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My Hero Academia GN 17
This hit series continues its exhilarating run of battles in a volume that demonstrates the stunning impact of shonen manga at its best. Nick Creamer has the details.
― Although the Hassaikai assault isn't necessarily My Hero Academia's best arc yet, it's fair to say that it's undoubtedly the manga's most complicated. We're following a half-dozen separate teams representing at least three separate in...
Free! -Take Your Marks-
This series of vignettes might not make for a satisfying film when smushed together, but Take Your Marks still offers an enjoyable set of old-fashioned Free! adventures. Nick Creamer has the details.
― It's been interesting to watch the Free! franchise grow and transform, the show itself oddly echoing the journeys of its characters. The show's first season focused largely on slice of life and comedy,...
Shelf Life - Concrete Revolutio
Paul plumbs the psychedelic depths of this alternate-history superhero thriller, along with a breakdown of all this week's new blu-ray releases!
― There's apparently a new game in the Fate franchise coming out this week, and I hope it's good. Not because I don't already have a huge gaming backlog to deal with, but because I need an excuse to finally take a break from the Fate smartphone game. A pers...
Tannishō o Hiraku Religious Anime Film Reveals More Cast, Staff Members
Yoshimasa Hosoya, Rina Honnizumi, Mitsuhiro Ichiki, more join cast
― The official website for the anime film of Kentetsu Takamori's Buddhist book Tannishō o Hiraku (Opening the Tannishō) revealed additional cast members and staff for the film on Friday. The new cast members include: Yoshimasa Hosoya as Sōken, Yuien's childhood friend Rina Honnizumi as Asa Mitsuhiro Ichiki as Gonpachi, Asa's brother S...
A Certain Magical Index: Imaginary Fest Game's Video Previews Theme Song
Maon Kurosaki sings "JUNCTION"; AnimeJapan visitors can interact with characters on giant touch screens
― Square Enix began streaming a promotional video for A Certain Magical Index: Imaginary Fest (Toaru Majutsu no Index: Imaginary Fest), the new smartphone game based on A Certain Magical Index franchise, on Friday. The video previews the game's theme song "JUNCTION" by Maon Kurosaki. Square Enix an...
Japan Night Event in NYC Hosts Hyde, Wagakki Band
Misia, PuffyAmiYumi also perform at May 12 concert
― The Japan Foundation is hosting HYDE, Wagakki Band, Misia, and PuffyAmiYumi as part of its Japan Night concert, which will take place at the PlayStation Theater and at the Sony Hall in New York on May 12. HYDE contributed to the soundtracks of DNA², Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, Fullmetal Alchemist, Great Teacher Onizuka, Mobile Suit Gundam 00...
Azur Lane: Crosswave PS4 Game Ships in Japan on August 29
New playable characters, pre-order bonuses, limited edition, retailer bonuses also revealed
― The official website for Azur Lane: Crosswave, Felistella's PlayStation 4 action game based on Shanghai Manjuu and Xiamen Yongshi's Azur Lane smartphone game, revealed the game's August 29 release date in Japan on Friday. Those who pre-order the game will receive a download code for the playable character Ne...
Oreimo's Hiroyuki Kanbe Directs TV Anime of Suu Minazuki's Plunderer Manga
RErideD's Geek Toys produces anime originally announced last year
― The official website for the anime adaptation of Suu Minazuki's Plunderer manga revealed on Friday that the anime will be a television anime series. The site also revealed a visual and the show's main staff. Hiroyuki Kanbe (Oreimo both seasons, Gonna be the Twin-Tail!!) is directing the series at studio Geek Toys (RErideD). Masashi S...
Azur Lane Anime's Teaser Video Reveals Yui Ishikawa, Mai Nakahara
New visual showing Enterprise, Akagi also unveiled
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Shanghai Manjuu and Xiamen Yongshi's Azur Lane smartphone game began streaming a new teaser video for the anime on Friday. The video reveals that Yui Ishikawa and Mai Nakahara are reprising their roles as Enterprise and Akagi respectively in the anime. The site also revealed a new visual s...
Thunderbolt Fantasy Gets New Video Work Centered on Lang Wu Yao
New 'Seiyū Genka' is set in land of Xi-You, explores Lang Wu Yao's past
― The official website for the Thunderbolt Fantasy franchise revealed on Friday that the puppet-show series will receive a new "video work" this year titled Thunderbolt Fantasy - Seiyū Genka. The new work will be set in the land of Xi-You (Seiyū), and will center on the character Lang Wu Yao (Rōfu Yō in Japanese) and his past. Th...
For Whom The Alchemist Exists Film's Teaser, Visual Reveal June 14 Opening
Inori Minase stars in film based on smartphone game
― The website for For Whom The Alchemist Exists, the theatrical film adaptation of The Alchemist Code (Ta ga Tame no Alchemist or For Whom the Alchemist) smartphone game, began streaming a teaser video for the film on Friday. The teaser reveals the film's June 14 opening date. The site also unveiled a new visual for the film. Inori Minase will play ...
Arc System Works Releases World End Syndrome Game in N. America on May 2
― Arc System Works announced on Thursday that it will release its World End Syndrome game in North America for the PlayStation 4 and Switch on May 2. PQube will also release the game in Europe for the PS4 and Switch on June 14. The game will feature Japanese audio and English text. Arc System Works describes the game: WES is a romantic adventure game from the collaboration of Arc System Works and TO...
MBS Anime Festival Holds Send-Off to Heisei Era With Live Performances
On Sunday, television broadcasting company Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS) said goodbye to the Heisei era in its early MBS Anime Festival. The event, called "MBS Anime Historia: Heisei," featured voice actors and music groups associated with over a dozen iconic anime series from the Heisei era holding live performances and acting out lines. The festival was not preserved as a DVD or livestreame...
Haruhisa Nakata's Levius Sci-fi Boxing Manga Gets Anime Series This Winter
Polygon Pictures produces 3DCG anime for Netflix
― Netflix announced on Friday that it is producing a 3D CG anime series adaptation of Haruhisa Nakata's science-fiction boxing manga Levius. The anime will premiere worldwide this winter, and Netflix is streaming a teaser promotional video: Hiroyuki Seshita (Ajin, Blame!, Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters) is credited as chief director for the anime, wh...
High Score Manga Artist Chinami Tsuyama Says Cigarettes Now Banned in Ribon
High Score manga artist Chinami Tsuyama wrote on Twitter on March 15 that there will no longer be any scenes in her manga where characters hold cigarettes due to tightening restrictions in the shojo magazine Ribon. In the same tweet, she also mentioned that three years ago she had been told not to make any cigarettes she drew emit smoke, and even then she was taken aback by how tight the restricti...
The Rising of The Shield Hero ‒ Episode 11
"The episode does just enough right to keep it from being the series' low point, but Shield Hero is still mostly failing to capitalize on all its potential."
Dynamic Chord Smartphone Game Ends Service on April 18
Franchise's Dynamic Chord Jam&Join!!!! app launched in September
― The official website for the Dynamic Chord franchise's Dynamic Chord Jam&Join!!!! smartphone app announced on Wednesday that the app will end service on April 18. The app's staff said in the announcement that management support from the developer and service updates had become difficult, so the decision was made to end service. Unrele...
Run with the Wind ‒ Episode 22
"Kakeru and King's narratives compare and contrast beautifully to make both stories stronger, culminating in a vivid visual portrayal of what a runner's high feels like."
YouTube Manga Toshokan Z Service Trials Auto-Translate Options Worldwide
Ken Akamatsu asks English fans to give feedback on Love Hina videos.
― In December 2018, the free manga service Manga Toshokan Z launched a YouTube channel to make its featured titles more accessible. The legal service mainly focuses on distributing completed and/or out-of-print titles, and all YouTube ad revenue will go to the creators. The service is currently experimenting in distributing manga in...
Shō Shibamoto Holds Kickstarter for More English Flower Knight Dakini Manga Chapters
Campaign launched on March 9, reached goal in 3 days
― Manga artist Shō Shibamoto launched a crowdfunding campaign on March 9 to fund the production of chapters 7 to 9 of his self-published web manga series Flower Knight Dakini. The campaign has surpassed its goal of US$3,168 and earned US$3,800 (converted from yen). Shibamoto announced last week that the campaign reached its goal in its first three ...
Rider Time Kamen Rider Shinobi Net Series Reveals Video, Visual, Cast
Asuka Hanamura, Takuma Zaiki, Masashi Ebara, Nobuo Kyō join cast of Kamen Rider Zi-O spinoff
― The official website for the Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club app revealed additional cast, a visual, and a promotional video on Sunday for Rider Time Kamen Rider Shinobi, a spinoff series of the Kamen Rider franchise's latest installment Kamen Rider Zi-O. (Note: the video is region-locked to Japan.) The newly annou...
Charapedia: Here's The Most Anticipated Anime for Spring 2019
Choose your top 5 in ANN's poll!
― The orphans of The Promised Neverland are about to get some much deserved respite as the winter 2019 season heads to a close. We've made a lot of friends over the last three months, including the noble psychic Mob, the determined Emma, and a whole lot of female fighter pilots. The spring season is rapidly approaching and ready to bombard anime fans with new adventur...
This Week in Anime - Did That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Peak Too Early?
This isekai fantasy captured fans' hearts in its first half, but did its first season go out with more of a whimper than a bang? Nick and Andy dissect the disappointment of this series' concluding arc.
― That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime captured fans' hearts in its first half, but did its first season go out with more of a whimper than a bang? This week, Nick and Andy dissect the disappointme...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, March 17-23
Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us, Hakumei and Mikochi anime; Gleipnir, Angels of Death Episode.0 manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Burst Angel Complete Series Essentials BDPlease Funimation Entertainment US$29.98 March 19 Damepri Anime Caravan Complete Collection BDCite Sentai Filmworks US$59.98 March 19 Dies Irae BDAnimeNewsNetwork Funimation Entertainment US$...
The Legend of Zelda Joins Crypt of the NecroDancer in Cadence of Hyrule Rhythm Action-Adventure Game
Nintendo announced during the Nindies Showcase Spring 2019 livestream on Wednesday that the Vancouver-based Brace Yourself Games indie game studio will be collaborating with The Legend of Zelda series to create Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring The Legend of Zelda for the Nintendo Switch. The crossover game will merge the rhythm-based combat of Crypt of the NecroDancer with the...
Japanese Comic Ranking, March 4-10
One Piece sells 1,154,805 more, followed by Promised Neverland, Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign, Blood Blockade Battlefront Back 2 Back, Jujutsu Kaisen
― Rank Title Est. Weekly Sales Est. Total Sales Release Date Publisher Author HighestRank Weeks on List 1 One Piece 92 1,154,805 1,386,360 2019/03 Shueisha Eiichiro Oda 1 2 2 The Promised Neverland 13 270,697 273,123 2019/03 Shueisha Original Story:...
My Hero Academia GN 17
This hit series continues its exhilarating run of battles in a volume that demonstrates the stunning impact of shonen manga at its best. Nick Creamer has the details.
― Although the Hassaikai assault isn't necessarily My Hero Academia's best arc yet, it's fair to say that it's undoubtedly the manga's most complicated. We're following a half-dozen separate teams representing at least three separate in...
eigoManga Publishes First Squad Manga in Fall
Enka Sugihara's manga based on story from Russian creators Misha Sprits, Aljosha Klimov
― Publisher EigoManga announced on Tuesday that it will publish Enka Sugihara's First Squad - The Moment of Truth manga this fall. EigoManga describes the manga: The story is set in the opening days of World War II on the Eastern Front and centers around a Soviet teenager who possesses supernatural abilities to co...
Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution Switch Game Heads West in Summer
Game launches in Japan on April 25
― Konami Digital Entertainment announced on Thursday that it will release the Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution Nintendo Switch game in the West this summer. The game will launch digitally in Japan on April 25. The game shares a title with the previous Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist game. Konami released the Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist card duel s...
Yakuza 5 Launches for PS4 in Japan on June 20
Sega announced on Thursday that it will release the PlayStation 4 version of its Yakuza 5 game in Japan on June 20. Yakuza 5 originally shipped in Japan for the PlayStation 3 in December 2012. Sega released the game in the West in 2015. Sega describes the game: Yakuza 5 continues the epic story of Kazuma Kiryu alongside four other protagonists, following their struggles and conflicts in the seedy ...
Re:Zero Anime's 2nd OVA Project Slated to Debut in Theaters This Fall
The official website for the Re:Zero anime revealed on Thursday that the planned theatrical screenings of the second original video anime (OVA) episode for the franchise are slated to debut this fall. The website also revealed a teaser visual for the OVA. The episode will be titled "Hyōketsu no Kizuna" (Frozen Bonds), and will adapt the meeting between Emilia and Pack. The original Re: Zero Kara H...
Japanese Anime TV Ranking, March 11-17
Detective Conan rises to 2nd place above Chibi Maruko-chan
― The latest episode of Trace: Kasōken no Otoko (Trace: The Forensic Researcher Man), the live-action television series adaptation of Kei Koga's Trace: Kasōken Hōi Kenkyūin no Tsuisō manga, aired on Fuji TV on Monday, March 11 at 9:00 p.m. and earned a 10.6% rating. Additionally, the Kaiketsu Zorori Da-Da-Da-Daibōken! animated film aired on N...
Theater List Revealed for U.S. Screenings of Trinity Seven: Heavens Library & Crimson Lord Anime Film
Film opens in U.S. on March 29 with advanced screening in Cerritos, CA on March 28
― Avex Pictures and Social Rewards Releasing revealed the theater list last week for its U.S. screening of the Trinity Seven: Heavens Library & Crimson Lord anime film starting on March 29. The film will also have an advanced screening at the Harkins Theatres Cerritos 16 in Cerritos, California on March 28. The film is...
Japan's Video Game Rankings, March 11-17
One Piece World Seeker debuts at #2
― Japan's Game Ranking: March 11-17 Rank System Title Maker Release Date Weekly Copies Total Copies 1PS4Tom Clancy's The Division 2 (Including Limited Editions) Massive Entertainment/Ubisoft March 12 63,817 63,817 2PS4One Piece World Seeker Bandai Namco Entertainment March 14 51,039 51,039 3PS4Devil May Cry 5 Capcom March 8 33,149 149,350 4NSwSuper Smash Brothers U...
Shōmetsu Toshi Anime Casts Tesshō Genda, Kenjiro Tsuda
Madhouse suspense show premieres on April 7 after April 1 advance screening
― The official website for the television anime of Wright Flyer Studios' Shōmetsu Toshi (Annihilated City — Where I End and You Begin) smartphone game revealed two new cast members and character visuals for the series on Thursday. Tessho Genda as Kaibara, the detective agency's head whose current whereabouts is unknown Kenjir...
Okazu-kun Manga Gets Live-Action Film This Summer
Main cast from live-action series reprise roles with Rina Aizawa, Yoji Tanaka joining cast
― The official website for the live-action series adaptation of Otokuni's Kōkoku Gaisha, Danshi Ryō no Okazu-kun (Okazu-kun in the Ad Agency's Men's Dorm) manga revealed on Tuesday that the manga will also get a live-action film adaptation this summer with the same main cast as the series. The series also aired...
Live-Action Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles Special Casts Yuria Kizaki
Kizaki plays transfer student Noa Ogawa in April 5 special
― The official Twitter account for the live-action television series of Naru Narumi's Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles (Ramen Daisuki Koizumi-san) manga revealed on Wednesday that Yuria Kizaki has joined the cast of the upcoming Ramen Daisuki Koizumi-san 2019 Haru SP (Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles Spring 2019 Special) television special. Kiz...
Sega Reveals New PS4 Yakuza Game With Ichiban Kasuga as Protagonist
Sega also holds auditions for female role described as "main character level"
― Sega announced on Wednesday that it is developing a new PlayStation 4 game in the Yakuza (Ryū ga Gotoku) series with the character Ichiban Kasuga as the new protagonist. The production is also accepting applications to audition for a female character who will be Kasuga's friend throughout the game. Sega describes the char...
Hi Score Girl Anime Gets 2nd Season in October
Cast, staff return, but with new character modeling director
― The official website for the anime of Rensuke Oshikiri's Hi Score Girl manga announced on Thursday that production on a second season titled Hi Score Girl II has been green-lit for an October television premiere. The announcement was first made earlier in the day at the "Hi Score Girl Round 13-15 Screening & Cast Talk Show" in Tokyo. The ...
Ni no Kuni Film Casts Serishun, Haruka Minase After Audition
Film based on Level 5's game opens this summer
― The official Twitter account for Warner Bros. Japan and Level 5's Ni no Kuni anime film announced on March 14 that Serishun and Haruka Minase will join the film's cast as the winners of the film's voice actor audition. The film will be the pair's voice acting debut. The film will debut this summer. As previously revealed, the film stars actor Kento Yam...
Adult Swim Re-Airs Episode of Sword Art Online: Alicization After Error
Episode glitched during broadcast on March 16; re-airing scheduled for March 23
― Adult Swim's Toonami block announced on Tuesday that it will re-air the sixth episode of the Sword Art Online: Alicization anime on Saturday, March 23 at 12:30 a.m., after its airing of the episode on March 16 had an error during airing, with the video supposedly being frozen. The block will air the seventh and eighth e...
Super Peace Busters Creative Team Unveil Sora no Aosa o Shiru Hito yo Original Anime Film
Film by director Tatsuyuki Nagai, writer Mari Okada, artist Masayoshi Tanaka opens on October 11
― The Super Peace Busters creative team — consisting of director Tatsuyuki Nagai, writer and director Mari Okada, and artist Masayoshi Tanaka — announced their new original anime film project, titled Sora no Aosa o Shiru Hito yo (To Those Who Know of the Blueness of the Sky), on Thursday. The anime will s...
Pokémon: Detective Pikachu Film's Japanese Dub Casts Ryōma Takeuchi, Marie Iitoyo
Film opens in U.S., Japan on May 10
― The official Japanese website for Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros.' live-action Pokémon: Detective Pikachu film revealed the Japanese dub voice actors for the film's main characters on Wednesday. Ryōma Takeuchi will play protagonist Tim Goodman, while Marie Iitoyo will play Lucy. The Mainichi Shimbun newspaper's MAiDiGi TV YouTube channel is also streamin...
Mob Psycho 100 II ‒ Episode 11
"As Mob's allies push their resistance against Claw forward, a series of high octane and psychedelic psychic battles ensue."
Visitors Vote to Name Taiwan Zoo's Serval Pair After Kemono Friends
The Wanpi World Safari Zoo in Tainan City, Taiwan let its visitors vote on what to name its new pair of serval cats and the results were just as nerdy as you'd expect. Zoo staff announced on Saturday that its male serval was named "Kabang" after the Kemono Friends character Kaban (which literally means 'bag' after the character's backpack). The female serval was named "Shǎbālǔ", a homonym for "Ser...
Double Decker! Doug & Kirill ‒ Episode 15
"These extra episodes of Double Decker definitely exist for the sake of fanservice, as this week revolves around Kirill wearing a dress."
Live-Action Hot Gimmick Film Reveals Teaser Video, Poster Visual
June 28 film's subtitle revealed as "Girl Meets Boy"
― The staff of the live-action film adaptation of Miki Aihara's Hot Gimmick manga revealed a teaser video, poster visual, still, and the "Girl Meets Boy" subtitle on Thursday. The film will open in Japan on June 28. Nogizaka46 member Miona Hori is starring in the film as Hatsumi Narita. The show's main male cast includes: (From left to right in bel...
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ‒ Episode 24
"With the curtain closed on the main story for now, the series shifts gears with a couple of side stories to close out the season, starting with a tale about Shizu."
Sanrio Somehow Makes Re:Zero's Betelgeuse Cute
Sanrio's collaboration with Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- continues with chibi characters of the main cast and one of the anime series' central villains, Betelgeuse Romanee-Conti (sometimes also romanized as Petelgeuse). Sanrio's design is far cuter than the crazed Betelgeuse that Subaru faces in the show but still retains some of his obvious character tics. Even his Unseen Hand ability...
Dororo ‒ Episode 11
"This episode has a faster pace than usual, and it still leaves us on a devastating cliffhanger."
Sega's Game Survey Seeks Player Input on Sonic, Yakuza, Sakura Wars, More
The team at Sega want to know your thoughts on some of their biggest franchises. The video game company opened a public survey to gauge interest in its different game series. After collecting demographic information, the survey asks for input about which games players want to see new content for, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Yakuza, Bayonetta, Shinobi, Phantasy Star, Sakura Wars, Valkyria Chronic...
Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon Every Buddy! Game's Story Trailer Streamed
Game launched in Japan, West on Wednesday
― The official PlayStation YouTube channel began streaming a story trailer for Square Enix's Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon EVERY BUDDY! game on Wednesday. The game launched in Japanese and English for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch on Wednesday. Square Enix describes the game: The rules to this mysterious dungeon are simple… every time you enter, the world...
One Piece ‒ Episode 876
"This episode offers a sobering moment of reflection, but also one of the most baffling and frustrating developments of this finale."
Pokémon-Hunting Grandpa Mega-Evolves with 22 Smartphones
The "Pokémon Hunting Grandpa" Chén Sānyuán captured Pokémon and hearts last year with his ingenious multi-phone bike display. Over the course of his quest to be the very best in Pokémon GO he added more and more smartphones until he was biking around with 15 phones strapped to his handlebars. But that wasn't even his final form. Sānyuán's display "evolved" further and he now boasts 22 smartphones....
Crunchyroll Adds Peace Maker Kurogane Anime Films
Films begin streaming on March 27
― Crunchyroll announced on Wednesday that it will stream the Peacemaker Kurogane: Belief and Peacemaker Kurogane: Friend anime films beginning on March 27. The films will be available worldwide outside Asia and German-language territories. Crunchyroll also began streaming an English-subtitled preview video for Peacemaker Kurogane: Belief. Crunchyroll describes Peacem...
Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist - Link Evolution Switch Game Launches in Japan on April 25
― The May issue of Shueisha's V-Jump magazine revealed on Wednesday that the Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist - Link Evolution Nintendo Switch game will launch digitally in Japan on April 25. The game shares a title with the previous Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist game. Konami released the Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist card duel simulation game for Xbox One and the PlayStation 4 in July 2015. The ...
Kokkoku Anime's English Dub Trailer Streamed
BD ships on April 16
― Sentai Filmworks began streaming an English dub trailer for the Kokkoku anime on Wednesday. Sentai Filmworks will release the anime with an English dub on Blu-ray Disc on April 16. The series is based on Seita Horio's Kokkoku: Moment by Moment manga. Sentai Filmworks describes the story: Juri Yukawa needs a timeout from her life. She's failed 19 job interviews, she's stuck livi...
Answerman - Why Don't Netflix Anime Get Home Video Releases?
Why can't we get Netflix anime like Devilman Crybaby or Aggretsuko on bluray in the West? Justin breaks down some of the reasons why.
― DarkShadow asked: So, several folks in anime circles are complaining that whenever Netflix gets an anime exclusive (i.e. Little Witch Academia TV series), that anime title is effectively condemned to not be released on home video, like it will never be released on h...
Bumblebee Goes Chibi in Pop Team Epic Creator's Art
Animator Yuzo Yamamoto also creates short flash anime
― Transformers' Bumblebee continues his tour in Japan with new chibi-fied versions of the robot by Pop Team Epic's Bkub Okawa and animator Yuzo Yamamoto. Okawa drew artwork of Bumblebee with the film's stars Hailee Steinfeld (Charlie), Jorge Lendeborg Jr. (Guillermo), and John Cena (Jack Burns). The art shows the adorable Bumblebee appealing to Ja...
Dragon Ball FighterZ Game Adds Dragon Ball GT's Goku
Character is part of game's 2nd season pass
― The May issue of Shueisha's V-Jump magazine revealed on Wednesday that the character Goku from the Dragon Ball GT anime will join Bandai Namco Entertainment's Dragon Ball FighterZ game as a DLC character. Bandai Namco Entertainment America and Bandai Namco Entertainment UK also confirmed the announcement on Wednesday and revealed screenshots of the new ve...
Kill la Kill IF Game Launches in Japan, West in July
PS4/Switch/PC game to add Mako, Ultimate Double Naked DTR free DLC in summer
― The official website for Kill la Kill IF, the first game based on the Kill la Kill anime, revealed on Wednesday that Arc System Works will release the game for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC in Japan on July 25, and in North America on July 26. PQube will ship the game in Europe on July 26. The site also reveal...
GKIDS Licenses Children of the Sea Anime Film
Film to screen in N. America in 2019
― GKIDS announced on Wednesday that it has acquired North American distribution rights for Studio 4°C's anime film of Daisuke Igarashi's Children of the Sea (Kaijū no Kodomo) manga. The company will screen the film theatrically in Japanese and English in 2019. GKIDS describes the story: When Ruka was younger, she saw a ghost in the water at the aquarium where her ...
Gunjō no Magmell TV Anime's Promo Video Streamed
Adventure series about explorers on new continent debuts on April 7
― The official website for Studio Pierrot's television anime adaptation of Chinese manga creator Dainenbyō's Gunjō no Magmell (Magmell of the Sea Blue) manga began streaming a promotional video on Wednesday. The anime will premiere on Tokyo MX on April 7 at 10:00 p.m. The series will air the next day on BS-Fuji. The series will star:...
New Shin Evangelion Film Begins Dialogue Recording
― The official Twitter account for the Evangelion anime revealed on Wednesday that dialogue recording has begun for Studio Khara's new Evangelion film, Shin Evangelion Gekijō-ban :||. The post also revealed a photo of director Hideaki Anno's script. The film will open in Japan in 2020. The film's staff includes: CGI Animation Director: Yusuke Matsui CGI Technical Director: Takashi Suzuki CGI Modelin...
Peace Maker's Nanae Chrono Designs Fantasy Crime TV Anime Tokunana
Fate/Apocrypha's Yuichiro Higashide writes about misfit unit battling dragon worshippers
― A website opened on Wednesday to announce Keishichō Tokumu-bu Tokushu Kyōaku-han Taisaku-Shitsu Dai-Nana-ka -Tokunana- (Special Crime Investigation Unit Special 7 or literally, Metropolitan Police Department Special Division Heinous Crime Investigation Unit Special 7: Tokunana), an original television anime pre...
2 Cencoroll Films to Play in Joint Theatrical Screenings on June 29
Natsumi Takamori, Kenji Akabane join returning cast, staff in Cencoroll Connect release
― Aniplex announced on Wednesday that Cencoroll Connect, a special joint screening of director Atsuya Uki's first Cencoroll film short and his as-yet-unreleased Cencoroll 2 sequel, will open in six Japanese theaters on June 29. The artist ryo (supercell) is returning to compose the music. The cast includes: Kana H...
Sega to Halt Sales of A Certain Magical Virtual-On PS4/Vita Game
PS4 ports of 3 other Virtual-On games are not affected
― The official website for Sega's A Certain Magical Virtual-On (To Aru Majutsu no Virtual-On) PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita game announced on Wednesday that due to "various circumstances," Sega will temporarily halt sales of the game's physical and digital versions on Thursday. However, Sega emphasized that this does not affect the game's su...
City Hunter Creator Tsukasa Hojo Makes His 1st Live-Action Film as Chief Director
Silent Manga Audition produces Angel Sign film
― North Star Pictures announced on Wednesday that it is producing a live-action film titled Angel Sign. The project is City Hunter manga creator Tsukasa Hojo's debut as chief director for a live-action film. The announcement describes the film as love stories based on submissions to North Star Pictures' Monthly Comic Zenon's Silent Manga Audition, along ...
Blackfox Anime Gets Live-Action Tokusatsu Drama Spinoff
Kamen Rider/Super Sentai director Koichi Sakamoto directs period drama
― Jidaigeki Senmon Channel announced on Wednesday that it is producing a live-action tokusatsu (special effects) period drama titled Blackfox: Age of the Ninja as a tie-in to Studio 3Hz' Blackfox original television anime. The drama will debut this fall. Veteran Kamen Rider and Super Sentai tokusatsu series director and Power Rang...
Futari H/Manga Sutra Gets 2 New Live-Action Films in April, May
Gravure idol Hikaru Aoyama, Michinari Sasaki star in both films
― AMG Entertainment announced on Wednesday that it is producing two new live-action film adaptations of Aki Katsu's Futari H (Manga Sutra) manga. The new films are titled Eiga-ban Futari H ~Love Again~ and Eiga-ban Futari H ~Double Love~. The first film will open in Japan on April 12, while the second film will open on May 10. Toshiaki K...
Sorcerous Stabber Orphen Anime's 1st Promo Video, Visual Show 'Pre-Arc'
Anime to cover Orphen's student days before "Wandering Arc"
― The official website for the new television anime of Yoshinobu Akita's Sorcerous Stabber Orphen (Majutsushi Orphen Haguretabi) light novel series began streaming the anime's first promotional video on Wednesday. The site also unveiled a new visual for the anime. Both the video and the visual show the "Pre-arc" about Orphen's student days b...
Promare Anime Film Reveals More Cast, May 24 Debut, Visuals
Kendo Kobayashi, Arata Furuta cast in Trigger, XFlag's original anime film
― The official website for Studio Trigger and XFlag's original anime film Promare revealed more cast members, the film's May 24 theatrical opening, and new visuals on Wednesday. The new cast members include: Comedian Kendo Kobayashi plays Vinny, a mouse with a helmet that lives at the national firefighting service FDPP, and th...
ENDRO! ‒ Episode 10
"This one gets points for being different, but not everything it tried to do was as strong as it needed to be."
Evangelion Pachislot Game Themes Get Mini-Album
Neon Genesis Evangelion's "Cruel Angel Thesis" is an anisong legend but for fans outside of Japan, there's a whole soundtrack of Eva songs that much harder to come by. Enter pachislot machines. Pachislot (pachinko-parlor slot machine) are a round-about kind of gambling machine sort of like a cross between a pinball machine and a slot machine. Players rent small steel balls that are dropped into th...
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Exhibit Heads to Nagasaki in 2020
"Hirohiko Araki JoJo Exhibition: Ripples of Adventure," an exhibition celebrating the 30th anniversary of Hirohiko Araki's JoJo's Bizarre Adventure manga, will open at Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum in Nagasaki City on January 25, 2020. This marks the third stop for the exhibition after previously running in Tokyo and Osaka last year. The museum has a unique connection to the JoJo's Bizarre Adven...
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 98
"While Boruto's latest arc appears to be off to a promising start, it's too early to make any broad predictions about its overall quality."
Platinum Games Designs PR Characters for JMSDF's New Submarine
NieR: Automata and Bayonetta game developer Platinum Games announced its artists teamed up with Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force to create the official logo and PR characters for the JS Shoryu submarine. The sub was commissioned by the JMSDF on Monday and is the force's 10th Soryu-class diesel-electric attack submarine (SSK). Platinum Games' Kenichi Sato, Yuuki Suda, Naoki Tsuta, and Rui Onishi...
GeGeGe no Kitarō ‒ Episode 47
"Thus far the show has avoided the Bridge to Terabithia school of children's literature, but things take a turn for the tragic this week."
Fairy Tail: Final Season ‒ Episode 300
"This is one of those episodes where a lot of important things are said, a few major things happen, but all of it goes by just a little too quickly for us to really appreciate it."
Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland Game's Video Previews Alchemy
Game launches in N. America on May 21, in Europe on May 24
― Koei Tecmo America began streaming a promotional video for the Atelier Lulua: The Scion of Arland (Lulua no Atelier ~Arland no Renkinjutsushi 4~) game on Tuesday. The video previews alchemy with Elmerulia. The company also announced that its limited edition of the game will bundle a hardcover art book, "Sound Archives" soundtrack, Lulua and...
W'z ‒ Episode 11
"Sometimes W'z comes close enough to approximating a halfway decent anime that it's even more painful to watch it whiff things so badly in the home stretch."
Maiden Japan Licenses Asura Cryin', Kanamemo Anime
Both series premiered in 2009
― Section23's Maiden Japan imprint announced on Tuesday that it has licensed the Asura Cryin' and Kanamemo television anime series. Both anime premiered in Japan in 2009. Maiden Japan describes the story of Asura Cryin': Some people are haunted by memories. Tomoharu is haunted by his friend Misao, who died in a horrible plane crash that Tomoharu somehow survived. However...
Sword Art Online: Alicization ‒ Episode 22
"After speeding through some content last time, this episode slows things down in the lead-up to the finale."
Detective Pikachu Visual Effects Staff Tested Danny Devito as Voice Reference
When the North American release of Nintendo's Detective Pikachu video game was announced, plenty of fans speculated on the perfect actor for the job. The Pokemon character is iconic but its role in the game is significantly different than Ash's sidekick from the anime and main game series. Fans put their heads together and a campaign was formed to convince the staff to cast Danny Devito (It's Alwa...
The Morose Mononokean II ‒ Episode 11
"Fans come for the sweet supernatural adventures with a new colorful yokai and heartwarming message every week, but they stay for the tantalizing long-term mysteries, and the question of Ashiya's dad may be the most tempting one of all."
1st Made in Abyss Compilation Film's English Dub Trailer Streamed
1st film screens in U.S. theaters on March 20, 25
― Sentai Filmworks began streaming a new English dub trailer on Tuesday for Made in Abyss: Journey's Dawn (Made in Abyss: Tabidachi no Yoake), the first Made in Abyss compilation anime film. Sentai Filmworks and Kadokawa Pictures will screen the first film in theaters in the United States on March 20 and 25. The screening on March 20 will feature Japa...
The Price of Smiles ‒ Episode 11
"This is a major turning point for the series, as this episode includes focus on both its Empire and Kingdom cast members, with their paths set to finally cross by the endgame."
Gunma, Tochigi Prefectures' 4 Tourism Anime Ads Premiere
Beautiful gardens, ancient schools, high-energy festival, silk highlighted
― Four animated tourism commercials for Gunma prefecture's Kiryū city and Tochigi prefecture's Ashikaga city debuted on YouTube on Tuesday. Each commercial centers on a different season and highlights the beauty of the cities. The first commercial, "Spring," shows two generations visiting the Ashikaga Flower Park. Aya Uchida v...
A Certain Magical Index III ‒ Episode 23
"There are so many bases to cover that this episode ultimately doesn't accomplish much in terms of plot progression."
Boogiepop and Others ‒ Episode 16
"This was a cool episode with some of the most electric animation Boogiepop has featured yet."
This Week in Anime - Rinshi!! Ekoda-chan is a Bizarre Work of Art
This experimental comedy anime adapts a 4-panel manga about a free-spirited woman in her twenties into something truly avant-garde. Micchy and Steve explore what makes this collaborative anthology series so special.
― Rinshi!! Ekoda-chan adapts a 4-panel manga about a free-spirited woman in her twenties into something truly avant-garde. This week, Micchy and Steve explore what makes this collaborati...
'How much heavy dumbbells can you lift?' Anime's Video Previews Tesshō Genda Narration
"Body-building comedy" premieres in July
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Yabako Sandrovich and MAAM's How much heavy dumbbells can you lift? (Dumbbell Nan-Kilo Moteru? or How Many Kilograms Can You Lift in Dumbbells?) manga revealed a teaser video, character illustrations, and Tesshō Genda as narrator on Tuesday. The video previews Genda's narration. The anime will premi...
Free! -Take Your Marks-
This series of vignettes might not make for a satisfying film when smushed together, but Take Your Marks still offers an enjoyable set of old-fashioned Free! adventures. Nick Creamer has the details.
― It's been interesting to watch the Free! franchise grow and transform, the show itself oddly echoing the journeys of its characters. The show's first season focused largely on slice of life and comedy,...
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Anime Reveals More Cast, Theme Song Artist
Houchu Ohtsuka, Yuuki Kaji, Ai Kakuma, Nobuhiko Okamoto, more join cast; LiSA performs song
― The theatrical world premiere for the anime of Koyoharu Gotouge's Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga revealed additional cast members, the theme song artist LiSA, and the third key visual on Tuesday. The newly announced cast members are: Houchu Ohtsuka as Sakonji Urokodaki Yuuki Kaji as Sabito > Ai Kakuma ...
New Baki Anime Gets 2nd Season on Netflix
After 26-episode first season debuted last year
― This year's 16th issue of Akita Shoten's Weekly Shonen Champion magazine announced on Wednesday that production on a second season of the new anime of Keisuke Itagaki's Baki (New Grappler Baki: In Search of Our Strongest Hero) manga has been green-lit. Netflix will once again be the exclusive first venue to debut the new season. Netflix premiered the ...
Fire Force TV Anime Casts Kazuyuki Okitsu as Karim Fulham
1st title in "Super Animeism" block premieres on July 5
― The official website for the television anime of Atsushi Ohkubo's Fire Force (En En no Shōbōtai) manga announced on Tuesday that Kazuyuki Okitsu will play Karim Fulham, a priest who is the company commander of Company 1. He has the "Thermoacoustic Refrigeration" ability. Karim is a second generation pyrokinetic who always seems listless and us...
Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, March 11-17
Ensemble Stars! concerts sell 7,268, followed by JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, Kenichi Suzumura & Miyu Irino's Mr. Osomatsu special, KAmiYU, Hugtto! Precure film
― Ensemble Stars! Dream Live -2nd Tour "Bright Star!"- DVD ranked #2 on the overall DVD chart by selling 7,268 copies. Kenichi Suzumura and Miyu Irino's Eiga no Osomatsu-san Gekijō Kōkai Kinen Suzumura Kenichi & Irino Miyu no o Fran...
Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, March 11-17
Ensemble Stars! concerts sell 10,233, followed by King Records & Xenogears concerts, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, Mysteria Friends
― Ensemble Stars! Dream Live -2nd Tour "Bright Star!"- Blu-ray ranked #3 on the overall Blu-ray Disc chart by selling 10,233 copies. King Records' King Super Live 2018 landed at #6 with 4,601 copies. Xenogears 20th Anniversary Concert -The Beginning and the End-...
Kenta Shinohara's Astra Lost in Space Wins 12th Manga Taisho Awards
Manga tops 12 other nominations
― The executive committee for the 12th Manga Taisho awards announced during the awards ceremony on Tuesday that Kenta Shinohara's Astra Lost in Space (Kanata no Astra) won this year's award. The manga was also nominated for the 23rd Annual Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in February, and also ranked at #3 on the Kono Manga ga Sugoi! male readers list in December. Shinohara...
Liar Game, One Outs' Shinobu Kaitani Launches New Manga
Shin Shinchō Kōki centers on clones of Japanese warlords in high school of delinquents
― This year's 16th issue of Kodansha's Young Magazine revealed on Monday that Shinobu Kaitani will launch a new manga titled Shin Shinchō Kōki - Nobunaga-kun to Watashi (The New Official History of Nobunaga - Nobunaga and Me) in the magazine's next issue on March 25. The manga will have a color opening page, and wi...
Warner Bros. Chairman, CEO Kevin Tsujihara Resigns Amid Sex Scandal
Warner Bros. announced on Monday that company chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara will leave the company amid allegations that Tsujihara used his position to secure roles and auditions for actress Charlotte Kirk, with whom he had been in a sexual relationship with. WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey said in a statement that Tsujihara's "mistakes" are "inconsistent with the company's leadership expectations...
One-Punch Man Season 2 Anime's New Video Previews JAM Project Song
Anime premieres on April 2, with Hulu-exclusive simulcast stream beginning on April 9
― The official website for the One-Punch Man anime revealed a new promotional video for the anime's second season on Tuesday, and Bandai Namco Arts is also streaming an English-subtitled version. The video previews JAM Project's opening theme song "Seijaku no Apostle" (The Silent Apostle; Note: The English-subtitled...
39th Doraemon Film Stays at #1, Precure Miracle Universe Opens at #3
Tonde Saitama drops to #4, Osomatsu-san film opens at #7
― Eiga Doraemon no Nobita no Getsumen Tansaki (Doraemon the Movie: Chronicle of the Moon Exploration), the Doraemon franchise's 39th film, remained at #1 at the Japanese box office in its third weekend. The film sold 369,000 tickets, and earned 438 million yen (about US$3.93 million) over the weekend. It has earned a cumulative total of 2 billi...
Klonoa Game Director Wants to Release of Materials Book
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile video game director Hideo Yoshizawa appealed to fans on Twitter on Friday to urge Bandai Namco Games to create and release a materials book for the Klonoa game franchise. Yoshizawa refers to the book as KLONOA Chronicle Data Collection and describes it as a "collection of unpublished materials created during the development of the KLONOA series." He asked fans to comment...
Kaguya-sama: Love is War ‒ Episode 10
"This episode does a fantastic job of balancing the show's various tones and providing each of its principal characters with numerous funny moments."
Captain Baseball Manga Gets New Sequel Series
Cozy Jōkura's Captain 2 series launches on April 24
― Cozy Jōkura will launch a new sequel adaptation of Akio Chiba's Captain baseball manga in the May issue of Shueisha's Grand Jump Mucha magazine on April 24. The sequel, titled Captain 2, will focus on Shigekazu Kondō, who took over the captain role from Igarashi. Jōkura's Play Ball 2 manga sequel to Chiba's Play Ball manga is also serializing in S...
Soul Eater, Fireworks Singer Kana Nishino Gets Married
She put her career on indefinite hiatus last month
― Singer Kana Nishino announced on Monday that she tied the knot yesterday, a day that also happened to be her 30th birthday. Nishino, who put her career on hiatus in February, married her former manager. He's said to resemble Kabuki actor Ebizo Ichikawa. The pair were first spotted jogging together in November 2016 and tabloids reported that he hand...
Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka ‒ Episode 10
"It's a shame that the show hasn't delved more into its psychological aspects while overindulging in its grimmer elements."
Takashi Murakami Produces Animated Music Video for Billie Eilish Song
Singer Billie Eilish debuted an animated music video for her single "you should see me in a crown" on Monday. The video was created by contemporary artist Takashi Murakami (Superflat Monogram, 6HP - Six Hearts Princess) and his Poncotan animation studio. Eilish tweeted part of the music video on Monday. It can be watched in full via the Apple Music app or purchased on iTunes for US$1.99. Billie's ...
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind ‒ Episode 22
"This is a scenario that could easily frustrate me if they keep the comedy of errors going for too much longer, but the constantly escalating weirdness is keeping me glued to the screen nonetheless."
DHC Apologizes Again After IDOLiSH7 Collab Store Site Crashes
Cosmetics brand Daigaku Honyaku Center (DHC) has been rather apologetic lately to IDOLiSH7 fans. Within 10 minutes of launching an IDOLiSH7 limited-edition face wash set on March 7, the product sold out, prompting DHC to apologize to fans on Twitter. On March 14, they attempted a restock... but this didn't go quite as planned. 25 minutes after the online shop restocked, DHC posted a tweet, saying,...
Moero Chronicle Hyper Switch Game Launches in West on April 26
― Idea Factory International announced on Monday that it will release Compile Heart's Moero Chronicle Hyper (Genkai Tokki: Moero Chronicle Hyper or Moero Chronicle H) Nintendo Switch game in English through the Nintendo eShop on April 26. Compile Heart released the dungeon-crawling RPG digitally in Japan on January 31. The game is a remastered version of the Moero Chronicle game with HD visuals. The...
Domestic Girlfriend ‒ Episode 10
"As of now, Domestic Girlfriend is hemorrhaging a lot of the goodwill it built up in its unexpectedly strong first half."
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Game's Gameplay Trailer Streamed
PS4/Xbox One/PC game launches on March 22
― The official YouTube channel for FromSoftware's Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice game began streaming a gameplay overview trailer on Monday. The channel also began streaming a launch trailer last week. The game will launch for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam on March 22. Activision is publishing the game, and it describes the game: Directed by Hidetaka M...
Anime Tamago 2019 Shorts Screened in Ikebukuro
The Anime Tamago (formerly Anime Mirai) shorts screened at the Ikebukuro HUMAX Cinemas in Tokyo on March 9. As in previous years, the anime shorts train young animators on the job, as part of the Japanese government's Agency of Cultural Affairs' "Young Animator Training Project." At the screening, the main staff for each short, including the young animators, came onstage to talk about their work. ...
Pastel Memories Anime Halts Streaming of 1st 2 Episodes, Changes Home Video Release
Episode 2 stops streaming on March 26; BD release removes episode
― The official website for the television anime of FuRyu's Pastel Memories smartphone game announced on Monday that both the home video and streaming releases of the series will have changes based on the decisions of the anime's production committee. The announcement also apologized for the "trouble." The three planned Blu-ray Disc and...
Shelf Life - Concrete Revolutio
Paul plumbs the psychedelic depths of this alternate-history superhero thriller, along with a breakdown of all this week's new blu-ray releases!
― There's apparently a new game in the Fate franchise coming out this week, and I hope it's good. Not because I don't already have a huge gaming backlog to deal with, but because I need an excuse to finally take a break from the Fate smartphone game. A pers...
No Guns Life TV Anime Confirmed, Staff Announced
Show to reunite director, scriptwriter, studio of Overlord
― The April issue of Shueisha's Ultra Jump magazine confirmed on Tuesday that Tasuku Karasuma's No Guns Life manga is inspiring a television anime adaptation. The magazine also confirmed more of the show's staff. Naoyuki Itou (Overlord all three seasons, Kanon, Kimi no Koe o Todoketai) is directing the anime at Madhouse (Boogiepop and Others,...
My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU TV Anime Gets 3rd Season
Anime is based on Wataru Watari's My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected light novel series
― The April issue of Shogakukan's Monthly Sunday GX magazine revealed on Tuesday that Wataru Watari's My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong, As I Expected (Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru.) light novel series is inspiring a third television anime season. The novels previously inspired tw...
Ero Lover Manga Gets Anime on Anime Beans App
Marie Miyake, Ryūichi Kijima lead cast for anime debuting on March 22
― The official Twitter account for Production I.G's Anime Beans app announced on Monday that Mitsuha Sakisawa and Nekousa's Ero Lover manga is receiving an anime adaptation for Production I.G's Anime Beans app. The anime will debut in the app on March 22. The cast includes: (Note: character name romanizations not confirmed.) Marie ...
3rd Starmyu Anime Season's Key Visual Revealed
― The official website for the Starmyu anime revealed a key visual for the show's third season on Friday. The anime will premiere this summer and will feature the first appearance of the new Kao Kai (Cherry Blossom Flower Association). The first 12-episode Starmyu television anime series premiered in Japan in October 2015. Funimation streamed the series as it aired. A two-part original video anime (...
Young Disease Outburst Boy Anime Reveals Staff, Visual
Anime adapts Vocaloid song, novel adaptation
― Kadokawa announced the staff and a visual on Monday for Chūbyō Gekihatsu Boy, the television anime adaptation of Vocaloid producer rerulili's "Young disease outburst Boy" ("Chūbyō Gekihatsu Boy") song and Minato Tonami's novel adaptation. Kazuya Ichikawa (Clean Freak! Aoyama kun, Bakugan Battle Planet, Monster Strike the Animation) is directing the anime...
TMS Entertainment Appoints Tadashi Takezaki as New President
Yoshiharu Suzuki steps down as president, remains on as vice president
― Animation studio TMS Entertainment announced on March 13 that it will appoint current managing director Tadashi Takezaki as its new president, with current president Yoshiharu Suzuki stepping down to the role of vice president, effective April 1. Hideki Okamura, the board chairman, as well as the managing director of Sega Sammy ...
Naka no Hito Genome [Jikkyōchū] TV Anime Reveals July Premiere, Visual, More Cast
Manaka Iwami, Kenjiro Tsuda, more join cast
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Osora's Naka no Hito Genome [Jikkyōchū] (Naka no Hito Genome [Now Streaming]) manga revealed the show's July premiere on Monday. The site also revealed a new key visual (below) and more cast members. The new cast includes: Manaka Iwami as Himiko Inaba Takuma Terashima as Makino Aikawa Kaori Nazuk...
Code Geass Social Game's Main Character, Knightmare Frame Designs Revealed
Game to launch for browsers, smartphones
― DMM Games revealed the new designs for its Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion Lost Stories social game on Monday. The new designs include the new "Pendulum" Knightmare Frame, and the designs for the main character, designed by Shirabi. The main character (players can choose between male or female designs) works with Lelouch and the Order of the Black Knigh...
Precure Miracle Universe Film Sets New Opening Weekend Record for Spring Precure Film
Film sells 221,000 tickets; earns 248 million yen in 1st 2 days
― Eiga Precure Miracle Universe, the newest movie in the Precure franchise, has set a record for an opening weekend for a spring Precure film. The film opened in Japan on Saturday, and earned about 248 million yen (about US$2.22 million) and sold about 221,000 tickets in its first two days. The film ranked #3 in its opening weekend. The ...
2nd Fate/stay night Heaven's Feel Film's U.S. Screenings Earn US$420,595
Film screened in U.S., Canada on Thursday
― The Box Office Mojo website is reporting that Aniplex of America and Fathom Events' screening of the Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel II. lost butterfly film in the United States on Thursday earned US$420,595. The companies also screened the film in Canada on Thursday. The film is the second film in the Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel anime film trilogy, and i...
Osomatsu-san Sextuplets to 'Appear' in Black Clover Anime's 76th Episode
Appearance is part of collaboration between anime franchises
― The official websites for both Black Clover and the Eiga no Osomatsu-san anime film announced on Monday that both anime are launching a collaboration campaign. The campaign debuted with a visual (seen below), as well as a featured "appearance" by the Matsuno sextuplets in the Black Clover anime's 76th episode "Madōshi X" (Magic Knight X),...
Ema Toyama Publishes 1-Shot Manga in Comic Yuri Hime Magazine
New work is Toyama's 1st work featured in yuri magazine
― The May issue of Ichijinsha's Comic Yuri Hime magazine published a one-shot manga titled "Nakasete? Sensei" by Ema Toyama on Monday. The manga is Toyama's first work to appear in the magazine. The manga centers on a romance between a student and a teacher. Toyama launched her award-winning Missions of Love (Watashi ni xx Shinasai!) romantic co...
Alita: Battle Angel Film Earns US$81 Million in U.S., US$394 Million Worldwide
Film ranked #9 in U.S. box office in 5th weekend
― Alita: Battle Angel — James Cameron and Robert Rodriguez's live-action film of Yukito Kishiro's Battle Angel Alita (GUNNM) manga — earned US$1.9 million in the United States to rank #9 in its fifth weekend. The film has now earned an estimated US$81,821,539 domestically. The film also now has an estimated overseas gross of US$312,223,838, and a world...
Ultraman Anime's Clip Highlights Ultraman, Bemlar Fight Scene
Anime premieres globally on April 1
― Netflix began streaming a clip from the anime of Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi's Ultraman manga on Monday. The clip shows a fight scene between Shinjiro/Ultraman and Bemlar. The anime will premiere globally on Netflix on April 1. Cast members include: Ryohei Kimura as Shinjiro Hayata Takuya Eguchi as Dan Moroboshi Megumi Han as Seiji Hokuto Hideyuki Tana...
Dr. Stone Anime Reveals Main Staff, New Visual
Shinya Iino directs, Yuichiro Kido handles series composition, Yuko Iwasa designs characters
― This year's 16th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed the staff for the television anime adaptation of Riichirou Inagaki and Boichi's Dr. Stone manga on Monday. Shinya Iino (storyboards, episode director on Hanebad!, Revue Starlight, Made in Abyss) is directing the anime. Yuichiro Kido (...
Showtaro Morikubo Voices Cyborg Guitarist from Virtual Hard Rock Band Ironbunny
Okay, so hear me out: there is a cyborg guitarist from the year 2300 performing hard rock music in Japan. In his era, rock is dying, so he has come back to the past in order to change the future. His name: Ediee Ironbunny. He came to the year 2018 and started doing street performances in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, and in January 2019 he performed at the the National Association of Music Merchants (N...
J-Novel Club Licenses Full Metal Panic! Light Novel Series
Plans "complete retranslation" of all 12 main novel volumes
― J-Novel Club announced on Sunday that it has licensed Shoji Gatoh's Full Metal Panic! light novel series. While Tokyopop previously published four volumes of the novels (pictured right), J-Novel Club stated that its release will be a "complete retranslation." J-Novel Club added it has licensed all 12 volumes of the main novel series, and s...
Final Fantasy XI Producer Says Game Has Budget For At Least 3 More Years
Final Fantasy XI producer Akihiko Matsui said during the 44th Mogitate Vana'diel livestream on March 8 that the game will have the budget to continue for at least three more years, until the game's 20th anniversary in 2022. It is typical for budgets to be evaluated on a yearly basis, so Matsui said that he was relieved that he was able to secure this amount of budget in advance. He also said that ...
His and Her Circumstances Voice Actors Comment on 20th Anniversary Blu-ray Box Set Release
The His and Her Circumstances (KareKano for short) television anime is getting a 20 year anniversary Blu-ray box set release in Japan on March 27, 2019. Five voice actors left comments on His and Her Circumstances rights holder King Record's website on March 7 in anticipation of the release. Atsuko Enomoto, who plays Yukino, wrote: "It's been 20 years since the anime. I'm so happy to see it get a ...
Shōwa Era Lifestyle Museum Recreates House from In This Corner of the World
The Shōwa Era Lifestyle Museum in Tokyo is holding a special In This Corner of the World exhibit from November 2, 2018 to May 6, 2019. The museum replicates the living conditions of the houses shown in the film, which is set in Hiroshima during World War II. The Shōwa Era Lifestyle Museum is the former residence of the Koizumi family, and was built in 1951. It was converted into a museum in 1996. ...
Virtual YouTuber Kaguya Luna Livestreams 1st Virtual Commercial Presentation
Virtual YouTuber Kaguya Luna held a press conference for a Nissin Yakisoba commercial on Thursday at 12:15 Japan Standard Time. The presentation was not only livestreamed on her YouTube channel but also attended by journalists in person. This marks the first ever virtual Youtuber commercial presentation. The conference plays out humorously, as the voice interviewing Kaguya Luna speaks professional...
The Quintessential Quintuplets ‒ Episode 10
"This is a well-executed episode on multiple fronts, moving the story along at a good pace while providing plenty of entertainment and a bit of character development along the way."
Girly Air Force ‒ Episode 10
"The series still seems to be in the pre-flight checklist phase before it takes off to make its final approach for the season."
Magical Sempai TV Anime Unveils Video, Cast, July Premiere
Kaede Hondo, Aoi Ichikawa, Eri Kitamura, Rie Takahashi, Daisuke Namikawa, Himika Akaneya join cast
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of AZU's Magical Sempai (Tejina Senpai) manga revealed a new visual, promotional video, cast, and July premiere date for the anime on Monday. The cast includes: Kaede Hondo as Senpai Aoi Ichikawa as Assistant Eri Kitamura as Saki-chan Rie Takaha...
Iro Aida's Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun Manga Gets TV Anime
Manga about ghost who haunts school's bathroom launched in 2014
― The April issue of Square Enix's G Fantasy magazine revealed on Monday that Iro Aida's Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun (Jibaku Shōnen Hanako-kun) manga is inspiring a television anime adaptation. Yen Press is releasing the manga digitally, and it describes the story: "Hanako-san, Hanako-san...are you there?" At Kamome Academy, rumors abound ab...
Dropkick on My Devil! Anime's 2nd Season Casts Nanami Yamashita, Minami Tanaka
Nichika Omori returns as Yurine in new season based on Yukiwo's manga
― A live-stream event for the anime based on Yukiwo's Dropkick on My Devil! (Jashin-chan Dropkick!!) manga revealed new cast members for the show's second season on Sunday. The newly announced cast members are: Nanami Yamashita as Kyon-Kyon Minami Tanaka as Oneechan (Kyon-Kyon's older sister) The official YouTube channel for the an...
Fire Force TV Anime's 2nd Teaser Reveals July 5 Premiere
1st title in "Super Animeism" block on MBS, TBS
― The official website for the television anime of Atsushi Ohkubo's Fire Force (En En no Shōbōtai) manga began streaming the anime's second teaser promotional video on Sunday. The video reveals that the anime wil premiere on July 5 at 25:25 (effectively July 6 at 1:25 a.m.) as the first title in the "Super Animeism" programming block on MBS, TBS, and ot...
'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime' TV Anime Gets 2nd Season (Updated)
1st TV anime running for 25 episodes since October
― The official Twitter account for the That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken) television anime series announced on Sunday that production on a sequel has been green-lit for 2020. 『転生したらスライムだった件』TVアニメ続編制作決定✨2020年始動‼️宣伝T#転スラ #tensura pic.twitter.com/C1oTmcReQ3— 【公式】TVアニメ『転生したらスライムだった件』 (@ten_sura_anime) March 17, 2019 ...
Japanese Anime Home Video Market Falls 24% in 2018
Anime BD sales down 22.1%, DVD sales down 34.8%
― The Japan Video Software Association (JVA) released on Wednesday its 12-month statistical report on home video sales in Japan from January to December 2018. The report stated that domestic anime DVD and Blu-ray Disc sales for general audiences, excluding rental releases, amounted to 32.557 billion yen (about US$292.2 million), a 24.2% decrease from 20...
Leiji Matsumoto Supervises New Comic Based on His Universe, Characters
Didier Tarquin, Lyse Tarquin to write, draw comic
― ANN has confirmed with Monaco-based company Shibuya Productions that Leiji Matsumoto is overseeing a new comic based on the universe of his works. The comic will also feature Matsumoto's characters and machines. The company had originally revealed the project at the MAGIC 2019 event in Monaco on March 9. Shibuya Productions shared several pieces of ...
J-Novel Club Licenses Ascendance of a Bookworm Novels
Novels are inspiring upcoming TV anime, J-Novel Club previously licensed manga adaptation
― J-Novel Club announced on Sunday that it has licensed author Miya Kazuki and illustrator You Shiina's Ascendance of a Bookworm (Honzuki no Gekokujō - Shisho ni Naru Tame niwa Shudan o Erandeiramasen) light novel series. J-Novel Club is also releasing Suzuka's manga adaptation in English, and it describes the s...
Sega Streams Customization Trailer for Sonic Team Racing Game
Racing game launches on May 21 on PS4, Switch, Xbox One, PC
― Sega began streaming a customization trailer on Saturday for its Team Sonic Racing game, which previews the game's car customization. Sega is also streaming a video that previews a new soundtrack song in the game titled "Bingo Party." Sega will release the game on May 21 after a delay from this winter. The company will release the game phy...
2nd Girls und Panzer das Finale Film Previewed in Trailer, New Visual
Film depicting conclusion of battle between Ooarai, BC Freedom opens on June 15
― The official website for the six-part Girls und Panzer das Finale film series began streaming the second film's trailer on Sunday. 15-second version The site also revealed a new visual for the film. The film will open in Japan on June 15. The film will depict the finale of the battle between Ooarai Girls Academy and BC ...
Sega Streams 1st Episode of 2-Part Team Sonic Racing Overdrive Animated Short
2nd part debuts in April before Team Sonic Racing game launches on May 21
― The official YouTube channel for Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog game series began streaming the first part in a new two-part animated short series titled Team Sonic Racing Overdrive on Sunday. Sega describes the short: Team Sonic, Team Rose, and Team Dark face off at Wisp Circuit in this first of two parts of a special animation b...
Sega Reveals it is Developing 'Next Major Title' in Sonic the Hedgehog Game Series
― Sega game developer Takashi Iizuka announced at a panel at the SXSW event on Saturday that Sega is developing "the next major" title in the Sonic the Hedgehog game series. Iizuka did not provide any other information about the new game at the panel, but thanked fans for their patience in waiting until Sega "has something to show" regarding the game. Sega will release the Team Sonic Racing game (pi...
Viz Media Adds A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow Manga, Announces Rerelease of Kazuo Umezu's The Drifting Classroom Manga
Company also announces print release of Jujutsu Kaisen manga, new imprint for "manga-inspired" works
― Viz Media announced on Saturday that it has licensed Makoto Hagino's A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow (Nettaigyo ha Yuki ni Kogaeru) manga, and it will rerelease Kazuo Umezu's The Drifting Classroom classic horror manga. Viz Media will release A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow starting this fall. The c...
'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime' Novels Get New Spinoff Manga
Spinoff series follows girl named Phos from Eurazania
― Niconico Seiga and Kodansha's Monthly Shonen Sirus magazine's "Suiyōbi no Sirius" website began publishing a new spinoff manga on Saturday of author Fuse and artist Mitz Vah's That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken) light novel series. Tae Tono is drawing the manga, titled Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken Ibun: Mak...
IG Port Transfers Xebec's Operations to Sunrise for 300 Million Yen
Settlement of payment, transfer of operations scheduled for April 1
― IG Port, the parent company of several anime studios including Production I.G and Wit Studio, revealed on Tuesday that it will proceed with the transfer of most of the production operations of its Xebec production studio to Sunrise on April 1. The cost of the transfer to Sunrise will be 300 million yen (about US$2.69 million), whic...
Mohiro Kitoh Pens 1-Shot Manga on March 26
Author is recovering from surgery for spinal canal stenosis
― This year's seventh issue of Kodansha's Evening magazine revealed on Tuesday that manga creator Mohiro Kitoh will draw a one-shot in the magazine's next issue on March 26. The magazine also published an editor's note that gave an update on Kitoh's health since he underwent surgery for his spinal canal stenosis in August 2017. The note stat...
One Piece Cosplay King Grand Prix Offers 3D-printed Trophies of Winners' Costumes
The World Cosplay Summit (WCS)'s One Piece Cosplay King Grand Prix will offer 3D-printed trophies of the three winning cosplay outfits. There will be a "crystal" trophy for the grand prize winner and "original" trophies for the runner-up winners. The official website has also posted video comments from One Piece voice actors and contest judges Toshio Furukawa (Ace) and Toru Furuya (Sabo) encouragi...
Japan Shogi Association Column Endorses The Ryuo's Work is Never Done!
Japan Shogi Association columnist and shogi instructor Kei Mizutome endorsed Shirow Shiratori's The Ryuo's Work is Never Done! in an article introducing four "must-read" novels about shogi. Mizutome wrote: "Until very recently, shogi writings could be sorted into three categories: descriptions of real-life games, mystery novels, and manga. The Ryuo's Work is Never Done! came in like a whirlwind. T...
Ayuko Hatta's Haibara-kun wa Gokigen Naname Manga Ends in April
Romantic comedy manga by Wolf Girl & Black Prince author launched in May 2018
― The April issue of Shueisha's Bessatsu Margaret magazine revealed on Wednesday that Ayuko Hatta's Haibara-kun wa Gokigen Naname (Haibara's in a Bad Mood) manga will end in the magazine's next issue on April 12. The manga's story centers on Mio, a girl who is treated as her class' mascot, who gets to know a transfer studen...
Hakuōki, Time Travel Girl Director Osamu Yamasaki Complains of Lack of Royalties in Anime Industry
Hakuōki and Time Travel Girl director Osamu Yamasaki posted a tweet thread on Tuesday about royalties (or lack thereof) in the anime industry. He wrote: "Lately, labor standards have toughened, and there are more companies that say they want to sign a contract with you. But when you read through the contract, all the terms are in the favor of the company. In particular, you have to cede the rights...
Kanoko Sakurakoji's Black Bird Manga Gets New Chapter in April
Supernatural manga ran from 2007-2012, with stage play adaptation slated for end of March
― The April issue of Shogakukan's Betsucomi magazine revealed on Wednesday that Kanoko Sakurakoji will pen a new one-shot chapter for the Black Bird manga in the magazine's next issue in April. The manga will have a color opening page, and will feature on the issue's front cover. Viz Media published all volumes ...
Batman Ninja Manga Ends in 2nd Volume
Masato Hisa launched manga adaptation of film last June
― The first volume of Masato Hisa's manga adaptation of the Batman Ninja anime revealed on March 5 that the manga will end with its second volume, which will ship this fall. Hisa (Nobunagun, Area 51) launched the manga in the Monthly Hero's magazine last June. Warner Bros. released the film digitally last April, and on Blu-ray Disc Steelbook, DV...
Shiro Amano Returns to Pen Kingdom Hearts III Manga
Amano also draws art for 2 new Tomoco Kanemaki Kingdom Hearts novels
― The April issue of Square Enix's Monthly Shonen Gangan magazine revealed on Tuesday that Shiro Amano is returning to pen a manga adaptation of the Kingdom Hearts III game. The magazine did not state a specific debut date for the manga. Amano is also drawing art for Tomoco Kanemaki's upcoming novelization of the game, as well as th...
New Fruits Basket Anime Reveals "1st season" Title, New Promo, Visual, Theme Song Artists
Beverly, Vickeblanka perform theme songs
― The official website for the new television anime of Natsuki Takaya's Fruits Basket manga revealed a new promotional video on Saturday. Funimation is streaming the video with English subtitles. 🌸BRAND NEW TRAILER ALERT, prepare for all the feels!! 🌸Hear Momiji, Hatsuharu, Kagura, Akito and so many other new characters for the first time in this lovely, movin...
J-Novel Club Licenses Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill Novels
Isekai food series launched in 2016
― J-Novel Club announced on Saturday that it has licensed author Ren Eguchi and illustrator Masa's Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill (Tondemo Skill de Isekai Hōrō Meshi) light novel series. The first part of the novels' first volume is available to read for free. The company describes the series: Mukouda Tsuyoshi was nothing special in modern J...
Legendary Comics to Release Detective Pikachu Graphic Novel
Graphic novel to adapt film opening in U.S. on May 10
― The official Twitter account for Legendary Entertainment announced on Friday that Legendary Comics will publish a graphic adaptation of Legendary and Warner Bros.' live-action Pokémon: Detective Pikachu film this summer. Brian Buccellato is writing the work, and Nelson Dániel is drawing the art. The film is slated to debut in the United States o...
Mix Baseball Anime Previewed in TV Ad
Series premieres on April 6
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Mitsuru Adachi's Mix baseball manga began streaming a television ad for the show on Saturday. The ad is the first video released for the series. The anime will premiere on April 6 and will air on YTV and NTV on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. (what is currently Ace Attorney Season 2's timeslot). The manga's story is set ...
Fate/Grand Order: Zettai Majū Sensen Babylonia Anime Reveals Character Visuals for Romani, Da Vinci
― The official Twitter account for Fate/Grand Order: Zettai Majū Sensen Babylonia, the television anime adaptation of the Fate/Grand Order smartphone game's "Dai Nana Tokuiten Zettai Majū Sensen Babylonia" (Order VII: The Absolute Frontline in the War Against the Demonic Beasts: Babylonia) story, revealed two more character visuals on Saturday. Kenichi Suzumura as Romani Archaman Maaya Sakamoto as L...
2nd Live-Action Tokyo Ghoul Film Casts Jiyoung as Itori
Sequel film opens in Japan on July 19
― The official website for the live-action films of Sui Ishida's Tokyo Ghoul manga announced on Saturday that South Korean actress and singer Jiyoung is joining the cast of the tentatively titled live-action Tokyo Ghoul 2 film as Itori. The film will open in Japan on July 19. Masataka Kubota (center in image below) is returning as Ken Kaneki, but Maika Yamamoto (...
Sato's Fragtime Yuri Manga Gets Anime Adaptation
Manga centers on high school girl who has time-stopping power
― Akita Shoten opened a website on Saturday to announce that Sato's Fragtime manga is inspiring an anime adaptation. The website did not reveal any other details about the anime project. The anime's Twitter account has been posting information in both Japanese and English, including a comment from Sato about the news. <Sato's comment> I'm ...
New Live-Action LDK Film's 3 Character Trailers Streamed
Film opens in Japan on March 21
― Toei began streaming three character videos on Saturday for LDK Hitotsu Yane no Shita, "Suki" ga Futatsu (Two Loves Under One Roof), the new live-action film adaptation of Ayu Watanabe's LDK shōjo manga. Aoi Version Shūsei Version Reon Version Mone Kamishiraishi plays heroine Aoi Nishimori in the film, while Yōsuke Sugino plays Shūsei Kugayama. New to the story is Re...
Bokura no Nanokakan Sensō Novel Inspires Manga
Novel also gets anime film adaptation this year
― The April issue of Kadokawa's Monthly Comic Gene magazine revealed on Friday that Osamu Sōda's Bokura no Nanokakan Sensō (Our Seven-Day War) novel is getting a manga adaptation in the magazine starting with its May issue on April 15. Sasaki Aoko (Jingai CP Catalogue.) is drawing the manga. Kadokawa confirmed last June the earlier reports that the nove...
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