Interest
— Archives —
- All
- •
- Anime
- Manga
- Novels
- Games
- Music
- Merch
- Events
- Industry
- People
- Live-Action
Text-only Compact View
Text-only List View
Text-only Grid View
List View with Images
Grid View with Images
Magikarp App Splashes Into Smartphones This Spring
A teaser website for the Haneru! Koiking (Splash! Magikarp) smartphone game for iOS and Android devices launched on Thursday. The app inspired by Pokémon's least effective creature is slated to launch this spring. The website features the front cover of an extra February 16 edition of the fictional Pokémon App Newspaper. The headlines read, "Scoop! Mysterious Holes Appear" and "In a peaceful town,...
Story, Theme Song Details Revealed for Saga Prefecture's 'Okaeri' Anime Short
Japan's Saga Prefecture has two promotional anime shorts in the works, "Tadaima" (I'm Home) and "Okaeri" (Welcome Back). Staff revealed more information about the second short, including a key visual and theme song information on Thursday. "Okaeri" follows high school senior Sora who is aiming to be a professional soccer player. Unfortunately, Sora is injured and finds that the path to being a pro...
Everything is Bloody Terrifying with Saya no Uta VR Filter
Before penning Madoka Magica, Gen Urobuchi crafted an erotic horror visual novel for Nitroplus titled Saya no Uta. In the game, protagonist Fuminori Sakisaka barely survives a car accident that claims the life of his parents. When he awakens in the hospital he finds himself unable to correctly process the sensory information around him and instead sees everything as pulsing gore and monsters. This...
Mr. Osomatsu Butt Mousepads are Finally a Thing That Exists
Japan is no stranger to breast and butt mousepads, although admittedly its usually the female characters that are chosen for this type of merchandise. HobbyJapan announced its changing things up and releasing butt mousepads of all six of the Matsuno brothers. If you've ever wanted to relax your wrist on a Matsuno tush, now is the time. Each one costs 4,800 yen (US$42). Customers are in for a bit ...
Gender-Swapped Sōgo Okita Figure Will Whip You Into Shape
MegaHouse's GEM line of figures covers a variety of anime series, but it has specifically released characters from the Gintama anime for the last seven years. To celebrate, the figure line opened the "G.E.M. Gintama Commercialization Election - 7 Year Edition" website in September to select one of four figures for release. Choices included Kagura (Two years later version), Sōgo Okita (gender-swap...
K-ON! Tops Poll of Anime With Same-Face Characters
Have you ever been watching anime and suddenly realize all the characters are identical? You are not alone. The Goo Ranking website asked readers about which anime they think depict "all the characters with similar faces." The site conducted the poll from January 1 to January 22 and posted the results on Saturday. The girls of K-ON! topped the list with their different hair and outfits but nearly ...
Even Adults Will Want to Ride This Giant Pokémon Lapras Plush
If you've ever dreamed of smooth sailing on the back of a Lapras, the online Pokémon Center shop is about to make your dreams come true. The store is accepting pre-orders for a jumbo sized plush of Lapras measuring 93cm (3.5ft) tall and weighing 2,200 g (5lbs). It's approximately 1/3-scale in height but is unlikely to float. The images suggest a small child could fit on its back but why let that ...
Leiji Matsumoto's Galaxy Express 999, Yamato, Harlock Get Ukiyo-e Prints
Acclaimed manga artist Leiji Matsumoto is inspiring a series of ukiyo-e prints based on his works. The "Leiji Matsumoto Ukiyo-e Collection" will include prints from Galaxy Express 999, Space Pirate Captain Harlock, and Space Battleship Yamato. Living Japanese national treasure Ichibei Iwano created the paper for the prints using traditional techniques, as he previously did for the Ghost in the She...
'Bathing Boyfriends' Make a Scented Splash in Aromatherapy Manga
TMS Entertainment's line of bishōnen bathing products inspired a manga last fall. Anna Takamura launched the Nyūyoku Kareshi -Hadaka de Aroma Healing- (Bathing Boyfriends: Naked Aroma Healing) series Kadokawa's B's Log Comic magazine on October 31, and the first compiled book volume shipped on February 1. To celebrate the manga, the website Nijimen posted an introduction to Takamura's series on Su...
Haikyu!! Orchestra Concert Reveals Character Art, Goods
The official website for the Haikyu!! anime revealed more character art for Haikyu!! Concert 2017 on Monday. Haikyu!! Karasuno Kōkō VS Shiratorizawa Gakuen Kōkō characters Tōru Oikawa, Kenma Kozume, Keiji Akaashi, and Kenjirō Shirabu appear as orchestra conductors in the images. The website also unveiled exclusive event merchandise: Tin trading badges (six varieties)278 yen (about US$2) Clear file...
AT-X President: AI May Replace Humans in Anime Production
Keisuke Iwata, president of Japan's anime television network AT-X, spoke at Tokyo's Digital Hollywood University last Thursday about a possible transition to using artificial intelligence (AI) in anime. With decades of experience in the industry, Iwata said, "It is fully conceivable that anime production processes may be completely replaced by AI." Iwata has served as a producer for many hit anime...
Yoshitsugu Matsuoka Shows Off Rap Skills in Sword Art Online: Memory Defrag App Video
Yoshitsugu Matsuoka is a prolific voice actor who has played characters such as Yowamushi Pedal's Hajime Aoyagi, Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma's Sōma Yukihira, and ēlDLIVE's Dr. Ravu. He has also contributed his singing voice to perform themes with fellow cast members for anime including Super Lovers, DAYS, and Kiss Him, Not Me. Matsuoka recently got another chance to showcase his musical talents a...
Shueisha 'Buried' in Prince of Tennis Valentine Chocolate From Fans
The annual Prince of Tennis Valentine's Day character popularity contest is a huge undertaking leaving the Jump Square magazine offices in an avalanche of confectionery boxes and some poor sap having to count them all. The response is huge with fans sending chocolates to their favorite character in hopes of earning him the crown. The contest took a break in 2015 but has since been reinstated. Last...
Crowd Goes Wild During Idolm@ster SideM Anime Announcement
The IDOLM@STER SideM 2nd Stage ~Origin@l Stars~ concerts took over Makuhari Messe on February 11 and 12, featuring songs from the mobile game's in-universe idol groups. The voice actors that make up DRAMATIC STARS, High×Joker, Cafe Parade, Altessimo and more performed to a huge crowd. Ticket holders knew they were in for great musical performances, but they were even more surprised when staff anno...
Yamato 2202 Plane Takes Flight This Month
The Uchū Senkan Yamato 2202: Ai no Senshi-tachi (Space Battleship Yamato 2202: Warriors of Love or Star Blazers 2202: Warriors of Love) anime project's first film premieres on February 25 and Japan's Skymark Airlines new collaboration plane will set sail for the skies on the same day. The Yamato Jet features the film's main characters Susumu Kodai and Yuki Mori on one side of the aircraft and the ...
'Cup Noodle Headgear' Becomes a Reality in Final Fantasy XV DLC
Nissin Foods has added another bonus to its already impressive "Cup Noodle FINAL FANTASY BOSS COLLECTION Boss Character Package" collaboration. The company already wowed fans with a lottery bonus prize, "Ichigeki Hisshoku! Ultima Weapon Fork," a 60cm (2ft) long fork supervised by the Final Fantasy 30th anniversary team. Customers who pre-order the the Cup Noodle set will also get a DLC code for "C...
Prince of Tennis' Tezuka, Fuji Release 1st Duet CD Single in 9 Years
The official website for the Prince of Tennis franchise announced that the "Tatoeba Ima..." (Now, For Example...) duet single will debut on March 1. The CD will feature character songs performed by Kunimitsu Tezuka (Ryotaro Okiayu) and Shusuke Fuji (Yuki Kaida). This single marks the first time in nine years that the duo are performing a duet single. Tezuka and Fuji's last single, "Koko de Bokura ...
AnimeJapan to Offer 8-Part Anime Business Course This Year
Also: gallery of 2016's best anime collaborations
― This year's AnimeJapan, an anime industry convention held in late March at Tokyo Big Sight, will offer something valuable for anyone interested in the commercial side of anime: an anime business course featuring lecturers with lengthy experience in the industry. "Anime Business University" is split into eight parts over two days (March 23 and 24): H...
Gold Lupin the Third Stamp Marks Manga's 50th Anniversary
Monkey Punch's launched the Lupin the Third manga in Weekly Manga Action magazine in 1967. Various promotions, including the release of a special mook (magazine book), are celebrating the series' 50th anniversary. The department store Isetan announced its latest contribution to the celebration on Wednesday. Isetan's limited-edition Frame Kitte stamp set includes a gold plate shaped like a postage...
Valentine's Day Greetings — Anime Style 2017
Valentine's Day has come again, and women throughout Japan are giving chocolate to men in their lives. However, recent trends are allowing for more Japanese people to enjoy chocolate confections today. Sometimes friends give each other chocolate on this day of love in Japan, and favored teachers may even receive sweet gifts. As always, the world of Japanese pop culture is also sending Valentine's ...
Doraemon 'Anywhere Door' VR Experience Video Previews Antarctic Adventure
Bandai Namco Entertainment began streaming a promotional video on Friday for the upcoming Doraemon "Dokodemo Door" (Anywhere Door) virtual reality experience. The experience is the latest installment in the company's Project i Can project, which debuted in Odaiba's DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in April. The Tokyo Solamachi shopping and entertainment complex is collaborating with Eiga Doraemon: Nobita no ...
Augmented Reality Idol Unit Holds Debut Concerts This Week
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku has become a household name in the world of Japanese pop culture. However, Miku may need to make way for some new "2.5-dimensional" idols on the block. The Yuke's augmented-reality idol group AR performers are holding their first major live performances at Tokyo's Differ Ariake arena on February 14 and February 15. The Animate Times website recently attended a special adv...
Makoto Shinkai Credits Korean Studios for Role in Producing Japanese Anime
Anime director Makoto Shinkai (your name., 5 Centimeters Per Second, The Garden of Words) visited South Korea on Wednesday. He appeared on a television news program on the SBS network on Thursday and held a press conference in Seoul on Saturday. During his visit, Shinkai explained the importance of South Korean studios to Japanese anime. On the program, the anime director responded to a question a...
Live-Action Kariage-kun Goes on a Date Using Suica View Card
In 1980, manga creator Masashi Ueda began serializing Kariage-kun, a gag comedy about a salaryman whose attempts to mesh with the Japanese white collar culture is like putting a square peg into a round hole. Kariage is his office's own Dennis the Menace but he never seems to get fired. In fact, despite his poor workmanship, the character is being resurrected as the image character for Japan Railwa...
Kirito & Asuna Eat at Wagnaria Restaurant in Sword Art Online Film
PlayStation Network users in Japan got a sneak peek at the Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale anime film last week when the first 12 minutes were put up to watch for free. In the clip, viewers quickly noticed that Kirito and the crew sit down for a bite to eat in a familiar restaurant. It looks like the family restaurant Wagnaria from the manga and anime series Working!!! is still successful in the n...
Hidden 315Pro President Seeking 'Best Producer' for The IDOLM@STER SideM Anime
Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on Sunday that the guys of its The IDOLM@STER SideM video game series are getting their own anime series, questionable goatee and all. The series is a spin-off of the female idol franchise The IDOLM@STER where players take on the role of a male producer to get the girls into shape for a perfect performance. The producer of The IDOLM@STER SideM wasn't revealed i...
Musical Duo ClariS Briefly Reveals Identities at Budōkan Concert
The musical duo ClariS has managed to maintain an air of mystery in an industry full of idols. The original pair, Clara and Alice debuted in 2010 and for four years never appeared in front of their audience, even when they performed at the "2014 New Year's Festival Hajimari no Yokan…" event. Alice has since left and new member Karen was brought in to continue performing with Clara. Since Karen joi...
Black Butler Manga Creator Designs Anime's New Pumps
The shoe brand Tyake Tyoke revealed its new Black Butler: Book of Circus pumps for the Super Groupies online retailer on Friday. The shoes were developed based on Black Butler manga creator Yana Toboso's proposed design. The clothes of the anime's main characters Sebastian Michaelis and Ciel Phantomhive inspired the black-and-white and black-and-blue "short boots." Anime fans can maintain their o...
Assassination Classroom Actress Rena Takeda Promotes Kishuku Gakkō no Juliet Manga
Live-action Assassination Classroom actress Rena Takeda has signed on to star as Percia from the manga Kishuku Gakkō no Juliet (Boarding School's Juliet) manga in a series of ads. The three ads feature Takeda accepting a confession, gifting homemade cookies, and discussing her rosary. Romeo asks Percia out and claiming he will "change the world." Percia becomes flustered and tells him his notion i...
Minami Kamakura High School Girls Cycling Club Ita-Bike Prize Offered
Fans of Noriyuki Matsumoto's Minami Kamakura High School Girls Cycling Club (Minami Kamakura Kōkō Joshi Jitensha-Bu) manga can let the world know by hopping on an official itasha bike, you just have to win it first. The anime's official website announced on Tuesday that its Twitter followers can win a bike, a commemorative jersey and pants set, and signed theme song CDs. The 2010 GIANT DEFY3 bike ...
Rose of Versailles' Chocolate Campaign Manga Get Booklet Release
Riyoko Ikeda's two one-shot Rose of Versailles manga that she released for the Takashimaya department store's current Valentine's Day chocolate campaign are getting a booklet release. People who spend at least 5,000 yen (about US$44) at Takashimaya's Amour du Chocolat! event from February 11 until Valentine's Day will receive the "Original Mini Comic" while supplies last. Takashimaya department st...
Legendary Pro Gamer Daigo Gets His Own Statuette
Professional gamer Daigo Umehara (also known as "The Beast") has earned a formidable international reputation for his skill at fighting games, especially Street Fighter. He's broken numerous world records: most consecutive tournament wins (15), highest overall rank in Ultra Street Fighter IV (2187714), and most views for a competitive fighting game match (5,632,211), among others. He's now even e...
Museum of Kyoto to Honor Tōken Ranbu at Sengoku Era Exhibit
Also: art history event with idol singer Ayaka Wada
― The Museum of Kyoto, which focuses on Kyoto's rich history and artistic traditions, is planning an exhibit on the Sengoku, or Warring States, Era starting February 25. To expand interest, it's collaborating with one of the biggest works of historical fiction in contemporary Japan — Tōken Ranbu, a smartphone game-turned-anime about swords anth...
Dress Like Utena While Lounging Around at Home
Super Groupies offers Utena, Anthy-themed hoodies
― The outfits seen in Revolutionary Girl Utena may be stylish, but would you really want to wear those billowing gowns and tight uniforms when you don't have anyplace special to go? Enter Super Groupies, an apparel retailer aimed at anime and video game fans; its new clothes inspired by the 1997 classic anime will make you feel nostalgic and stylish ...
70-Year-Old Mother Gives Birth in Newly Published Manga
One of manga's favorite themes is fulfilling your dreams and being the best you can be, no matter what hardships and obstacles you face. It's mostly associated with shōnen or sports manga, but a new comic by Ryōsuke Time (pronounced as in English) puts a unique spin on it: it's about a 70-year-old giving birth. Seventy Uizan ("First Child at Seventy") has a fairly self-explanatory premise. Asakazu...
Love Live! Sunshine!! Sega Image Girl Selected
Love Live's Rin Hoshizora had a good run as the face of Sega, even promoting the company's Puyo Puyo puzzle game series. But there's a new Love Live series, and with that comes a new Sega PR girl. The official Love Live! Sunshine!! site announced that Hanamaru Kunikida will take over Rin's duties. An official collaboration image will be revealed later. Maru was chosen by a popularity vote. Perhaps...
Hyogo Theme Park Will Open This Summer with Tezuka, Shin-chan Themed Areas
Pasona Group Inc., a major staffing agency, announced on Monday that anime theme park will open on Hyogo prefecture's Awaji Island in July. Nijigennomori Park (literally 2D Forest Park) will have a section dedicated to Osamu Tezuka's Phoenix that comes to life at night and an athletic course based on Crayon Shin-chan. The project heads are expecting close to one million visitors per year after the...
'Yume-100' Smartphone RPG's Black Butler Collaboration Adds Ronald
The official Twitter account for the Yume Ōkoku to Nemureru 100-Nin no Ōji-sama (The Kingdom of Dreams and the 100 Sleeping Princes or "Yume-100" for short) smartphone puzzle role-playing game announced on Wednesday that its Kuroshitsuji: Book of the Atlantic (Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic) collaboration is adding the character Ronald Knox. The Retrieval Division Grim Reaper, voiced by Kenn, ...
Azumanga Daioh Voice Actress Tomoko Kaneda Announces Pregnancy
Voice actress Tomoko Kaneda (43) announced on the TBS television program Ningen Kansatsu Variety on Thursday that she is six months pregnant. The television segment's theme was "If an entertainer becomes a kindergarten teacher, the children will listen to what they say." Kaneda was on the program to prove or disprove the point and headed to a school with comedian Hirohisa Ota to find out. During t...
Hiroshi Kamiya Song to Come with Bonus Takuya Eguchi Doodle
Eguchi drew masterwork in 30 seconds
― On February 15, singer and voice actor Hiroshi Kamiya (Mr. Itoshiki in Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei, Riku in Arakawa Under the Bridge, Koyomi in Bakemonogatari) will release his new single, "Ism Rhythm." It will be download-only, and customers who buy the full-length version from animelo mix will get some nice bonuses. One, only available to three people chosen by ...
Original Godzilla, Director Higuchi Accept Shin Godzilla's Blue Ribbon Film Award
The Association of Tokyo Film Journalists held its 59th annual Blue Ribbon Awards ceremony at Tokyo's Iino Hall on Wednesday. The 2016 Blue Ribbon Award for Best Film went to Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi's Shin Godzilla film. A special guest appeared with Higuchi to accept the award. A not-so-giant version of the colossal monster Godzilla himself appeared to accept the honor. However, Internet ...
Mother-Daughter Pair Kikuko & Honoka Inoue Star in Pokémon Generations Episode
The "eternally 17-year-old" voice actress Kikuko Inoue (Fairy Tail's Minerva, Ah! My Goddess' Belldandy) and her actual teen daughter Honoka appeared together in a recent episode of the Pokémon Generations web anime. The show initially streamed on YouTube in English last year but recently received a Japanese dub. Kikuko and Honoka voice two background characters in episode 18--a mother and a daugh...
NBA Draft Completes Its 'Generation of Miracles,' More Kuroko Characters Picked
Kuroko's Basketball character Daiki Aomine and final Generation of Miracles member Daiki Aomine was picked to join the Cleveland Cavaliers are part of the ongoing collaboration between the NBA and Gekijōban Kuroko no Basuke Last Game. ANN readers guessed he'd be picked for teams ranging from the Portland Trailblazers to the New York Knicks. Staff officially commented that the Cavaliers were picked...
CG Doraemon Stars in Job Fair Commercial
"The interesting thing about the future is, you can change it"
― With his bottomless pocket of sophisticated gadgets and boundless optimism, Doraemon is a symbol of the possibilities of the future for many Japanese. This symbolism is being put to good use in a new commercial for My Navi 2018, a job information site. The commercial stars Yuina Kuroshima (Ju-on: The Final, Sakurada Reset, Aoi Honō) as ...
4th PriPara Film's Dance Video Teaches Choreography
The official website for the upcoming fourth PriPara film, Gekijōban PriPara: Mi~nna de Kagayake! Kirarin☆Star Live (PriPara The Movie: Everyone Shine! Kirarin Star Live), began streaming a dance video on Wednesday. Wa-Suta, the group performing the film's theme song "Just be yourself," star in the video to teach the choreography for a different song that will play during the film: "Pripara ☆ Rara...
Ten Count Manga's Aquarium Date Café Features AR Experience
Rihito Takarai's boys-love manga Ten Count is getting its own café in Harajuku's Area-Q café in Tokyo from March 10 to April 2. The "Double 10 Count - Secret Party" event celebrates the 10th anniversary of Takarai's debut as a manga creator. The event's theme is the aquarium date that Kurose and Shirotani have in the original manga. The café will feature an augmented-reality (AR) experience that o...
Kaneta Kimotsuki's Colleagues Remember Him Fondly at Memorial Service
Remembrances from Leiji Matsumoto, Masako Nozawa, and more
― On October 20, voice actor Kaneta Kimotsuki (Suneo in Doraemon, the conductor in Galaxy Express 999, Iyami in Osomatsu-kun) died of pneumonia at age 80. A meeting to reflect on his life was held on February 6 in the Tōbu Hotel in Shibuya, Tokyo. Over 200 friends, colleagues and acquaintances attended and honored his memory by reflecting on...
Pikotarō & Justin Bieber Finally Meet in Softbank Commercial
Also: new Pikotarō video delivers new insights on directions
― Pikotarō, the stage name of Japanese comedian Kazuhito "Daimaō" Kosaka, has become a worldwide hit with his bizarre viral music video "PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen)." The video caught on largely thanks to the Canadian heartthrob singer Justin Bieber, who shared it on his Twitter feed: My favorite video on the internethttps://t.co/oJOqMMy...
Haikyu!! Orchestra Concert Honors 3rd Season's Music This Month
The official website for the Haikyu!! Karasuno Kōkō VS Shiratorizawa Gakuen Kōkō television anime unveiled a visual on Monday for Haikyu!! Concert 2017. The image features Hinata and Kageyama in tailcoats instead of their typical volleyball uniforms. The Haikyu!! Special Orchestra will perform the anime series' music at the concert. The anime's composers Yuuki Hayashi and Asami Tachibana provided ...
Comprehensive Book Looks at Mecha, Toy Designer Katsushi Murakami's Career
When it comes to mecha toy design, few people have the credentials of Katsushi Murakami. The man's career spans decades and includes works ranging from Toei's Spider-Man to Super Dimensional Fortress Macross II: The Movie. Murakami was greatly influenced by the likes of Osamu Tezuka and famed sci-fi illustrator Shigeru Komatsuzaki. He worked under various roles for Bandai, worked independently, an...
Gudetama Helps Michael Bay's Transformers Get Lazy
The Sanrio New Product Exhibition SANRIO EXPO 2017 press event kicked off on Friday to show off some of the company's upcoming merchandise. One head-turning display combined Takara Tomy's Optimus Prime and Sanrio's lackadaisical Gudetama. The ennui-filled egg has already had success with Toho's Godzilla last year but is now moving on to another tent-pole franchise. The event displayed Optimus Pri...
Chara-Ani Previews Summer Uniform Asuna Figure Prototype
Kirito's partner in all things virtual reality is getting a new figure based on her appearance in the Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale anime film. Figure-maker CharaAni released 3D prototype images of Asuna in her school's summer uniform. The 1/7-scale figure is slated for release this summer. The figure's base gives the impression that Asuna is bouncing on water and will have a ripple effect. A p...
BPO Publishes Viewer Complaint About Scum's Wish Kiss Scene
Japan's Broadcasting Ethics and Program Improvement Organization (BPO) watchdog group recently published viewer complaints from January, one stemming from an "extreme kiss scene" in a late-night television anime. The complaint reads, "There was an extreme kiss scene with high school students in a television anime. It was a late-night timeslot, but it's not the kind of content to broadcast on a [re...
Catch Olympic Wrestler Saori Yoshida's Machamp in Japan This Month
Olympic wrestler Saori Yoshida is collaborating with Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon to release a special Machamp for the Nintendo 3DS games this month. This exclusive Machamp's moves include Double-Edge, Bulk Up, Strength, and Quick Guard. Machamp cannot learn Double-Edge during normal gameplay. Strength is the fighting-type monster's signature move in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon. "Saori's Machamp"...
Life-Size Super Sonico Figure Gets Office Lady Makeover
Nitroplus' buxom mascot Super Sonico is taking on the corporate world in a new life-size figure. Nitroplus artist Santa Tsuji shared images and a video of the figure's color sample test on Twitter. Sonico seems to be struggling with the phones, and the headphones aren't really helping. なめ回すように。 #すーぱーそに子 pic.twitter.com/BvoCRd5GEB— 津路参汰 ☆すーぱーそに子10周年☆ (@t_santa) February 7, 2017 ネイティブさんのドジっ娘OLそに子監修...
1-2-Switch Nintendo Switch Game's Videos Show Baby, Wizard, More Challenges
Nintendo's official Japanese website began streaming more promotional videos for its 1-2-Switch game for the Nintendo Switch on Tuesday. The below videos preview the following challenges in the game: Baby, Wizard, Telephone, Soda, Shaver, Runway, Liar Dice, Sword Fight, Joy-Con Rotation, Quick Draw, Milk, Beach Flag, Eating Contest, Count Balls, Shinken Shiraha-tori (Real Naked Sword Catching), Pi...
Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors Add Its Kuroko Players
Kuroko's Basketball characters Ryōta Kise and Atsushi Murasakibara signed on to their respective NBA teams as the Gekijōban Kuroko no Basuke Last Game collaboration continues on. The anime's official website announced that Ryōta joined the Golden State Warriors as #007 and Atsushi joined the Phoenix Suns as #009. 【NBA×劇場版黒子のバスケ】コラボビジュアル第5弾は黄瀬!コラボするチームは一昨年シーズンの40年ぶりの優勝から今最も勢いのあるチームのひとつ、ゴールデンステイト・ウォ...
Fans Choose Characters to Exchange Chocolate With on Valentine's Day
Like in many countries, Valentine's Day in Japan revolves around chocolate. Women in Japan give male coworkers, colleagues, classmates, or friends chocolate items on February 14. Then the men return the favor with presents on White Day, March 14. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, anime and manga fans are bound to daydream about impossible relationships they could have with imaginary cha...
Tensai Bakabon, More Manga Appear on Rice Wine Jars for Sake Exhibition
The "I Love Sake Nihonshu Maniac-haku in Tokyo" event is celebrating the culture of Japan's rice wine. Characters from Fujio Akatsuka's Tensai Bakabon manga will appear on the label for special One Cup Ozeki jarred sake exclusive to the event. The "Creators Design One Cup" sake will also feature original designs from Kazuo Umezu (Makoto-chan, Cat Eyed Boy), Moyoco Anno (The Diary of Ochibi-san, Su...
Yoshitaka Amano Draws Arthur for Monster Strike, Final Fantasy Collaboration
XFlag Studio announced on Tuesday that the Monster Strike smartphone role-playing game is collaborating with Square Enix to celebrate the Final Fantasy franchise's 30th anniversary. The collaboration launched a teaser website that features Final Fantasy artist Yoshitaka Amano's illustration of Monster Strike's King Arthur of the Knights of the Round Table. During the collaboration, Amano's illustr...
Celebrate Final Fantasy XV Character Ignis' Birthday With Official Paper Mask
The developers of Final Fantasy XV want fans to enjoy the game by doing more than just playing it. Ignis Scientia, childhood friend of the game's protagonist Noctis, celebrated his birthday this Tuesday, February 7. In honor of the skilled cook's special day, the official Twitter account for the game unveiled an Ignis birthday face mask. The mask is available for download here. Admirers of Ignis c...
Anime Characters for Tokyo Olympic Merchandise Revealed
Popular characters old and new included
― While the mascot character for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics remains a work in progress, the Japanese Olympic Committee and Japanese Paralympic Committee have unveiled the anime characters that will appear on licensed Olympic merchandise as ambassadors of Japanese culture. From left to right, they are Astro Boy, Sailor Moon, Shin-chan, Luffy (One Piece), Naruto, J...
Real Yuri!!! on Ice Makkachin Tissue Case, Pouches Previewed
Avex Pictures' merchandise brand as'mono revealed pictures of the real-world version of Victor's dog-shaped tissue case from Yuri!!! on Ice on Monday. The real tissue case is just as cute as its anime version and the poodle Makkachin who inspired it. as'mono announced on Monday that it is producing more tissue cases due to their popularity. The pre-order period for the new wave of production open...
Back to the Future: Untold Tales Comic Heads to Japan
Bob Gale's Back to the Future: Untold Tales graphic novels are getting a Japanese release. Takarajimasha's Kono Manga ga Sugoi! Comics imprint is releasing a compiled book volume on Wednesday. Yuusuke Murata (One Punch Man, Eyeshield 21 artist) contributed an original illustration for the wraparound jacket band on the book. The Japanese-language book includes nine chapters and retains the left-to-...
Do You Like Your Mom? Light Novel Sells 12,000 Copies in 9 Days
Whether due to its award or unique ad campaign, the light novel Do You Like Your Mom? Her Normal Attack is Two Attacks at Full Power is off to a good start. The debut novel sold over 12,889 copies in nine days since it was released on January 20, according to Oricon's rankings. It's currently ranked at #16. The story is about a high school boy transported to an RPG-like fantasy world with his moth...
Bushiroad Head: Idol Boom Is Over, Prepare for Band Boom
Card and video game maker Bushiroad launched it's BanG Dream! multimedia project about an all-female band in January 2015. According to the founder and president Takaaki Kidani, the company could be leading the vanguard for one of the latest trends in Japanese pop culture. Kidani said in his column on Bushiroad's official website, "I feel that the idol boom that has continued until now is already ...
Anime, Game Stars Come Out for Sapporo Snow Festival
This year's Sapporo Snow Festival has even more amazing displays. While the Final Fantasy VII sculpture is a definite must-see, the festival also offers renditions of popular celebrities, this year's Hatsune Miku, historical landmarks, and Star Wars' C3PO. The Hatsune Miku sculpture is the subject of a mini-light show that played every 30 minutes. The show plays the idol's theme song for 2017, "St...
Ram Gets Life-Size Statue, More Rem Figures in the Works
The life-size figure of Re:Zero's Rem is currently on display at the Gamers' head office in Akihabara to celebrate the character's birthday. February 2 wasn't just Rem's birthday, though. The character's twin sister Ram also shares the day but doesn't seem to garner as much attention. Life-size figure-maker FigureX announced on its blog on Monday that Ram is joining her sister. The company shared...
Kuroko Joins Spurs, Akashi Joins Lakers Roster in NBA Collaboration
Kuroko's Basketball characters Seijūrō Akashi and Tetsuya Kuroko signed on to their respective NBA teams as the Gekijōban Kuroko no Basuke Last Game collaboration continues on. The anime's official website announced that Kuroko joined the San Antonio Spurs as #011 and Akashi joined the Los Angeles Lakers as #004. 【NBA×劇場版黒子のバスケ】コラボビジュアル第3弾は黒子!コラボするチームはサンアントニオ・スパーズ!派手ではないけれど圧倒的チームワークと高い技術で安定した強さを見せ...
Final Fantasy VII's Cloud Strife Snow Sculpture Takes on Sephiroth in Sapporo
Every year, the Sapporo Snow Festival draws tourists with its amazing displays, including anime, manga, and video game inspired sculptures. This year, everyone is talking about Square Enix's Final Fantasy franchise, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Specifically, the company is working on the fan-favorite Final Fantasy VII remake. In Sapporo, the game's stoic protagonist Cloud is depicted...
J-World Tokyo Celebrates Naruto, Hinata's Wedding Novel with Cake
Namco's J-World Tokyo indoor theme park unveiled its "Naruto Shippūden Konoha Hiden: Shūgen Biyori in J-World Tokyo" event on Monday. The Naruto - Konoha Hiden: Shūgen Biyori (Naruto - Konoha Hidden Legend - A Good Day For a Wedding) novel is inspiring the event. The promotion will celebrate Naruto and Hinata's wedding from February 25 to April 2. The J-Patisserie shop inside the park will offer a...
Robot Performer Sought for Ancien and the Magic Tablet Preview Screening
Napping also part of job description
― Kenji Kamiyama's new film Ancien and the Magic Tablet will have a preview screening with its cast on February 27. To prepare for the event, organizers are looking for someone interested in playing Hearts, a robot with a role in the film. Hearts will greet guests and appear on stage with the cast. The other job description is simply "napping." Does Hearts look fa...
Yuri!!! on Ice's Yūri Katsuki Nendoroid Figure Unveiled
Orange Rouge unveiled its Yūri Katsuki Nendoroid figure on Wednesday. The company held a live streaming event to showcase the figure. This tiny version of anime fans' favorite fictional figure skater includes two faces and hairstyles to highlight Yūri's dorky and cool sides. The figure's accessories include Yūri's trademark blue-rimmed glasses, his cell phone with a poodle case, and his favorite f...
Idol Unit AŌP's New Member Auditions Call for Anime Fans
The idol unit AŌP is holding auditions for new members so that the group can expand its activities. The auditions are open to "people who like anime more than anything," and the group is accepting online or paper applications until February 28. Applicants must be between 15 and 23 years of age. They also must be able to participate in projects and lessons in and around Tokyo and its suburbs. The i...
Manga Creator-Turned-DJ Releases 1st Music Video
Manga creator Daisuke Nishijima (Dien Bien Phu) also has a successful career as his other alias, DJ Mahōtsukai (DJ Magician). He's recently begun collaborating with "underground idol" Tama Himeno and the duo are releasing their fourth single "Catacombe" on February 13. For the first time, Nishijima and Himeno released a music video for one of their songs. "Catacombe" is serving as the theme song f...
Nap With Natsume's Book of Friends' Nyanko-sensei Plush, Cushion This Spring
Banpresto's Ichiban Kuji prize lottery unveiled a series of Natsume's Book of Friends prizes on Thursday that feature Nyanko-sensei napping. The prize lottery will debut in mid-March, and its 620-yen (about US$6) prize tickets will be available at certain convenience, book, hobby, and Animate stores throughout Japan. Here are the prizes: A PrizeNap Nyanko-sensei plush B PrizeNyanko-sensei rest cu...
Girls Baseball Web Manga Hits It Out of the Park
After over 300,000 readers, manga gets free print edition
― In a medium inundated with content, it takes something special for a manga to catch readers' attention. This is especially true for web manga series that don't often have the benefit of being carried in a popular magazine. Karin no Mound, a series chronicling the journey of a high school girls' baseball team pursuing their dream of playing a...
Bring a Smile to Your Valentine with One Piece Chocolates
Oscar and Marie Antoinette aren't the only characters inspiring chocolates this month. The Straw Hat crew and other characters from One Piece will become edible chocolate sweets in collaboration with Tokyo Chocolate brand. The chocolates will go on sale at the Salon du Chocolat 2017 event at the Tokyo International Forum from February 2 to 5. There are two collections, the Luffy Collection and the...
Shikoku City Earns 1/2 of Last Year's Tax Receipts in 3 Days Thanks to Anime Posters
Part of "hometown tax" program
― In Japan, the "hometown tax" (furusato nōzei) program rewards citizens for paying their hometown taxes with deluxe gift items, usually food packages of the local specialties. Anime tie-ins, however, have drawn the attention of many a citizen with no connection to the city at all. Tokushima, a city in eastern Shikoku, leveraged its connections with ufotable (it has a s...
Meet Kure-shi, Kure's Crazy Mascot
Hiroshima's port city raises its profile
― If you're an obscure Japanese town trying to raise its national profile, one thing you've got to have is a cute mascot. These characters (yuru-chara, or "loose characters") have gained popularity across Japan due to their simple, appealing designs, catchy dance routines, and/or abundant merchandise. Some of them can get downright ridiculous, though, like the...
Stuffed Unico Plushies Are Bringing Magic to Arcades
Osamu Tezuka's classic character is reappearing in arcades as an adorable plush toy. He's only available in 16 amusement facilities throughout Japan, but his rarity is just all the more reason to seek him out. The larger plush toy measures 18cm (7in) high and comes in three different facial expressions and poses. Later this month, four Unico keychain plushies will debut, adding two more expressio...
Next Sailor Moon Gashapon is Moon Cosmic Scented
The latest Sailor Moon gashapon are sweet-smelling perfume bottles. The "Prism Perfume Bottle 2" gashapon line is adding to an earlier release that debuted in December. The original line-up of seven bottles included Sailor Moon, Chibi Moon, Princess Serenity, Sailor Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus. Like the previous line-up, the new perfume bottles measure approximately 55mm (2in) and holds sce...
Giant Elizabeth Plush is Redefining the Word 'Keychain'
Can an item still be called a keychain if it doesn't fit in either your purse or pocket? A new Elizabeth crane game prize from Banpresto is pushing the definition to its limits. The item will become available at Crane King game sites on February 14. The Gintama mascot character measures 60cm (2ft) long, making it more apt to drag on the ground than adequately hold on to keys. On the hand, it's ha...
Evangelion Theme Singer, Shin Godzilla Composer Collaborate on New Single
You'd have to have lived under a rock to have never heard "Cruel Angel's Thesis" by Yoko Takahashi. The song, despite being over 20 years old, is Japan's favorite anisong. Karaoke-goers still belt out the lyrics and the theme was recently selected to encourage otaku to get fit. Composer Shiro Sagisu also worked on the television anime and continues to collaborate with director Hideaki Anno. Anno a...
Akihabara Maid Gym Will Add Fanservice to Your Workout
Pump weights with help from a kind maid
― Are you struggling to keep up with your New Year's resolutions to shed a few kilos? Does going to the gym fill you with dread and anxiety? Does your stomach heave at the thought of all those sweaty socks and muscled beefcakes that could pummel you in a heartbeat? The Maid Gym Project understands these concerns, and is crowdfunding for a gym that alleviates th...
Manga Artist Has Awkward Experience at Family Restaurant
Partakes in Girls und Panzer campaign
― While we may be aware of how awesome anime is, it can be hard to forget that for most people, it's a bizarre and abstruse medium. Despite the existence of big anime-centered neighborhoods like Tokyo's Akihabara and Osaka's Den-Den Town, this holds true in Japan as well. Erotic manga artist Tsukasa Hijiri realized this recently while eating at the family restaur...
Japanese Pedestrians React to Wedding Bells for One Piece's Sanji
"She'd better have a big heart!"
― One Piece fans have been treated to a lot of backstory about Sanji's past in the past year — his full name, his heritage, and his betrothed. To get readers excited for the new One Piece volume (84), Shueisha's manga information website, s-manga.net, hit the streets to ask young pedestrians what they thought of Sanji's marriage. Many were surprised. Pedestrian 1...
Yuri!!! On Ice Choreographer, Voice Actors Will Host Figure Skating-Themed Event
Event will also livestream in theaters due to high demand
― Figure-skating choreographer Kenji Miyamoto and skater Akiko Suzuki will get Yuri on Ice fans in shape for the Grand Prix at an upcoming event. The "Yuri!!! on ICE ~Figure Skate o 100-Bai Tanoshimu Shūchū Kōgi~" event will teach fans about figure skating using footage from Yuri!!! on Ice. The event will also host creator Mitsurou Kubo and vo...
Lupin the 3rd Gets 50th Anniversary Mook
This year marks 50 years since Monkey Punch's unstoppable thief Lupin the Third began serialization in Weekly Manga Action magazine. A special mook (magazine book) looking back on decades of anime adaptations was released on Tuesday. Lupin the Third: Dai Kaibō includes five features. It contains a discussion of the changes in the anime's character designs and episode titles, an interview with Monk...
Hiroshi Kamiya, Daisuke Ono Pick Up Some Serious Bling During Radio Program
Duo buy watches valued at over US$4,000
― Voice actors Hiroshi Kamiya and Daisuke Ono recently visited the Evance high-end watch shop in Ginza, Tokyo for their Kamiya Hiroshi・Ono Daisuke Dear Girl~Stories~ radio program. The pair tried on watches and purchased their favorites during the visit. Evance's online shop has a special page showcasing all of the watches that featured on the program, but anim...
Japanese Video Rental Store Owner Has Truly Insane Gaming Setup
Plays Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest on 12 different accounts
― And you thought your room has too many electronics, or your media collection was bursting your home's seams? Wait until you see Kagura's new house. The manager of two branches of a Japanese video and game rental store chain, he came to light in 2012, when he was the subject of an article on a Japanese gaming website for his obsessive devot...
Arcade-goer Shows Off Crazy Taiko Skills
Namco's Taiko no Tatsujin (Taiko Master) arcade games are in the same vein as other popular rhythm games like Dance Dance Revolution and Para Para Paradise but never quite hit it off stateside compared to its popularity in Japan. Taiko no Tatsujin requires players to beat two drums in rhythm with the music, hitting either the center or outside. One player spotted at an arcade has put the time in t...
Osaka-based Voice Actor School in Court for Noise Complaints
Voice acting office Aoni Production has incurred the wrath of three of its neighbors in a nearby apartment complex. The Mainichi Shimbun reported that three apartment dwellers have filed an injunction against the office's voice actor training school in Osaka District Court claiming that the noise has infringed on their rights to live a peaceful life. The voice actor training studio is located in t...
Sanrio's Kirimi-chan Shows Some Skin in 'Virgin-Killing Sweater'
The "virgin-killing sweater" trend has taken over pixiv and attracted commentary from voice actor Takuya Eguchi. While Eguchi suggests a real killing device, Sanrio sent over its fishy popstar Kirimi-chan to give the outfit a try. The mascot character shows a little more skin the usual, giving Gudetama's butt a run for its money. どう…かな…? pic.twitter.com/45DKF7Yw8O— KIRIMIちゃん.【公式】 (@kirimi_sanrio) ...
'Anywhere Door' VR Experience, Ice Rink, Cafe Celebrate 37th Doraemon Film
The Tokyo Solamachi shopping and entertainment complex announced details on Friday about its collaboration with Eiga Doraemon: Nobita no Nankyoku Kachi Kochi Daibōken (Doraemon the Movie 2017: Great Adventure in the Antarctic Kachi Kochi), the 37th film in the Doraemon franchise. The collaboration will feature a new virtual reality experience based on Doraemon's "Dokodemo Door" (Anywhere Door), an...
Suzaku, Lelouch Get Matching Ring Sets, Necklaces
While fans eagerly await the Code Geass sequel, Bandai is teaming up with high-end shoe designer Jimmy Choo and his son Danny Choo to kick off merchandise celebrating the show's 10th anniversary. However, shoes and Smart Dolls aren't all Bandai has planned. The company is collaborating with jewelry brand The Kiss to create a number of rings, earrings, and necklaces inspired by the series' charact...
For all articles, see the archives