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Makoto Kobayashi Draws What's Michael? Manga's Cat for 1st Time in 29 Years
Cat comedy manga What's Michael?'s creator Makoto Kobayashi released a special illustration of the series' title character for the first time in 29 years on Thursday. The illustration features on the front covers of this year's 26th issue of Kodansha's Weekly Morning magazine and Weekly D Morning digital magazine. The illustration is part of manga creator Jōkura Kōji's (also known as Yūji Moritaka...
Mamoru & Usagi Hear Wedding Bells for New Petit Chara Figures
Usagi Tsukino's dreams of martial bliss have finally come true thanks to a new Petit Chara figure set from MadHouse. The figures include Usagi in a stunning wedding dress, Mamoru in a snappy tux, and Luna and Artemis wearing flower collars. The figures' design is based on a new illustration creator Naoko Takeuchi drew for Konin Todoke's "Romance Wedding" marriage applications last year. Cards dep...
Henkei Shojo Anime Short Redefines 'Transforming Girl'
DLE began streaming the "one chorus version" of the Henkei Shojo (Transformation Girls) net anime shorts' theme song "Me-Chu-Pa-La" on Friday. The video features animation from the first short, titled "Haru-hen" (Haru Version), which debuted on March 27. The theme song performed by Haru is available for download on the project's official website. The first short (embedded below) has been viewed mo...
Victor's Butt Steals the Spotlight on Yuri!!! on Ice Soundtrack Cover
The Yuri!!! On Ice soundtrack cover art has forgone ice-skating imagery in favor of Victor's well-sculpted backside. Yuri, Yurio, Macchin, and even a bowl of katsudon are also on the cover drawn by series character designer Tadashi Hiramatsu. The album is slated for release on June 28 and includes a TV-size version of the opening theme "History Maker" by Dean Fujioka and illustration from the firs...
Women Reveal Their Top Fate/Grand Order Servants
The Fate/Grand Order smartphone game will be in Western players' hands soon enough. The reappearance and familiar franchise faces and new servants will again face off in a quest for the Holy Grail. The new shake-up on the premise has gamers re-evaluating who is there favorite servant. The Anime! Anime! website tried to find out by asking players, specifically female players, who is their favorite ...
Irregular at Magic High School Film's Characters Star as Beans in TV Ads
Gekijōban Mahōka Kōkō no Rettōsei: Hoshi o Yobu Shōjo is collaborating with Dentsu's Mameshiba characters to promote the anime film's opening in Japanese theaters on June 17. The irregular at magic high school anime's characters Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba share a last name that is also part of the bean dog character line's name. The collaboration's first television commercial began streaming on Thur...
Re:Zero Novel Illustrator Gets 1st Artbook
If you're still hankering for more Re:Zero or are an avid fan of the light novel's artwork, illustrator Shinichirou Otsuka will get his first artbook on September 23. The Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Shinichirou Otsuka Art Works Re:BOX contains all the pictures of your favorite girl, whether its Emilia or Rem. Additionally, as if customers needed more to sweeten the deal, the set not ...
JoJo's Araki Maintains Vampire Status in Poll of Unaging Celebrities
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure creator Hirohiko Araki has enjoyed another claim to fame outside of his popular, long-running manga series. The 56-year-old is known to be a snappy dresser and some speculate suspiciously youthful for his age. Microsoft's How Old Do I Look? website placed him at approximately 27-years-old in 2015, and fans have jokingly dated his existence as far back as 3,000 BC. Accordin...
Pikachu Continue to Multiply in This Year's Yokohama Parade
The Pikachu population in Yokohama is growing out of control in the annual Yokohama parade. Last year's march of 1,000 Pikachu will be outdone this year as organizers promise at least 1,500 of the iconic rodent when the event kicks off on August 9. This year's event is titled "Pikachū Dake janai Pikachū Tairyō Hassei-chū!" (Not Only Pikachu, but a Lot of Pikachu-chu!) and will culminate on August ...
Yūri, Victor Reach Out for Yuri!!! on Ice's New Scale Figures
Chara-Ani's Toy'sworks brand revealed designs for its second wave of Yuri!!! on Ice scale figures on Wednesday. The Yūri Katsuki and Victor Nikiforov figures are slated to go on sale around fall 2017. In the special illustrations, Yūri and Victor look like they are reaching out to each other and are about to hold hands. The studio MAPPA, which animated the Yuri!!! on Ice television anime, provide...
Madoka Magica's Gekidan Inu Curry Illustrates New Utena Album
A combination of two giant magical franchises has lead to one very distinct album cover. Gekidan Inu Curry, the mind behind Madoka Magica's symbolic labyrinths unleashed their unique aesthetic for the Revolutionary Girl Utena Barbara Waisei-ko Mokushiroku: Arsenothelus Zettai Fukkatsu Hikari to Orpheus Zettai Meifu Yami compilation CD. The album collects all of composer J.A. Caesar's equally symbo...
Attack on Titan Returns to Joypolis Theme Park This Summer
The Tokyo Joypolis theme park announced on Thursday that it will hold a new Attack on Titan event from July 13 to October 1. The Attack on Titan in Joypolis Season 2 event will feature collaboration attractions, merchandise, and food. The event will again feature a life-size statue of an Attack on Titan character. Tokyo Joypolis is holding a Twitter campaign to reveal the character for this year's...
Angels, Tourists Descend on Gabriel Dropout's Setting City
Hamamatsu, Shizuoka is one of the latest cities in Japan to capitalize on its status as an anime setting and pilgrimage site. The city is the setting of Ukami's Gabriel DropOut manga, and the series' television anime adaptation debuted in January. The city is collaborating with the anime to release sightseeing maps that highlight locations in the anime. The collaboration also launched an official ...
May'n Takes on Ultra Street Fighter II Game's Guile in Video
Singer May'n appeared as a special guest on the 64th episode of the Capcom TV! web program on Wednesday. In the video, she plays two matches in the upcoming Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers Nintendo Switch game. May'n plays as Ryu to take on the program's assistant Chocolat Ikeda playing as Blanka around the 26:15 mark. Other people on the program also face off against each other. Fo...
Takuya Eguchi Takes a Turn as Business Shellfish
Popular voice actor Takuya Eguchi took on one of his strangest roles on Friday. Known for voicing characters in Konosuba, My Love Story!, and My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, Eguchi's roster remains humanoid. The voice actor can now add "weird shellfish businessman" (businessmollusk?) to his resume. Eguchi joined the cast of "Kaishain" ("Clamployees"), animated shorts that star varieties of shellfis...
Father Hides Real Nintendo Switch in Son's Cardboard Version
Twitter user Mohikan recently posted some pictures of his creative, game-loving son. The boy had no idea that his father had a huge surprise in store for him. On April 5, Mohikan posted a picture of his son playing "Poop Prince Adventure 2" on his newest homemade PC. Mohikan noted that the PC's display has a "mysterious 29:8 aspect ratio." 息子の自作PCがまた新しくなってました。ディスプレイは29:8という謎のアスペクト比で『うんこおうじのぼうけん2』が...
Yuri on Ice Boys Hang Up Their Skates for Bellhop Uniforms
Yuri and Victor are happy to greet visitors at Ikebukuro Sunshine City's Prince Hotel starting on July 1. Yurio is also there but judging by the character art, it's only because he needs more spending money for tiger shirts and katsudon pirozhkis. The hotel is offering "Concept Rooms" for patrons that feature super-deformed characters decorated throughout the space. Reservation costs also guarante...
Fukushima Gainax's Art Exhibition Honors Whisper of the Heart Director
Anime studio Fukushima Gainax's "fantasy and art" museum Fukushima Sakura Yūgakusha is collaborating with Fukushima Chuo TV to hold the "Kono Otoko ga Ghibli o Sasaeta. Kondō Yoshifumi-ten" (This Man Supported Ghibli. Yoshifumi Kondō Exhibition) exhibit. The exhibition to honor animator Yoshifumi Kondō will run at the museum from June 3 to August 31. Kondō was born in Niigata Prefecture in 1950, a...
Space Brothers Manga's Serika Fund Supports ALS Research
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease and motor neurone disease (MND), features in Chūya Koyama's Space Brothers manga. In the lead-up to the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations' global day of recognition for ALS on June 21, the manga and its partners launched the Serika Fund (Serika Kikin Uchū Kyōdai ALS Project). The project's website states that "Ser...
Shinji Gets in the Damn Boat with Eva Fish Grip
Where did you draw the line at ridiculous Evangelion merchandise? Was it the Tomato juice commercials? The Schick campaign where Gendo shed his beard? A NERV bucket? Hideaki Anno's crowning franchise has something for everyone even if that something has nothing to do giant robots. Case in point, the anime is starting its first collaboration with fishing gear. Next month a Unit-01 color-coded DRES...
Yuri!!! on Ice Lottery Brings Plush Skater Prizes
This month's Minna no Kuji ("Lottery for Everybody"), a lottery that everyone can win, is bringing the boys of Yuri! on Ice into winners' hands. Starting on May 28, fans can try their hand at winning a large banner showing Victor, Yuri, and Yurio skating together, stuffed dolls of all three guys, zipper pouches inspired by their skating costumes, hand towels, rubber mascot characters, a wall-scro...
Anime Ads Ask: Can Laundry Detergent Bring Romance?
Can the fluffy feeling of cotton and an alluringly clean scent foster a budding romance? Kao's Fragrance New Beads line of laundry detergents intends to find out in two animated advertisements. In the first ad titled "New Student", Kaori encounters Hanamura on a crowded subway train. The mixing smells of everyone on board is unpleasant but when the shifting train causes Kaori to draw close to Hana...
Dress Up Your Drinks With an Extra Frilly Sailor Uniform
In 2015, concerned citizens everywhere found a solution to a nagging problem: bottle perspiration. Well, technically, condensation. It's not that there wasn't already a solution; table coasters have long protected furniture from troublesome rings left my chilled beverages. It's just that this wasn't a cute enough solution. Enter Kitan Club's bottle underwear. Panties be they striped, polka-dots, o...
Goku Takes on Broly God in Universal Studios Japan Attraction Ad
Osaka's Universal Studios Japan theme park is prepping for an exciting summer filled with Shonen Jump characters and attractions. Jōtaro and Dio, the cast of Gintama and One Piece, and of course Dragon Ball Z's Goku will enthrall visitors with tasty treats and interactive shows. Goku specifically will star in a 3DCG movie as part of the Dragon Ball the Real 4D experience. Earth's toughest fighter ...
Mr. Osomatsu Sextuplets Celebrate Birthday with a Stop-Motion Cake
The sextuplet stars of Mr. Osomatsu are celebrating their birthday this year with a new stop-motion video. The 45-second ad shows a double layer cake, frosted with each character's image color, and decorated with cookies of the brothers' faces. The stop-motion video took approximately 1,000 pictures to complete. The video was created by Tsuneo Goda's dwarf studio, the home of brown monster charact...
Voice Actress Saeko Zōgō Marries, Reveals Wedding Photos
Voice actress Saeko Zōgō revealed on Twitter that she married and had a wedding reception on Sunday. She did not reveal the identity of her husband. Zōgō said she was deeply moved by everyone who offered their blessings on her wedding day. She said she was nervous during her wedding, but she now feels relief after having gone through the ceremony. Zōgō posted pictures of herself and the wedding gu...
Universal Studios Japan Details This Summer's Shonen Jump Attractions
Osaka's Universal Studios Japan theme park unveiled all the details of this year's Universal Jump Summer attractions. This year's Shonen Jump collaboration will feature One Piece, Dragon Ball, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, and Gintama and run from June 30 to October 1. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Universal Studios Japan's first One Piece Premier Show. More than one million people have atte...
Akira's Katsuhiro Otomo Tribute Book Gets Exhibition
The OTOMO: A Global Tribute to the Mind Behind Akira book was released simultaneously in France and Japan in January and in North America in March. The book, which honors Katsuhiro Otomo's win at France's Angoulême International Comics Festival in 2015, contains 80 contributions from the creator's contemporaries. That artwork will go on display at the "Tribute to Otomo Exhibition" in Shibuya on Ju...
A3! Ikemen Game Gets New Ad on Stations' Big Screens
The "ikemen-raising" mobile game A3! found success both as a game proper and due to its theme song CDs. Boasting over three million downloads, the game's promotion is taking the next step with videos scheduled to air on big screens outside of some of Japan's major train stations. A new promotional video will air on the Hit Vision screens outside Tokyo's Shibuya station and Osaka's Ebisu station on...
120 'Painful' Cars Will Converge on Motor Park in Maibara
Japan's itasha cars run the gambit from official to horrific. Some have even crossed the ocean, with recent sightings in Miami. Whatever the flavor, itasha cars are usually a rare occurrence. This weekend, a meeting of itasha drivers and their beloved vehicles will coverage on the Okuibuki Motor Park in Maibara, Shiga as part of the ARC Championship IV. The free event is open to viewing and anyone...
Business Woman Evaluates Her Life in Marui Retail Store's Anime Ads
The retail-store company Marui Group is promoting its mission of "happiness" by creating a promotional net anime series titled "Neko ga Kureta Marui Shiawase" (The Round Happiness a Cat Gave), which follows a businesswoman trying to keep it all together. Protagonist Mari Hirakura joined the workforce almost 10 years ago. Even though she talks to her friends about things like jobs, marriage, age, a...
Grape the Penguin Finally Embraced by His One True Love
Grape-kun, the lovestruck elderly penguin at Tobu Zoo finally was finally embraced by his love, the Humboldt penguin from the Kemono Friends anime series. Well, sort of. Grape-kun has pined for a character cut-out in his enclosure for almost a month, going so far as to show mating displays. The character's voice actress Ikuko Chikuta visited the zoo on May 20 and stopped by Grape-kun's home to sho...
Love Live! Sunshine!! Mini-Unit AZALEA's 2nd Single Gets Preview Video
The Love Live! Sunshine!! sub-idol group AZALEA is going sweet pink for their new single "GALAXY HidE and SeeK" which also includes the track "INNOCENT BIRD". Lantis is hosting a preview of the single that is slated for release on May 31. "GALAXY HidE and SeeK" is AZALEA's second single. It includes both tracks, two off-vocal versions, and a drama track titled "Numazu Sweets❤Hunting". AZALEA is co...
New Nintendo 2DS XL Slime Console Oozes into Stores on July 29
The Dragon Quest franchise is celebrating its 30th anniversary. This means tons of tie-in merchandise featuring the series' iconic slime monster, not only to mark the achievement but also to hop on the upcoming release of Dragon Quest XI: Sugisarishi Toki o Motomete (Dragon Quest XI: In Search of Departed Time). The game is slated to ship for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo 3DS, and the Nintendo Switc...
Kemono Friends Anime Gets Adult Parody Video
Well, it happened. We all should have expected it, although we hoped it wouldn't come to this. Last season's sleeper-hit anime Kemono Friends has inspired an adult parody video. The adult video maker Total Media Agency (TMA) recently revealed (link NSFW) its planned DVD releases for July. The list includes a DVD titled Kemo Mimi Cosplayers ~Yōkoso Japari Park e~ (Furry-Eared Cosplayers: Welcome to...
Pachinko Company Sells Creativity With Anime Video
The pachinko and pachinko slot machine maker Sanyo Bussan wants to draw upon ingenuity in its business to entertain gamblers. The company posted the "Chizu no Nai Bōken" (Adventure Without a Map) anime video on Friday to explain its goals. Sanyo is streaming short and long versions of the video, which features the theme song "Kimo Monogatari" (Your Story) performed by Miwako Yamane. The video cent...
Graphic Lists The Top 'Best Girls' Since 1983
The argument of "best girl" or "waifu" is recent lingo within the anime fandom but the concept behind it is nearly as old as the anime medium itself. Tokuma Shoten's Animage magazine has held a vote every year since 1979 asking the ubiquitous question, "Who is this year's 'Best Girl'?" as part of its Anime Grand Prix feature. Fans recently put together a graphic showing the top five winners for ea...
Nyaruko Author's New Light Novel Fails to Make Waves
Nyaruko: Crawling with Love light novel author Manta Aisora debuted Hero Onii-chan to Last Boss Imōto Bakken! Seikenzer (The Hero Big Brother and the Last Boss Little Sister Draw a Sword! Seikenzer) with art by Yū Kodama last month. The hero comedy story follows the Tsurugi twins: Kanato the older brother and Minato the younger sister. Minato had returned from studying abroad, and the pair go to a...
Dragon Ball's Newest Goku Figures Go Super Saiyan in Prize Machines
Banpresto's Amusement Ichiban Kuji unveiled its Dragon Ball Z Super Masters Diorama figures on Wednesday. The figures will debut at game centers in Japan on May 28, and each attempt to retrieve the figures from a prize machine will cost 5,000 yen (about US$45). The 18-centimeter (about 7-inch) Super Saiyan Son Goku will come in four color variants. "The Original" variant recreates one of Akira To...
Air Setting Takes Wing as Anime Pilgrimage Site
Japan's Anime Tourism Association opened the "Otozurete Mitai Nihon no Anime Seichi 150" (150 Sacred Anime Sites I Want to Visit) poll last July to let fans of anime in any country vote for the anime pilgrimage sites they most want to visit. Although the Anime Tourism Association announced the results of the poll on March 25, news of the Air anime setting's presence on the list began to spread onl...
Onsen Musume Project Announces Wixoss TCG Collaboration, Launches Fan Clubs
Enbound's Onsen Musume (Hot Spring Girls) mixed media idol project hit the ground running when its crowdfunding campaign reached its goal in 10 days. The campaign ended after earning 7,110,540 yen (about US$64,000), enough to fund production of a drama CD with the main cast. The project then added a manga, fan clubs, and a live event. For its next step, the project announced on Thursday a collabor...
Dansui! Play Pulls Off Watery Scenes on Dry Stage
The stage play of Tatsuya Kiuchi's Dansui! swimming manga debuted in Tokyo on May 11. Of course, much of the drama is set in the water, but most theater stages are not very conducive to installing swimming pools. To cope with this challenge, the play's staff and actors had to get creative. The actors move with techniques that recreate swimming strokes. Projection mapping, special lighting, and oth...
Sanrio Character Collaboration Vote Includes Transformers, Animal Crossing
While the whole Sanrio crew is hoping to win this year's character popularity poll by collaborating with musicians and magical girls, the poll also has a secondary campaign to decide character merchandise tie-ins. Last year saw the lethargic Gudetama meet Godzilla monsters. The collaboration poll pairs Sanrio mascots with company and government mascots. The winner will hold an event at the Sanrio ...
Fashion Store Offers More Pokémon Cosmetics, Food, Stationery
The Japanese fashion store for women Its'demo revealed the fifth wave of its Pokémon collaboration on Tuesday. This time, the offerings include cosmetics, food, and stationery. Here is the collaboration's new merchandise: Cushion foundation (six varieties)1,000 yen (about US$9) Multi palette eyeshadow (three varieties)1,800 yen (US$16) Hand cream (4 varieties)460 yen (US$4) Clear bottles (two vari...
German Tech Blog Imagines PlayStation Vita Successor
The Nintendo Switch continues to perform well as an entry to hybrid consoles -- working as both a traditional console and a handheld. Nintendo's gaming peers, Sony and Microsoft, so far have not announced a console that's comparable in style. Microsoft's Xbox hasn't entered the handheld fray at all while the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation Vita had trouble successfully breaking into Western m...
Shinsei Kamattechan Find Themselves in the Hands of Titan in Collaboration Movie
A special collaboration movie created for the Attack on Titan season two ending theme "Yūgure no Tori" (Birds of Twilight) by Shinsei Kamattechan showing the band performing in the hands of a Titan began streaming exclusively on GyaO on Thursday. In the video, the members of the group are hanging out and discussing the storyboards for their latest music video, when suddenly one of the members, Nok...
Samsung Licenses SmartBoy Phone Add-on to Play GameBoy Cartridges
It started as an April Fool's joke, but Hyperkin's Android phone add-on that allows users to play their Game Boy cartridges was just licensed by Samsung for use on its phones. The SmartBoy, which was previously limited to developer kits and marred by potential red tape now has a release window for the U.S. and South Korea. The device is compatible with Samsung phones which feature a USB-Type C con...
Do You Like Your Mom? Light Novel Sales Exceed 100,000
Dachima Inaka's light novel series Do You Like Your Mom? Her Normal Attack is Two Attacks at Full Power has had successful, albeit unique, campaign runs. The first volume sold 12,000 copies in nine days and its publisher, Fujimi Shobo, announced the first and second volume sales combined have topped 100,000 earlier this month. Illustrator Pochi celebrated the sales milestone with a special picture...
Kingdom Heads to the Races for JRA's Annual Derby
A web-based collaboration between the Japan Racing Association (JRA) and the Kingdom anime launched on Wednesday. The "Kingdom Derby" collaboration is promoting the 84th Japanese Derby, which will be held on May 28. The collaboration features three main parts, including two games and a battlefield maker. Players must solve 21 puzzles with Shin to retrieve the strongest horse (named Derby) in the r...
Writer Makes Love Rice TV Anime's Rice Pizza
Even anime that do not focus on food often feature some delectable-looking dishes. In addition to restaurants and cafes that offer anime-inspired foods, hungry fans sometimes attempt to recreate cooking from their favorite series or films. The Anime! Anime! website writer Shizuku Tsukino launched her "AniMeshi Tsuttemita" (I Tried to Make Anime Food) column on the site in 2015, and her 20th instal...
Love Live! Sunshine!!'s Aqours Group Offers Tour Goods for Overseas Fans
The Love Live! Sunshine!! franchise's nine-girl idol group Aqours released their ninth single, "Happy Party Train," on April 5. The girls will hold a concert tour for the single in Japan in August and September. Although most foreign fans will probably be unable to attend, the tour's staff did not want to leave overseas fans out of the fun. The tour is offering some of the "Aquors 2nd Love Live! ...
Designer Watch Meets Pokémon for a Whopping US$258,000
Fandom is hardly in short supply when it comes to top-tier merchandise. Usually it's in the form of a 1/1-scale waifu for around US$20,000 or a one-of-a-kind trading card. The ultra-dedicated will even fork out half a million for a custom car. Pokémon, on the other hand, rarely courts the high-end adult market it. It's a franchise made for kids after all, so with the exception of the aforementio...
Tiger & Bunny Comes Back...As a Lottery-Prize Drama CD
Fans have repeatedly made their demand for more Tiger & Bunny known. The series frequently tops polls for highest demanded sequels for at least the last five years. Its fans are nothing if not persistent, some that culminated in the show topping NHK's Best 100 anime series this year. Despite the dedicated fanbase, there's no word on any new animated productions featuring the superhero cast. The p...
BPO Publishes Viewer Complaint About Anime With 'Sexually Extreme' Content
Japan's Broadcasting Ethics and Program Improvement Organization (BPO) watchdog group recently published viewer complaints from April. One complaint included criticism of a late-night television anime series. The complaint read: Regarding a late-night anime program, there was extremely obscene content. Because it's an anime work, there is a possibility that children may mistakenly watch it. [The p...
Light Novel Author Reki Kawahara's Home is Buried in Sword Art Online Merch
Reki Kawahara's Sword Art Online light novel series has enjoyed widespread popularity around the world. As such, the franchise has released a lot of related merchandise. Have you ever wondered if creators receive and keep items inspired by their works? Kawahara, at least, has apparently accumulated quite a lot. He posted pictures on Twitter on Saturday to show some of his collection. The above pic...
Longer Live-Action Royal Tutor Ending Sequence Streamed
Last week, the cast members of the Royal Tutor anime series starred in a teaser of the ending sequence as their character counterparts. The cast are starring in a stage musical version of the anime soon, and the live-action video, which features coordinated dance moves and brooding gazes, cements each member's princely status. The cast includes Yūya Asato as Kai von Grannzreich, Yūto Adachi as Bru...
Naruto, Sasuke God Figures Make a Storm This September
Premium Bandai unveiled two new Naruto Shippūden figures in MegaHouse's G.E.M. line on Sunday. The figures are inspired by traditional depictions of the Japanese god of wind Fūjin and god of lightning Raijin. Naruto stands in for Fūjin, and Sasuke represents Raijin in the figure set. Naruto rides an orange cloud inspired by the nine-tailed fox Kurama, and Sasuke rides a purple cloud in the image ...
Kadokawa Holds Light Novel Contest for Stories About Adult Men
Kadokawa's Kakuyomu website announced on Saturday that it is holding a contest for "entertainment novels that adults want to read." The website is partnering with Kadokawa's Novel 0 light novel label for the contest. Any original novel that does not have a story where the hero finds himself in a different world is eligible for submission. However, submitted novels must feature adult male protagoni...
Kyoto Subway's Moe Mascot Short Anime Finished
The moe girls of the "Get On! Kyoto City Subway" campaign worked hard to raise money for a short anime last year to support the city's subway service. The crowdfund campaign was a success, earning as much as 10 times the original goal. The mascot characters have expanded beyond the original Moe Uzumasa, Misa Ono, Saki Matsuga, Rei Uzumasa to add male counterparts. A new character is also being tea...
Resident Evil Footrace Will Put the Fear in You
Running isn't everyone's exercise of choice. It can be difficult to get motivated to lace up and head out every day to run laps, not to mention if you live in an area with less than cooperative weather. You know what can get you running? Being chased. Specifically, being chased by zombies. The official Biohazard (Resident Evil) Zombie Rush event on May 21 will put participants where the action is ...
Kochikame Creator Draws Denzel Washington in Collab Illustration
Osamu Akimoto may have closed the door on his Kochikame manga series after forty years, but the man is far from retired. He has four new series lined up for publishing this year alone. In between deadlines for his post-Civil War Western manga Black Tiger, Ii Yu Da Ne!, and Mr. Clice, Akimoto drew fan art for the Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt flick, The Magnificent Seven. The collaborative illu...
Yuruyuri Creator Namori Draws Kemono Friends Manga Anthology Cover
The popularity of Kemono Friends has proven a boon for zoos, dōjinshi events, and merchandise sales. It seems only natural that the next quick-to-sell-out item will be a new manga anthology. On May 29, Kemono Friends: Comic Anthology: Japariman Edition will go on sale featuring artists from Kadokawa's Monthly Comic Alive magazine. The collection's cover artwork is courtesy of Namori, the creator o...
Eccentric Family Theme Band fhána Gets Animated Music Video
Anime theme song band fhána has cemented their popularity with tracks for Tales of Zestiria the X, Comet Lucifer, Witch Craft Works, Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid, and most recently the sequel to The Eccentric Family. The pop band's single "Moon River" serves as the show's ending theme. The band released a music video to a new track "Relief" on Friday and it stands out for a few reasons. The first ...
Lu Over the Wall Exhibition Shows Off Film's Development Art
Masaaki Yuasa's Yoake Tsugeru Lu no Uta (Lu over the wall) is inspiring collaborations through out Japan including a light show in Odaiba and an aquarium take-over in Yokohama. Also opening this month is an art exhibition in Tokyo will open with art pieces by the film's original character designer Yōko Nemu and Yuasa. The pixiv Zingaro gallery in Nakano will host the exhibition from May 11 to May ...
Love Live! Sunshine!! Voice Actresses Star in Live-Action LLSIF CM
The voice actresses of Chika Takami, Riko Sakurauchi, and Yō Watanabe appear in a television commercial to promote the Love Live! School idol festival mobile game. Anju Inami, Rikako Aida, and Shuka Saitō hang out together while enjoying the game together. KLab Games and Bushiroad's Love Live! School Idol Festival smartphone game's "new project," titled "Perfect Dream Project," is adding new chara...
Join the Japari Park Staff With Official Kemono Friends Apparel
The popular anime series Kemono Friends is inspiring two sets of official apparel. Anime merchandising company COSPA will release a Japari Park jinbei and staff t-shirt. A jinbei is a traditional Japanese outfit usually worn around the house during the summer. The jinbei retails for 8,424 yen (US$74) and the t-shirt costs 3,456 yen (US$30). Source: Comic Natalie
Mr. Osomatsu Pioneer Headphones Have a Different Design for Each Brother
The Mr. Osomatsu anime is getting a line of headphones in a collaboration series with Japanese electronics and entertainment company Pioneer. Pre-orders for the headphones opened on the Onkyo Direct website on Tuesday and will close on July 31. They are set for release mid-September. The Mr. Osomatsu-themed headphones are priced at 9,000 yen (USD $80) and come in six different styles. They are ba...
Lawson Reveals New Is the order a rabbit?? Collaboration Goods
Although the theatrical screening of the new special episode was delayed, Is the order a rabbit?? is getting a new collaboration with the Lawson chain of convenience stores in Japan. The campaign will kick off in stores throughout Japan on Monday. Chino, Maya, and Megu, who make up the Chimame-Tai group, will feature on collaboration items. People who purchase two of the collaboration cup noodles...
Kyoto Subway's Moe Girls Get Cafe, New Character
The moe girls of the Get On! Kyoto City Subway campaign are getting their own cafe at the JR Kyoto Isetan department store on May 17-23. The cafe will offer an exclusive food and drink menu inspired by the characters, limited-edition merchandise, and a figure exhibit. Here are the campaign's main characters holding their special cafe drinks: Moe Uzumasa Misa Ono Saki Matsuga Rei Uzumasa The cafe w...
Gintama Characters Don Doggie Cosplay as Capsule Toys
Bandai is unleashing a pack of Gintama capsule toy figures at the end of May. The figures depict dog kigurumi-wearing versions of five main characters from Hideaki Sorachi's manga and its anime adaptations. The mini figures will cost 300 yen (about US$3) each. Gintoki Sakata Tōshirō Hijikata Sōgo Okita Kotarō Katsura Shinsuke Takasugi The popular franchise has also released many full-size charact...
Persona Games Get Music Event in Yokohama in August
The Persona franchise will hold the "Persona Super Live P-Sound Bomb!!!! 2017 ~Minato no Hankō wo Mokugeki Seyo!~" (Persona Super Live P-Sound Bomb!!!! 2017: Witness the Harbor Crime) event at Yokohama Arena on August 2. The game series' music performers Lyn, Yumi Kawamura, Lotus Juice, Shihoko Hirata, Shoji Meguro, and others will appear at the event. Character designer Shigenori Soejima designed...
New Earth Defense Idol Project Seeks Chinese Speakers
Ensemble Stars! and Idol Memories smartphone game developer Happy Elements is developing the new two-dimensional female idol project "Chikyū Bōei Idol Project" (Earth Defense Idol Project). Although Happy Elements has yet to announce details of the project, the company began accepting applications on Tuesday for female voice-acting idols who want to participate. The new type of idol project is tar...
Rose of Versailles's Oscar Tries New Hairstyle, Becomes Raccoon
Nissin's Donbei instant noodles are collaborating with Riyoko Ikeda's Rose of Versailles manga. The project is one of many to mark both the 45th anniversary of the manga and 50th anniversary of Ikeda's debut this year. The official website for Donbei features the chronicle of the advertising agency planner who worked with the noodle company and Ikeda's office to develop the collaboration over a pe...
Sailor Moon Gets Smartphone With Selfie Stick in China
Smartphones featuring Disney and other themes have been around for years in Japan. So it comes as no surprise that a smartphone inspired by the popular Japanese franchise Sailor Moon is in production. However, there is a surprise. This phone is not being developed in Japan. The Hong Kong-based technology company and mobile app developer Meitu will release the Sailor Moon M8 smartphones. Although ...
Controversial Oculus Founder Cosplays as Metal Gear Solid 5's Quiet
Oculus founder Palmer Luckey has recently caused controversy with scandal rumors, lawsuits, and his departure from social media and Oculus. Now he is stirring things up more by attending anime conventions cosplaying as Quiet from Metal Gear Solid V. Attendees of Machi Asobi, a convention in Tokushima, Japan, spotted Luckey in full costume. He wore a bikini top and ripped fishnet stockings, and hel...
Ghost in the Shell Realize Project Holds Symposium
The Ghost in the Shell Realize Project partners with companies and university research and development teams to work towards creating the technology from Ghost in the Shell in the real world. The project will hold the "Kōkaku Symposium in InnoFes 2017" at the J-Wave radio station's J-Wave Innovation World Festa 2017 Supported by CHINTAI event. The theme of the symposium will be discussing to what ...
Neko Danshi Nyankee High School Project Adds More Cat Delinquents
Hakusensha and Takara Tomy's Neko Danshi Nyankee High School multimedia project unveiled three more cast members on Friday. The new roles are: Sōma Saitō as Toru ShitaraKarikari AcademyCat breed: Ragdoll Takuya Eguchi as Tsuyu AoyamaKarikari AcademyCat breed: Russian Blue Seiichirō Yamashita as Chikatarō ManjomeKarikari AcademyCat breed: Munchkin The previously announced roles are: Taku Yashiro as...
Magikarp's Official Love Song Gets English Version
Last year, Pokemon's running gag Water-type got an official love song and dance routine. The song was completely in Japanese and celebrated Magikarp's status as the weakest Pokemon with a useless starting move. The official Pokemon YouTube channel is now streaming an English version of the melody. Although Magikarp is Pokémon's least effective monster, the fish has been getting some extra attentio...
Tokyo Ghoul Cafe Menu is Horrifying
The Tokyo Ghoul manga, anime, and upcoming live-action film certainly aren't short on the gore factor. One would expect as much about a story featuring human-eating monsters. Ikebukuro's Parco cafe is bringing a similar experience to its patrons with horror-inspired food items like a bloody Salisbury steak with a side of dismembered fingers. All that protein can work up a thirst, so the cafe is of...
Relive 20 Years of Saiyuki History in 18-Minute Video
Kazuya Minekura's Saiyuki Reload Blast manga and its upcoming anime adaptation is the latest installment in the myth-based series that spans nearly 20 years. The manga's publisher Ichijinsha released a video on Thursday recounting the manga's story thus far narrated and told from the point of view of character Kanzeon Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva that sent Dōji Konzen on his mission at the start of th...
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure's Yoshikage Kira Attacks in Real Escape Game This Summer
Scrap's Real Escape Game announced on Thursday that it will run a JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable-themed attraction. The Real Escape Game, titled JoJo no Kimyō na Yūenchi kara no Dasshutsu (Escape From JoJo's Bizarre Amusement Park), will run at Tokyo Dome City Attractions from July 15 to September 24, and at Hirakata Park in Osaka from July 21 to September 18. In the attraction's...
Dragon Ball Super Happy Meal Toys Come to Japan's McDonald's
The U.S. and Europe are finally getting Super Mario Happy Meal toys this month, meanwhile the Super Saiyans of Dragon Ball Super are unleashing their powers in Japan. A total of six toys, Goku, Gotenks, Vegeta, Trunks, the dragon Shenron and a glowing Dragon Ball are coming to McDonald's fast food restaurants in Japan on Friday. On May 13-14, participating locations will distribute a Super Dragon...
Sanrio's My Melody Gets Magical Makeover with Sailor Moon
Sanrio's Cinnamon is appealing to fans of Golden Bomber, but My Melody may have hit the jackpot by capitalizing on Sailor Moon fans for this year's character popularity poll. The adorable rabbit got a magic girl makeover for Sailor Moon's 25th anniversary. The series' official Twitter account shared a key visual of the two characters together on Wednesday. The collaboration will include stuffed a...
Get Your Burger Manga-Style at Japan's Village Vanguard Diner
Manga creator Umetarō Saitani is currently serializing Honjitsu no Burger (Today's Burger), a food-centric manga about a man who has traveled the world over eating various cuisine for his job at a food specialty trading company. He then decides to set up a hamburger restaurant utilizing his experiences. Japan's Village Vanguard Diner is taking inspiration from the manga for a new menu item startin...
Nagoya Anime Project Program Offers Behind-the-Scenes Look at Anime Production
The Nagoya Anime Project program will premiere on Chukyo TV's free video streaming service Chuun on Thursday. The series will offer a behind-the-scenes look at anime production. The studio Sublimation has worked on 3DCG for anime such as Love Live! Sunshine!!, Ancien and the Magic Tablet, and Uchū Senkan Yamato 2202: Ai no Senshi-tachi. The company established Nagoya Studio in December. The new an...
Leiji Matsumoto Creates Sci-Fi Landscapes for Unique Sand Art
Acclaimed manga artist Leiji Matsumoto lent his skills for a new kind of artistic project. The Galaxy Express 999 and Captain Harlock creator illustrated beautiful, science-fiction backgrounds for Nissei Commerce's SandPicture Gallery Japan. Matsumoto's background artwork is combined with Austrian artist Klaus "Sandman" Boesch to create a unique piece that changes every time it's moved. Matsumoto...
Cinnamon Rocks Out with Golden Bomber to Garner Popularity Votes
Sanrio mascot Cinnamon is pulling out the charms early for this year's character popularity poll. Cinnamon and his pals appear in a music video with Golden Bomber band member Jun Utahiroba where both perform air guitar. Cinnamon, who came in second place last year, is hoping to pull ahead into the top spot as a crowning achievement for the character's 15th anniversary. The character already tried ...
Chihayafuru Star Streams Live from Sequel Film's Set
Actress Suzu Hirose (The Boy and the Beast's Kaede; Fireworks, Should We See it from the Side or the Bottom?'s Nazuna) will stream live from the set of the live-action Chihayafuru: Musubi (Chihayafuru: Conclusion) sequel film on Thursday starting at 12:00 p.m. Hirose will use her official LINE messaging app account to stream the "Hirose Suzu Channel Vol. 14 Chihayafuru Special" through the LINE LI...
Masaaki Yuasa's Lu over the wall Brings Mermaid Magic to Odaiba
A popular date spot in Odaiba will bring the magic of Masaaki Yuasa's Yoake Tsugeru Lu no Uta (Lu over the wall) to life starting on May 12. The DECKS Tokyo Beach shopping center will illuminate it "Yakei" tree light display twice per hour to the film's theme "Uta Utai no Ballad" by Kazuyoshi Saitō. The display promises to be an impressive sight, spanning 200 meters and featuring 220,000 individua...
Gintama Classifieds: Cosplay as Elizabeth for 50,000 Yen
The part-time job news service An has already posted listings for positions such as manga "extra," Resident Evil zombie, and Death Note Shinigami. The latest in the site's series of pop culture-related listings is recruiting someone to cosplay as Elizabeth for an event for the live-action Gintama film. The website is collaborating with the film to offer the one-day job to one person. The successfu...
Royal Tutor Anime's Ending Sequence Filmed in Live-Action by Cast
The cast members of The Royal Tutor anime are busy. In addition to recording scenes for the television series, which premiered on April 4, they are preparing to reprise their roles in the stage musical. Avex Pictures began streaming a live-action promotional video on Wednesday, in which the five main cast members appear as their characters. Although the cast already appeared in costume in visuals,...
Yuri!!! on Ice Campaign Brings 20,000 People From 27 Countries to Setting City
The second half of the Saga!!! on Ice campaign wrapped up in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture on Sunday. The official Facebook page for the city revealed on Sunday that more than a total of 20,000 people from 27 countries visited the Yuri!!! on Ice setting city during the two-month promotion that began on March 6. Due to the popularity and success of the campaign, the staff will continue to distribute the...
Sonic The Hedgehog Extreme Skateboarding Game's Lost Footage Revealed
Sonic The Hedgehog has been a popular game for many years, but not all of its projects have been a success. Liam Robertson revealed details about the unreleased game Sonic The Hedgehog Extreme in a new Unseen64 video. Vision Scape Interactive (Razor Racing, X-Bladez: Inline Skater) began developing the game in 2002, which would have been based on Vision Scapes' previous skateboarding games. Sonic ...
'your name.' Collaboration, 'Fastening Days' Short Win Animonozukuri Awards
Project Samantha AI, Hatsune Miku woodblocks, Evangelion kimono, more also honored
― The first Animonozukuri Awards announced the winners on Monday. The awards honored collaborative products and promotions in four categories: Animation Commercial, Content Collaboration, Original Content, and Craft Design. The awards ceremony was held at the Machi Asobi Vol. 18 event on Friday. Comprehensive Grand Pri...
Nipper Mascot Makes 2nd Anime Cameo in Frame Arms Girl
Japanese toolmaker God Hand introduced its mascot character Ultimate Nipako and she's sense appeared in a manga series and as a GPS guide voiced by Rumi Ookubo. She's even pitched alcohol. The character recently appeared in Frame Arm Girls, an anime about sentient model kit girls. As far as collaborations go, Nipako was a shoe-in. God Hand's Ultimate Nippers tool's primary purpose is for model bui...
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Player Finishes Big Blue Course in 63 Seconds
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's Big Blue course is unique in a few ways. It's one of only a few coursed to use three sections instead of having its racers lap three times through one section. This allows racers on the F-Zero-based track to come up with interesting ways to shave seconds, or in this case, minutes, off their run time. Player Jimmy-e has managed to run through three sections in 63 seconds by sk...
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