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Yuri!! on Ice TV Anime Gets 4DX Theater Screenings
Yuri on Ice fans will get the chance to fill the cool breeze off the ice rink in an upcoming 4DX theater showing. The entire 12-episode anime series will be shown in sensory-enhanced screenings in theaters throughout Japan starting on September 23. 4DX screenings include moving seats, water, scents, smoke, and more. なんと、「ユーリ!!! on ICE」のテレビシリーズ全12話の体感型アトラクション・シアター4DX上映が9月23日(土)より全国の劇場にて決定しました!!!劇場公...
Shimogamo Siblings Return to Board Real Train From The Eccentric Family
In a new case of life mimicking art, two young tanuki walked aboard an Eizan Electric Railway (Eiden) train in Kyoto on Thursday. Net commenters wondered if this was another case of The Eccentric Family's Shimogamo family members making an appearance in the real world. A real tanuki version of the anime's protagonist Yasaburō ended up stuck in a well at the actual Shimogamo Shrine last month. The ...
Dragon Quest Writer's Hometown Unveils Metal Slime Statue
The Dragon Quest franchise's 30th anniversary has brought all kinds of tie-in goods, from laptops to chewing gum. The city of Sumoto on Awaji Island in Hyōgo prefecture created something far more permanent to remember the video game series and its ubiquitous slime enemy. On Sunday, a metal statue of the slime, alongside the Sword and Shield of Erdrick, was erected in the Sumoto Civic Plaza Square ...
'iMarine Project's' 'Deep Blue Song' 9-Minute Mini-Anime Streamed
Sanyo Bussan's nine-minute "Deep Blue Song" mini-animation, part of the larger "iMarine Project," began streaming on Sunday. The anime stars Aya Uchida as iMarine, Maaya Uchida as Wendy, and Ayane Sakura as Ūny. The three characters sing the track "Deep Blue Town, Oide yo!" at approximately the four-minute mark. The episode ends on a cliffhanger with "to be continued." Two music videos set to the ...
Made in Abyss, ReLIFE, Momokuri Vie for Top Spot in Web Manga General Election
Pixiv and Nippon Shuppan Hanbai Inc. opened voting for its "Web Manga General Election." A total of 50 titles are available for voting until August 7 and the winner will be announced on September 9. The winners will be highlighted with displays in bookstores and on a large signboard in at the Shinjuku station. The 50 selected titles were chosen from 1,600 nominations. Several of the works are eith...
The Seven Deadly Sins Elaine & Ban Spin-Off Manga Gets Promo Video
The first volume of The Seven Deadly Sins: Seven Days ~Tōzoku to Seishōjo~ (Seven Deadly Sins: Seven Days ~The Thief and the Holy Girl) spin-off manga will be released on Friday and publisher Kodansha released a promotional video for the volume. Not only that, but voice actors Tatsuhisa Suzuki and Kotori Koiwai reprise their roles as the manga's star duo, Ban and Elaine. The ad has both a 15-secon...
Victor Coaches Rink-Side as New 1/8-Scale Figure
Retailers began accepting pre-orders on Thursday for the Yuri!!! on Ice Victor Nikiforov figure in Kotobukiya's ARTFX J series. A prototype of the figure debuted at the Mega Hobby Expo 2017 Spring event on May 27. The 1/8-scale figure is about 150 millimeters (about 6 inches) tall. This version of Victor wears the suit he appeared in in the anime when he made his coaching debut. He seems to be en...
Gintama Makes Fashion Statement With New Apparel Visuals
The official Gintama PR Twitter account unveiled three visuals on Tuesday for the franchise's new apparel items in collaboration with SwimmyDesignLab and HTML03. Although the images look like someone's 10-year-old brother might have drawn them, they are actually official collaboration art. The Gintoki image includes the text "sugar content" and "I love strawberry milk." The Katsura and Elizabeth ...
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, One Piece Jump Off the Pages onto Honda Fit
Earlier this week, the Honda Fit car seen in a recent Weekly Shonen Jump commercial went on display at an exhibition in Tokyo's Roppongi Hills complex, albeit with an itasha makeover. The stark white car was covered in scenes straight out Captain Tsubasa, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, One Piece, Naruto, and Dragon Ball pages. IMG cimg0558.jpg IMG cimg0553.jpg IMG cimg0552.jpg IMG cimg0542.jpg The even...
Curry Restaurant's Gundam Campaign Offers Exclusive Figure With Spoon
The Curry House CoCo Ichibanya (CoCo Ichi) restaurant chain revealed the full details of its Mobile Suit Gundam collaboration on Friday. The chain's website had previously teased the collaboration with an image of Amuro Ray eating the restaurant's classic pork cutlet curry. An image of the collaboration's special RX-78-2 Gundam CoCo Ichi Extra Finish Ver. is appearing on promotional banners at res...
Sega's Project 575's Characters Azuki & Matcha Get Vocaloid Library
Sega's Project 575 virtual idols Azuki and Matcha are getting their own Vocaloid software. The stars of Sega's Utakumi 575 app and Go! Go! 575 television anime are now available through Yamaha Corporation's Vocaloid shop. The software remains faithful to Azuki (played by Yuka Ōtsubo) and Matcha's (played by Ayaka Ohashi) voices from the original game and anime. The Vocaloid 4 libraries are also co...
Gamers Store Manager Yoshiko of Love Live! Sunshine!! Gets 1/7-Scale Figure
Last year, Love Live Sunshine character Yoshiko won the honor of becoming the "image girl" of Numazu's new Gamers store when it opened in Numazu, Shizuoka. Numazu is the setting of Love Live Sunshine and the Gamers store is dedicated to selling all things otaku related. A tie-in image of Yoshiko wearing her work apron and holding the store chain's round mascot, albeit with a few Yoshiko-themed ch...
Tsuki ga Kirei Character Designer loundraw's Graduation Anime Stars Hiro Shimono, Sora Amamiya
The 22-year-old artist loundraw came into the spotlight this year after providing the original character designs for the Tsukigakirei television anime (seen below). That work apparently helped loundraw earn some big help on a special project. It appears that loundraw graduated from college this year. The artist revealed their graduation project on Twitter on Thursday. For the first time, loundraw ...
Celebrate 30 Years of Martial Arts Mischief with Ranma 1/2 Stamps
Rumiko Takahashi's Ranma 1/2 martial arts romantic comedy is celebrating 30 years of gender-bending hijinks. Japan's national post office is celebrating with a framed stamp set of the series' iconic characters that goes on sale on July 18. The stamp set costs 4,200 yen (US$ ) and includes 10 character stamps, a stamp sheet holder, 12 color illustration postcards, and an A5-size calendar. Rumiko T...
Live-Action Gintama Film's Elizabeth's Identity Finally Revealed
Masaki Okada was shown as his character Kotarō Katsura for the live-action Gintama film way back in January. Pictured alongside Kotarō is his pet Elizabeth, and while the duck-like creature is definitely in the film, there has been no official announcement of the person underneath the costume. The part-time job news service An even opened a listing for an Elizabeth cosplayer, offering about US$450...
Watch the Dragon Ball FighterZ Exhibition Tournaments At Evo 2017
Bandai Namco Entertainment and Arc System Works's Dragon Ball FighterZ 2D fighting game is at Evo 2017 and players will be duking it out this weekend in four exhibition tournaments. Players Justin Wong, fLoE, MarkMan, Arturo Sanchez, Daymendou, Flux, Sabin, SonicFox, Kusanagi, and others are participating. The game is the same build as was previously shown at E3 2017, and players can choose betwee...
Kagerou Project's JIN's Nirvana Manga Gets Music Video
The Nirvana manga by team ZOWLS, made up of writer JIN and artist Sayuki, is the subject of an new animated music video. Singer Lia performs the untitled track in the video. The video is made up of images from the manga and original images for the music video. It includes appearances from well-known characters like main character Hitose Yachiyo and Maru, and characters that haven't been revealed ...
Musical Duo ClariS Releases 1st Photo Compilation Book
The musical duo ClariS, which keeps the singers' identities secret, will release their first photo compilation book on September 1. The book, titled illusion ~Hikari ni Kurumarete~ (Illusion: Wrapped in Light), will cost 3,500 yen (US$31). The hardcover collection will have 96 A4-size full-color pages. The photographs will include some unreleased concert pictures. ClariS also revealed a visual for...
Blast-From-the-Past Gundam Wing Anime Illustrations Bewilder Fans
The August issue of Gakken's Animedia magazine, which shipped on Monday, features special Mobile Suit Gundam Wing illustrations. The special illustrations are the anime's first in seven years. The magazine's official Twitter account previewed a Heero and Duo image. The actual magazine also features illustrations of Quatre, Trowa, Wufei, and Relena with character introductions. In addition, the iss...
Rejected Pearl Diver Mascot Megu Aoshima Gets Anime Promo Videos
The city of Shima, Mie withdrew official backing of its mascot character Megu Aoshima two years ago due to a raging controversy over whether the moe character is a suitable representation of the area's famous female pearl divers (ama) who are typically much older. However, that did not stop the character's creators from continuing to sell products with her likeness, and they launched a crowdfundin...
Red Ranger Checks Out His Rice Paddy in Nagoya
Yuusuke Murata shared his support of the super sentai characters from Lionsgate's Power Rangers live-action film, but Nagoya went all out with a Red Ranger rice patty. The artwork was sponsored by the Chaya Shinden Rice Patty Art Executive Committee, a conservation-focused group that raises awareness about paddy fields through planting and harvesting rice. This is the group's seventh year of opera...
Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale Director Teases Blu-ray May Show Asuna's Nipples
To the delight of fanboys, Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale director Tomohiko Ito and fellow staff members have teased that the Japanese Blu-ray Disc release of the film may reveal Asuna's nipples during the bath scene. The anime film's staff said during an interview that the Blu-ray Disc release of the film could have an upgraded bath scene with more detail. During the interview, Ito said that bot...
Take a Look Inside an Eva Cockpit at Shinjuku's VR Arcade
The world of Evangelion is closer to reality in the new "Evangelion VR: The Tamashii no Za" (Evangelion VR: The Throne of Souls) virtual reality experience opening at Bandai Namco's VR Zone Shinjuku on July 14. In the video, the player pilots Unit-01 alongside two other Eva units in a battle against an invading Zeruel. The project will be the first VR Eva-piloting experience. The cockpit machines ...
Kobe Zoo Holds Kemono Friends Dōjin Event
Meanwhile, Nasu Animal Kingdom plans stamp rally
― Kemono Friends dōjinshi already attracts huge crowds and tie-in events at zoos in Japan saw a giant uptick in attendance. It was only a matter of time until both were combined into some kind of Kemono Friends dōjin super zoo event! The Kemono Friends exclusive dōjin event "Kōbe Chihō" will take place on August 27 at Oji Zoo Hall in the Kobe Oji Zoo. ...
Mega Maker Puts Mega Man Levels in Players Hands
Nintendo's Super Mario Maker for the Wii U and 3DS consoles is very popular with fans and creators alike. Polygon's "Devs Make Mario" video series even had Mega Man's Keiji Inafune create his own level. Players have also ditched Mario assets to create Mega Man within Super Mario Marker Fan developer WreckingPrograms is creating a similar game in reverse, meaning if it doesn't fall victim to a DMCA...
Crowdfunding Planned to Build Giant Mazinger Z Out of Balloons
Toei Animation's Mazinger Z film is slated for next year but the company is planning a much larger-scale campaign to promote the film, and I mean that figuratively and literally. The film's official Tumblr announced on Tuesday that a crowdfunding website is scheduled to launch on July 15. The site will gather funds to create a large-scale Mazinger Z robot that will appear at promotional events and...
Yuragi-sō no Yūna-san Stirs Controversy Over 'Sexual Depictions' in Shonen Jump
This year's 31st issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine caused controversy after shipping on July 3. The issue published the latest chapter of Tadahiro Miura's Yuragi-sō no Yūna-san (Yūna of Yuragi Manor) manga, and the series is featured on the issue's cover. The issue also published the results of a character popularity poll for the series. Some people are questioning the appropriatenes...
Animator Teases KanColle Fan Anime Music Video
The dōjin circles Chūbō no Kōbō and Kinema106 are working together on a fan-animated music video starring the KanColle character Akitsushima, a Seaplane Tender ship. Dōjin member "Chūbō chau yo" shared a 12-second clip of the music video on Twitter and it's already been shared over 10,000 times. 動画の一部もちょいと出してみます。ひたすら好きに二式大艇を動かしてみました。 pic.twitter.com/3JYGJnSqtr— 厨房ちゃうよ (@tyuuboutyauyo) July 10, 201...
Watch Spriggan's Minagawa Draw His Latest Manga Kaiō Dante Part 2
Spriggan and Project ARMS artist Ryoji Minagawa launched his latest manga Kaiō Dante ("Dante" Ocean King) in Shogakukan's Monthly Shonen Sunday magazine in December 2015. In a new video, Minagawa draws the protagonists of all three works together in one image. The story follows a boy living in the middle of the 18th century during the height of sea exploration. To celebrate the release of the mang...
Kaworu Summer Fair Means More Angelic Goodies
While Shinji is gone fishing, Kaworu is throwing his own summer festival. The Evangelion Store Tokyo-01 will hold the "Summer! Nagisa! Kaworu Fair" from July 15 to August 31 and sell new goods based on the character from Evangelion Rebuild films. The store will offer clear files, towels, keychains, hoodies, coin cases, and pouches. Customers that spend at least 2,000 yen (US$17.50) will get one o...
It will be 'Breakfast at Tiffany' Some Day Manga Creator Draws Twin Peaks Cast
David Lynch's surreal murder-mystery series Twin Peaks left fans hanging for two decades about the identity of Laura Palmer's killer. The series returned to American television courtesy of Showtime in May and will broadcast exclusively on Japan's WOWOW network on July 22 under the title Twin Peaks: The Return. Manga artist Hirochi Maki is a huge fan of the original series and she drew profile imag...
The Mummy Film Gets 4-Episode Manga Spinoff
Ganma! artists draw spinoffs this month before movie's Japan opening on July 28
― Comic Smart's free manga website Ganma! revealed on Sunday that it is publishing four one-shot manga "episodes" collectively titled The Mummy - Dark Stories as a tie-in to The Mummy film starring Tom Cruise. The stories will be connected to the film's world, and will be set in London as it is suddenly engulfed by a sand...
Bigger Star Platinum Figure Means Bigger Poses This December
While fans are waiting to see Jotarō's live-action version this summer they can pose this new, bigger Star Platinum to recreate some of the iconic moments from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable. Medicos Entertainment's Chōzō Kadō BIG line is planning to release its super-posable figure of Star Platinum—the Stand used by Jotarō in Part 3 and Part 4—in late December. Star Platinum co...
Fairy Tail Staff Celebrates Manga's End While Creator Continues Work
Fairy Tail creator Hiro Mashima tweeted a picture on Saturday of a commemorative glass trophy that the manga's staff gave him after finishing their work on the series. Mashima added that he is grateful and has the "best staff." Although the manga's staff has no more work for the series, Mashima himself noted in a follow-up post that his own work is far from done. Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine ...
Pikachu's Choco-Bananas for New McFlurry Flavor
Visitors who want to cool off with Pikachu before he takes over Yokohama next month can head to McDonald's locations in Japan for a Pikachu McFlurry. The chocolate-banana flavored ice cream is served in a Pikachu cup starting on July 14. The treat will be available for a limited time, approximately the beginning of August although popularity could affect how long the campaign lasts. The Pikachu cu...
Failing Idol Finds Success When Paired with Talking Mattress in New Manga
The world of a successful idol has a myriad of pitfalls from romantic relationship restrictions, paparazzi rumors, to outright crazed fans. In the manga Umō 100% ~Uchi no Aishō ga "Neshin" Sugite Nemui. (100% Feathers ~My Partner is Too "Sleepy"), Senko has barely managed to get her foot in the door. She's longed to be an idol from a young age, and even studied them until she managed to launch a s...
Voice Actors Ayumi Tsuji, Michiru Sato Marry
Ayumi Tsuji (Saki - The Nationals' Hatsumi Usuzumi, Red Garden's Rose Sheedy) announced on Twitter on Friday that she has entered the family register with fellow voice actor Michiru Sato (Play Ball's Igarashi, Vie Durant's You). Tsuji said in the announcement that her grandmother recently passed away due to a traffic accident. Along with her family, agency, and friends, Sato supported her during t...
One-Punch Man's Murata Draws Dragon Ball's Vegeta, Nappa
It is no secret that One-Punch Man manga artist Yuusuke Murata is a fan of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball series. Murata has recently posted illustrations of various Dragon Ball characters on Twitter. His latest drawing shows Vegeta and Nappa apparently ready for a brawl. ベジータとナッパ pic.twitter.com/l9J7RIBHOW— 村田雄介 (@NEBU_KURO) July 7, 2017 Murata also drew the teenage heroes from Lionsgate's live-act...
Watch Linked Horizon's Attack on Titan Concert Performances
Theme song titans Linked Horizon opened their largest tour ever at the Ichihara City Civic Center's Great Hall on July 8. The band is promoting their new album Shingeki no Kiseki (Titan's Miracle) which includes the group's opening theme song for the second season of Attack on Titan. The album shipped in Japan on May 17 and rose to #2 on Oricon's weekly chart during its first week of release. In a...
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Exhibit Gets Manhole Covers in Real S City
The "Araki Hirohiko Genga-ten JoJo-ten in S-shi Moriō-chō 2017" (Hirohiko Araki Key Frame Exhibit JoJo Exhibit in Morioh, S City) art exhibit announced on Monday that it will get manhole covers in Sendai, Miyagi from August 4 to September 10. The project will put nine different manhole covers in nine locations around the city of Sendai. The fictional town of Morioh is the setting of JoJo's Bizarre...
Patlabor, Kill la Kill, Sword Art Online Character Designers Contribute to Wonder Woman Art Project
The first part of the "Wonder Woman Creators Collaboration" project to mark the Japanese release of the American film Wonder Woman debuted on Friday. Three anime character designers contributed illustrations of the film's protagonist Diana for the collaboration. Here are their illustrations: Akemi Takada (Patlabor the Mobile Police, Magical Angel Creamy Mami, Urusei Yatsura) Sushio (Kill la Kill) ...
Conservative Comic Strip Mallard Fillmore Asks the Tough Anime Questions
The conservative newspaper comic strip Mallard Fillmore has its own anime reference in the July 8 strip. Bruce Tinsley's nationally published comic starring news anchor and duck Mallard Fillmore appeared alongside Tinsley's representation of an anime character to point out the stereotypical art style's small, or sometimes completely absent, noses. Tinsley's comic has appeared in newspapers nationw...
Love Live! Sunshine!! Prize Lottery Offers Character Pillows
Banpresto's Ichiban Kuji unveiled its third Love Live! Sunshine!! line of prize lottery goods on Friday. The idols will enjoy the limelight on pillows, acrylic boards, and rubber straps. Here are the prizes: A-I Prizes:45-centimeter (about 18-inch) cushions J Prize:Acrylic boards (nine varieties) K Prize:Swimsuit version rubber straps (nine varieties) L Prize:School uniform version rubber straps ...
Attack on Titan Invades the Tokyo Skytree with Lifelike Recreations
“Just shut up and put all your faith in the Skytree!” Eren Jaegar yells, as hoarse and angered as he always is. It's an almost word-for-word rendition of his iconic scene in episode 14 of the first season, where he calls out the military police for their cowardice and challenges them to place their trust in him. But instead of himself, Eren urges the crowd to put their bets on the Tokyo Skytree. T...
Sui Ishida Draws Tokyo Ghoul Theme Band People in the Box
Tokyo Ghoul manga artist Sui Ishida drew three-piece band People in the Box to celebrate the group's 10th anniversary. Vocalist and guitarist Hirofumi Hatano, bassist Kenta Fukui, and drummer Daigo Yamaguchi joined up in 2008, although Hatano and Yamaguchi technically began working together as a duo in 2005. The trio released their 10 anniversary album "Things Discovered" in January. The band's re...
Galaxy Express 999, Captain Harlock Accessories Take Cosplay Out of This World
K. Uno's character jewelry and accessory brand U-Treasure announced at an unveiling event at its pop-up shop in Tokyo on Thursday that it will release two more accessories inspired by Leiji Matsumoto's works. U-Treasure unveiled a Maetel Necklace and Harlock Skull Belt alongside its previously released Galaxy Express 999 jewelry. The new jewelry will celebrate Matsumoto's 80th birthday, which wil...
Cinnamoroll Takes the Crown in 32nd Sanrio Character Popularity Contest
As proof that you can't keep a good dog down, Sanrio character Cinnamoroll was voted the top mascot in this year's Sanrio Character Popularity contest. Previous two-time champ Pom Pom Purin came in second, followed by My Melody in third. A total of 4.3 million votes were cast to elect the victor. Fans' top 10 favorite Sanrio characters are: Cinnamoroll Pom Pom Purin My Melody Hello Kitty Gudetama ...
Motorcycle Girls Rev Their Engines in New Manga — Literally
While manga like Bakuon!! focuses on girls enjoying the thrill of a motorcycle ride, Hideyoshi Suzuki's Bike Gijinka Kinsho (Bike Personification Germ Book) has more in common with DLE's Henkei Shōjo project. The motorcycle personification manga focuses on actual motorcycles anthropomorphized as girls. The four-panel gag comedy series' first installment stars a GSX400S Katana. The proud motorcycle...
Aho-Girl Meets with Alligators in New Zoo Collab
Aho-Girl's Yoshiko might be the dumbest kid on the block but her love of bananas has landed her a genius collaboration. The summer anime series is joining up with the Atagawa Banana & Alligator Garden (officially translated as Atagawa Tropical & Alligator Garden) zoo, the Izukyū Corporation railroad, and the Atagawa Onsen Tourist Association. Like Yoshiko, the zoo's mascot is an alligator with a l...
Voice of Hellsing's Alucard Plays Teenage Girl in Idol-Raising Game
Square Enix is producing a "youth dramatic idol game" titled Aozora Under Girls (Blue Sky Under Girls) for release for iOS and Android devices this year. The idol-raising game's staff introduced the Valkyrie unit and its voice actors on Thursday. The roles are (seen from left to right in image above): Rumi Ookubo (Yuruyuri's Chinatsu Yoshikawa, Mushibugyō's Hibachi) as Kyōka Kazahaya Yuka Iguchi (...
Yuri!!! on Ice Guys Meet Liquid Water for Summer Department Store Campaign
Yuri!!! on Ice's figure skaters look like they have been getting to know a much warmer, less solid form of water for a collaboration with the Tokyu Hands department store. Yūri, Victor, Yuri, Otabek, Phichit, and J.J. jumped out of the pool and onto a promotional poster for the campaign. The collaboration will offer merchandise and "mini character goods" featuring special illustrations of the char...
Find Your New European Culinary Passion in Europe Tabi Gohan Manga
A sub-genre of manga, referred to as "gourmet manga" that focuses on cooking and eating delicious food, maintains a steady influx of new varieties of reading material. Whether the reader wants to devour traditional Japanese fair or fast food, there's a manga for that. Ryōko Naga's Europe Tabi Gohan (Everyday European Meals) doubles as a food diary and travel book showcasing the cuisine of Europe. ...
Pre-Register at Shogakukan's Manga App Site to Win Exclusive Signed Goods
Publisher Shogakukan is preparing some spectacular giveaway goods for lucky visitors who pre-register for its "Sunday Web Every" manga application. Lottery prizes range from a baseball signed by Touch creator Mitsuru Adachi to RIN-NE chapter one draft artwork by Rumiko Takahashi. Kazuhiko Shimamoto, Silver Spoon's Hiromu Arakawa, Detective Conan's Gosho Aoyama, and Black Lagoon creator Rei Hiroe a...
Disney's Cars 3 Live-Action Mini-Series Reimagines Race Cars as Runners
The lack of humans in the world of Pixar's Cars films is perplexing to some fans. Much of the world, including its vehicles, seems to be made for humans, and yet they are mysteriously absent. Disney's Japan branch came up with a partial solution: transform the cars into human track-and-field athletes. Apart from the choice to morph already anthropomorphized cars into humans, the films' scenario pe...
CoroCoro's 40th Anniversary Celebrates New Generation of Pokémon, Doraemon, and More
If you've ever been a kid in Japan, you've probably heard of CoroCoro Comic, the biggest manga magazine aimed at elementary schoolboys. It currently serializes the manga versions of Pokémon, Beyblade, and Yo-Kai Watch, among other popular children's franchises, and each issue is often packaged with toys, games, and other exclusives. For example, the original Pokémon Blue version was initially avai...
Yuri!!! on Ice Heads to Hot Springs for Summer Collaboration
Oedo Onsen Monogatari revealed the details of its collaboration with Yuri!!! on Ice on Wednesday. The hot springs theme park will offer an array of themed food, merchandise, and games at its Odaiba, Tokyo location. The collaboration unveiled special illustrations of Yūri, Victor, Yuri, Otabek, and friends in yukata. The "mini character illustrations" for the campaign will also feature super-deform...
One-Punch Man's Yuusuke Murata Draws Hollywood's Power Rangers
Yuusuke Murata created a special gift for Power Rangers moviegoers in Japan. The One-Punch Man manga artist drew the super sentai characters from Lionsgate's live-action film and the artwork will be distributed on postcards for viewers when the film opens on July 15. A total of 300,000 postcards will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis. Murata has shown his dedication to American sup...
Pokémon Heroes - Latias & Latios Tops Fan Poll of Favorite Franchise Film
The 2002 Pokemon Heroes - Latias & Latios anime film ranked #1 in the "Oshi Pokémon Eiga Number One wa Kimi ni Kimeta!" fan poll to choose people's favorite Pokémon film. The poll celebrates the release of the upcoming Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! film that marks the 20th anniversary of the franchise's movies. In the poll, fans voted for any of the previous 19 Pokémon anime films from 1998's P...
The irregular at magic high school Voice Actors Satomi Satou, Takuma Terashima Marry
Voice actress Satomi Satou announced on her blog on Thursday that she has married fellow voice actor Takuma Terashima. Both are attached to the voice acting agency Axl One. Satou thanked her supporters and said she is still the same person and will continue voice acting. Satou noted that she has a lot of ways that she can sympathize with and respect Terashima in both their work and private lives. ...
Honda Collaboration Offers Test Drive Through Shonen Jump's Manga World
Honda is collaborating with Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine to promote its New Fit car and celebrate the magazine's 50th anniversary. Honda began streaming a promotional video for the collaboration on Monday. The collaboration's official website features the text "Don't stay." in English and "Keep Running." in Japanese. The collaboration seeks to highlight the joint goal of the car company ...
Henkei Shōjo's 3rd Transforming Girl is a Lingerie Battle Bot
DLE's increasingly unique transforming Henkei Shōjo anime shorts continue to top its predecessor and episode three's Itsuki is no exception. Thus far the episodes introduced Rin (a jetplane) and Haru (a sports car), but Itsuki takes the fanservice angle. The bashful school girl is in a dimly lit room with, presumably, her boyfriend who focuses on her with a video camera. Moments later, Itsuki loo...
Kira Yamato Tops Poll of Gundam Protagonists With Best Personality
Due to differences in life experience, the average person may find it hard to relate to the fierce fighters and child soldiers who star in Gundam anime. Nevertheless, these characters can evoke powerful emotions in viewers through their roles in such an iconic franchise. The Goo Ranking website decided to rank Gundam anime protagonists in terms of their basic characteristics and fans' reactions to...
Interview: Sally Forth Creative Team Talk Anime, Kaiju in Latest Arc
Francesco Marciuliano and Jim Keefe rundown their favorite anime series, the best kaiju films, and putting pop into newspaper serials
― Last month, the long-running newspaper comic serial Sally Forth caught anime fans' attention when Cowboy Bebop character Spike Spiegel appeared in character Hilary Forth's anxiety dream. The appearance wasn't a one-off occasion for artists Francesco Marciuliano and J...
Arby's Paper Art Came to Anime Expo, Gave Away Bandai Namco Prizes
Everyone's favorite pop-culture-savvy fast food chain (or at least its marketing team) headed to this year's Anime Expo. The restaurant held the Arby's Art Drop Promotion at the convention from July 1-4 and gave away special prizes. Are you at @AnimeExpo? So are we! Follow #ArbysArtDrop during the con to hunt for our art and score some prizes. #AX2017 pic.twitter.com/TMIblOiRrc— Arby's (@Arbys) J...
Kemono Friends Designer Draws Horse Girls for JRA Collaboration
Although Uma Musume Pretty Derby and A Centaur's Life are likely candidates, the Japan Racing Association's (JRA) latest anime-related collaboration is with Kemono Friends. The collaboration opened a special "Uma no Friends" (Horse Friends) website on Friday. Kemono Friends conceptual designer Mine Yoshizaki provided a set of characters for the collaboration that combines human girls with Thorough...
Nagoya Anime Project Asks Locals for Character, Mechanical Designs
Chukyo TV's Nagoya Anime Project streaming program opened applications for the "Nagoeight Challenge" for its related "Nagoya Anime Project the8th Secret Service" project on June 25. Former or current residents of the central Tōkai region of Japan can send in character or mechanical designs for "Nagoeight Challenge." The slogan of Nagoya Anime Project the8th Secret Service is "Let's create anime fr...
Super Mario Odyssey Director Confirms Mario is Human Despite 'Different' Appearance
Vice Canada conducted an interview with the Super Mario Odyssey game's director Kenta Motokura during E3 in June. Motokura discussed Mario's humanity, world travel, and nostalgia in the interview. Reporter Simon Coutu asked Motokura, "For the first time Mario evolves in a world where there are humans, and we see that Mario is really different from other people in New Donk City for example, is Mari...
Become Pikachu, Meowth, Ash With App's Pokémon Film Stamps
After partnering with JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable and Attack on Titan last month, video communication app SNOW is celebrating the Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! film's release with new stamps. In addition to being able to appear with Ash's Pikachu from the film (pictured above), the app's users can themselves transform into Pikachu or Meowth. A second stamp set will debut on...
Hideaki Anno Says He Expected Miyazaki's Return From Retirement
Evangelion and Shin Godzilla director Hideaki Anno, background art studio Deho Gallery founder Nobuo Kawakami, and Mary and the Witch's Flower producer Yoshiaki Nishimura appeared at a special event for the upcoming film on Saturday. Amidst discussion of background art, Anno commented on Hayao Miyazaki's return from retirement to work on a proposed new anime feature film. Anno laughed as he said, ...
New Nendoroids Revealed For Fullmetal Alchemist, Naruto, Little Witch Academia Characters at Anime Expo
Good Smile Company announced five new Nendoroid figures at its Anime Expo panel on Sunday. Roy Mustang from Full Metal Alchemist Sakura Haruno and Itachi Uchiha from Naruto Lotte Jansson and Sucy Manbavaran from Little Witch Academia Good Smile Company also revealed the first look at the Alphonse Elric Nendoroid. The company also stated that the Naruto Nendoroids will only be available outside of...
Funimation Holds Yuri!!! on Ice Postcard Rally for Creators at AnimeFest
Fans can mail in postcards to be presented to creators at August event
― Funimation announced at its Anime Expo panel on Saturday that it will run a Yuri!!! on Ice Postcard Rally linked to the AnimeFest convention. Fans unable to attend the event in Dallas will be able to mail in 4-inch by 6-inch or 5-inch by 7-inch postcards that Funimation will present to three Yuri!!! on Ice creators at AnimeFest...
Cool Down This Summer at Shigeru Mizuki's Ghostly Aquarium Event
Japan is already getting Mr. Osomatsu and Splatoon 2 aquarium collaborations this summer. Not to be left out of the pop culture collaboration boom, Tokyo's Sumida Aquarium announced on June 15 that it will collaborate with the late manga creator Shigeru Mizuki (Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro, NonNonBâ, Onward Towards Our Noble Deaths) to hold the "Mizuki Shigeru x Sumida Suizokukan Mizu no Yōkai Tunnel" (Shig...
Dragon Ball Holds Official 3K Run in Japan in September
Most anime fans know the physical prowess of Dragon Ball's Goku is nothing to trifle with. However, the character seems eager to prove he is a versatile athlete with speed to match his brawn. The anime franchise is holding the official "Dragon Ball Run" in Japan this September. The text in the promotional video reads, "A new Dragon Ball legend starts running now." The foot race billed as "the worl...
Toshiba Recruits Ultraman's Kaiju to Sell Washing Machines
Toshiba Lifestyle is teaming up with the Ultraman's Ultra Kaiju monsters to sell a new "ultra fine bubble" washing machine in its Zaboon series. The campaign is launching its second wave on Friday and began streaming a second collaboration video last week. In the video, the beetle-like Kaiju Zetton works as a cook at a Chinese restaurant. The oil and other flavorings he uses often stain his work u...
Sendai's Wake Up, Girls! Give JoJo a Stand-Worthy Shout Out
The girls of the upcoming, new Wake Up, Girls! television anime are coming out for the "JoJo Fest in S City Morioh Town" event on August 12. Well, they might not all be at the event itself but they are the subject of a special illustration mimicking the series' Stand-like poses. You can also spot the Joestar birthmark on the characters' necks. The three-dimensional Wake Up, Girls also posed for a ...
Asuna, Kirito, Sinon Computer Glasses Keep Enemies in Focus
Tokyo Otaku Mode's ongoing Sword Art Online exclusive merchandise campaign is adding weapon-themed computer glasses for fans worldwide. The glasses are designed after the most powerful weapons used by popular characters Kirito, Asuna, and Sinon in the series. Tokyo Otaku Mode is focusing on modern style frames featuring either Kirito's Elucidator and the Dark Repulser swords, Asuna's Lambent Ligh...
VR Light Novel Innocent Forest Debuts at Anime Expo
MyDearest is collaborating with the Oculus Store and Virtual Gate to release the virtual-reality light novel FullDive novel: Innocent Forest in mid-July. The VR novel will debut at the Anime Expo convention's "Nihon Chara VR Matsuri ~Japan Character VR~" event this week. MyDearest began streaming a trailer for the VR novel on Thursday. The VR novel is planned as the first in a series of "FullDive ...
Sailor Moon Returns to Promote Chocola BB Sparkling Energy Drink
Usagi Tsukino is back in a mixed animated and live-action commercial to promote her favorite energy drink brand. In the commercial, a rundown young woman gets "refreshed" after drinking Chocola BB Sparkling nutritional drink and transforms into Sailor Moon from Sailor Moon Crystal. 月野うさぎちゃんの誕生日にセーラームーンコラボの #チョコラBBスパークリング で乾杯!明日からチョコラBB65周年キャンペーン開始!https://t.co/ivMDC8RHwx#チョコラBBで生誕祭を #セーラームーン pic.t...
Vocaloid Yuzuki Yukari Gets New Life-Size Figure
Figure-X unveiled its latest life-size figure on Tuesday. The company created a new rendition of the Vocaloid Yuzuki Yukari, this time in a police uniform with a removable hat. Unlike previous 1/1-scale figures, Figure-X is not setting a production limitation. Enthusiastic collectors can purchase one for 1,280,000 yen (US$11,407). The company will ship the figures in the order they are received a...
Henkei Shōjo Transforming Girl Anime Shorts Will Air on TV
DLE's Henkei Shōjo anime shorts are "unique" to say the least. The project focuses on girls that transform into machines and thus far feature Rin (a jetplane) and Haru (a sports car). Each episode is only about a minute long, but has garnered plenty of attention on social media for its wacky premise. So much attention, in fact, that the shorts are going to air on TV and big outdoor screens. Tokyo ...
Live-Action Gintama Film Video Promotes Restaurant's Beef Bowls
The Yoshinoya restaurant chain is collaborating with the live-action film of Hideaki Sorachi's Gintama manga to promote its beef bowls (gyūdon). The chain is streaming a promotional video that features Masaki Suda, who plays Shinpachi Shimura in the film, and Jiro Sato, who plays Henpeita Takechi. Sato provides commentary in the video. In the video, Suda goes into a Yoshinoya and enthusiastically ...
Researchers Discover Safer Earth Re-Entry Thanks to Gundam
A new technology first utilized by Mobile Suits in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam could be the answer for safer travels for satellites re-entering Earth. Researchers tested out a real-life version of the series' "ballute" device on a microsatellite named EGG sent from the International Space Station. The hemispherical aeroshell device works like a heat-shielding parachute to ease EGG into the atmosphere....
The Devil is a Part-Timer! Novel Creator Explains Why Anime Has No 2nd Season
The Devil is a Part-Timer! light novel author Satoshi Wagahara took to Twitter on Sunday to discuss why there is no second season of the novels' television anime adaptation. He noted that people on Twitter and at signing events as well as friends in private often inquire. Wagahara said that, no matter the media, he is the biggest fan on the franchise. Although he would like a second season of the ...
Anime Expo VR Experiences Include Death Note, Shōnen Jump, Idols
This year's Anime Expo convention in California will host multiple virtual reality experiences, whether it's a Death Note escape game or 3D idols. The virtual reality attractions are part of the convention's larger Japan Character VR line-up coordinated with publisher Shueisha. The line-up includes a seven-minute Death Note escape game, a Shōnen Jump virtual art museum, interactive manga, and puzz...
Dead or Alive Xtreme Sense Invites Players to Sniff Characters
The Vaqso VR device was first announced in January and promised to offer a even further immersive virtual reality experience by adding smell to video games. Imagine the scent of warm grass while running through a field in The Legend of Zelda or the overwhelming smell of refuse while exploring in Silent Hill. There's a wide array of applications, but why focus on that when players can sniff pantyho...
Watch the Entire Final Fantasy XIV Bahamut Projection Mapping Display
Earlier this month, the Final Fantasy franchise's iconic dragon Bahamut appeared in a limited projection mapping display on the the Yokohama Grand Intercontinental Hotel. Visitors could watch the 12-minute display five times per day, but the event has since ended. Other Final Fantasy events are still taking place in Yokohama, but anyone wanting to see the projection mapping in person is out of luc...
ANN Readers: Welcome to the Ballroom Is Most Anticipated Summer 2017 Anime
Japanese readers at Charapedia and Kadokawa's eb-i Xpress weighed in on which summer anime series they are looking forward to this year. Those websites' users chose the second season of NEW GAME! and Jigoku Shōjo: Yoi no Togi, but Anime News Network readers eschewed both in favor of Welcome to the Ballroom. The adaptation of Tomo Takeuchi's competitive dancing manga follows feckless high school st...
Send Your Letters Across the Mushroom Kingdom with Mario Stamps
Post offices throughout Japan will issue Super Mario themed postage stamps starting on Wednesday. Collectors will want to snap these up; the stamps feature exclusive artwork not seen anywhere else. The stamps are sold in sheets for 820 yen (US$7.30). Additionally, post offices will use a Super Mario-themed processing stamp on letters with the stamps on June 28. Japan Post's online shop is previous...
One Piece Lottery Could Be 100 Fans' Big Musical Break
The upcoming One Piece Episode of East Blue: Luffy to 4-nin no Nakama no Daibōken special could be the big break for 100 aspiring singers. The One Piece DVD website will take entries to perform the special's theme song alongside frequent One Piece singer Hiroshi Kitadani starting on June 28 until July 5. Staff will chooses 100 singers to perform "We Are! for the new world," the 20th anniversary re...
Attack on Titan Anime Offers Survey Corps Certification Test
Japan loves its certification exams. People in Japan can take tests with different levels to receive certification in subjects ranging from the game Go to abacus to English. The official website of the Attack on Titan television anime announced a new test for fans on Monday. Diehard fans will be able to take the "Shingeki no Kyojin Kentei ~Chōsa Heidan Nyūdan Test~" (Attack on Titan Certification:...
Yamakan Tweets Separation From New Wake Up, Girls! Anime
Anime director Yutaka Yamamoto (Wake Up, Girls!, Kannagi), also known as "Yamakan," is known for being vocal and critical. Fellow creators and even the anime industry itself have become targets of his criticism. In his characteristic style, Yamakan did not hesitate to voice disapproval after the "Wonderful Hobby Life for You!! 26" event announced on Friday the guests for a cast and staff announcem...
Yuri!!! on Ice Pillow Covers Range from PG to PG-13
A new set of Yuri!!! on Ice hugging pillow covers can adapt to the owner's preferences, namely, how much abs they want to ogle at any given time. The four-way covers include a back and front image for each of three main characters. One set of back and front images are more modest, while the other set is slightly more revealing. The images are printed on a main cover and separate cover and sold to...
Shonen Jump Celebrates 50th Anniversary by Reprinting Landmark Issues
Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine is announcing all kinds of festivities to celebrate its 50th anniversary, including contests and a huge, three-part exhibition. Shueisha is adding an issue reprint campaign as well and the publisher will re-release some of the magazine's most iconic issues. These issues will be released in "packs" of two. The first pack is a reprint of the magazine's first ev...
Gintama Creator Draws Special Illustration for Magazine Bonus Booklet
This year's special oversized 15th issue of Shueisha's Margaret magazine will bundle the "Gintama x Margaret Combined Extra Issue Rare Book" on July 5. The cover of the 52-page booklet reveals that the theme involves characters partaking in festival revelry related to the upcoming film. Gintama manga creator Hideaki Sorachi is providing a special illustration of Yorozuya members in shōjo manga sty...
Asagaya Anime Street, An Alternative to Akihabara?
When it comes to anime hot spots in Tokyo, Akihabara and Ikebukuro would be at the top of most fans’ lists. But these meccas of anime fandom are not in the center of where anime is actually made and produced. The majority of anime studios in Tokyo are based west of Shinjuku in quieter suburban areas such as Nerima, Musashino, and Suginami. While these areas do get some anime-related tourism becaus...
Shonen Jump Celebrates 50th Anniversary, App Release With International Manga Contest
Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine announced on Thursday that it is holding the Jump's Universal Manga Contest. The contest celebrates both the 50th anniversary of the magazine and the launch of the Jump Paint manga-drawing app. The contest is open to anyone in the world. However, entrants must submit their manga in English, Spanish, French, Korean, Russian, Chinese (simplified), or Chinese (t...
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