko is the heroine of the story this time around. The book revolves around her gaining the power...
Least Impressive Pokémon Gets Its Own Official Love Song
Magikarp official fanclub page opens; Feebas remains unloved
― Magikarp is something of a joke in the world of Pokémon — it can only Splash around uselessly, it has no means of defense, its vacant expression makes it look dimwitted, and according to the anime you can't even eat it. But in a song posted to the official Japanese Pokémon YouTube channel, "I Love Koiking [Magikarp]," a young singer ...
Japanese Transportation Authorities, Landmarks Issue Warnings to Pokémon Go Players
Since the first release of smartphone game Pokémon Go on July 6, aspiring trainers have been venturing out into the unknown in search of new and rare Pokémon. Some businesses have enjoyed an unexpected surge in customers, while some memorials and landmarks have found their inclusion inappropriate and have banned the game from their premises. Trainers have also begun to discover on their own that ...
Clothes Based on Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto, Flying Witch & More Headed to Stores
Sentai Filmworks, Ripple Junction also collaborate on My Love Story, RIN-NE, Bakuon!!, Onigiri clothes
― The apparel maker Ripple Junction, which specializes in pop culture tie-ins, is partnering with Sentai Filmworks to develop merchandise based on Sentai anime, including Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto, Bakuon!!, Flying Witch, RIN-NE, Onigiri and My Love Story. Ripple Junction and Sentai joined fo...
Sanrio Boys Smartphone Dating App Streams 1st Promo Video
Sanrio released the first teaser promotional video for its Sanrio Danshi ~ Watashi, Koi o, Shirimashita~ (Sanrio Boys ~ I knew love ~) smartphone dating app game. The teaser touches on the story, provides brief character introductions, and shows off game play and some special features. Sanrio announced the game and cast on July 6 and scheduled it for release this fall. Pre-registration for the ga...
Japanese Gamers Discover Joys, Quirks & Frustrations of Pokémon Go
Anime industry also plays the game
― The smash hit smartphone game Pokémon Go debuted in Japan a week ago today, enabling Japanese gamers to discover what all the fuss is about. Like their counterparts overseas, they have enjoyed themselves while getting into bizarre, humorous or inappropriate situations with the game. @0315_kc found an Exeggcute in an odd position. (Incidentally, the Japanese name f...
Oh My Goddess! Creator Fujishima, Cosplayer Otogi Announce Birth of Child
Couple recently announced marriage, pregnancy
― Manga artist Kousuke Fujishima (Oh My Goddess!, You're Under Arrest) tweeted a letter on July 26 apologizing for recent events and announcing the birth of his and cosplayer Nekomu Otogi's child. Apology and birth report I'm sorry to have worried all of you, the fans, with the sudden announcement the other day. I want to once again offer an apology to ha...
Bishonen Idol Magazine Includes Fist of the North Star: Strawberry Flavor Characters
Gag idol group featured alongside B-Project, Tsukiuta, The Idolmaster SideM, more
― The gag idol group from the parody anime Fist of the North Star: Strawberry Flavor made an appearance in the newest issue of the Japanese boys idol magazine MY★STAR vol.6 from Dengeki Girl's Style on Tuesday. The "pure-hearted" idol group, Nanto DE 5 MEN, includes Fist of the North Star characters Shu, Juda, Shin, Re...
Kochikame Manga Gets Novel Crossovers With Girls Und Panzer, Cheer Boys!, Mr. Osomatsu
Also Orphen, Haruchika, Nazutoki wa Dinner no Ato de
― Shueisha has announced a new 6-part crossover novel anthology as part of the 40th anniversary celebration of Osamu Akimoto's police comedy manga KochiKame. This Vs. KochiKame: Novelization Anthology will ship on September 17 for 1,600 yen, or about US$15.30. KochiKame, which is short for Kochira Katsushika-ku Kamearikouen-mae Hashutsujo ("This i...
Yu-Gi-Oh! Creator Draws His Characters Playing Pokémon Go
Also: Pokémon Go character designer Yusuke Kozaki posts commemorative art
― Pokémon Go launched in Japan on Friday, allowing Yu-Gi-Oh! manga creator Kazuki Takahashi to join the craze. Takahashi created a three-part piece of art to show his enthusiasm for the game, saying that he's already walked 10 kilometers and has managed to catch a Pikachu. みなさんフォローありがとうございます! コメントもありがとう!楽しく読ませてもらってます! 昨日は10キロ歩い...
Animatrix's Koji Morimoto Directs Commercial for Navigation App
Director, animator imagines a "car that narrows the distance between people"
― Anime director Koji Morimoto created a 30-second commercial for the Japanese smartphone navigation app NAVIelite. The video streamed on Monday. Moritomo referenced the project in an interview with New People. "I would like to have a car that narrows the distance between people," he said. "The cars these days are too fast. ...
Eiichiro Oda Knows What the Final One Piece Panel Will Be
"It's very cool"
― Fuji TV announcer Daijirō Enami appeared at a Tokyo premiere event for One Piece Film Gold on Saturday and shared a tidbit from his recent interview with One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda: when Enami asked if Oda has the manga's final panel already planned out, he received an emphatic "yes." Oda also assured him that "it's very cool." Enami met with Oda in the One Piece creator's firs...
Live-Action Ghost in the Shell Film's Cyborg Designs Unveiled
Lord of the Rings' Weta Workshop shows models at Comic-Con
― Design studio Weta Workshop (The Lord of the Rings trilogy, I, Robot, King Kong) showed off some of its physical effects at its Comic-Con International booth this past weekend. Among its displays was a first look at some of the cyborgs for the upcoming Ghost in the Shell live-action film. IGN shared a video of the display: Weta Workshop pro...
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