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review

The Betrayal Knows My Name Sub.DVD

This sub-only release hides an enjoyable dark fantasy that's lighter on the BL than you might expect. Rebecca Silverman dives deeper. ― Originally released in 2010 and based on a manga whose English release has been on hiatus until this coming July, The Betrayal Knows My Name at first seems like an odd choice for a DVD release. It's clear that Funimation was a bit trepidatious about it as well – this...
column

Shelf Life - Is the Order a Rabbit? season 2

Paul returns to the Rabbit House cafe for some more light and fluffy comedy, along with a breakdown of all this week's new anime releases, and a production cel-heavy Shelf Obsessed entry! ― I know that the scheduling is probably just a coincidence, but I really like how My Hero Academia gets new episodes early in the morning on Saturdays. Watching it while I eat breakfast gets me all nostalgic for t...
review

Revolutionary Girl Utena [Complete Box Set] GN 1-5

It may not hold up quite as well as its animated counterpart, but Chiho Saito's original manga is still an interesting read in its own right. Rebecca Silverman breaks down this deluxe edition release. ― Despite being created simultaneously by the creative collective Be-Papas, Revolutionary Girl Utena's manga version, written and drawn by Chiho Saito, predates its anime version by roughly a year. Whil...
review

BAKEMONOGATARI: Monster Tale Novel 1

While this book makes a fine treat for Monogatari diehards, it might not be the best place to start the franchise. Nick Creamer explains. ― It's something of a truism in fandom circles that “the original is always better.” Whether it's your favorite comic being adapted into a TV series, or your favorite novel being adapted into a film, the source material generally earns a kind of assumed reverence. ...
column

The List - 7 Eras of Japanese History as Told Through Anime

Beyond the many anime set in fantasy worlds and high school, some series cover an enormous swath of Japan's history in ways both mundane and fantastical! Plus, vote on next week's List subject in this week's poll! ― Hmm, yes. It's about time for the "con crud" to kick in. Sadly, I am laid up with some sort of horrid nauseous stomach that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. In place of a new list, I p...
review

School-Live! GNs 4-6

School-Live's mix of cute girl moe and zombie survival horror continues to make it a stand-out of both genres. Rebecca Silverman explains how these three volumes differ from the anime's conclusion. ― It's been clear that the anime adaptation of School-Live! differed from its source material for a while now, and two of these three volumes continue to make that evident – books four and five were covere...
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Wednesday, May 3

news

Nippon Ichi Software's Exile Election Game Inspires Stage Play

PS4/Vita game follows 12 characters trapped in death game ― The official Twitter account for Nippon Ichi Software's Tsuihō Senkyo (Exile Election) game announced on Thursday that a stage play based on the game has been greenlit. The play will run from August 23-27 at Shinjukumura Live in Tokyo. Guiya Ohda is writing the script. The play will feature characters that appear in the game as well as origi...
interest

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Utsutsu VR Experience Runs in Tokyo in May

From involvement in games to videos to adult content to toys, virtual-reality technology is receiving a lot of buzz lately. Now Ryukishi07's Higurashi no Naku Koro ni game and franchise is inspiring a new project in the world of VR. An official website for the "Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Utsutsu" ("VR When They Cry... Utsutsu") VR experience opened on Saturday. The project will hold an event in Tok...
news

Live-Action IDOLM@STER.KR Show's Trailer Streamed

1st episode available with English subtitles on Amazon Prime ― The official Japanese website for the live-action THE IDOLM@STER.KR television series began streaming a Japanese-subtitled trailer on Thursday. The series began airing in South Korea's SBS Plus, SBS funE, and SBS MTV channels on Friday. The series will have 24 episodes and will air weekly. The series is also streaming simultaneously on Am...
news

Blade of the Immortal Live-Action Film Opens at #6

Teiichi no Kuni opens at #4, Kami-sama Minarai: Himitsu no Cocotama at #10 Meitantei Conan Kara Kurenai no Love Letter (Detective Conan: Crimson Love Letter), the 21st Detective Conan (Case Closed) anime film, stayed at #2 at the Japanese box office in its third weekend, below Disney's live-action Beauty and the Beast film (which opened last week at #1). The newest Detective Conan film is expected ...
news

My Neighbor Seki's Takuma Morishige to Launch New Manga Series

Short manga about voice actress with hidden side launches in June ― This year's June issue of Kadokawa's Comic Flapper magazine announced on Tuesday that Takuma Morishige will launch a short manga series tentatively titled Boku no Shitteru Personality (My Known Personality) in the next issue on June 5. The manga (pictured right in image to the right) is about a voice actress with a hidden side. The m...

Tuesday, May 2

interest

Anime Music Industry Members Discuss the Past 10 Years

Lantis chief producer Shigeru Saitō (Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya, Free! - Iwatobi Swim Club music producer) appeared on the 316th episode of composer Tomokazu Tashiro (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Dusk maiden of Amnesia theme songs) and musician Tomoya Tabuchi's (member of the band Unison Square Garden) Tacchi Radio podcast that debuted on Saturday. The group discussed the past ten years ...
interest

Street Fighter V DLC Stage Temporarily Pulled to Remove Islamic Chant in BGM

Background music for a newly added Street Fighter V stage saw the stage pulled nearly as quickly as it was released. On April 25, Capcom released DLC for the game that included "Capcom Pro Tour" costumes and the "Temple Hideout" stage. The stage had a Thai motif and took place in a Buddhist temple. The background music that included chanting, but it was Islamic. Fans theorized that the stage was p...
news

'your name.' Anime Film Earns US$4.5 Million in N. America

Ghost in the Shell earned US$436,328 in 5th weekend ― The Box Office Mojo website updated its box office estimates for the your name. anime film through April 30. The film earned about US$206,689 at 123 theaters in the United States and Canada over the weekend of April 28-30 to rank #30. The film has earned an estimated total of US$4,479,066 in the United States and Canada after four weeks in theater...
interest

Yu Yu Hakushō, Monster Strike Collaboration Gets New Commercials

A new series of commercials featuring the collaboration between anime Yu Yu Hakusho and mobile game Monster Strike began airing in Japan on Tuesday. Famous Japanese comedian Naoki Matayoshi appeared in the previous commercial as Elder Toguro. The new commercials add Elder Sister Toguro played by comedian Oniyakko Tsubaki, Mother Toguro played by Hisako Manda, Father Toguro played by Jun Miura, and...
news

In Another World With My Smartphone TV Anime's 1st Promo Shows Animation

Character designs revealed for summer series ― An official website for the television anime of Patora Fuyuhara's In Another World With My Smartphone (Isekai wa Smartphone to Tomo ni.) light novel series opened on Tuesday and unveiled the first promotional video. The video confirms the main cast. The website also revealed designs for the main characters. The staff will share information on the cast an...
news

Funimation Reveals English Dub Cast for The Royal Tutor Anime

Micah Solusod stars in dub premiering tonight ― Funimation revealed the English dub cast list for The Royal Tutor on Tuesday. The cast for the first two episodes — under ADR director Tia Ballard, ADR engineer James Baker, mixing engineer Adrian Cook, and writer Samuel Wooley — is as follows: Micah Solusod as Heine Wittgenstein Alejandro Saab as Leonard Von Glanzreich Christopher Wehkamp as Bruno Von...
news

Sanrio's Deeky & Carina Anime Shorts Premiere May 7

Anime about wolf & squirrel in band stars Takuya Eguchi, Arisa Date ― TV Osaka's website for the Japan Countdown television music program unveiled the title and details for its short anime series collaboration with Sanrio on Sunday. The series, titled Deeky & Carina, will premiere on May 7. It will have 45-second episodes. The story follows the squirrel Carina, who seems sweet but actually has a foul...
interest

Game Maker Rejet's Latest Project is Undead Musical CDs

Otome game maker Rejet has released games starring sadistic vampires (Diabolik Lovers), flamboyant singing demons (Dance with Devils), and mechanized band members (Scar-red Rider XechS). The company's latest project is a drama and musical CD combo all about another kind of lovers from the dark side: undead. Rejet announced its next foray into the non-living romance genre on April 28 on the Otome n...
news

North American Anime, Manga Releases, April 30-May 6

Grimgar, Ashes and Illusions, Nurse Witch Komugi R, The Red Turtle anime; Dragon Ball Super, Dreamin' Sun, Hatsune Miku Bad End Night, My Brother's Husband manga ship ― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Garo: Crimson Moon Part 2 BD/DVDPlease Funimation Entertainment US$64.98 May 2 Grimgar, Ashes and Illusions Limited Edition BD/DVDCite Funimation Entertainment US$84.98 May 2...
news

Goodnight Punpun, Orange, The Osamu Tezuka Story, Princess Jellyfish, Wandering Island Nominated for Eisner Awards

Takeshi Obata art book also nominated ― The 2017 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards panel of judges announced its nominees for the best works in the comic book industry on Tuesday. Five manga titles are vying for the Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia award: Goodnight Punpun Volumes 1-4 Inio Asano Viz Media Translated by JN PRoductions orange The Complete Collection volumes 1-2 Ichigo Ta...
news

Crowdfunding Opens for Animation Based on Vivaldi's The Four Seasons

Koji Yamamura supervises project with international animators ― The "Four Seasons Video Concert Executive Committee" began a crowdfunding project on the "Ready for" website on Monday to fund animation based on Antonio Vivaldi's classical concerto series The Four Seasons. The project is seeking to raise 5,000,000 yen (about US$44,604) by June 30. Koji Yamamura (Mt. Head, Muybridge's Strings director) ...
interest

Takahiro Sakurai Promotes Apartment Complex as Butler Chipmunk

Many people moving into new places ask their prospective neighbors about the area before deciding on a new home. Humans can probably provide the best advice for fellow people seeking to move into a new apartment. But if we could talk to them, local animals would also provide unique bird's-eye—or chipmunk's-eye—perspectives on living spaces. UR Toshi Kikō is combining a mammalian point of view with...
ep. review

SukaSuka ‒ Episode 4

"While I'm starting to miss that initial feeling of mystery, SukaSuka is at least doing a reasonable job of broadening its fictional world."
news

2nd Ninja Girl & Samurai Master Anime Season Announces More Cast

Junichi Suwabe, Kouji Ishii, Takeshi Maeda, Hiroshi Takahashi, Fukushi Ochiai ― The staff of the second season of the Ninja Girl & Samurai Master (Nobunaga no Shinobi) television anime based on Naoki Shigeno's four-panel manga announced five new characters and cast members at a talk show event on Tuesday. Voice actors Inori Minase (voice of Chidori) and Kappei Yamaguchi (Hideyoshi) and director Akita...
ep. review

Grimoire of Zero ‒ Episode 4

"How odd that Grimoire of Zero's least eventful episode to date would end up being one of its most endearing."
news

Bandai Namco Entertainment Streams 1st Trailer for Code Vein RPG

Post-apocalyptic RPG slated for 2018 ― Bandai Namco Entertainment America began streaming the first full trailer for its upcoming action RPG Code Vein with English subtitles on Tuesday. The video introduces the premise and setting for the game. The video description includes an updated summary for the game: In the not too distant future, a mysterious disaster has brought collapse to the world as we k...

Funimation Reveals English Dub Casts for WorldEnd, Sakura Quest Anime

Micah Solusod, Amber Lee Connors star in WorldEnd; Alexis Tipton stars in Sakura Quest ― Funimation revealed the English dub cast lists for WorldEnd: What are you doing at the end of the world? Are you busy? Will you save us? and Sakura Quest on Monday. The English dub for WorldEnd premiered on Monday at 9:30 p.m. EDT. The cast — under ADR director Alexis Tipton, assistant director Jeannie Tirado, an...
interest

Love Live! Character Designer Yūhei Murota Welcomes Baby

Character designer and key animator Yūhei Murota announced on May 1 that he became a father to an "adorable" son. 実はパパになってました可愛いぞマイサン… pic.twitter.com/lg10Hjs8e4— 室田雄平(犬画像bot?) (@muromuromurota) May 1, 2017 Murota is the character designer and lead animator for the popular Love Live! franchise. He has also worked as an animator on Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096, Interviews with Monster Girls, ...
ep. review

Yowamushi Pedal New Generation ‒ Episode 17

"It's another week of brewing tensions and rivalries before our teams hit the road."
daily briefs

Shirobako Anime's Website Updated With 'Under Construction' Sign

The front page of the official Shirobako anime website updated on Tuesday with a graphic that reads "under construction." The other pages of the website still work as normal. The official Twitter stated that there are no announcements yet, but the staff would like to do various things, such as more talk shows. The staff held the "Shirobako Talk Show vol.5" event on Tuesday, and producer Takayuki N...
news

Live-Action Blade of the Immortal Film's Trailer Shows Manji, Makie Battling

Film featuring Erika Toda as Makie opened on Saturday ― Warner Brothers began streaming a Manji and Makie battle trailer for the live-action film of Hiroaki Samura's Blade of the Immortal "neo period drama" manga on Tuesday. The video previews the film's theme song "Live to Die Another Day ~Sonzai Shōmei~" (Live to Die Another Day ~Proof of Existence~) by Miyavi. The film's staff also revealed two st...
news

Food Wars! Original Anime DVD's 3rd Promo Video Streamed

DVD ships with 25th manga volume on July 4 ― The official website for the Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma television anime began streaming the third promotional video for the new Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma original anime DVD (OAD) on Tuesday. The video features the members of the Council of Ten. The website began streaming the OAD's second promotional video in March. Akira Ishida will play the council...
news

Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry's Video Previews Polka Dots' Theme Song

Anime film opens in 17+ countries in May ― The official website for the Fairy Tail: Dragon Cry anime film began streaming a web-only theme song promotional video on Tuesday. The video previews the film's theme song "What You Are" performed by two-member unit Polka Dots. The musical duo is composed of i☆Ris member Himika Akaneya and Mimi Meme MIMI member Yuki Takao. Polka Dots previously performed an ...
news

Valkyrie Drive -Bhikkhuni- Game Gets PC Release via Steam

PC version updated in 1080p, 60FPS ― Marvelous Europe announced on Tuesday that it will release Valkyrie Drive -Bhikkhuni- for PC via Steam this summer. Marvelous began streaming an announcement trailer: (Note: Video may not be safe for work.) The PC version is remastered in 1080p and 60FPS. All DLC previously released for PlayStation Vita will also be available for purchase on PC, either separately ...
anime now

A Closer Look at the New Digimon Exhibit in Tokyo

It's the 20th anniversary of Digimon and if you're in Japan, you can celebrate it by visiting the the "Digimon Adventure: The Real World" exhibit.
review

The Betrayal Knows My Name Sub.DVD

This sub-only release hides an enjoyable dark fantasy that's lighter on the BL than you might expect. Rebecca Silverman dives deeper. ― Originally released in 2010 and based on a manga whose English release has been on hiatus until this coming July, The Betrayal Knows My Name at first seems like an odd choice for a DVD release. It's clear that Funimation was a bit trepidatious about it as well – this...
news

Welcome to the Ballroom Anime's Video Previews Unison Square Garden Song

Akagi siblings' character designs revealed ― The official website for the television anime of Tomo Takeuchi's Welcome to the Ballroom manga began streaming the fourth promotional video for the series on Tuesday. The video previews the insert song "Tettōtetsubi Yonayona Drive" (Through and Through, Night After Night Drive) performed by Unison Square Garden. The website also revealed character designs ...
news

Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, April 24-30

Granblue Fantasy sold 6,111, followed by Yuri!!! on Ice, Touken Ranbu musical, Momoiro Clover Z, Black Butler musical ― The musical Touken Ranbu ~Shinken Ranbu Sai 2016~ landed at #6 with 7,301 copies on the overall Blu-ray Disc chart. Momoiro Clover Z's "Momoiro Christmas 2016 ~Mafuyu no Sansan Summer Time~ Live" DVD Box sold 4,558 copies to debut at #8. The musical Black Butler ~Noah's Ark Circus~ ...

Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, April 24-30

Yuri!! on Ice sells 32,901, followed by Granblue Fantasy, Momoiro Clover Z, Black Butler musical, KonoSuba 2 ― Momoiro Clover Z's "Momoiro Christmas 2016 ~Mafuyu no Sansan Summer Time~ Live" Blu-ray Box sold 13,213 copies to debut at #4 on the overall Blu-ray Disc chart. The musical Touken Ranbu ~Shinken Ranbu Sai 2016~ landed at #7 with 8,823 copies. Dempagumi.inc's "Bakushin Arena Tour 2017 Denpa R...
news

Teekyū Season 9's Visual, Song Artists, July Premiere Revealed

Yui Ogura, Kaori Ishihara, Ryota Ohsaka, Eri Kitamura also return for new season ― The official website for the television anime of Piyo and Roots' Teekyū manga revealed the ninth anime season's visual, theme song artists, and July premiere on Tuesday. The site also confirms the return of cast members Yui Ogura as Tomarin, Kaori Ishihara as Udonko Kondō, Ryota Ohsaka as Yōta Oshimoto, and Eri Kitamur...
news

Cross Infinite World Licenses Akaoni, I Became the Secretary of a Hero! Light Novels

Yusen Ruten: An Era of Red manga also licensed ― North Amerian publisher Cross Infinite World announced on Monday that it has licensed the Akaoni: Contract with a Vampire and I Became the Secretary of a Hero! light novel series, as well as the Yusen Ruten: An Era of Red manga. Cross Infinite World describes author Hiroro and illustrator Mokoppe's Akaoni: Contract with a Vampire light novel series: Lo...
news

Kakegurui - Compulsive Gambler Anime Casts Miyuki Sawashiro

Sawashiro plays student council president Kirari Momobami in July series ― The official website for the television anime of Homura Kawamoto and Tōru Naomura's Kakegurui - Compulsive Gambler manga announced on Tuesday that it has cast Miyuki Sawashiro as student council president Kirari Momobami. The previously announced cast includes: Saori Hayami as Yumeko Jabami Minami Tanaka as Meari Saotome Tatsu...
news

Magical Girl Comedy Net Anime Seizei Gambare Mahō Shōjo Kurumi Revealed

Summer anime stars Yuu Hayashi, Wataru Hatano, Takuma Terashima, Yurika Kubo, Seki Futoshi ― Abema TV announced that it will premiere a new gag comedy net anime titled Seizei Gambare Mahō Shōjo Kurumi (Do Your Best Magical Girl Kurumi) in the streaming service this summer. The anime centers around Kurumi Azuchimomoyama, a normal 14-year-old girl who attends Egaogaoka Middle School. One day, an angel ...
news

Iwaihime: Matsuri Horror Game's Promo Video Streamed

PS4/Vita port of Ryukishi07's PC game ships July 20 in Japan ― Nippon Ichi Software began streaming a promotional video for Iwaihime: Matsuri, its PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita port of DMMGames and Ryukishi07's Iwaihime PC horror game, on Thursday. The video shows visuals by character designer Kina Kazuharu and background designer mocha. The game will ship in Japan on July 20. The port contains ...

Monday, May 1

interest

Kemono Friends Character Designer Draws Tsuchinoko for Yearly Festival

As an island nation, Japan has some unique flora and fauna exclusive to its geography. You've probably heard of tanuki, Japanese macaque, and the presumed extinct Hokkaido wolf. But have you heard of the tsuchinoko (literally, "child of hammer"), Japan's popular Unidentified Mysterious Animal (UMA)? This creature of folklore is described as an elusive serpent and, depending on the legend, enjoys b...
news

Operation Babel: New Tokyo Legacy Game's English-Subtitled Trailer Introduces Characters

PS Vita/PC game slated for May 16 ― NIS America began streaming a character trailer for its release of Experience Inc.'s Operation Babel: New Tokyo Legacy dungeon role-playing game on Monday. The video introduces the characters Alice Mifune, Noriko Hibino, ILITH, Kieru, and Hikaru Nanase. NIS America will release Operation Babel: New Tokyo Legacy on PlayStation Vita and PC via Steam on May 16. The ga...
news

Sasuga no Sarutobi Ninja Action Manga Returns After 33 Years

"Love comedy" ninja manga inspired anime in 1982 ― This year's June issue of Shogakukan's Monthly Hero's manga magazine announced on Monday that Fujihiko Hosono's Sasuga no Sarutobi manga will receive a revival beginning in this year's July issue on June 1. The new work's title is Sasuga no Sarutobi G, where the "G" stands for the "global" approach the manga will take. Like the original love comedy m...
interest

Soap Opera of Grape, the Zoo Penguin in Love with Kemono Friends Character

The hit series Kemono Friends has had a predominately positive effect with its recent zoo collaborations. The influx of visitors raised money for area zoos while its own line of original cookies donated proceeds to benefit Kumamoto City Zoo, which was damaged in the Kumamoto earthquake in 2016. These collaborations have included original goods and character cut-outs in the animal exhibits. All in ...
news

Twin Actors Manpei Takagi, Shinpei Takagi Leave Entertainment Industry

Actors had roles in live-action Ouran High School Host Club, Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V anime ― Twin actors Manpei Takagi and Shinpei Takagi announced on their respective blogs on Sunday that they are leaving the entertainment industry. Both actors posted the same message. They have been considering this decision since last year, and they have decided to end their acting careers after age 30 in order to pursue ...
interest

Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2D Fan Game Gets Taken Down

If there's one thing fans can reliably count on, it's Nintendo sending a DMCA notice to makers of fan games based on the company's properties. The latest victim is Winter Drake, the developer behind "Zelda: Breath of the NES," a combo of Nintendo's latest The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for Nintendo Switch and the classic graphics of the original Legend of Zelda. The project was inspired b...
news

Kakegurui - Compulsive Gambler Anime Casts Ayaka Fukuhara, Mayu Udono

Both voice actors play student council members in series premiering in July ― The official website for the television anime of Homura Kawamoto and Tōru Naomura's Kakegurui - Compulsive Gambler manga announced two more cast members on Sunday and Monday. Ayaka Fukuhara will play the student council secretary Sayaka Igarashi, and Mayu Udono will play the student council officer Runa Yomozuki. Ayaka Fuku...
interest

42-cm Femto Figure from Max Factory is Nearly US$1,000

Griffith's villainy is larger than life. Figure maker Max Factory is releasing a new rendition of his Femto persona that, at 42cm tall (16.5in), puts his evil on display. Slated for September, the figure costs 98,000 yen (US$876). He stands atop a burst crimson Behelit and a pile of corpses and monstrous body parts. His God Hand version is intricately detailed in shades of dark purple. Good Smile...
daily briefs

Kaiji VR 'Steel Beam Crossing' Game Delayed to July

Game developer Solid Sphere announced on Friday that Kaiji VR ~Zetsubō no Tekkotsu Watari~ (Kaiji VR ~Steel Beam Crossing of Despair~), its PlayStation VR game based on Nobuyuki Fukumoto's Kaiji manga, has been delayed due to "various circumstances." The game is now slated for July in Japan. Solid Sphere initially announced a winter 2016 release date. In its notice about the delay, the company sai...
interest

Color Version of Yuri on Ice's Victor Figure Introduced by VA Junichi Suwabe

MegaHouse's previously teased Yuri!!! on Ice's Victor figure for the company's GEM line was revealed in last week's issue of Monthly Hobby Japan. Buyers who couldn't pick up a copy can still get a detailed look thanks to none other than Victor himself, Junichi Suwabe. While in character, he adds humorous comments. Suwabe can be heard stating that Victor's hips are "Amazing!" while his hand posture...
interest

Japanese Google Doodle Honors Late Cat Stationmaster on 18th Birthday

If you accessed the Google search engine on April 29, you may have a noticed a particularly cute calico cat playing with a toy train. The Doodle was viewable to countries outside of North America. The Google Doodle was drawn by Lydia Nichols and celebrated what would have been Wakayama stationmaster Tama's 18th birthday. The head of Kishi Station passed away in 2015. The cat was acknowledged for b...
news

Katsugeki! Touken Ranbu Anime Reveals 8 Designers for 8 Characters

Also: Junko Minagawa, Takuma Nagatsuka join cast ― The staff of the Katsugeki! Tōken Ranbu (Action Picture! Touken Ranbu) television anime series announced eight character designers at a preview screening of the first episode on Monday. Each character designer is handling the animation design for a different character: Toko Uchimura, designing Izuminokami Kanesada Moe Tsuzuki, designing Mutsunokami Y...
ep. review

Atom The Beginning ‒ Episode 3

"If Atom The Beginning can even out its storytelling, this episode shows us that there is real potential for its future."
interest

Details, Collaboration Visuals Released for Kyoto International Manga Anime Fair 2017

New information and collaboration visuals have been released for this year's Kyoto International Manga and Anime Fair (Kyomaf). Kyomaf 2017 will take place from September 16 - 17 at the Miyakomesse Exhibition Hall and the Kyoto International Manga Museum. This year's "official supporter" will be special guest Haruka Yoshimura, who voices Mika Jōgasak in the The IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls franchi...
news

Monster Strike Smartphone Game's English Version Shuts Down in August

Monster-slinging RPG launched in N. America in 2014 ― The official English website for the Monster Strike mobile action role-playing game announced on Monday that the English version of the game will shut down on August 1. The staff said that the English version did not become the success they had hoped, and maintaining the game "at a satisfactory level has become difficult, no matter how much we wan...
ep. review

Alice & Zoroku ‒ Episode 5

"This week, Alice & Zoroku wraps up its first major story arc with a full-blown action extravaganza."
daily briefs

2nd Full Metal Panic Site Removes Fall Listing for New TV Anime

Fujimi Shobo's official website listing for its various light novel series no longer lists a fall release for the upcoming Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory television anime. The website had listed a fall 2017 release window at least as recently as April 14. The website removed the listing between then and April 30. The official website for the anime itself also removed its "this fall" listing f...
column

Answerman - What Are Those Flavored Breads In Japanese School Lunches?

Take a magical, carbohydrate-filled journey through the incredible world of delicious Japanese baked goods with Justin Sevakis. ― Evan asks: Several depictions of school life in Anime/Manga make reference to what I can only describe as "flavored bread" being sold at the cafeteria with students complaining and or worrying that they'll be out of x-flavor if they're late. E.g. In Ranma 1/2, the entire ...
column

Shelf Life - Is the Order a Rabbit? season 2

Paul returns to the Rabbit House cafe for some more light and fluffy comedy, along with a breakdown of all this week's new anime releases, and a production cel-heavy Shelf Obsessed entry! ― I know that the scheduling is probably just a coincidence, but I really like how My Hero Academia gets new episodes early in the morning on Saturdays. Watching it while I eat breakfast gets me all nostalgic for t...
news

A Centaur's Life Anime Casts Seria Fukagawa, Yūki Kuwahara, Haruka Shiraishi

Yuna Kamakura, Yuu Ayase also star in July TV anime ― The official website for the anime adaptation of Kei Murayama's A Centaur's Life (Centaur no Nayami or Centaur's Worries) manga revealed the five main cast members and two new characters on Monday. Seria Fukagawa as Himeno Kimihara, a centaur girl. She has a gentle personality. She is at an age where she is anxious about the size of her chest and ...
review

Revolutionary Girl Utena [Complete Box Set] GN 1-5

It may not hold up quite as well as its animated counterpart, but Chiho Saito's original manga is still an interesting read in its own right. Rebecca Silverman breaks down this deluxe edition release. ― Despite being created simultaneously by the creative collective Be-Papas, Revolutionary Girl Utena's manga version, written and drawn by Chiho Saito, predates its anime version by roughly a year. Whil...
news

Kayac, SIEJA, Aniplex Produce Kizumonogatari VR Video Experience

PlayStation VR projection mapping video debuts on May 20 ― Aniplex began streaming a promotional video on Monday for the Kizumonogatari VR projection mapping video experience. The video previews the experience for PlayStation VR that features the vampire character Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade. (Note: The first video below can't be viewed in the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, and S...
anime now

We Saw Upcoming Cyberpunk Anime Film BLAME!

And it's basically Ghost in the Shell meets Mad Max.
news

Eto Mori's DIVE!! Novels Get New Manga Adaptation

Novels also inspire anime adaptation slated for July ― The June issue of Kadokawa's Young Ace magazine is revealing on Tuesday that Eto Mori's youth novel series DIVE!! is inspiring a new manga series that will premiere in the magazine in its July issue on June 2. Ruzuru Akashiba is drawing the manga, Mori is credited with the original work, and Suzuhito Yasuda (Yozakura Quartet manga creator, charac...
daily briefs

Shinjirō's Fate/Zero Manga Gets Extra Chapter on June 2

The June issue of Kadokawa's Young Ace magazine is revealing on Tuesday that Shinjirō's Fate/Zero manga is getting a "bangaihen" (extra) chapter in the July issue on June 2. The main manga is ending in the June issue on Tuesday. The manga previously revealed that its 14th compiled book volume would be the last. Shinjirō launched the manga in Kadokawa's Young Ace magazine in 2011. Kadokawa publishe...
news

SHAFT, Shunji Iwai's 'Fireworks' Anime Film Gets Manga Adaptation

Granblue Fantasy's Makoto Fūgetsu draws manga premiering on June 2 ― The June issue of Kadokawa's Young Ace magazine is revealing on Tuesday that the anime film adaptation of director Shunji Iwai's 1993 live-action drama Uchiage Hanabi, Shita Kara Miru ka? Yoko Kara Miru ka? (Fireworks, Should We See It From the Side or the Bottom?) is itself getting a manga adaptation. The manga will debut in the Ju...
news

Seraph of the End: Guren Ichinose: Catastrophe at Sixteen Novels Get Manga Adaptation

Also: main manga series has 7 million copies in print ― The June issue of Kodansha's Monthly Shonen Magazine is revealing on Tuesday that Takaya Kagami, Yamato Yamamoto, and Daisuke Furuya's Seraph of the End (Owari no Seraph) manga is getting a spinoff manga titled Owari no Seraph: Ichinose Guren, 16-sai no Catastrophe (Seraph of the End: Guren Ichinose: Catastrophe at Sixteen) starting in the magaz...
daily briefs

Hayao Miyazaki Has Only Drawn 20 Minutes of Storyboards for Proposed Feature Film

Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki revealed more details about director Hayao Miyazaki's proposed feature film at the Niconico Chōkaigi 2017 convention on Saturday. Miyazaki is drawing the storyboards for the project now, and has been since last July. However, Suzuki then said that Miyazaki has only drawn 20 minutes of storyboards so far, which is not a good sign of progress toward the previousl...
news

SCREEN mode Performs Vatican Miracle Examiner Anime's Opening Theme

Nobuhiko Okamoto, Junichi Suwabe star in series premiering in July ― The official website for the anime adaptation Rin Fujiki's Vatican Miracle Examiner (Vatican Kiseki Chōsakan) mystery novel series revealed on Sunday that SCREEN mode will perform the show's opening theme song "Mysterium." SCREEN mode has previously performed theme songs for Gingitsune, Bungo Stray Dogs 2, Food Wars! The Second Plat...

J-Novel Club Licenses 'If It's For My Daughter, I'd Even Defeat a Demon Lord' Novels

Fantasy series follows adventurer who adopts devil girl ― The digital publishing company J-Novel Club announced on Monday that is has licensed author CHIROLU and illustrator Truffle's If It's For My Daughter, I'd Even Defeat a Demon Lord (Uchi no Musume no Tame Naraba, Ore wa Moshikashitara Maō mo Taoseru Kamoshirenai.) light novel series. The company describes the series: Dale is a cool, composed, a...
news

The IDOLM@STER Million Live! Theater Days Game's 2nd Promo Video Highlights Theater Setting

Smartphone game launches in Japan this year ― Bandai Namco Entertainment began streaming a second promotional video on Saturday for the The IDOLM@STER Million Live! Theater Days smartphone game. The stage for the new game is a 765 Pro live theater, and it takes place in rooms such as the theater's office, waiting room, and greenroom. The game features the theater clerk character Misaki Aoba. In the g...
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Kentarō Tomita, Sumire Morohoshi Join Welcome to the Ballroom Anime's Cast

Voice actors join cast as Akagi siblings for series premiering in July ― The June issue of Kodansha's Monthly Shonen Magazine is revealing two more cast members on Tuesday for the television anime of Tomo Takeuchi's Welcome to the Ballroom manga. The new cast includes Sumire Morohoshi (Tokyo Ghoul's Hinami Fueguchi) as Mako Akagi and Kentarō Tomita (Dream Festival's Junya Sasaki) as Gaju Akagi. The t...
news

Gundam the Origin Anime's Loum Arc Previewed in English-Subtitled Video

5th episode in theatrical series premieres in Japan on September 2 ― The Gundam.info portal site began streaming an English-subtitled trailer on Monday for "Clash at Loum," the fifth episode of the Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin anime and the first in the anime's "Loum Arc." Bandai Channel began streaming the same trailer in April without subtitles. The episode will open in Japan on September 2 in 35...
news

Noragami Manga Goes on Extended Hiatus Due to Adachitoka's Health

Manga's return date is as-yet unknown ― The June issue of Kodansha's Monthly Shonen Magazine is revealing on Tuesday that Adachitoka's Noragami: Stray God manga is going on an extended hiatus so that Adachitoka can recuperate from an illness. The editorial staff stated that it is currently unknown when the manga will return. When the return date is decided, the editorial staff will publish that date ...

Sunday, April 30

Yōkoso Jitsuryoku Shijō Shugi no Kyōshitsu e Light Novel Series Gets TV Anime in July

Syohgo Kinugasa, Shunsaku Tomose's light novels center on prestigious school that's more than it seems ― Kadokawa opened a website on Monday to reveal that author Syohgo Kinugasa and illustrator Shunsaku Tomose's Yōkoso Jitsuryoku Shijō Shugi no Kyōshitsu e (Welcome to the Classroom of the Supreme Ability Doctrine or "Yō Jitsu") light novel series is getting a television anime adaptation that will pr...
news

Blue Exorcist Gets New Anime DVD Bundled With Manga's 20th Volume in October

Anime will adapt Ao no Exorcist: Spy Game short story ― The June issue of Shueisha's Jump SQ. magazine is revealing on May 2 that the 20th compiled book volume of Kazue Katō's Blue Exorcist manga will bundle an anime DVD on October 4. The anime will adapt the title story from the Ao no Exorcist: Spy Game short story collection novel (seen right), which shipped on March 3. The story centers on Renzo S...
news

The Eccentric Family Stage Play Suspended

Play was announced last month ― The official Twitter account for the stage play adaptation of the Uchōten Kazoku (The Eccentric Family) franchise announced on April 7 that the play has been suspended. Ticket sales website Confetti revealed the stage play in its April newsletter last month. The play was scheduled to run from May 31 to June 4 in Tokyo. Takumi Sugi was going to direct the play and Riki ...
ep. review

One Piece ‒ Episode 786

"We're back to a one-chapter-per-episode pace, but even by those standards, there's way more in here than I'm used to seeing per episode."
news

Yume Ōkoku to Nemureru 100-Nin no Ōji-sama's 2nd Anime Short Streamed

Inspired by romance puzzle RPG app aimed at women ― The official Youtube channel for Yume Ōkoku to Nemureru 100-Nin no Ōji-sama Short, the anime shorts of GCREST's 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, began streaming the anime's second episode on Wednesday. The second episode is tit...
ep. review

Dragon Ball Super ‒ Episode 88

"Other than my own gripes as to how the Gohan stuff is handled, this episode works fairly well."
interest

Naruto Singer Diana Garnet Voices Japanese Role in Moe Tech Audio Drama

American vocalist Diana Garnet, who sang the theme song for the anime Tantei Team KZ Jiken Note and an ending theme for Naruto Shippuden, voiced her first Japanese role in the audio drama "Gijinka de Manabo! IT Infura no Shikumi" (Learn via Anthropomorphization! IT Infrastructure Systems). The drama is part of the project IT Gijinka Keikaku (IT Anthropomorphization Project), which is designed to ...
news

Brave10's Kairi Shimotsuki to Launch Arthur Bright Manga

Samurai Kimura Shigenari meets King Arthur in new series ― This year's June issue of Tokuma Shoten's Comic Zenon magazine announced on Tuesday that Kairi Shimotsuki will launch a new manga titled Arthur Bright in the next issue on May 25. The manga's story follows Kimura Shigenari, a real-life samurai who served Toyotomi Hideyori. Kimura fights in the Siege of Osaka in 1615, but is hit with a mysteri...
ep. review

The Eccentric Family 2 ‒ Episode 4

"At last, the day of the great Tanuki Shogi Tournament has arrived!"
interest

Shrine Maiden Swimsuit Sure to Turn Some Heads on the Beach This Summer

Japan's shrine maidens (miko) have always been a favorite stock character in anime, since they are supposed to represent the Yamato nadeshiko ideal: beautiful, virtuous, poised, and polite. For the same reason, they are also often fetishized, and their distinctive red and white robes are often repurposed and sexed-up. This new swimsuit, though, might mark a new frontier. The swimsuit was inspired ...
ep. review

Eromanga Sensei ‒ Episode 4

"After a rocky start, the series pulls together for a solid finish to this arc."
news

Yutaka Yamamoto's 'Twilight' Anime Casts Sora Amamiya

Wake Up, Girls! director's 2018 anime also stars Kana Hanazawa, Kaori Fukuhara, Sumi Shimamoto ― Yutaka Yamamoto's original anime project Hakubo (Twilight) announced on April 20 that it has added Sora Amamiya (Tokyo Ghoul's Tōka Kirishima, Aldnoah.Zero's Asseylum, KonoSuba's Aqua) to its cast. The project also streamed a new promotional video for the anime on the same day. The crowdfunding campaign f...
ep. review

Granblue Fantasy the Animation ‒ Episode 5

"It's fun, but if it ever wants to move beyond that, GranBlue Fantasy had better figure out how to make us worry that something isn't going to work out for its heroes."
interest

Augmented Reality Lets You Take a Date with Hatsune Miku

She can follow you and interact with the environment ― An enterprising electronics engineer who goes by "Alsione" is developing an augmented reality (AR) program with the Microsoft HoloLens that lets you go on a date with the phenomenally popular Vocaloid star Hatsune Miku. As the video below demonstrates, it can not only simulate an appropriate (if strangely empty) environment for a date, but summon...
ep. review

Series Finale: Tales of Zestiria the X ‒ Episode 25

"Tales of Zestiria the X's finale isn't quite as epic as it could have been, but that doesn't stop it from ultimately being satisfying."
news

Comical Psychosomatic Medicine Manga Gets Book About Émile Chartier

Book explains Alain on Happiness book by French philosopher ― Shonengahosha published a book volume spinoff of Yū Yūki and Sō's Comical Psychosomatic Medicine manga on Monday titled Manga de Wakaru Shinryōnaika - Alain no Kōfuku Ronhen (Comical Psychosomatic Medicine - Alain on Happiness). The book tackles French philosopher Émile Chartier, also known as Alain, and his book Alain on Happiness, with t...
ep. review

Attack on Titan ‒ Episode 30

"The relationship Ymir and Christa form is one of fascinating if not questionable codependence."
interest

Sumō Champion Kisenosato to Wear Fist of the North Star Apron

"His body is amazing!" ― Yutaka Kisenosato, a champion sumō wrestler (yokozuna), will soon wear a most intimidating character on his silk apron (keshōmawashi): Fist of the North Star's Raoh. He is sponsored by Coamix, the company that publishes Monthly Comic Zenon. As part of the deal, Coamix promised Kisenosato that they would provide him with a custom apron if he made it to yokozuna rank. In Januar...
ep. review

My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 18

"The calvary battle should be the most banal of all the sports festival games, but it's proving itself something mighty in this back half."
daily briefs

Gundam Thunderbolt Anime Reveals Episode 7's Key Visual, Stills, Story lntro

Episode 6 now streaming with English subtitles ― The official Twitter account for the Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt anime posted a key visual for the anime's seventh episode on Friday. The anime's official website also posted a story introduction and stills. Before episode 7, the Zeon scientist Karla underwent deep psychological trauma in the fighting during the final days of the One Year War. The Z...
ep. review

Re:CREATORS ‒ Episode 4

"Despite a total lack of action, there's a fair amount going on in the plot this week."
news

Akiba's Beat Game's Character Trailer Previews English Dub

PS4, PS Vita game launches with dual audio tracks in N. America on May 16, in Europe on May 19 ― XSEED Games began streaming a character trailer for its PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita game Akiba's Beat on Thursday. The trailer features the game's English dub cast. The English dub cast includes: Chris Patton as Asahi Tachibana Erica Mendez as Saki Hoshino Tia Ballard as Riyu Momose Robbie Daymond ...
ep. review

Berserk ‒ Episode 17

"When we have to cover X amount of monologue in Y lines per minute, no lovely intonation can save the episode from feeling rushed."
review

BAKEMONOGATARI: Monster Tale Novel 1

While this book makes a fine treat for Monogatari diehards, it might not be the best place to start the franchise. Nick Creamer explains. ― It's something of a truism in fandom circles that “the original is always better.” Whether it's your favorite comic being adapted into a TV series, or your favorite novel being adapted into a film, the source material generally earns a kind of assumed reverence. ...
anime now

We Saw Upcoming CG Film Resident Evil: Vendetta

And it’s the perfect amalgamation of the game series’ survival horror and over-the-top action roots.
news

Live-Action Blade of the Immortal Film Streams 3 'Highlights' Trailers

Film opened in Japan on Saturday, screens at Cannes Film Festival in May ― Warner Brothers began streaming three videos on Friday explaining the highlights of the live-action film of Hiroaki Samura's Blade of the Immortal "neo period drama" manga. The first video focuses on the cast, the second video focuses on the story, and the third video focuses on the staff. All three videos preview the film's t...
news

Your Lie in April Stage Play Streams Ad, Reveals Visual

Play running in August-September features live musical performances by Yuta Matsumura, Shuko Kobayashi ― The official website for the stage play adaptation of Naoshi Arakawa's Your Lie in April (Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso) manga began streaming a commercial on Wednesday for the play. The official website also revealed a visual for the play, and character visuals for Kōsei Arima and Kaori Miyazono. The p...

Bushiroad Reveals Revue Starlight Franchise With Stage Musical, TV Anime Projects

Momoyo Koyama, Suzuko Mimori star in multimedia project about girls aiming for the stage ― Bushiroad opened a website on Sunday to reveal its newest project, Shōjo☆Kageki Revue Starlight. The project has both a musical and a television anime in the works. Nelke Planning is collaborating with Bushiroad on the project. The project stars: Momoyo Koyama as Karen Aijō Suzuko Mimori as Hikari Kagura Maho T...
news

Kakegurui - Compulsive Gambler Anime Casts Yū Serizawa, Tomokazu Sugita

Both voice actors play student council members in series premiering in July ― The official website for the television anime of Homura Kawamoto and Tōru Naomura's Kakegurui - Compulsive Gambler manga announced two more cast members on Friday and Saturday. Both new characters are members of the student council. Yū Serizawa as Yumemi Yumemite Tomokazu Sugita as Kaede Manyūda The previously announced cas...
news

Amazon, Polygon Pictures' Lost in Oz Special Wins 3 Daytime Emmy Awards

3DCG animated project wins children's animated program, sound mixing, sound editing awards ― The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced the winners on Friday of the 44th Annual Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards. Amazon and Polygon Pictures' Lost in Oz: Extended Adventure special won three of the five awards for which it was nominated. The special won awards in the "Outstandi...

Funimation Reveals English Dub Casts For KADO: The Right Answer, Seven Mortal Sins Anime

Dubs for both series premiere on Sunday ― Funimation revealed the English dub cast lists on Friday for the KADO: The Right Answer and Seven Mortal Sins television anime series. The English dub for KADO: The Right Answer will premiere on Sunday at 9:00 p.m. EDT. The cast — under ADR director Tyler Walker, ADR engineer Domonique French, mix engineer Neal Malley, and scriptwriter Blair Rowan — includes:...

Aoi Yūki, Tomokazu Sugita Star in Aho-Girl: Clueless Girl Anime

Series of 15-minute shorts also stars Sayaka Harada, Sumire Uesaka, Yōko Hikasa, Daisuke Namikawa ― The June issue of Kodansha's Bessatsu Shonen Magazine is revealing the main cast on May 9 for the television anime adaptation of Hiroyuki's Ahogaru: Clueless Girl (Aho-Girl) manga. The issue is also revealing a new visual, and revealing that Sumire Uesaka is performing the show's ending theme song. The...

Saturday, April 29

interest

Hatsune Miku Hosts Concert with Taiko Drumming Troupe Kodō

In a mix of traditional Japanese culture and new technology, the NHK Hall in Shibuya, Tokyo, hosted a collaboration concert between virtual idol Hatsune Miku and the professional taiko drumming troupe Kodō on March 4 and 5. A recording of the concert will re-air on television on NHK BS Premium on April 23 and NHK Sougou on May 7. The concert also included appearances from the virtual idols Meguri...
interest

Craft Boss Coffee Commercial Draws on your name. for Inspiration

Stars Ryō Narita (Tessie) ― One of the main themes of last year's hit anime film your name. is the wide gulf between Japan's countryside — simple, friendly, traditional — and its bustling metropolises — crowded, anonymous, modern. Although Mitsuha clearly yearns for the urban life, it can be overwhelming for many rural migrants, especially those unfamiliar with urban customs or those w...
news

Tekken 7 Game's Video Outlines Different Modes

Fighting game arrives on PS4, Xbox One, PC on June 2 ― Bandai Namco Entertainment began streaming a new video for the Tekken 7 fighting game on Thursday. The video highlights the game's new mechanics and modes, including a single player story mode with optional easier mechanics and auto-combos, an online multiplayer mode that supports matchmaking and both single- and double-elimination tournaments, t...
interest

VR Kanojo Adult Game Collaboration Lets You Sniff Virtual Girlfriend's Pantyhose

Vaqso Inc. CEO Kentaro Kawaguchi has announced a collaboration with the game VR Kanojo that will let players smell the scent of their virtual girlfriend and her pantyhose using a Vasqo VR scent device that can work in collaboration with Oculus VR, Vive, and Playstation VR. Attendees at the Unity developer event Unite 2017 Tokyo, which will be held at the Tokyo International Forum on May 8 and 9, w...
news

Pani Poni's Hekiru Hikawa to Launch Manga About Video Streamers

Manga premieres next month ― This year's June issue of Kadokawa's Comic Dengeki Daioh G magazine announced on Thursday that Pani Poni manga creator Hekiru Hikawa will launch a new series titled Pandora Channel in the next issue on May 27. Hikawa describes the series as a "video streaming youth" manga about two girls. The magazine says the manga's main character is a "***Tuber." 5月27日発売の電撃だいおうじから「パンドラ...
interest

1970s-80s Science Fiction & Fantasy Shōjo Manga Omnibus Features Moto Hagio, Keiko Takemiya

An omnibus volume of definitive science fiction and fantasy shōjo manga from the 1970's and 80's was recently published by Rittorsha on April 20. The volume includes the first printing of Moto Hagio's short science fiction work The Unicorn's Dream in A5 size, Moto Hagio's They Were Eleven, Keiko Takemiya's Toward the Terra, and more. Also included in the omnibus are 106 color cover illustrations c...
news

Kids on the Slope's Yuki Kodama Launches New Series in July

Author's Tsukikage Baby manga recently concluded in March ― The June issue of Shogakukan's Monthly Flowers magazine revealed on Friday that Yuki Kodama will launch a new manga series in the magazine's September issue on July 28. Kodama recently concluded her Tsukikage Baby manga on March 28. She launched the manga in Monthly Flowers in November 2012. The manga's ninth and final compiled book volume (...
interest

10 Years' Worth of Anime Bread Commercials Will Make You Hungry

Apologies to the gluten-intolerant ― In this writer's opinion, there are few experiences in life as satisfying and memorable as the initial sensation of eating freshly baked European bread. The warmth, the crisp texture, the fresh and natural taste... Evidently Japanese agree, since bakeries are commonplace in Japan and often use European names and motifs. For ten years, the Kyushu-based bakery Franc...
news

Irregular at Magic High School Anime Film's 3rd Teaser Previews GARNiDELiA Song

June 17 film follows spring break encounter with mysterious woman ― The production company Aniplex began streaming the third teaser trailer for the Gekijōban Mahōka Kōkō no Rettōsei: Hoshi o Yobu Shōjo (The Irregular at Magic High School The Movie: The Girl Who Calls the Stars) anime film on Saturday. The new teaser previews the theme song "Speed Star" by the duo GARNiDELiA. In the story, the seasons...
news

Detroit Metal City's Kiminori Wakasugi Launches Rhyming Man Manga in May

New manga centers on young rapper ― This year's ninth issue of Hakusensha's Young Animal magazine revealed on Friday that Kiminori Wakasugi will launch a new manga titled Rhyming Man in the magazine's next issue on May 12. The music manga will center on a young rapper as the protagonist, and the first chapter will be 28 pages long with a color opening page. Wakasugi ended his Detroit Metal City manga...
ep. review

Sword Oratoria ‒ Episode 3

"Sword Oratoria is starting to make moves in the right direction, and hopefully Lefiya's confidence has been inspired to the point where we can shift the focus away from her worshipful crush on Aiz."
column

The List - 7 Eras of Japanese History as Told Through Anime

Beyond the many anime set in fantasy worlds and high school, some series cover an enormous swath of Japan's history in ways both mundane and fantastical! Plus, vote on next week's List subject in this week's poll! ― Hmm, yes. It's about time for the "con crud" to kick in. Sadly, I am laid up with some sort of horrid nauseous stomach that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. In place of a new list, I p...
daily briefs

My Wife is the Student Council President Manga Has 1 Million Copies in Print

The June issue of Ichijinsha's Monthly Comic Rex magazine revealed on Thursday that Yumi Nakata's My Wife is the Student Council President (Okusama ga Seitokaichō!) manga has one million copies in print. The "erotic comedy" manga follows a student council vice-president who is betrothed to the student president Ui Wakana as his wife. Nakata (Chu-Bra!!) launched the series in Monthly Comic Rex maga...
news

Hayao Miyazaki's New Anime Short Debuts in July, But His Proposed Feature Film Will Not Debut in 2019

TV special previously indicated his desire to finish feature before Tokyo Olympics ― Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki revealed at the Niconico Chōkaigi 2017 convention on Saturday that director Hayao Miyazaki's next work, the CG short "Kemushi no Boro" (Boro the Caterpillar), will debut at the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo in July. However, after that, Suzuki firmly denied that Miyazaki can release his ...
anime now

We Saw New Film Kuroko's Basketball: The Last Game

Kuroko’s Basketball: The Last Game is a great bit of sports action. Curiously, it also takes inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s poem The Jabberwocky.
review

School-Live! GNs 4-6

School-Live's mix of cute girl moe and zombie survival horror continues to make it a stand-out of both genres. Rebecca Silverman explains how these three volumes differ from the anime's conclusion. ― It's been clear that the anime adaptation of School-Live! differed from its source material for a while now, and two of these three volumes continue to make that evident – books four and five were covere...
ep. review

Rage of Bahamut: Virgin Soul ‒ Episode 4

Surprising love triangles begin to form after a series of revelations throw the series into new and unusually horny territory.
interest

Gunpla Fan Turns Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Model Into A 2D Illustration

No, it's not an illustration but an actual 3D model. Gunpla builder Kyo used tricky paint techniques to achieve a 2D appearance on a 1/100-scale Barbatos Gundam from Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans. When placed against a black background, the figure really just looks like a painting. Then, when standing next to 3D objects, tlooks like a paper cutout. The illusion is really impressive. Ky...

Yuri!!! on Ice Anime Gets Brand-New Film

More figure skating anime announced at cast & staff event on Saturday ― The evening session of the "Yuri!!! on Stage" event ended on Saturday by announcing that production on a brand-new Yuri!!! on Ice film has been green-lit. The announcement specifically rules out the film as a recompilation of the television anime. The cast also announced that the event itself will be available on Blu-ray Disc and...
news

God Wars PS4/Vita Game's 6th Trailer Shows Mizuho Characters

Game ships in Japan, Europe, N. America in June after delays ― Kadokawa Games began streaming the sixth trailer for its God Wars Future Past (God Wars - Toki o Koete) PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita game on Friday. The video highlights the game's characters aligned with the land of Mizuho, including Kitsune, Urashima, Kame, Otohime, Inaba, Sayori, Uzume, and Issun. The game is now slated for relea...
news

Fortune Tellers Academy Smartphone Game's Animated Video Highlights Story

Sqaure Enix's iOS/Android game launched in February 2016 ― Square Enix began streaming an anime promotional video and commercial for its Yogensha Ikusei Gakuen Fortune Tellers Academy smartphone game on Friday. Both videos highlight the game's story, and preview the game's theme song "Glory" by Sarah Àlainn (Valkyria Revolution). The game launched for iOS and Android devices in February 2016. The gam...
news

Aksys Games Streams Period: Cube Game's Opening Video

Company shipped Otomate's PS Vita game on Friday in N. America, Europe ― Aksys Games began streaming a trailer on Friday for its release of Otomate's Period: Cube ~Shackles of Amadeus~ (Period: Cube ~Torikago no Amadeus~) PlayStation Vita game. The video previews the game's theme song "Ibarano Rakuen" by Joelle. The game shipped on Friday in North America and Europe. Aksys Games describes the game: S...
news

Karada Sagashi Horror Manga Gets Net Anime on Production I.G's 'Vertical Anime' App

App delays launch plans to May or later ― Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ website and app revealed on Friday that author Weizard and illustrator Katsutoshi Murase's Karada Sagashi (Body Search) manga is getting an anime adaptation on Production I.G's Tate Anime (Vertical Anime) app this summer. Weizard and Murase launched the manga in September 2014, and Shueisha will publish the 13th compiled volume on May ...
news

Junichi Suwabe, Sumire Uesaka Star in Restaurant to Another World TV Anime

Adaptation of Junpei Inuzuka's Isekai Shokudō novels premieres this summer ― The official website of the television anime of Junpei Inuzuka's Isekai Shokudō (Restaurant to Another World) light novel series revealed the anime's main cast on Saturday. The anime will star Junichi Suwabe (Fate/stay night's Archer, Yuri!!! on Ice's Victor) as the restaurant's shopkeeper, and Sumire Uesaka (KanColle's Fubu...

Berserk 1st Novel Version Confirmed With Grunbeld Story

Makoto Fukami pens June 23 novel with illustrations by Kentarou Miura ― The official website of the Berserk television anime confirmed the novel adaptation of Berserk on Friday. The novel is titled Berserk: Honō Ryū no Kishi (Berserk: The Flame Dragon Knight), and will have an original story focusing on the character Grunbeld (pictured below). The book is slated for June 23. The post also reveals the...
interest

Gravity Rush 2 Gets NieR: Automata Character Costume DLC

NieR: Automata is showing up everywhere, with its heroine appearing in Dead or Alive 5 Last Round and one of the game's bosses showing up in a concert hall. Its ubiquitousness is thanks in part to its financial success. It has sold more than 500,000 physical and digital copies in Japan and Asia and Square Enix announced on April 4 that the the game's physical and digital versions have exceeded one...
news

Crunchyroll Adds Hellsing, Hellsing Ultimate, Baldr Force EXE, Chaos Dragon, Unbreakable Machine Doll Anime

5 anime added on Thursday ― Crunchyroll announced on Thursday that it has added the Hellsing, Hellsing Ultimate, Baldr Force EXE, Chaos Dragon, and Unbreakable Machine-Doll anime to its catalog. Hellsing is available for users in the United States and Canada. Crunchyroll describes the anime: Witness the blood-soaked roots of a legend in Hellsing, the action-horror series that launched the careers of ...
news

New Jersey's AnimeNEXT to Host Yuri!!! on Ice Staff

Animators, animation producer, color designer to attend June 9-11 event ― The official Twitter account for New Jersey-based anime convention AnimeNext announced on Thursday that it will host animators Junpei Tatenaka and Noriko Itou, animation producer Takahiro Ogawa, and color designer Izumi Hirose at its 2017 convention. Tatenaka previously worked at Disney Animation Japan before working on anime, ...
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