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Hinamatsuri Complete Series BD & Digital
Hinamatsuri is nominally a comedy, but if you're looking for just laughs, it may not quite deliver - but when it is funny, it works really well.
― Hinamatsuri, which takes its name from a pun on the words for the main character's name and “festival” as well as the fact that “hinamatsuri” is a specific holiday also known as “girls' day,” is a bit of an unbalanced show. It ranges between being very fun...
Stand My Heroes: Piece of Truth 1-12 Streaming
"We don't often get series about fully-grown professional women in jobs like “narcotics investigator,” and to see it fall into a series of writing pitfalls is disappointing."
― There are many ways to adapt a game with multiple routes, with some working better than others. The major trap that many anime versions fall into is that of trying to include parts of all of the routes in an effort not to leav...
Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun GN 1
Legend has it that if you knock three times on the third stall in the girls' third floor bathroom in the old school building, a spirit named Hanako-san will appear and grant you a wish…for a price.
― The Seven School Mysteries are enough of a staple of anime and manga that most readers have likely encountered them at this point. The human-faced dog, the walking anatomical model, the haunted classroom...
My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 77
Our heroes are still human too, and that fact comes crashing down in the final scene of this episode.
Series Premiere: Haikyu!! To The Top
The volleyball boys are back but despite defeating Shiratorizawa, Hinata finds himself not selected for a prestigious training camp. Time to crash the place.
Watch 20-Year-Old Conan Dance Sequence Recreated in New OP Video
Dance sequence calls back to 8th OP
― The new OP for Detective Conan "Makka na Lip" by WANDS shows clips of Conan dancing interspersed with manga panels and other effects. TMS has released a video showing the full choreography, played by a dancer using motion capture technology. The video is a throwback to the dance Conan performs in the anime's 8th OP theme "Koi wa thrill, shock, suspense" by Rina A...
Series Premiere: Smile Down the Runway
Putting up with an abusive work environment is treated like a trial by fire; if you withstand it you'll earn the respect of your mentors. Assuming you don't die from overwork first.
A Certain Scientific Railgun Gets Real-Life Vending Machine That You Can Kick
Vending machine will be installed at Shinjuku station from January 20 to 26
― In A Certain Scientific Railgun, protagonist Mikoto Misaka is often seen kicking a vending machine in the park to get a free drink out of it. An actual vending machine designed for kicking is going to be installed at Shinjuku station from January 20 to January 26 for passers-by to try out. The kick-able vending machine attr...
Series Premiere: Darwin's Game
Death game anime are like roller coasters. You know when you strap in that you're going to get thrown around at high speeds, but the best roller coasters are the ones that catch you off guard.
Hinamatsuri Complete Series BD & Digital
Hinamatsuri is nominally a comedy, but if you're looking for just laughs, it may not quite deliver - but when it is funny, it works really well.
― Hinamatsuri, which takes its name from a pun on the words for the main character's name and “festival” as well as the fact that “hinamatsuri” is a specific holiday also known as “girls' day,” is a bit of an unbalanced show. It ranges between being very fun...
Kingdom Hearts III Game's DLC Previews Concert Extra in 2 Videos
DLC launches on PS4 on January 23, on Xbox One on February 25
― The official YouTube channel for Square Enix's Kingdom Hearts franchise began streaming two videos on Friday for the "Re Mind" DLC for the Kingdom Hearts III game. The videos preview the concert video that will feature as an extra for those who purchase the US$39.99 version of the DLC (the normal DLC without the concert video is US$29.99...
Space Battleship Tiramisu Manga Ends in 3 Chapters
Manga inspired 2 TV anime in 2018
― The Twitter account for Shinchosha's Kurage Bunch website announced on Saturday that Satoshi Miyakawa and artist Kei Itō's Uchū Senkan Tiramisu (Space Battleship Tiramisu) manga will end in three more chapters. The website published the manga's 99th chapter on Friday. Writer Miyakawa (Haha o Nakushita Toki, Boku wa Ikotsu o Tabetai to Omotta.) and artist Itō launch...
Hello World Manga Adaptation Reaches Climax in February
Adaptation of Tomohiko Ito, Graphinica launched last July
― The February issue of Shueisha's Ultra Jump magazine announced on Saturday that Manatsu Suzuki and Yoshihiro Sono's Hello World manga will reach its climax in the magazine's March issue, which will ship on February 19. Suzuki (Lostorage conflated WIXOSS) and Sono (Tokyo Ghoul, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress art design) launched the manga in U...
Love is Like a Cocktail's Crystal na Yōsuke Launches New Manga in February
Bonnō☆Saiyūki manga reimagines famous Journey to the West story
― The February issue of Shogakukan's Sunday GX magazine announced on Saturday that Crystal na Yōsuke will launch a new manga titled Bonnō☆Saiyūki in the magazine's March issue on February 19. The author posted a preview image of the manga on Twitter on Saturday: 来月から新連載します。三蔵法師が煩悩に苦しむお話です。えー、お酒は夫婦になってからのファンの方は読まないでください! pic.twitter.com/a...
EX-ARM Spinoff Novel Gets Manga Adaptation
Original manga illustrator Shinya Komi illustrates spinoff
― The February issue of Shueisha's Ultra Jump magazine announced on Saturday that illustrator Shinya Komi will launch a manga adaptation of Atarō Kumo's EX-ARM the Novel spinoff novel in the magazine's March issue on February 19. The manga adaptation is titled EX-ARM Another Code. EX-ARM the Novel (pictured at right) is a spinoff of Komi and ...
Ryu Fujisaki's Legend of the Galactic Heroes Manga Moves to Ultra Jump Magazine
Manga based on Yoshiki Tanaka's space opera novel series launched in 2015
― The February issue of Shueisha's Ultra Jump magazine announced on Saturday that Ryu Fujisaki's Legend of the Galactic Heroes manga will move from Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump magazine to Ultra Jump. The newest chapter will appear in Ultra Jump in the magazine's March issue on February 19. Fujisaki (Hoshin Engi, Shiki, WaqWaq)...
'The 8th son? Are you kidding me?' TV Anime's 1st Promo Video Previews Cast Voices
Catherina Ancient Music Ensemble perform music for series premiering in April
― The official website for the television anime of Y.A.'s Hachinantte Sore wa Nai Deshō! (The 8th son? Are you kidding me?) light novel series began streaming the show's first full promotional video on Saturday. The website also announced that the Catherina Ancient Music Ensemble, which plays Middle Ages-era and Renaissance...
Sayori Ochiai's Gingitsune Manga Resumes in February
Manga last published new chapter in May 2017 issue of Ultra Jump magazine
― The February issue of Shueisha's Ultra Jump magazine announced on Saturday that Sayori Ochiai's Gingitsune manga will resume serialization in the magazine's March issue on February 19. The manga's 14th volume will ship in April. The manga had gone on hiatus in the March 2017 issue, returned for one chapter in the May 2017 iss...
Viz Media Moves Up Time for Release of Shonen Jump Manga, Adds Undead Unluck Manga
New Shonen Jump chapters now release 5 hours earlier at 10:00 a.m. ET on Sundays
― Viz Media announced on Friday that it will now release new chapters of manga from Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. ET. In instances where Weekly Shonen Jump releases in Japan on days other than Mondays (the magazine often releases on Saturday when there is a Monday holiday in Japan), Viz ...
Made in Abyss Anime Gets Sequel (Updated)
Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul film opened in Japan on Friday
― Kadokawa revealed on Saturday that the Made in Abyss anime franchise is getting a sequel. The company is streaming a video to announce the sequel, and also revealed a new image board. The below video highlights each entry in the anime so far, before announcing the new sequel. The 13-episode television anime series based on Akihito ...
Weathering With You Film Ranks #2 Again in U.S. on Thursday
Film earns US$3 million in 2-day fan preview screenings, wider screenings opened on Friday
― The Box Office Mojo website reported on Friday that Makoto Shinkai's Weathering With You anime film earned US$1,445,534 and ranked at #2 at the United States box office for Thursday, after also ranking at #2 on Wednesday. The film has earned US$3,039,961 in its first two days. Fathom Events screened the film ...
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III Game Gets PC Release on March 23
NISA also streams story trailer for Switch version slated for spring
― NIS America began streaming a trailer on Friday to announce that Nihon Falcom's The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III game will get a PC release via Steam and GOG.com on March 23. The PC version will include enhanced visuals, additional High-Speed Mode Options, and others improvements and new features. Additionally, NIS A...
Fathom Events Confirms Ride Your Wave Anime Film Will Screen in U.S. on February 19
Masaaki Yuasa's latest film will screen for 1 night only
― Fathom Events confirmed on Friday that it will screen Masaaki Yuasa's Ride Your Wave film in the United States on February 19 for a one-night-only screening. The screening will be in Japanese with English subtitles. The company is streaming an English-subtitled trailer for the film, and is also listing theater locations on its website. Severa...
Yowamushi Pedal Cycling Manga Gets Live-Action Film in August
King & Prince idol Ren Nagase, Kyō Kara Ore wa's Kentaro Ito, Gintama's Kanna Hashimoto star
― The first live-action film adaptation of Wataru Watanabe's Yowamushi Pedal manga series will open in Japan on August 14. Ren Nagase of the idol group King & Prince will star as Sakamichi Onoda, and has been bicycle training since December. The film will also star Kentaro Ito (Ride Your Wave, live-action Kyō...
Stars Align to Be Exhibited at Lucent Cup Soft Tennis Tournament
Voice actors Natsuki Hanae, Tasuku Hatanaka to be announcers
― The tennis-themed anime Stars Align will have an exhibit at the 60th Lucent Cup Tokyo Indoor All-Japan Soft Tennis Tournament on January 26. The anime will display life-sized panels of the characters and tennis balls signed by the voice cast. Voice actors Natsuki Hanae (Maki Katsuragi) and Tasuku Hatanaka (Tōma Shinjō) will be announcers ...
Magical Girl Special Ops Asuka Manga Creators Launch New Series
"Chapter 0" of Makoto Fukami, Seigo Tokiya's Succubus & Hitman debuted on Saturday
― The March issue of Akita Shoten's Champion Red magazine revealed on Saturday that Magical Girl Special Ops Asuka manga creators Makoto Fukami and Seigo Tokiya will launch the new Succubus & Hitman manga series in the next issue on February 19. The manga's English subtitle is "A Young Hitman Between Heaven and Earth."...
Black Clover ‒ Episode 117
Honestly, I cannot remember the last time that a revelation in a shonen action series impacted me as much as this one did.
The Rising of the Shield Hero Stage Play Reveals More Cast, Visuals
Stage play runs in Osaka from March 27-29, Tokyo from April 2-12
― The official website for the stage play adaptation of The Rising of The Shield Hero anime revealed on Friday that Kenta Nishi will play Knight Commander Nops, and Kiyoshi Ōno will play Vice Knight Commander Sable. The website also unveiled six cast visuals. Carin Isobe as Raphtalia Ikkei Yamamoto as Motoyasu Kitamura Yūho Matsui (Geki...
Series Premiere: Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun
Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun is more than the sum of its parts, offering a creepy-cute style that is reminiscent of '00s-circa Hot Topic.
One Piece Pirate Warriors 4 Game's Videos Preview Sabo, Lucci, Law
Game launches in Americas, Europe, Southeast Asia on March 27
― Bandai Namco Entertainment began streaming three more character videos on Friday for the One Piece Pirate Warriors 4 game for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The videos preview Sabo, Rob Lucci, and Trafalgar Law. The game will debut for the PS4, Xbox One, and Switch in Japan on March 26, and then will debu...
Gundam Build Divers Re:RISE Season 2 to Include Fan-Submitted Gunpla Designs
Submissions for contest on Gundam Breaker Mobile app opened on Thursday
― The Gundam Breaker Mobile smartphone app opened submissions for a Gunpla build design contest on Thursday. The winning entry will be hand-picked by Gundam Build Divers Re:RISE series director Shinya Watada, and may appear in the anime's upcoming second season in April. To enter the contest, you simply need to create a design fo...
Series Premiere: Infinite Dendrogram
Infinite Dendrogram opens up a realistically shifting, changing game world the breadth of which would put EVE Online to shame.
Singer, Voice Actress Aoi Yūki Slaps Her Fans as Raffle Prize
'Hitting Session' celebrates release of Yūki's latest CD single 'Unbreakable'
― Voice actress and singer Aoi Yūki held an event to celebrate the release of her latest CD single "Unbreakable" on Wednesday. Besides performing the songs on the single, she performed an unusual service for her fans: slapping their backsides with a harisen (paper fan). The harisen is traditionally used as part of a Japanes...
Series Premiere: If My Favorite Pop Idol Made it to the Budokan, I Would Die
There is the question if Eripiyo's lifestyle and personality would be less appealing if she were a stereotypical male character.
Donten: Laughing Under the Clouds Film Trilogy's English Dub Videos Streamed
Anime trilogy ships in N. America on February 4
― Shout! Factory began streaming an English dub trailer and TV spot for the anime trilogy film adaptation of Kemuri Karakara's Donten ni Warau Gaiden (Laughing Under the Clouds - Side Story) manga on Thursday. The company also began streaming an English-subtitled trailer and TV spot for the anime. The company will release the trilogy on Blu-ray Disc and...
Series Premiere: Plunderer
While the first episode is focused on world-building, the second is focused on character building—oh, and fighting. Lots of fighting.
Katanakami Game's Introduction Trailer Streamed
PS4, Switch, PC game launches in Japan on February 20
― Spike Chunsoft began streaming an introduction trailer on Thursday for Acquire's Samuraidō Gaiden Katanakami (Way of the Samurai Side Story: God of the Sword) game, a spinoff of Acquire's Way of the Samurai game series. The game will launch in Japan both physically and digitally for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC on February 20. The ...
Taito Releases Touhou Spell Bubble Puzzle Game on Switch in February
Bubble-shooting rhythm game features new songs, popular characters
― Taito announced on Thursday that it will release the Touhou Spell Bubble game digitally for the Nintendo Switch in Japan in February. The all-new rhythm puzzle game will feature popular songs from ZUN's Touhou Project franchise. The game is officially licensed, but it will not be canon to the Touhou universe. IMG bubble1.jpg IMG bub...
Japanese Animation TV Ranking, December 30-January 5
Kaiketsu Zorori, Air Bound, The Night is Short, Walk on Girl films aired during holidays
― The Eiga Kaiketsu Zorori ZZ no Himitsu (Kaiketsu Zorori the Movie: Secret of Double Z) anime film aired on NHK Educational on Tuesday, December 31 at 9:00 a.m. and earned a 1.7% rating. The Air Bound CG anime film aired on NHK Educational on Wednesday, January 1 at 4:40 p.m. and earned 1.3% rating. The Eiga Oka...
Japan's Video Game Rankings, January 6-12
Super Robot Wars X Switch version debuts at #15
― Japan's Game Ranking: January 6-12 Rank System Title Publisher Release Date Weekly Copies Total Copies 1NSwPokémon Sword & Shield Nintendo November 15, 2019 71,695 3,256,754 2NSwRing Fit Adventure Nintendo October 18, 2019 21,498 547,569 3NSwMinecraft Nintendo June 21, 2018 15,845 1,208,747 4NSwTōhoku Daigaku Reika Igaku Kenkyūjo Kawashima Ryūta Kyōj...
Japan's Video Game Rankings, December 30-January 5
Pokémon Sword & Shield stays at #1
― Japan's Game Ranking: December 30-January 5 Rank System Title Publisher Release Date Weekly Copies Total Copies 1NSwPokémon Sword & Shield Nintendo November 15, 2019 196,925 3,185,059 2NSwLuigi's Mansion 3 Nintendo October 31, 2019 52,434 558,432 3NSwMario Kart 8 Deluxe Nintendo April 28, 2017 52,195 2,711,204 4NSwMinecraft Nintendo June 21, 2018 46,963 1,192,902...
Shaman King: Red Crimson Spinoff Manga Ends
Jet Kusamura's spinoff manga about Tao Jun, Lee Pai Long launched in June 2018
― The February issue of Kodansha's Shonen Magazine Edge published the final chapter of Jet Kusamura's Shaman King: Red Crimson manga on Friday. The spinoff manga of Hiroyuki Takei's Shaman King manga centers on Tao Jun and Lee Pai Long confronting the gruesome and hate-filled 2000-year-old history of the Tao family. Kusamu...
Goblin Slayer: Goblin's Crown Theatrical Anime's Full Trailer Streamed
New anime opens in theaters on February 1
― The official website for the Goblin Slayer anime franchise began streaming the full trailer on Friday for the Goblin Slayer: Goblin's Crown theatrical anime episode. The anime will open in theaters in Japan on February 1. Sumire Uesaka is joining the cast as the Noble Fencer. The television anime series premiered in Japan in October 2018, and Crunchyroll st...
Fruits Basket Anime's 2nd Season Premieres this Spring
New 7-minute video summarizes 1st season, previews 2nd season
― The official website for the new anime of Natsuki Takaya's Fruits Basket manga began streaming a special promotional video to announce on Friday that the show's second season will premiere this spring, and will air on TV Tokyo and TV Osaka. The below seven-minute video features a summary of the first season, before previewing the second ...
Otoko-Zaka Manga Begins New Arc in February
Masami Kurumada originally announced "Takeshima Honjin-hen" last year
― The official website of manga creator Masami Kurumada announced on Wednesday that Kurumada will begin the "Takeshima Honjin-hen" (Takeshima Stronghold Arc) of his Otoko-Zaka manga on the Shonen Jump+ app on February 8. Kurumada originally announced the arc a year ago in January 2019. Otoko-Zaka's initial eight-chapter revival beg...
Saki the Succubus Hungers Tonight Manga Ends on January 24
Romance manga, about succubus moving with man in his 30s, launched in 2017
― The January 31 issue of Houbunsha's Weekly Manga Times magazine revealed on Friday that Mikokuni Homare and studioHIP-CATs' Saki the Succubus Hungers Tonight (Saki-chan wa Konya mo Peko Peko) romance manga will end in the magazine's next issue on January 24. Seven Seas Entertainment's Ghost Ship imprint licensed the manga, a...
Shinkalion Anime Film's 1st 3 Minutes Streamed With Hatsune Miku vs. Godzilla Battle
Film opened in Japan on December 27
― Yahoo! Movies Japan began streaming the first three minutes of Gekijō-ban Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion: Mirai Kara Shinsoku no ALFA-X (Shinkansen-Transforming Robot Shinkalion the Movie: The Mythically Fast ALFA-X That Came From Future), the anime film based on its Shinkalion toy line, on Friday. The video previews a battle between the character Hatsune Miku...
IDOLiSH7 Second Beat! Anime's Promo Video Previews Re:vale Duo
2nd season's 1st episode debuted on January 6; rest of season premieres in April
― The official website for IDOLiSH7 Second Beat!, the second season of the IDOLiSH7 anime, began streaming the first promotional video for the anime on Friday. The video previews the Re:vale duo, who will appear in the anime to work alongside the titular IDOLiSH7 group. The first episode debuted ahead of the rest of the ...
Darwin's Game Manga Gets Serialized Novel Prequel
Novel focuses on Shuka, Rain's past
― This year's seventh issue of Akita Shoten's Weekly Shonen Champion magazine published the first chapter of a serialized prequel novel for FLIPFLOPs' Darwin's Game manga on Thursday. The FLIPFLOPs duo is once again working on the novel, with member Shu Miyama (formerly known under the pen name Ginko) writing the story and member Yuki Takahata drawing the illustrat...
Weathering With You Film Ranks #2 in U.S. on Wednesday
"Special Fan Preview" earns US$1.5 million
― The Box Office Mojo website reported on Thursday that Makoto Shinkai's Weathering With You anime film earned US$1,586,217 and ranked #2 at the United States box office for Wednesday. It ranked below 1917 and above Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker. Fathom Events is screening the film in theaters in the United States on Wednesday and Thursday. The screenings...
Korean Publisher Cancels Release of Little Miss P Manga
Publisher Daewon C.I. cancels publication of manga about anthropomorphized period
― South Korean publisher Daewon C.I. announced on January 6 that it will cancel its publication of Ken Koyama's Little Miss P (Seiri-chan) manga. The publisher stated the decision is a response to criticism regarding Koyama's portrayal of sexual harassment and misogyny in past works, as well as the manga's sensitive sub...
Blade of the Immortal ‒ Episode 15
Dr. Burando's mental breakdown is easily the most out-there and risky stylistic gambit the show has pulled this far.
Princess Gold Magazine's Final Issue Reveals Fates of Remaining Manga
Most manga to move to Petit Princess, 2 manga end
― The final issue of Akita Shoten's Princess Gold Magazine revealed on Thursday the fates of the manga currently serializing in the magazine. Seika Nakayama's Yōsei Kuni no Kishi Ballad ~Ōgon no Tani ni Nemuru Ryū~, Ryoko Shitou's Yajikita Gakuen Dōchūki F, Riho Sachimi's Futarikiri no Kyōdai Shin Roselia Ōkoku Monogatari, Naoko Moto's Jūniya no Mahōt...
Fire Emblem: Three Houses Game's DLC Trailer Reveals 4th House
DLC side story 'Cindered Shadows' launches on February 12 in N. America, February 13 in Europe, Japan
― Nintendo began streaming a trailer on Thursday for Intelligent Systems and Koei Tecmo Games' Fire Emblem: Three Houses Nintendo Switch game. The video previews the game's DLC side story "Cindered Shadows," which will launch on February 12 in North America. The DLC will feature new characters who ar...
Black Clover ‒ Episode 110-116
Theron Martin jumps into the world of wizardry to take on Black Clover's Daily Streaming reviews!
Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIV Game's 2nd Promo Video Streamed
Game launches in West on February 28
― Koei Tecmo America began streaming the second promotional video for its Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIV game for PlayStation 4 and PC via Steam on Thursday. The company also began streaming the third Dev Diary video for the game. The game launched in Japan on Thursday, and it will launch in the West on February 28. People who order the game within two weeks of...
Fire Emblem: Three Houses' Byleth Joins Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Game on January 28
Video reveals 2nd Fighters Pass with 6 new, unannounced characters
― Nintendo announced during a livestream presentation on Thursday that the Fire Emblem: Three Houses game's protagonist Byleth will join the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate crossover fighting game as the fifth and final Fighters Pass character on January 28. Byleth will have both male and female forms. Nintendo also announced that there wi...
Series Premiere: Somali and the Forest Spirit
These first two episodes are a sweet exploration of what Golem and Somali do for each other as they travel through an exquisite dreamscape.
Symphogear XD Unlimited Smartphone Game's 2nd Trailer Streamed
Global version launches in English, Korean, Chinese this winter
― Bushiroad and Pokelab announced on Thursday that pre-registration is now available for the global version of the Symphogear XD Unlimited smartphone game for iOS and Android devices. The game's official YouTube channel also began streaming the second trailer for the game. The game is slated to launch globally this winter in English, Kor...
Netflix Adds Dragon Quest Your Story CG Anime Film on February 13
Film based on Dragon Quest V opened in Japan on August 2
― Netflix's page for Dragon Quest Your Story, the Dragon Quest game franchise's first 3D CG anime film, revealed that the film will premiere on the streaming service on February 13. Netflix describes the film: Luca follows in his father's footsteps to rescue his mother from evil Ladja. Finding the heavenly hero who wields the Zenithian sword is...
Series Premiere: Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It
Science Fell in Love flew under my radar leading up to the start of this season...I was completely unprepared for how much I would enjoy the first three episodes.
Funimation Hires New Chief Content Officer, Chief Product Officer
Asa Suehira, Kaliel Roberts join management team
― Funimation announced on Thursday that it has hired two new executives to its management team: Asa Suehira as chief content officer and Kaliel Roberts as chief product officer. Suehira will oversee content investment, acquisition, and partnership across multiple areas including streaming, home entertainment, and licensing. He worked as executive direc...
Magia Record Fan Makes Calculator for Friendship Ending Staircase
In episode 2 of Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story, there's a rumor going around about the Friendship Ending Staircase. When two people break off their friendship with each other, they write their names on the sixth and seventh steps of the Friendship Ending Staircase. After that point, if one person tries to make amends with the other person, they'll get abducted by the Chain Mons...
Black Clover Phantom Knights Smartphone Game Launches in English
Kingdom defense RPG launched in Japan in November 2018
― Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on Thursday that it has launched the English-language version of the Black Clover Phantom Knights (Black Clover Mugen no Kishidan) game for Android devices. The company also began streaming a launch trailer for the game. The game launched in Japan in November 2018. The kingdom defense role-playing game is fr...
Series Premiere: BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense.
The premiere of BOFURI was a rather pleasant surprise. The VRMMO genre of anime is one I tend to bounce off of, but this series was rendered perfectly accessible and entertaining thanks to its amusing premise powered by a charming heroine. Shows like this can live or die quickly on account of their overpowered heroes and how interesting they are. In BOFURI's case, it cleverly presents main charac...
Shirobako Film Reveals Visual, Story, Additional Cast
Atsushi Tamaru joins cast of film about Musashino Animation making anime film
― The official website for the all-new Shirobako Movie (Gekijō-ban Shirobako) project revealed a new visual, story summary, and additional cast on Thursday. Atsushi Tamaru will join the cast as Kyūji Takahashi (name romanization not confirmed). The film's story is set four years after the events of the original Shirobako an...
Stand My Heroes: Piece of Truth 1-12 Streaming
"We don't often get series about fully-grown professional women in jobs like “narcotics investigator,” and to see it fall into a series of writing pitfalls is disappointing."
― There are many ways to adapt a game with multiple routes, with some working better than others. The major trap that many anime versions fall into is that of trying to include parts of all of the routes in an effort not to leav...
Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop Romance Anime Film's Teaser Streamed
Ichikawa Somegorō VIII, Hana Sugisaki star in film opening on May 15
― The official website for Flying Dog's original anime film Cider no Yō ni Kotoba ga Wakiagaru (Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop) began streaming a teaser video on Thursday. The film will open in Japan on May 15. Kabuki actor and first-time voice actor Ichikawa Somegorō VIII and actress Hana Sugisaki (When Marnie Was There, live-action...
Gainax's 'Lights of Sand' Anime Short Streams in Japan
"World's 1st 4K anime short" debuted in 2017
― AbemaTV will begin its exclusive advance streaming of director HIroyuki Yamaga (The Wings of Honneamise, Mahoromatic - Automatic Maiden) and character designer Yoshiyuki Sadamoto's (Neon Genesis Evangelion, FLCL) "Suna no Akari" ("Lights of Sand") 4K anime short on January 18 at 1:00 a.m. The five-minute "world's first 4K anime short" will stream in stan...
Arpeggio of Blue Steel Gets Another Tribute Manga in February
Takahiro Shinoda draws Kissa Arpeggio series
― The official Twitter account for Shonengahosha's Monthly Young King Ours GH magazine revealed on Thursday that Ark Performance's Arpeggio of Blue Steel manga will have another tribute manga series by Takahiro Shinoda titled Kissa Arpeggio (Cafe Arpeggio) that will launch in the magazine's April issue on February 17. Sakura Ikeda ended Sea Glass, a separa...
Innocent Manga's Musical Cancels Paris Performance
Performance was scheduled for February 9
― The official website for the stage musical adaptation of Shin'ichi Sakamoto's Innocent manga announced on Tuesday that the musical's Paris run has been cancelled due to "various circumstances." The musical was previously slated for one performance in Paris on February 9. The musical ran at the Hulic Hall in Tokyo from November 29 to December 10 last year. Th...
Monster Hunter World Tops 15 Million in Circulation as Capcom's Bestselling Game Ever
― Capcom revealed on Wednesday that its Monster Hunter World game has 15 million copies in circulation (both physical and digital) as of January 2, the highest number in Capcom's history. The announcement added that the game's Monster Hunter World: Iceborne expansion has 4 million copies in circulation, and the franchise overall has 61 million copies as of Wednesday, Monster Hunter World launched wo...
Takuya Kimura Cast in 2020 Doraemon Anime Film
Actor/singer's 3rd anime film role ever, after Howl's Moving Castle, Redline
― The staff of the 2020 Doraemon film Eiga Doraemon: Nobita no Shin Kyoryū (Doraemon the Movie: Nobita's New Dinosaur) announced on Thursday that Takuya Kimura will join the guest cast of the film as the character Gil, a suspicious man who looks like a monkey. He observes Nobita's actions, and holds the secret of the mysteri...
PriPara Idol Franchise Expands to Thailand With Local Auditions
Auditions will be held with Thai partner company
― Takara Tomy and syn Sophia announced on Thursday that their PriPara game and anime idol franchise will expand to Thailand with an audition project to discover local idol talent. A Thai partner company is collaborating to set up the auditions. The Pretty Series began with syn Sophia's Pretty Rhythm: Mini Skirt arcade game in 2010. The game inspired fo...
Black Clover ‒ Episodes 109
We're starting to see some of the seeds planted back in the Royal Knights exam bud forth out of the ground.
Cells at Work Characters Want to Check Your Temperature
Cells at Work has used its popularity to raise awareness to hydrate, the importance of blood donation, and disease prevention. Now Red Blood Cell, White Blood Cell, and Platelet are teaming up with Taisho Pharmaceutical's cold medicine brand Pabron S Gold W. The collaboration is designed to raise awareness about how colds are spread and how to threat them. The site can be visited on cellphones whe...
Cagaster of an Insect Cage Anime Posts English Trailer, Cast, More Staff, February 6 Debut
Yoshimasa Hosoya, Kana Hanazawa, Natsuki Hanae, Takahiro Sakurai star
― Netflix's NX on Netflix Twitter account began streaming an English-subtitled trailer for the anime of Kachō Hashimoto's Cagaster of an Insect Cage (Mushikago no Cagaster) manga on Wednesday. Additionally, Netflix's page for the anime is streaming an English-dubbed trailer. The trailer reveals the anime's February 6 worldwide debu...
Chihayafuru Manga Creator Establishes Fund to Support Karuta Industry
Suetsugu releases manga detailing her motives
― Chihayafuru manga creator Yuki Suetsugu announced on Tuesday that she is establishing a fund to support the competitive karuta industry. A website with information about the purpose of the fund and how to donate launched on Tuesday. Suetsugu also published a manga on Comici's online website detailing her motives for the establishing the fund. In the man...
Hajime Yamamura's Seven Edge Manga Ends
4th/5th compiled book volumes ship on Friday
― The fourth and fifth compiled book volumes of Hajime Yamamura's Seven Edge manga will ship on Friday, marking the end of the series. Yamamura (Kamisama Dolls) launched the Seven Edge manga in Shueisha's Garaku.mag magazine in April 2015. The manga continued on Shueisha's Garaku no Mori website after Garaku.mag ceased publication in August 2015. Shueisha ...
Indie Animator Claims Outburst Dreamer Boys OP Copies Their Work
In a deleted tweet, Nagoya-based indie motion graphics animator Isshin claimed the opening animation from Outburst Dreamer Boys includes their work without permission. Isshin's video was uploaded to YouTube on April 9 and can be watched below. Approximately 11 seconds from the anime's opening appears to have the same effects used in Isshin's video. Isshin wrote on Twitter on Tuesday that they remo...
Crunchyroll Streams Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet Anime's Additional Episodes, OVAs
Episodes 14-15, OVAs begin streaming on Wednesday
― Crunchyroll announced on Wednesday that it will begin streaming episodes 14-15 of the Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet anime and the two-part original video anime (OVA) sequel Suisei no Gargantia: Meguru Kōro, Haruka on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. EST in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Latin America. Production I.G's...
Duel Masters Manga Launches New Series in February
Protagonist Joe Kirifuda gets new look for Duel Masters King
― The February 2020 issue of Shogakukan's Coro Coro Comics magazine revealed on Wednesday that the Duel Masters manga will launch a new series titled Duel Masters King in the next issue on February 15. Shigenobu Matsumoto is returning to draw the series. The March issue will bundle an oversized booklet for the manga's first chapter. The ove...
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 139
With the show currently between story arcs, the time is ripe for supporting characters to receive some time in the limelight.
Hello Kitty, Gundam's Amuro Ray Join Forces in Final Hello Kitty VS Gundam Ad
40 years of Gundam has led to this precise moment where Amuro Ray meets his most formidable foe yet. She has five more years of experience under her belt but you could say she's relatively to the mecha scene, not including a previous stint in 2014. She's none other than the face of Sanrio, Hello Kitty herself. The battle has culminated into a series of animated shorts. In the first video, Hello Ki...
Merman in my Tub Manga Ends on February 15
4-panel manga inspired anime shorts in 2014
― The February issue of Kadokawa's Comic Gene magazine revealed on Wednesday that Itokichi's Merman in My Tub (Orenchi no Furo Jijō) manga will end in the magazine's next issue on February 15. The final chapter will have a color opening page. Amazon Japan previously listed the manga's eighth volume as the final volume. The volume will ship on February 27. T...
Babylon ‒ Episode 10
For well over ten weeks now, Babylon has done nothing but ask the suicide question, and I'm beginning to think all of this stalling is because not a single character or person involved with the creation of this series has an answer to give.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Game's Trailer Features Narration by Vegeta
Game launches on Thursday in Japan, Friday in West
― Bandai Namco Entertainment America began streaming on Wednesday a trailer for the Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot game for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. The video highlights Vegeta as he narrates his thoughts about Goku. The trailer features the Dragon Ball Z anime's second ending theme song, "Boku-tachi wa Tenshi Datta" (We Were Angels) by Hir...
My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 70-76
Deku and Co. are back to face Overhaul as Nick Dupree joins the Daily Streaming team for My Hero Academia!
Smile Down the Runway Director Speaks of His Former Ambitions in the Fashion Industry
Fashion-themed anime debuted on Friday
― Smile Down the Runway director Nobuyoshi Nagayama spoke to Animage about how he felt when he was first asked to be director of the anime. He revealed that there was a period in his life when he himself wanted to be a fashion designer, so he felt a connection with deuteragonist Ikuto Tsumura. "For ages, I've always loved making soft toys, and I also made teddy ...
Crayon Shin-chan TV Anime Casts Hiroki Suzuki as Action Actor
Suzuki's character debuts on this Saturday's episode
― The official website for the Crayon Shin-chan television anime revealed on Wednesday that actor Hiroki Suzuki will be a guest cast member in the anime for this Saturday's episode "Hashiru Sentōin Da zo" (I'm a Running Combatant). Suzuki will play Shingo Kakeda, an action actor who dreams of going to Hollywood, but is currently acting in a televis...
Chihayafuru 3 ‒ Episode 13-14
After an entire episode that shares Dr. Harada's past triumphs, his eternal patience and dedication to karuta, and the physical limitations of his aging body, it all comes down to this card.
Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun GN 1
Legend has it that if you knock three times on the third stall in the girls' third floor bathroom in the old school building, a spirit named Hanako-san will appear and grant you a wish…for a price.
― The Seven School Mysteries are enough of a staple of anime and manga that most readers have likely encountered them at this point. The human-faced dog, the walking anatomical model, the haunted classroom...
NY Int'l Children's Film Fest Screens Children of the Sea, On-Gaku: Our Sound, Magic Boy Anime
NYICFF's "Friends & Neighbors" initiative also highlights Japanese shorts
― The New York International Children's Film Festival (NYICFF) revealed on Friday that this year's event will host the East Coast premiere of Children of the Sea on February 21 and the United States premiere of East Coast premiere of On-Gaku: Our Sound on February 22. The festival will also screen the Magic Boy anime film on Fe...
Ride Your Wave Anime Film Listed as Screening in U.S. on February 19
Masaaki Yuasa's award-winning film screens with English subtitles
― Several theater chains are listing Masaaki Yuasa's Ride Your Wave film as screening in the United States on February 19 at 7:00 p.m. local time. The listing states that the screening will have Japanese audio with English subtitles. ANN reached out to GKIDS for comment on the listings, but the company did not respond by press time. GK...
Mobius Final Fantasy Smartphone Game Ends Service Worldwide in June
Service ends in Japan in March
― The official Japanese and English websites for Square Enix's Mobius Final Fantasy smartphone role-playing game announced on Wednesday that service for the game will end in Japan on March 31 and worldwide on June 30. Service will end after the Warrior of Despair story concludes in the game. The announcements noted "difficult discussions" that led to the decision to end...
Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle TV Anime Reveals Main Cast, Staff
Inori Minase plays Princess Syalis, Mitsue Yamazaki directs
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of their Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle (Maōjō de Oyasumi) manga revealed the main cast and staff, as well as a teaser visual on Wednesday. Inori Minase will play Princess Syalis. Mitsue Yamazaki is directing (How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift?, Tada Never Falls in Love) the ...
Weathering With You, Her Blue Sky, More Nominated for 42nd Japan Academy Prize
Conan, Lupin III, One Piece, Kingdom, Tonde Saitama, Ibuki honored
― The Japan Academy Film Prize Association for excellence in film announced the nominees for the 43rd annual awards on Wednesday. The five movies that have been nominated for Animation of the Year are: Her Blue Sky Weathering With You Detective Conan: The Fist of Blue Sapphire Lupin III THE FIRST One Piece Stampede Of the five films n...
Re:ZERO TV Anime Season 2 Reveals Theme Song Artists
Konomi Suzuki, nonoc return for season premiering in April
― The official website of the Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- anime revealed the theme song artists for the second season on Wednesday. Konomi Suzuki, who previously performed the original anime's first opening theme song "Redo," returns to perform a new opening song. Singer nonoc, who performed the theme songs for the Re:ZERO -Start...
Takara Tomy's Tomica Toy Cars Get Earth Granner TV Anime in April
Shizuka Ishigami, Haruna Sakurai, Nobuyuki Hiyama, Satoshi Hino, Jun Fukuyama star
― Takara Tomy announced on Wednesday that it is sponsoring Tomica Kizuna Gattai Earth Granner (Tomica Bond Combination Earth Granner), the first new television anime based on its Tomica toy car brand since the 2017 anime series Tomica Hyper Rescue Drive Head Kidō Kyūkyū Keisatsu. The anime will premiere this April on T...
Kaiji Final Game Film Opens at #2, My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising Drops to #7
On-Gaku: Our Sound debuts at #3 in mini-theaters, The Island of Giant Insects at #5
― Kaiji Final Game, the new live-action film inspired by Nobuyuki Fukumoto's Gambling Apocalypse Kaiji manga, ranked at #2 in its opening weekend in Japan. The film sold 248,000 tickets and earned 362 million yen (about US$3.29 million) on Saturday and Sunday, and has sold 437,000 tickets and earned 616 million yen (a...
Live-Action Wasteful Days of High School Girl Series Casts Nagisa Takano
17-year-old Takano plays sports-minded "Bondo" in January 24 show
― The staff for the live-action series of Bino's Wasteful Days of High School Girl (Joshi Kōsei no Mudazukai) manga revealed on Wednesday that Nagisa Takano (seen below) will play "Bondo," a member of the basketball team who is good at sports in general. The 17-year-old Takano is herself currently a high school student. The series will...
AAA Music Group to Disband 'For the Time Being' on December 31
Group will release compilation album on February 19, tour Japan in November
― The official website for the AAA music group announced on Wednesday that the group will "temporarily" cease its activities on December 31. The announcement noted that the members of the group have been considering the future of the group and possible solo work since 2016, and have arrived at the conclusion that the group, e...
Series Premiere: Isekai Quartet 2
The wit and cleverness used in mixing the casts of assorted popular isekai series together was no fluke, as the amazing balance that the writing achieved in keeping the four original component series roughly equally-involved handles its new additions just fine, too.
Bandai Namco Ent. Files Trademark for Mr. Driller: Drill Land in Europe
― Bandai Namco Entertainment filed a trademark in Europe on January 10 for "Mr. Driller: Drill Land." The company had filed a trademark for "Mr. Driller Encore" (logo pictured at right) in Japan on September 4, and it was made public on September 17. Bandai Namco released a puzzle game titled Mr. Driller: Drill Land for Nintendo GameCube in Japan in December 2002. The company launched the original M...
Takashi Noguchi Launches Kōdō Wolf Racing Manga
New series centers on highway racing
― This year's third issue of Akita Shoten's Young Champion magazine revealed on Tuesday that Takashi Noguchi will launch a new manga series in the next issue on January 26. The series is titled Kōdō Wolf (Highway Wolf), and it will feature highway races. The manga's first chapter will be 45 pages long and include color opening pages. Noguchi launched the Shinsengu...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, January 12-18
The Price of Smiles, Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka anime; Persona 5, Star Wars: The Legends of Luke Skywalker manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Clockwork Planet Essentials BDPlease Funimation US$29.98 January 14 Dragon Ball Super Part 10 BDCite Funimation US$44.98 January 14 Dragon Ball Super Part 10 DVDAnimeNewsNetwork Funimation US$39.98 January 14 Gamers! Essent...
Mothers Weigh in on The [email protected] Kindergarten Costume
Some think it's inexplicable and creepy, while others have no problem with it
― On December 27, The [email protected]: Shiny Colors game Twitter account released an image of the new obtainable character in its latest event. The illustration shows the character Tenka Ōsaki dressed in an outfit commonly worn by kindergarten-aged children in Japan. 【イベント報酬アイドルのご紹介】プロデュースイベント「ウィンター・スノー・ボックス」のイベント報酬アイドルをご紹介します。◆...
Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia ‒ Episode 13
While Babylonia has started its second cour in a more plodding manner than I would've hoped, humanity's last stand against Tiamat is quickly approaching, and with it should come some more excitement.
Funimation Announces Winter SimulDub Premiere Dates
― Funimation announced the premiere dates for its winter season English dubs on Tuesday. The premiere schedule is as follows: Darwin's Game - January 17 Sorcerous Stabber Orphen - January 21 BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense - January 22 Hatena Illusion - January 23 Nekopara - January 23 Infinite Dendrogram - January 23 Toilet-bound Hanako-kun - January 23 If My Favorite P...
Resident Evil 3 Remake Game's Trailer Previews Nemesis
PS4, Xbox One, PC survival horror game launches on April 3
― The official YouTube channel for PlayStation began streaming on Tuesday a trailer for CAPCOM's remake of the Resident Evil 3 survival horror game for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. The video previews Nemesis. The game will launch on April 3. The release will include the Resident Evil: Resistance online game, which was previously...
Babylon ‒ Episode 9
For all of Babylon's very questionable storytelling decisions, its saunter across the sea to America may be the moment it has jumped the shark.
This Week in Anime - Thunderbolt Fantasy Proves Gen Urobuchi is The Puppet Master
In 2016, acclaimed scriptwriter Gen Urobuchi moved on from the likes of Madoka Magica and Psycho-Pass to the world of...puppetry. Thus, Thunderbolt Fantasy was born and it may be the most anime thing he's ever created to date.
― In 2016, acclaimed scriptwriter Gen Urobuchi moved on from the likes of Madoka Magica and Psycho-Pass to the world of...puppetry. Thus, Thunderbolt Fantasy was born and it m...
Studio Ghibli Creates 1st New LAWSON Commercial in a Decade
Ad shows grown up character from 2001 commercial
― Studio Ghibli produced a 15-second animated commercial for the LAWSON convenience store chain, which was released on January 1. Ghibli has been producing animated commercials for LAWSON since 2001, but LAWSON announced that this was the first Ghibli ad in roughly a decade. The ad shows various employees working inside the store, as well as children e...
Demon Slayer Manga Takes 19 of Top 20 Spots on Amazon's Weekly Ranking
Demon Slayer #19 ranks at #1; One Piece #95 ranks at #2
― Amazon Japan revealed the rankings for the top 100 manga books based on sales for the week of December 29 to January 4. Koyoharu Gotouge's Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga took 19 of the top 20 spots on Amazon's weekly manga ranking. The manga's upcoming 19th compiled book volume ranked at #1, and the other 18 volumes ranked at #3-20. The ...
La-Mulana 1 & 2 Games' Trailer Streamed
NIS America began streaming a gameplay trailer for Nigoro's La-Mulana 1 & 2 games for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One on Tuesday. NIS America will release the game in North America on March 17. The company will also release the games in Europe on March 20 and in Oceania on March 27. The Hidden Treasures Edition will bundle an art book, two-disc soundtrack, and jigsaw puzzle. NIS A...
Weathering With You Anime Film's 2nd English Dub Clip Streamed
Film debuts in theaters in U.S. on Wednesday
― GKIDS began streaming a second English dub clip for Makoto Shinkai's Weathering With You anime film on Monday. The English dub cast includes: Brandon Engman as Hodaka Ashley Boettcher as Hina Lee Pace as Suga Alison Brie as Natsumi Emeka Guindo as Nagi Riz Ahmed as Takai Vinnie Penna as Kimura Mike Pollock as Yasui Barbara Goodson as Tachibana GKIDS desc...
Fate/stay night Anime Director Yuji Yamaguchi Passes Away
Yamaguchi also directed Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works film, The Severing Crime Edge anime
― The official Twitter account for Studio DEEN confirmed on Tuesday that anime director Yuji Yamaguchi has passed away. The tweet did not state a cause or date of death. Yamaguchi directed both the 2006 Fate/stay night television anime series and the 2010 Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works film at S...
Final Fantasy VII Remake Game Delayed to April 10
PS4 game originally slated for March 3
― Square Enix announced on Tuesday that the worldwide launch of its Final Fantasy VII Remake game on PlayStation 4 has been delayed from March 3 to April 10. The game's producer Yoshinori Kitase said, "In order to ensure we deliver a game that is in-line with our vision, and the quality that our fans who have been waiting for deserve, we have decided to move the...
JIN's Kagerou Daze No. 9 Anime Screenings Delayed
― Edword Records announced on Tuesday that JIN's Kagerou Daze No.9 project has been delayed due to "various circumstances." The anime was originally slated to screen this month. Staff will reveal a new release date for the project in the future. People who won tickets to attend an event at F Place in Fujisawa, Kanagawa on January 26 will be able to attend a premiere screening in the future. The spi...
King of Prism All Stars: Prism Show Best 10 Film Earns 45 Million Yen in 4 Days
Sold 26,000 tickets in since Friday
― The King of Prism All Stars: Prism Show Best 10 anime film sold 26,000 tickets and earned 45 million yen (about US$408,800) in its first four days. The film opened in Japan on Friday, January 10 in 31 theaters. Avex Pictures distributes the film in Japan. Takara Tomy Arts, Syn Sophia, Avex Pictures, and Tatsunoko Pro are credited with the original work. King of P...
Sony Skips E3 Again This Year
― The Gamesindustry.biz game news website confirmed on Monday that Sony Interactive Entertainment will not be participating at the E3 video game trade show this year. This will be the second consecutive year the SIE has not participated at the show. SIE will instead focus on attending "hundreds" of other consumer events in order to showcase the upcoming games for its PlayStation 4 and upcoming PlayS...
ROOM CAMP Anime's Home Video Release Includes New Anime Episode
BD/DVD for anime short series ships on May 27
― The official website for ROOM CAMP (Heya Camp), the short anime spinoff of the anime of Afro's Yurucamp (Yurukyan△, Laid-Back Camp Δ) manga, revealed on Monday that the anime's Blu-ray Disc and DVD release in Japan will include all 12 main episodes of the anime plus a new special anime episode titled "Sauna to Gohan to Sanrin Bike" (Sauna, Food, and a T...
BanG Dream!'s Poppin'Party Single Debuts at #1 With 27,000 Copies
3rd Season's theme song CD is Poppin'Party's 1st to top Oricon's weekly chart
― The "Initial/Yume o Uchinuku Shunkan ni!" single by Poppin'Party, the in-universe band for the BanG Dream! franchise, sold about 27,000 copies to rank #1 on the Oricon weekly singles chart for the January 6-12 week. The single is the first CD — single or album — by Poppin'Party to top Oricon's weekly charts. The single sh...
Super Nintendo World Theme Park Area Previewed in Music Video by Galantis, Charli XCX
Collect coins, stars, keys with interactive "? Blocks," attractions
― The Universal Studios Japan theme park in Osaka revealed more details and a new music video for the park's planned "Super Nintendo World" area during its "global kickoff presentation" on Tuesday. The below music video's song is titled "WE ARE BORN TO PLAY" by producer duo Galantis featuring singer Charli XCX. Universal Studios Japa...
Whisper of the Heart Manga Gets Live-Action Film Sequel After Inspiring Ghibli Anime
Nana Seino, Tori Matsuzaka star in September film set 10 years later
― Sony Pictures Entertainment announced on Tuesday that Aoi Hiiragi's Whisper of the Heart (Mimi o Sumaseba) manga is inspiring a live-action film that will open in Japan on September 18. The film stars Nana Seino (live-action Kyou Kara Ore wa!!, After the Rain, Nowhere Girl, Tokyo Tribe films, left in image below) as Shizuku Tsukis...
The Type-Moon Museum Shows a Fascinating Snippet of Fate/Stay Night's History
Exhibit at Sony Music Roppongi Museum runs from December 20 to April 5
― The Type-Moon Museum, which is running at the Sony Music Roppongi Museum from December 20 to April 5, is a must visit for any Fate/Stay Night fan. The lavish 15th anniversary exhibit offers a comprehensive look at the Fate/Stay Night visual novel and anime production materials, as well as tantalizing hints of the personal lives ...
Sleep Beside Asuna and Alice in Sword Art Online Aliciation Lycoris Game
When you need a break from saving the virtual world, the Sword Art Online Alicization: Lycoris game will let you get cozy with both Asuna and Alice at home. The "sleeping together" event scenes were revealed for the first time on Monday during the Sword Art Online New Year Special presentation. The event will feature Asuna in a pink nightie and Alice in a two-piece sheer pair of pajamas. Sword Art...
My Hero Academia Ranks #3 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan December List
One-Punch Man, No Longer Human, Demon Slayer, Dragon Ball Super also rank
― Kohei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia manga volume 1 ranked #3 on NPD BookScan's Top 20 adult graphic novels list for December. This month's list featured 12 manga volumes, including: #3 — Kōhei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia volume 1 #4 — Kōhei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia volume 22 #5 — Kōhei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia volume ...
BEASTARS Anime Premieres on Netflix Outside of Japan on March 13
― Netflix announced on Twitter on Monday that it will premiere the television anime of Paru Itagaki's BEASTARS manga outside of Japan on March 13. The first television anime season debuted on Netflix in Japan on October 8, and it ran for 12 episodes. The anime will get a second season. The manga takes place in a world of carnivores and herbivores, where there is a lot of hope, love, and anxiety. Leg...
Fate/Grand Order Babylonia Director: Anime Production is Still Ahead of Schedule
Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia's director Toshifumi Akai spoke to Animage about the state of the anime's production at the end of 2019. He said that production is still ahead of schedule, relative to other two-cour anime, and that work is proceeding in an orderly way on a number of later episodes. "With anime these days, there are many cases where the work only finishes right b...
Crunchyroll Streams ARP Backstage Pass TV Anime
Idol anime premiered on Monday
― Crunchyroll announced on Monday that it is streaming ARP Backstage Pass, the television anime of the ARP (nominally an abbreviation for Artists Republic Production) dance vocal group. The first episode debuted on Monday in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and the Middle East. The show premiered on Tokyo MX1 on Monday, and it will...
Cosplayer, Activist Lai Pin-yu Wins Seat at Taiwan Election
Taiwanese youth activist Lai Pin-yu won a legislative seat at Taiwan's general election on Saturday, representing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). When announcing her win on Facebook, she posted a photo of herself cosplaying as Sailor Mars from the Sailor Moon anime series, along with the message: "Hello, friends. I am Lai Pin-yu, lawmaker of New Taipei City's 12th District. Please advise m...
Disney Character Stitch Gets Manga Set in Feudal Japan
Hiroto Wada's manga has Stitch meet warlord Yamato Meison
― Manga creator Hiroto Wada launched a new manga titled Tono-sama to Stitch (Tono & Stitch or The Lord and Stitch) on Kodansha's Comic Days manga website on Monday. The manga features the character Stitch from Disney's animated film Lilo & Stitch. In the film, Stitch is an intergalactically wanted alien fugitive who flees to Earth and lands in...
My Hero One's Justice 2 Game's Video Previews Deku, Overhaul Fight
Sequel game launches in Japan on March 12, in Americas on March 13
― Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe began streaming a new gameplay trailer for the My Hero One's Justice 2 (My Hero Academia: One's Justice 2) game on Monday. The video previews a battle between Deku and Overhaul. The game will launch in Japan for PS4, Switch, and Xbox One on March 12. The game will only be available digitally for Xbo...
No Anime Films Receive Nominations for 92nd Oscars
― The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominations for the 92nd Academy Awards on Monday. Actor John Cho (Searching, 2009's Star Trek, live-action Cowboy Bebop series) and actress Issa Rae (Awkward Black Girl, Insecure) revealed the nominations in a livestream presentation. No anime films received nominations in the Animated Feature Film category. The nominees in the categor...
Live-Action Touken Ranbu Film Gets Sequel Slated for 2021
Another Touken Ranbu shop to open in Osaka
― The official Twitter account for the live-action Touken Ranbu film revealed on Saturday that the film's staff is preparing a sequel tentatively slated for 2021. The talk event for the fifth anniversary of the Touken Ranbu Online game made the announcement earlier in the day. In addition, an official Touken Ranbu Yorozuya shop will open in Osaka this fall, ...
Shimajirō to Sora Tobu Fune 3D CG Anime Film Casts Keiko Han, Tomokazu Sugita
February 28 film has Keiko Han playing mother of new character voiced by her real daughter Megumi
― The staff for Benesse Corporation's Shimajirō anime franchise revealed two new cast members for the Shimajirō to Sora Tobu Fune (Shimajirō and the Flying Ship) 3D CG anime film last Friday. The new cast members include: Keiko Han as Lily's mother (Keiko Han is the mother of Megumi Han, who plays the ch...
planetarian Snow Globe OVA Reaches 50 Million Yen Stretch Goal
OVA to now add constellation commentary CD track; new 60 million yen goal for "celebration song"
― Visual Art's/Key's Campfire crowdfunding campaign for a new planetarian Snow Globe original video anime (OVA) surpassed its 50 million yen (about US$456,200) stretch goal last Thursday, which allows the campaign to now add an original constellation commentary CD track to previously revealed theme song a...
The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window Boys-Love Manga Gets Live-Action Film
Masaki Okada, Jun Shison play fearless exorcist, bookstore clerk who sees ghosts
― Libre Publishing announced on Monday that Tomoko Yamashita's The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window (Sankaku Mado no Sotogawa wa Yoru) boys-love manga is inspiring a live-action film that will open this year. The film will star Masaki Okada (live-action Gintama, Space Brothers, Future Diary, left in picture below) as ...
Dorohedoro Anime Blu-ray Discs to Have 12 TV Episodes Plus 6 Bonus Episodes
OVA episodes in 2nd BD box on June 17; TV anime's ending sequence streamed
― The official website for the television anime of Q Hayashida's Dorohedoro manga announced that the anime will have 12 television episodes plus six new "Ma no Omake" (Magic Bonus) original video anime episodes. The bonus episodes will have a total runtime of about 30 minutes. The box sets will include new artwork by Q Hayashi...
Marii Taiyō Ends Gal Gohan Manga in 6 Chapters
Series launched in December 2016
― This year's second issue of Hakusensha's Young Animal magazine revealed on Friday that Marii Taiyō's Gal Gohan manga will end in six chapters. Seven Seas Entertainment is publishing the series in English, and it describes the story: Seven Seas Entertainment describes the story: Okazaki Miku is a “gal”: a fun-loving high school student who expresses herself through b...
Actress Kanna Hashimoto Recommends Her Favorite Manga
Eiichiro Oda's One Piece, Yumi Tamura's Do not say mystery received shoutouts
― Actress Kanna Hashimoto, who has performed in a number of live-action film adaptations of manga, spoke about her favorite manga in her radio show "Hashimoto Kanna no All Night Nippon" (Kanna Hashimoto's All-Night Japan" last Wednesday. In the program, she mentioned that she was currently following around 30 manga titles, ...
A Destructive God Sits Next to Me Anime Has 12 Episodes
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Arata Aki's A Destructive God Sits Next to Me (Boku no Tonari ni Ankoku Hakaishin ga Imasu.) manga revealed on Sunday that the anime will have four Blu-ray Disc and DVD volumes with three episodes each, for a total of 12 episodes. All four volumes will bundle audio drama or soundtrack CDs, and the fourth volume will also bundle an eight-p...
Dotokoi Romance Visual Novel App with Pixel Characters Goes Viral
Love interests appear as pixel blocks whose features become clearer as game progresses
― A romance visual novel where you can date pixel art boys has been making waves on the Japanese web. Dotokoi (Pixel Love), which was first released in September 2019 on mobile devices, features a very fascinating mechanic: when you first encounter the love interests, they are just a single block of pixels, and onl...
Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers Game's Opening Anime Video Streamed
Sequel game for PS4, Switch launches in Japan on February 20
― Atlus began streaming the opening anime video on Sunday for Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers — the new action role-playing game in the Persona franchise by Atlus, Koei Tecmo Games, and Omega Force. The game will launch for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in Japan on February 20. The game's story is set half a year after the...
Shogakukan Launches New Betsucomi Flower Digital Manga Magazine
Spinoff of Betsucomi magazine to focus on fantasy, mystery, period pieces
― Shogakukan announced on Saturday that it is launching a digital magazine spinoff of its Betsucomi magazine titled Betsucomi Flower (or Betsufura for short) on January 29. The new magazine will update with new chapters on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Shogakukan stated that the magazine is for people who "wan...
Haruka: Beyond the Stream of Time 7 Game's 2nd Promo Video Introduces Cast
Latest game in series launches for Switch on June 18
― Koei Tecmo Games' Ruby Party brand began streaming the second promotional video on Saturday for Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 7 (Haruka: Beyond the Stream of Time 7), a new game in its Haruka: Beyond the Stream of Time game series. The video introduces the game's Warring States setting and introduces the main cast and characters. The game will launc...
Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru Franchise Has New Story in the Works
Staff to reveal more information for new project later
― The official Twitter account for the Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru anime revealed on Saturday that a "new Hanamaru story" is in the works with a new project. The Twitter account did not specify the medium of the project, but stated it will take some time before the staff can reveal more information. Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru is part of DMM's overall Touk...
Funimation to Screen Violet Evergarden I: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll Anime in U.S. Theaters
Anime to screen with English subtitles in early 2020
― Funimation announced at the Ohayocon 2020 event on Saturday that it will screen Violet Evergarden I: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll (Violet Evergarden Gaiden: Eien to Jidō Shuki Ningyō), a side story to the Violet Evergarden anime, in select theaters in the United States in early 2020. The screenings will be in Japanese with English subtitles....
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