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MyAnimeList Opens Registration for 5th Manga Translation Battle Contest
MyAnimeList, opened pre-registration for the fifth MANGAPOLO's Manga Translation Battle contest. MANGAPOLO is Dentsu's manga-sharing YouTube channel and it runs the contest with full support of Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs. Pre-registered contestants will be notified on September 14 with official registration begins on the website. Like previous contests, participants will be asked to selec...
Toshio Suzuki: Red Turtle Makes Miyazaki Want to Return to Work
Retired Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki revealed in a press conference that all it takes is a good film to get Hayao Miyazaki to reconsider his retirement. According to Suzuki, Miyazaki watched Michael Dudok de Wit and Studio Ghibli's The Red Turtle (La Tortue rouge) animated film last month and commented that he wanted to return to work to make something with the film's staff. Miyazaki also praised...
New ALL OUT!! Rugby Anime Meets DAYS Soccer Anime in Crossover Art
Special collaboration art with the main players of popular sports series ALL OUT!! and DAYS will adorn the cover of the September 6 issue of the anime information magazine Ani-An! Both protagonists joined their rugby and soccer clubs as beginners in their respective series and came to love the sport, giving it their all. They're also both one of the shortest players on their teams, with Kenji Gion...
Gravity Rush, Silent Hill Creator Keiichiro Toyama Tours Sony in French TV Program
Gravity Rush and Silent Hill video game series director Keiichiro Toyama was recently featured on the French program toco toco, which interviews Japan artists and creators about places that are meaningful to them. In the video, Toyama takes viewers on a tour of places in the Shingawa and Yokohama areas. The places include Sony Interactive Entertainment where he's working on Gravity Rush 2 for Play...
Model Ayami Nakajō Dresses as Dr. Slump's Arale in Skirt Commercial
Model and actress Ayami Nakajō (Fatal Frame live-action film) dressed as Arale from Akira Toriyama's Dr. Slump manga and anime for a recent skirt commercial. She's joined by television actress Yuki Uchida as Akane and Kengo Kora (Miss Hokusai) as Pisuke. In the commercial, Arale transforms from her usual outfit into a GU Japan pleated skirt. Comic Natalie is also streaming a video that goes behind...
Cruel Angel's Thesis Maintains Its Top Spot as Fav Anisong
Music information magazine CD & DL Data announced the ranking results of their poll that asked 6,956 people (3,819 men and 3,137 women) in their teens, 20's, and 30's their favorite anime song. Cruel Angel Thesis / Yōko Takahashi / Neon Genesis Evangelion Touch / Yoshimi Iwasaki / Touch Moonlight Densetsu / Dali / Sailor Moon Makafushigi Adventure / Hiroki Takahashi / Dragon Ball CHA-LA HEAD-CHA- ...
Sharp Co. Spots Its 30-Year-Old PC in your name. Film, Makoto Shinkai Confirms
Sharp Co.'s official Twitter account posted that one of its older PC models seems to have appeared in Makoto Shinkai's new film, your name. (Kimi no Na wa), and Shinkai took to Twitter himself to confirm their suspicions. The model in question is from Sharp Co.'s x68000 series, which was released on March 28, 1987. 映画「君の名は」でこれが映るシーンありとの未確認情報 pic.twitter.com/MdiYMXbDjB— SHARP シャープ株式会社 (@SHARP_JP) A...
Keiji Fujiwara Thanks Fans for Support After Crayon Shin-chan Replacement
Air Agency announced on August 8 that voice actor Keiji Fujiwara, who plays Hiroshi Nohara in Crayon Shin-chan, will be taking a break to recover from an unspecified illness. In response to surprised and concerned fans, Fujiwara posted the following message on the Air Agency Twitter page. 藤原啓治です。病気療養で休業させて頂くにあたって多くの方達にお世話になりました。心から感謝しています。休業して気づいたのは世の中は思っていたより色彩に溢れ美しい事、そしてざわつく気持ちを抑えるだけの気力に満ちている自分...
Fans Follow Godzilla's Path of Destruction from Shin Godzilla in Tokyo's Ōta Ward
Staff at the Keikyū Kamata tourist information center in the Ōta ward of Tokyo have put together an unofficial map of Godzilla's path of destruction from the recent movie Shin Godzilla to aid fans wanting to visit various sites where scenes were filmed. Several fans have documented their journeys across Ōta ward's Kamata neighborhood, where the primary Godzilla-stomping action takes place. In rega...
Build Your Own Pokémon Eevee at Build-A-Bear Workshops
The Pokémon-themed Build-A-Bears continue with the introduction of an Eevee option to workshops slated for September 1. Following Pikachu earlier this year, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom will soon be able to Build-A-Eevee, as well. The basic 14-inch Eevee with its Build-A-Bear-exclusive trading card is priced at US$28, with extra add-ons available such as hooded Poké Ball paja...
Nintendo's New 3DS XL Console is Out of This World
Nintendo announced a new galaxy-themed New 3DS XL on their official Twitter page on August 29. Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé introduces the product in a short promotional video below. Out of this world! A New Galaxy Style New Nintendo #3DS XL is coming to stores starting this week for $199.99!https://t.co/v1K471XLBi— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) August 29, 2016 The Gala...
Hatsune Miku Takes Down Twintails in New Shampoo Ad Featuring Scarlett Johansson
The previously announced commercial for Lux shampoo and conditioner featuring virtual idol Hatsune Miku and Ghost in the Shell star Scarlett Johansson has been posted on the official campaign site and will begin airing on Japanese television on August 31. In the commercial, which is shown below, Miku is inspired by a billboard of Scarlett Johansson with straight, long hair and decides to try taki...
Voice Talents Yukari Fukui, Iku Nakahara, Natsuki Hanae Announce Individual Marriages
Yukari Fukui (Gurren Lagann's Nia, Kill La Kill's Sukuyo Mankanshoku, High School of the Dead's Shizuka Marikawa) announced on August 28 that she and Tablier Communications Corporation director Kenji Yamamoto entered their names into the family registry. She added on her blog, "In a relationship of two people it cannot be helped that they are inexperienced as a spouse, but, I think that it is goo...
Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 Adds Keijo! Crossover
The September 15, 2016 issue of Weekly Famitsu magazine is announcing on Thursday that Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 will collaborate with Daichi Sorayomi's Keijo!!!!!!!! (Hip Whip Girl) aquatic sports manga for a series of swimsuit costumes. The costumes come on the tail of the Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 VR announcement. The game, which boasts the female cast of the Dead or Alive fighting game franchise rel...
7-Eleven Turns to Fans to Pick Its Love Live! Sunshine!! Image Girl
Japan's 7-Eleven convenience stores will launch a voting campaign on September 1 to select which Aqours idol will be its official image girl. The winning Love Live! Sunshine!! character will get a new figure designed by series character designer Yūhei Murota and created by figuremaker ALTER. 7-Eleven will announce more details about the figure's release and price later. Voters will get one of 18 o...
Code Geass Gets New Figures, Lottery Campaigns for 10th Anniversary
We're a few months away from the upcoming Code Geass 10th anniversary event on on November 27. The series' special 10th anniversary website updated on Thursday to announce the release of the ARTFX J Lelouch CODE BLACK 1st Live Encore! Ver. and the G.E.M. series Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 Zero 10th Anniversary figures and two upcoming lottery campaigns. Note: The official website is cu...
P.A. Works Continues Gag After Studio is Destroyed in Kuromukuro Episode
P.A. Works' 15th anniversary anime project Kuromukuro got meta in a recent episode where the studio was shown being destroyed. Toyama prefecture is the home of P.A. Works and also the setting of Kuromukuro, so it was only a matter of time before the show's giant robots crossed path with the animators' workplace. The actual studio also doubled down on the gag, putting up a sign saying that large sc...
Japanese Fans Vote for Ghibli Film They Most Want to See in Theaters Again
Interim results were announced for the first "Studio Ghibli General Election" poll, in which Japanese fans were asked to vote for which Studio Ghibli film they most wanted to see in theaters again. The preliminary poll ran from August 13-20 and the top five results, given in no particular order, were Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Castle in the Sky, Kiki's Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke...
Mr. Osomatsu Ichigeruge Plush Announced, Includes Attached Laptop
The online anime shop ACOS announced an "Ichigeruge" plush from the recent anime Mr. Osomatsu. It is priced at 1,900 yen, or about US$19, without tax and will be released on December 15. 【#おそ松さん】イチゲルゲのぬいぐるみキーホルダーが登場!立体で再現された姿はゲルゲファン必須アイテム!予約開始です♪https://t.co/WdrSB8KiPs pic.twitter.com/BAqVmEmMxR— アニメイトコスチューム館ACOS (@ACOS_animate) August 24, 2016 The purple, fluffy plush includes a mini attached cl...
Premium Bandai Offers Huggable Pokémon PC Cushions Featuring Eevee, Pikachu
Premium Bandai has announced huggable Eevee PC cushions as part of their new Pokémon-themed PC cushion line. Reservations opened on August 25 and will run until October 31, and the items will be shipped in November. The PC cushions have two detachable parts: an Eevee stuffed animal and an arm rest pillow. Both are made of polyester. The arm rest pillow has a keyboard design on it, with original i...
Smite Foes in Style with Space Sheriff Gavan's Laser Blade
Gavan Dynamic!
― If you've been itching to vanquish evil lately but just don't have a cool enough weapon for it, never fear: Tamashii Lab, which fashions collectible items from Bandai properties, has developed the laser blade from the iconic 1980s action show Space Sheriff Gavan. Kenji Ohba, the actor who portrayed Gavan, is summoned to test out the sword. He is very impressed, especially with its s...
Naval City of Yokosuka Uses High School Fleet to Draw Tourists
Models efforts after Ōarai's success with Girls und Panzer
― The popular spring 2016 anime High School Fleet is set in Yokosuka, a Tokyo suburb with an American naval base and Japanese naval port and training facilities. To capitalize on being showcased in the anime, the city is promoting its connections to the show and attracting tourists interested in cute high school girls and the military. High S...
Japanese Readers Choose Shonen Jump's Worst Heroines
Unexpected "winner"
― Heroines in shōnen manga tend to be nice girls, sometimes with combat abilities, who usually end up falling in love with the hero. Like any protagonists, they're supposed to be likeable and relatable... but sometimes we get characters who are anything but: lazy, brutal, arrogant, incompetent, and/or selfish. To designate the worst heroines in Weekly Shonen Jump's history, the ed...
Hideaki Anno's Studio Khara Gets 10th Anniversary Exhibition
Hideaki Anno's Studio Khara will hold its first exhibition in Harajuku's Laforet Museum for one week in November. The exhibition is Khara's first and will commemorate the studio's 10th anniversary. The event will showcase production materials from the Evangelion films and Japan Animator Expo. The exhibition will run from November 23-30. Anno founded Khara to produce the four-film remake of his Eva...
Give Your Hair Virtual Idol Shine with Hatsune Miku-Endorsed Lux Products
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku is promoting shiny, straight hair as the spokesmodel for Lux shampoo and conditioner. In an upcoming commercial, Miku sees Ghost in the Shell star Scarlett Johansson in video billboard for Lux Straight & Beauty shampoo and conditioner and decides to use the products herself. The commercial will premiere on August 30 and feature Miku without her trademark twintails. "Hello...
Cocktail Prince Mobile Game Streams 3 Character Videos
Cocktail Prince, the upcoming smartphone game by Geechs that revolves around a cast of attractive young male bartenders who all represent cocktails, is streaming three voice videos for its characters Kiss in the Dark, Pink Lady, and Seventh Heaven. The characters are voiced by Takuya Satou, Mutsumi Tamura, and Daiki Yamashita. Kiss in the Dark Voiced by: Takuya Satou A man with an adult sex appeal...
Pre-Orders Open for Nendoroid Meta Knight from Kirby
Good Smile Company has opened pre-orders for a new Nendoroid Meta Knight figure from the Kirby video game series. Pre-orders will end on September 21, and the figure will be released in March 2017. The figure can assume a variety of poses and is approximately 60mm in height. It comes with a stand and several optional parts, including Meta Knight's cape, wings, and sword, as well as a large slashi...
Go Nagai Concert to Feature Music from Mazinger Z, Cutie Honey, Dororon Enma-kun
An orchestral concert featuring music from the works of Go Nagai will be coming to the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre on September 18. It will include songs from variety of his original works, such as Mazinger Z, Devilman, Cutie Honey, and Dororon Enma-kun. The concert will also feature special guest Ichiro Mizuki, who sang the theme songs for Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger, Godannar, Space Pirate Captai...
Aussie Restaurant Designs Pikachu, Charmander, Bulbasaur-themed Poké-Burgers
The Sydney burger joint Down N' Out is offering new themed burgers featuring the classic Pokémon Pikachu, Charmander, and Bulbasaur. The burgers were designed by Down N' Out's creative director, Ben Kagan, and each comes with a trading card listing its ingredients. Prospective trainers are not given the choice of which burger they want, but are given one randomly. Kagan said, "The flavors and the...
Sanrio Characters Wish You Happy Birthday in Audio Greeting Cards
Sanrio fan or not, these cute audio greeting cards may at least bring about a smile. Gudetama, Hello Kitty, My Melody, Cinnamoroll, Little Twin Stars, and Pom Pom Purin all send birthday wishes when their decorative greeting card opens. Sanrio Japan posted to their YouTube channel the preview videos for each character's card on August 23 along with a seventh card that includes everyone except Gude...
Leaked Photos Give Potential Look at Live-Action Ghost in the Shell's Section 9 Task Force
Several unconfirmed leaked photos from Rupert Sanders' upcoming live action Ghost in the Shell film have surfaced on the internet, giving a potential look at the costuming for the task force Public Security Section 9. Tawanda Manyimo as the explosives specialist, Borma (sometimes called Boma), showing his trademark optical implants: Yutaka Izumihara as the tactical sniper, Saito: Pilou Asbæk as th...
Phantasy Star Online 2's Shin Godzilla Event Continues with Wearable Godzilla Suit
A new promotional video has been released for the Shin Godzilla collaboration event in Sega's online role-playing game Phantasy Star Online 2. The event began on August 10 with the Heisei version of Godzilla invading the game lobby, and it will last through September 7. A wearable Godzilla suit and mini Godzilla device appeared on Wednesday. The event also features destroyable-city room goods and ...
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 was 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 desi...
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...
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