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Psyduck Shows Off Dance Moves in Fan-Created Animated Video
An animated video of the perpetually confused water-type Pokémon Psyduck dancing to the song "GOIN'!!!" from The [email protected] Cinderella Girls has been making waves across the internet. The video was created using the freeware program MikuMikuDance, or MMD, which was originally created for the Vocaloid character Hatsune Miku. ポケモンGOIN'!!!コダック マシシ氏 pic.twitter.com/mohOw1mpjr— [email protected] (@enupi_mmd...
Japanese Fan Builds Impressive Gundam Model Using Only Legos
One dedicated Japanese fan, who goes by the handle JAN, has created an impressive model of the RX-78-2 Gundam using only Legos. The model took about 1.5 months to construct, and they worked on it for an average of two hours every day. Even though the model is made of Legos, the joints move, and it can hold its beam rifle and prepare to fire. No adhesive was used to hold the Legos together, and non...
Square Enix's Final Fantasy Tabletop Games Coming to N. America, Europe
Square Enix is bringing the Final Fantasy TCG: Opus 1 tabletop game and a new addition,Chocobo's Crystal Hunt, to Europe in September and North America in October. Previously released in Japan and selling over 3.5 million boosters, Final Fantasy TCG: Opus 1 will be available in a different configuration for its Europe and North America releases. The two player game will be sold in the traditional...
Detective Conan 20th Anniversary Concert Planned for KyoMAF2016
A "TV & Movie 20th Anniversary Detective Conan Concert" will be held on September 17 at the ROHM Theater in Kyoto for this year's Kyoto International Manga and Anime Fair, or KyoMAF. Similar concerts were held in Tokyo and Osaka in March, where music from throughout the long history of the show was played by a special orchestra. The upcoming concert at KyoMAF will include theme songs from the TV ...
Sanrio Boys Designed as Cinderella-Seeking Princes
The official Twitter account for the Sanrio Danshi multimedia project is launching a new campaign featuring the mascot-loving ikemen as princes. The account has tweeted designs of Kōta Hasegawa, Yū Mizuno, Shunsuke Yoshino, and Ryō Nishimiya is formal attire holding an elaborate shoe. Evidently, they're seeking their own Cinderella. 【お知らせ】サンリオ男子につきまして新規撮り下ろし『メルヘンシリーズ』をご紹介いたします。順次商品化予定です。一人目、長谷川康太。...
A Silent Voice Film Gets Japanese Subtitled Movie Teaser/Trailer
Kyoto Animation, in a unique move, is supporting hearing impaired audience members with subtitled screenings and trailers for A Silent Voice, a film that stars a deaf main character. Previously, Kyoto Animation announced that there will be subtitled screenings of the upcoming film A Silent Voice once a day in all theater locations from September 24 to September 30. However, they just began stream...
Ichitarō Ai Marries Fellow Voice Talent Ai Sasaki
Voice Actor Ichitarō Ai announced via Twitter on August 20 that he married fellow voice actor Ai Sasaki. He wrote, "The report: This time, I, Ichitarō Ai, wanted to report that this month another Aoni Productions affiliate Ai Sasaki and I entered ourselves in the family registry. We are still two novices with quite a ways to go, but thank you very much for everyone's help towards us and for the su...
Buzzfeed Japan: International Recognition Kept Pokémon Out Of Olympics Closing Ceremony
As Captain Tsubasa, Pac-Man, Doraemon, Hello Kitty, and Mario made their appearances in Japan's show during the Rio Olympics' closing ceremony on Sunday night, many wondered where the Pokémon were, especially after rumors of their inclusion and a report from U.K. website The Telegraph which stated that the show may feature the Pokémon Go smartphone game and that one insider said a reference to Po...
Kabaneri's Life-Size Mumei Figure Unveiled in Color
The life-size prototype figure of Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress' Mumei was unveiled in color at the "Kabaneri & Battery Exhibition ~ Sanshin Mokuhyō de Rokkon Seijō ~" event in the first floor atrium of Odaiba Aqua City's Cinema Mediage on Sunday. The character's voice actress Sayaka Senbongi presented the figure to the audience. The Noitamina Shop opened a page for the figure where interested fa...
Bagpipe-Playing Charmander Balances on Pokéball in Portland
Portland, Oregon's "Unipiper," a street performer that gained attention for playing bagpipes on a unicycle dressed in various costumes, is jumping on the Pokémon Go craze. In a new video he abandons the unicycle for a giant Pokéball and plays the series' theme song dressed as Charmander. The Unipiper has appeared on America's Got Talent, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Bachelor, Portlandia, and Good Mornin...
Make Your Bed Look Exactly like Usagi's in Sailor Moon
Snuggle up with your dreams of Tuxedo Mask under Premium Bandai's duvet cover and pillow case set that transforms your bed into Usagi Tsukino's from Sailor Moon. The set is currently available for pre-order on their website and includes a single/twin size 150 x 200 cm (59 x 78.74 inches) duvet cover and a 43 x 63 cm (16.9 x 24.8 inches) pillow case for 7,020 yen (US$70). Shipping is scheduled for...
Shōnen Jump Authors Comment on Bleach Ending
The 38th issue of Weekly Shonen Jump, released on August 22, contains the very last chapter of Tite Kubo's long-running series Bleach. Kubo wrote, "One way or another, I was able to finish drawing it in 15 years! I'm very thankful to all of the people who read it." Comments from other manga artists whose works are serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump were published in the same issue. Several of them a...
Japanese Prime Minister Cosplays as Mario at the Olympics
Captain Tsubasa, Pac-Man, Doraemon, Hello Kitty make cameos
― While the Olympic Closing Ceremony in Rio de Janeiro did not feature an appearance of Pokémon GO as previously rumored, it did feature Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wearing the costume of iconic Nintendo character Mario. .@Tokyo2020 here we come! #RioToTokyo pic.twitter.com/cyidw24TVr— Olympic Channel (@olympicchannel) August 22, 2016...
Closing Ceremony at Rio Olympics Might Feature Pokémon GO Game
The U.K. website The Telegraph is reporting on Saturday that this year's Olympics Closing Ceremony in Rio de Janeiro might feature the wildly popular Pokémon GO smartphone game. As is tradition, the event will feature a handover to the next Summer Olympic Games, which will take place in Tokyo in 2020. The handover includes a segment where the next host city puts on a show. Details on what will hap...
Dragon Quest Slime-Flavored Chewing Gum Returns Alongside Original Goods Campaign
As part of the 30th anniversary celebration for the Dragon Quest video game series, the Japanese candy company Lotte will be producing slime and metal slime-flavored chewing gum. The slime gum will be sour lime flavored with a slimy texture, and the metal slime gum will be mint-lime flavored with a stiffer texture to emulate metal. The paper that the pieces of gum are wrapped in will have images ...
Learn English via JoJo's Bizarre Adventure!
Not your conventional textbook, the Learn More English in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 2 book is available for pre-order now and set to ship on August 26. The first book, Learn English in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, came out on October 24, 2014 and both editions, listed for 1,080 yen (US$11) each, are created by JoJo's Bizarre Adventure's author Hirohiko Araki. Their English translations were over...
PS Vita System Receives World of Final Fantasy Makeover
Two World of Final Fantasy-themed PS Vita models, White Primero and Black Oobito, will launch in Japan alongside the game on October 27. Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan Asia collaborated with Square Enix to produce the new editions, which also come with other World of Final Fantasy content, such as an original PS Vita home screen theme and an original game art design package. The Sony Store ...
Cospa Sells Sabo's Coat from One Piece
The anime goods website Cospa is now offering reproductions of Sabo's coat from One Piece. The coat is priced at 20,520 yen with tax, or US $201. Pre-orders are being taken on the product website, and items will be delivered at the end of November. The coat includes the belt around the left arm, just like Sabo's coat in the anime, and there is a lining that hides the buttons in the front. Eiichir...
Makoto Shinkai's your name. Anime Film Promotes Suntory Water in 2nd Ad
Suntory began streaming a second tie-up commercial with Makoto Shinkai's new your name. (Kimi no Na wa.) anime film on Thursday. The "Taki no Omoi" (Taki's Thoughts) commercial shows the character Taki Tachibana drinking Suntory Minami Alps Ten'nensui, which is mineral water. Shinkai himself directed the commercial. Toho previously streamed three television commercials for the film last Friday. An...
Book of Inspirational Quotes from Pokémon Planned for Fall
A Pokémon-themed inspirational book titled The Pokémon Book of Joy will be released this fall, capitalizing on the 20th anniversary of the Pokémon series as well as the surge of interest that has followed the release of the wildly popular smartphone game Pokémon Go. The book will contain illustrations and inspirational quotes from an assortment of popular Pokémon and characters that will, "set yo...
Pre-Registration Opens for Next Egykoi! Gag Otome Game About Egyptian Gods
The Egykoi! ~Egypt Kami to Koishi yo~ (Egy-love! Egyptian Gods and Love) gag otome game by Goodia, Inc was first released in January and starred Egyptian god Medjed, Horus, and Anubis. It was latest in Japan's strange interest in the obscure deity, and Goodia has decided to combine its cult status with the recent male idol trend sweeping anime and multimedia projects in its next game, Egykoi! ~Egy...
Fans Design Pokémon-Themed Shoes Using Nike Customization Service
A new novelty account on Tumblr and Instagram called Pokémon Nike ID, or PokeID, shows fans how to create a variety of Pokémon-themed shoes through Nike's online customization service, Nike ID. Clicking on the various shoes on the PokeID Tumblr will bring up the Nike ID customization page where each can be purchased. Some examples are shown below. These KD9s are repping Bulbasaur's part reptilian...
Details Revealed for Final Sailor Moon Crystal Season 3 Limited Edition Box Set
Details were announced for the limited edition Sailor Moon Crystal Season III Volume 3 box set. The Japanese Blu-ray/DVD limited edition will be released on August 31. It will contain five episodes, Act. 34 through Act. 38, and will include a 28-page booklet as well as commentary from the cast and director Chiaki Kon. The cover art will feature Sailor Chibi Moon, Sailor Pluto, and Sailor Saturn. ...
2nd Promo Video for Sanrio Boys Smartphone Dating App Streamed
Sanrio released the second promotional video for its Sanrio Danshi ~ Watashi, Koi o, Shirimashita~ (Sanrio Boys ~ I knew love ~) smartphone dating app game. Sanrio announced the game and cast on July 6 and scheduled it for release this September. Pre-registration for the game is ongoing and the website is running a campaign where those who register will receive special in-game gifts based on the ...
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...
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