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This Week in Games - Unfinished Business
Heidi takes a slow week in stride with Star Wars, Destiny, a new Dragon Ball game, No More Heroes and much more!
― Well, howdy everyone! Hope you're having an okay week. I'm currently running on far less sleep than usual because I tend to work (read: game) pretty late into the night, and for the past three days, my apartment has been having new roofing installed. Always fun waking up at 9 A.M. to THU...
Sirius the Jaeger
This hybrid between vampire-fighting action and elaborate period-piece has style in abundance but holds back on the substance. Theron Martin has the details on this Netflix-hosted series.
― This 12-episode series is an original anime production by P.A. Works and Masahiro Ando, whose previous directorial credits are as varied as Hanasaku Iroha, Snow White with the Red Hair, and the movie Sword of the ...
Your Daily Streaming Reviews Schedule: Winter 2019
The results are in and we have your Daily Streaming Reviews schedule for Winter 2019!
― This season's poll results have been tallied and we've put together the schedule for the Winter 2019 Daily Streaming Reviews! Due to lack of interest in the show, Paul Jensen will be wrapping up his reviews of Radiant this week. We may add coverage of more autumn anime based on future reader interest, so let us kn...
Shelf Life - Princess Tutu
Paul discovers whether this mid-2000s magical girl classic has aged gracefully on blu-ray, plus all this week's new anime releases and a new mecha-filled Shelf Obsessed!
― It's Preview Guide time again! Actually it might be streaming review announcement time on the day this column comes out. They've rolling the new shows out pretty darn fast this season. Welcome to Shelf Life. Jump to this week's re...
Kodansha Celebrates Bakemonogatari Manga Print Milestone with 13-Meter Banner
The manga version of NisiOisin's Bakemonogatari light novel is doing exceptionally well. In fact, the first three volumes of Oh! Great's adaptation already have over one million copies in print. The Kodansha offices unfurled a giant banner measuring 13 meters in length (about 42.5 feet) down the front of the building to celebrate the milestone. The banner won't stay in front of Kodansha forever. T...
Future Card Shin Buddyfight Manga Ends
Mitsuhisa Tamura's manga based on Bushiroad card game launched in May
― The February issue of Shogakukan's Coro Coro Comics magazine revealed on Tuesday that Mitsuhisa Tamura's Future Card Shin Buddyfight manga will end in the next issue on February 15. Tamura launched the manga in the magazine on May 15. The first compiled book volume shipped on October 25. Tamura began the Future Card Buddyfight ma...
Comic Boost Manga Site Launches With New Manga by Ryo Ikuemi, Jingu Takao, More
Natsuki Sumeragi, Kei Toume, Yuji Shiozaki also launch new manga
― Gentosha launched its Comic Boost manga website on Tuesday with a new manga serialization by Ryo Ikuemi. In the next few months, the website is slated to launch seven other manga, including new manga by Jingu Takao, Natsuki Sumeragi, Kei Toume, and Yuji Shiozaki. The new site is a relaunch of Gentosha's previous Denshi Birz website. R...
The BanG Dream! Boys Argonavis Release 1st Music Video
Bushiroad announced last year that it would add some male idols to its BanG Dream! multimedia franchise. The production company signed voice actors Shūta Morishima, Seiji Maeda, and Daisuke Hyuga as part of the group "Argonavis." The band also added Shōhei Hashimoto and Masahiro Ito to the line-up. Seiji Maeda is on bass, actor Shōhei Hashimoto is on drums, Masahiro Ito provides the vocals, Shūta ...
Get a Virtual Front Row Seat to Singer Hikaru Utada's Kingdom Hearts Theme Song Performance
Singer Hikaru Utada is bringing her concert into PlayStation VR users homes on Friday. If you own a PlayStation VR set, you can watch Utada perform "Hikari" and "Chikai" for free beginning tomorrow. "Hikari" is the Japanese version of Utada's popular Kingdom Hearts theme "Simple and Clean" and "Chikai" is the Japanese version of the Kingdom Hearts III ending theme song "Don't Think Twice." The VR ...
Sentai Filmworks Licenses Kokkoku Anime, Plans English Dub
BD slated for April 16
― Section23 Films announced in its April 2019 release slate on Thursday that Sentai Filmworks has licensed the Kokkoku anime and plans to release it on Blu-ray Disc with an English dub 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,...
Viz Media Licenses Dragon Ball: A Visual History Art Book
Hardcover book slated for this fall
― Viz Media announced on Thursday that it has licensed Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball: A Visual History art book, and plans to release it in a hardcover volume in fall 2019. The book debuted in Japan on May 9, 2013, before the debut of Dragon Ball Super. Toriyama serialized Dragon Ball from 1984 to 1995 in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump. Viz Media published the manga ...
Game Freak's Giga Wrecker Platformer Gets Updated Version for PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Rising Star Games announces plans to publish in 11 languages
― Rising Star Games announced on Thursday that it will publish Giga Wrecker Alt., an updated version of Game Freak's Giga Wrecker game, digitally for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Limited Run Games will release physical editions for PS4 and Switch. The console version of the "physics-based" action and puzzle platformer will ...
Dragon Ball Super: Broly Film Earns Estimated US$7 Million on U.S. Opening Day (Update)
― Entertainment news website Deadline reported on Thursday that the Dragon Ball Super: Broly anime film earned an estimate of over US$7 million on its general opening day in the United States, with a projected six-day earning of over US$15 million. The film opened on 1,440 screens including 180 IMAX and Cinemark XD screens on Wednesday. The film ranked at #1 in the U.S. box office for the day. Drago...
Gear Up For the Pokémon: Detective Pikachu Live-Action Film Premiere
Movie will get new Pokémon Trading Card Game collections, toys, apparel, more
― The Pokémon Company International announced an extensive line of products inspired by Warner Bros. upcoming Pokémon: Detective Pikachu live-action film on Thursday. Before the movie debuts in North America on May 10, fans can add new Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) collections and exclusive merchandise from PokemonCenter....
FUN! FUN! Animal Park Game Launches in West on March 28
Aksys Games releases Nippon Columbia's game of animal minigames
― Aksys Games announced on Thursday that it will release Nippon Columbia's Waku Waku Dōbutsu Land game under the title FUN! FUN! Animal Park for the Nintendo Switch on March 28. The game will be available in physical and digital copies. The game features 30 animal-themed minigames and three modes of play for one or two players. The game ...
This Week in Games - Unfinished Business
Heidi takes a slow week in stride with Star Wars, Destiny, a new Dragon Ball game, No More Heroes and much more!
― Well, howdy everyone! Hope you're having an okay week. I'm currently running on far less sleep than usual because I tend to work (read: game) pretty late into the night, and for the past three days, my apartment has been having new roofing installed. Always fun waking up at 9 A.M. to THU...
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III Game Launches in West in Fall
PS4 game's Western release to have dual audio, English/French text
― NIS America announced on Thursday that it will release the The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III game for PlayStation 4 in fall 2019. The company also began streaming an announcement trailer for the game. The game will launch in North America and Europe with English and Japanese audio and English and French text. The Thors ...
Kingdom Hearts III Game's 2-Minute Ad Streamed
Game launches on PS4, Xbox One in Japan on January 25, worldwide on January 29
― Square Enix began streaming a two-minute ad on Thursday for the Kingdom Hearts III game. The ad originally aired on TV Asahi during the "Soccer AFC Asia Cup 2019 Japan x Uzbekistan TV Asahi's 60th Anniversary Commemoration" program. The official Japanese Twitter account for the game series has been posting a countdown ev...
Resident Evil 2 Remake Game Previewed in Japanese Ad
Demo available now for game launching on January 25 for PS4, Xbox One, PC
― The official Japanese YouTube channel for the Resident Evil (Biohazard) game series began streaming an ad on Thursday for the game. The official English YouTube channel also began streaming a video for the game's "one-shot demo" on January 8. The demo launched on January 11 and is available until January 31. Capcom announced ...
Fishing Star World Tour Game Launches on Switch in 38 Countries on January 31
Fishing game from Wright Flyer Studios to be available in 8 languages
― Game developer Wright Flyer Studios began streaming a promotional video on Wednesday for its TsuriSuta World Tour (Fishing Star World Tour) Nintendo Switch game. The video and its description reveal that the game will launch on the Nintendo e-Shop in 38 countries and territories on January 31. English Promo Video Japanese Promo V...
Orlando's Omni Fandom Expo to Host Animator Mamoru Yokota
Event takes place on March 15-17 at Florida Hotel & Conference Center
― The Omni Fandom Expo event announced on Thursday that it will host animator Mamoru Yokota. Yokota will draw a limited amount of art commissions at the event. Yokota debuted as a character designer on Louie the Rune Soldier, and then drew original character designs for Magical Kanan, Bizarre Cage, and Angelium. He has also worked ...
Dragon: Marked for Death Game's 7-Minute Video Previews Japanese Voice Cast
Switch game launches in Japan, N. America, Europe on January 31
― Inti Creates began streaming a new seven-minute video on Thursday for its Dragon: Marked for Death Nintendo Switch game that previews the game's voice cast. Players can choose from four different voice actresses or actors for each of the game's four main characters. The game will debut on January 31 in Japan, North America, and Europe....
City Hunter: Shinjuku Private Eyes Film Gets Novel Adaptation
Novel ships on February 8 to coincide with film's opening in Japan.
― Publisher Tokuma Shoten is listing that it will release a novel adaptation of City Hunter: Shinjuku Private Eyes, the new anime film adaptation of Tsukasa Hojo's City Hunter manga, on February 8. The novel will tell the original story of the film while providing more details to the story. Kenta Fukui is writing the novel, and is ad...
Psyvariar Delta Game Gets PC Release on January 31
Switch, PS4 version slated for February
― The official Twitter account for Success Corporation's Psyvariar Delta game revealed on Thursday that the game will get a PC release via Steam on January 31. City Connection is releasing the game. Success Corporation first released the vertically scrolling shooter game in arcades in 2000. The new version also released in Japan for the PlayStation 4 and Ninten...
Yūya Ishii Directs The World of Machida-kun Live-Action Film
Live-action The Great Passage director works on June 7 film adaptation of Yuki Andō's manga
― The staff for the live-action film adaptation of Yuki Andō's The World of Machida-kun manga revealed on Wednesday that Yūya Ishii (live-action The Great Passage) is directing the film. The staff also revealed the film's June 7 opening. In the manga, Machida is a quiet, awkward, bespectacled boy, whose slight...
Netflix Raises Subscription Prices in the U.S., 40 Latin American Countries
Subscription plans now cost US$16, US$13, US$9 on different subscription levels
― Netflix announced on Wednesday that it has raised the price of its subscription plans in the United States, as well as in 40 Latin American countries. The service's most popular plan, which allows users to stream in HD, raised its price from US$11 to US$13 per month. The service's most expensive plan, which allows users...
Stand My Heroes Anime Reveals Designs For Kujō Family Characters
All cast members return from original game
― The official Twitter account for Stand My Heroes: Piece of Truth, the television anime of the Stand My Heroes smartphone game, revealed more character designs for the anime on Thursday. The characters with newly revealed designs include: Daiki Yamashita as Yamazaki Kaname Yoshiki Nakajima as Kōya Kirishima Chiharu Sawashiro as Sōma Kujō Yuichiro Umehara as...
Seiyū Awards to Add 4 New Categories
Hiroshi Kamiya, Mamoru Miyano, Tomoaki Maeno win Most Valuable Seiyū poll
― The organizers of the annual Seiyū Awards announced on Tuesday that it will give awards for four new categories for 13th Annual Seiyū Awards this year. The new categories include "Foreign Movie/Series Award," "Game Award," "Influencer Award," and "MVS (Most Valuable Seiyū)." The organizers previously revealed the intermediate...
Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization Switch Game's Release Moved Up to Spring
Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet Complete Edition trailers also posted
― Bandai Namco Entertainment America revealed on Wednesday that it has moved the release date for the Nintendo Switch version of the Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization game from this summer to this spring. The company also streamed a trailer for the game, as well as a trailer for the Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet Complete Edition...
Zettai Karen Children's 'Big News' is Anniversary Event for Author
― The seventh issue of Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine revealed on Wednesday that the "big news" planned for Takashi Shiina's Zettai Karen Children manga is a celebration of the 30th anniversary of Shiina's manga industry debut. The celebration will include Zettai Karen Children-themed cafes, an art exhibit for Shiina's works, and a popularity poll for characters from Shiina's works. Shii...
Unlock the World of Kingdom Hearts at Tokyo's Disney Ambassador Hotel
Tokyo Disneyland's Disney Ambassador Hotel has room that can only be unlocked by the biggest of Kingdom Hearts fans. Guests will receive a one-of-a-kind room key shaped like Sora's keyblade. Just like a normal hotel key, the keyblade will unlock doors with a wave of its owner's hand. The room is decked out in Kingdom Hearts themed furniture and art. The room's beds display Sora and Riku on the hea...
A-Kon Convention Announces Move to Dallas, Date Change
Convention comes under new ownership
― The official Facebook page for Texas anime convention A-Kon announced on Wednesday that the convention is coming under new ownership. As part of the change, the convention will move from Fort Worth back to Dallas, and the dates will change from June 6-9 to June 27-30. The staff announced that any hotels already booked for the old venue through A-Kon Hotels for H...
Nana Mizuki to Sing at Glee Star Matthew Morrison's Tokyo Concert
The Japanese leg of Glee actor Matthew Morrison's concert tour will include a special guest. Voice actress and singer Nana Mizuki will sing at the March 1 performance at the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall. The Black Clover and Dragon Ball Super: Broly voice actress will perform a duet with Morrison. Nana Mizuki was a member of Glee's Japanese dub cast where she performed the part of cheerleader Qui...
God Eater 3 Game's Multiplayer Trailer Streamed
Game launches in West on February 8
― Bandai Namco Entertainment America began streaming a multiplayer trailer for the God Eater 3 game on Wednesday. The game will launch in North America and Europe on February 8. In the West, the game will be available on PlayStation 4 and PC. The release will have both English and Japanese audio. The game debuted in Japan on December 13 for PlayStation 4. The game ...
This Week in Anime - Himote House is a Hidden Absurdist Comedy Gem
This short series didn't catch much attention when it first aired, with its janky animation and head-scratching premise. Andy and Steve reveal what's so special about the newest work of nonsense from the creator of gdgd Fairies.
― Himote House didn't catch much attention when it first aired, with its janky animation and head-scratching premise. This week, Andy and Steve reveal what's so special abou...
Just Because! Anime's English Dub Cast Revealed
Preview video streamed
― Sentai Filmworks began streaming a video revealing the English dub cast for Just Because! on Wednesday. The cast, under director John Swasey, includes: Greg Cote as Eita Luci Christian as Mio Blake Shepard as Haruto Patricia Duran as Hazuki Brittney Karbowski as Ena Adam Gibbs as Junpei Andrew Love as Rikuo Bryson Baugus as Nakajima Cat Thomas as Yoriko Christie Guidry as Mus...
Japanese Comic Ranking, January 7-13
The Promised Neverland, Black Clover, Yowamushi Pedal, Gintama, Snow White with the Red Hair in top 5
― Rank Title Est. Weekly Copies Est. Total Copies Release Date Publisher Author Highest Rank Weeks on List 1 The Promised Neverland 12 147,230 327,390 2019/01 Shueisha Story: Kaiu Shirai / Art: Posuka Demizu 1 2 2 Black Clover 19 76,932 179,601 2019/01 Shueisha Yūki Tabata 2 2 3 Yowamushi Pedal 59 6...
One Piece Bounty Rush Smartphone Game Slated for 2019
Teaser trailer previews 4-vs-4 battle game for iOS, Android
― Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on Tuesday that its One Piece Bounty Rush iOS and Android game will launch in 2019. The company also began streaming a teaser trailer for the game. In addition, the game's official Facebook account posted several character videos for the game. The game will feature four-vs-four team matches in a treasur...
New Fruits Basket Anime Premieres in April
― The February issue of Kadokawa's Monthly Newtype magazine revealed on January 10 that the new television anime adaptation for Natsuki Takaya's Fruits Basket manga will premiere in Japan in April. The new anime will have an entirely new cast and staff, as per Takaya's request. The new anime will cover the entire manga's story. The anime will air in Japan on TV Tokyo, and Funimation will stream the ...
Tofu Returns to Battle in Resident Evil 2 Remake
CAPCOM's remake of Resident Evil 2 will reunite Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield when the game launches for the PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on January 25, but it'll also bring back another character -- one high in protein. Tofu will make its glorious return with a graphics upgrade as it attempts to save Raccoon City from a zombie infestation with little more than a knife and a flashlight. S...
Japan's Video Game Rankings, January 7-13
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition games debut
― Japan's Game Ranking: January 7-13 Rank System Title Maker Release Date Weekly Copies Total Copies 4Gamer Reader Review 1NSwNew Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe Nintendo January 11 166,303 166,303 2NSwSuper Smash Brothers Ultimate (Including Bundled Editions) Nintendo December 7, 2018 62,580 2,676,740 95 3PS4Tales of Vesper...
Kingdom Hearts VR Experience Delayed to Next Week in Japan
― The official Japanese website for the Kingdom Hearts VR Experience virtual reality game is, as of this week, now listing a January 23 release date for the first part. Square Enix has not yet announced a Western release date. The first part was previously slated for January 18, already delayed from its original release date of December 25. The second part was originally slated for January 18 in Jap...
Kimi-tachi wa Dō Ikiru ka Manga Artist Draws Character Designs for Coffee, Spa Resort Animated Ad
Kimi-tachi wa Dō Ikiru ka (How Will You Live?) manga artist Shuichi Haga drew the character designs for an animated commercial for Suntory's Boss Coffee and the Hawaiians Spa Resort in Fukushima. It started airing on television in the Fukushima area on Tuesday, but Suntory has posted a long version of the ad on Youtube. The ad, titled Aru Otoko no Ikikata (A Certain Man's Way of Living), marks the...
Shinichiro Watanabe, BONES' Original Carole & Tuesday Anime Reveals More Characters
Additional composers, theme songs also revealed
― The official website for Carole & Tuesday, the new original anime by supervising director Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Kids on the Slope, Terror in Resonance) and anime studio BONES, revealed more characters, additional composers, and theme songs on Wednesday. The new characters are: Gus Tao Roddy Ertegun The anime's second group of composers in...
Run with the Wind ‒ Episode 13
"While at times it's almost too obvious and literal, Kakeru's attempt to run away from his problems is delivered with empathetic storytelling and visual poise."
Answerman - Why Were Anime Budgets So Big In The '80s?
The animation quality of '80s OVAs and movies can be absolutely jaw-dropping, so what changed to bring so many of these ambitious productions down to earth in the following decade? Justin Sevakis has the answers.
― Jacob asked: I was looking back at the anime that was made during the 1980's and have had something that has always had me curious. I have heard from several anime podcasts and as well as...
Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas Band Bassist Kei Passes Away
Band will continue, but cancels upcoming events
― The official website for the band Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas announced on Wednesday that its bassist Kei passed away of acute heart failure at his home on Saturday. A funeral service for relatives was held on Tuesday. The band will continue to operate. However, for the time being the band has canceled its planned album release, tour, and "Mega Ve...
Sirius the Jaeger
This hybrid between vampire-fighting action and elaborate period-piece has style in abundance but holds back on the substance. Theron Martin has the details on this Netflix-hosted series.
― This 12-episode series is an original anime production by P.A. Works and Masahiro Ando, whose previous directorial credits are as varied as Hanasaku Iroha, Snow White with the Red Hair, and the movie Sword of the ...
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ‒ Episode 15
"Alliances are being forged, monsters are being named, and Rimuru is having another round of adventures in urban planning."
Meiji Tokyo Renka TV Anime Reveals 11 More Cast Members
Shouta Aoi, Yuichiro Umehara, Yusuke Shirai, Kenjiro Tsuda, Sho Hayami, Yui Horie, more join cast
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Broccoli's Meiji Tokyo Renka romance visual novel revealed 11 additional cast members on Wednesday. The voice actors are playing guest characters who are historical figures. The characters began to debut in the anime's second episode on Wednes...
Dragon Ball Action RPG, Universe 11 Character in FighterZ Teased
More information debuts in V Jump magazine on January 21
― The official Twitter account for the editorial department of Shueisha's V Jump magazine teased a new "Project Z" action role-playing game for the Dragon Ball franchise on Wednesday. Goku as he appears in the game will debut in the oversized March issue of the magazine, which will ship on January 21. The same tweet also teased that "that chara...
Kemono Friends 3 Short Anime Green-Lit
Game app tops 10,000 preregistrations; Planet Tours arcade game debuts at JAEPO this month
― Sega announced on Wednesday that production is starting on a new original short anime for the Kemono Friends franchise, since the accompanying Kemono Friends 3 smartphone game has garnered more than 10,000 preregistrations. If the game receives 15,000 preregistrations, Sega will unveil additional information....
Setsuyaku Rock Live-Action Series Adds Comedian Cookie as Original Character
Cookie plays God of Rock character in January 21 series
― The official Twitter account for the live-action television series of Hiromi Ōkubo's Setsuyaku Rock (Rock Savings) manga revealed on Monday that comedian Cookie (Kunihiro Kawashima) will play the God of Rock, an original character in the show. The character exists only in the mind of protagonist Takao as a result of all the rock music he has l...
Chaos;Child Game Launches on Steam in English on January 22
― Spike Chunsoft announced on Tuesday that its Chaos;Child game will launch on PC via Steam with English text on January 22. The game will bundle with a 10-track soundtrack for the first week. Chaos;Child is a sequel to 5pb.'s earlier "science-adventure" game Chaos;Head. Both have inspired anime adaptations. Chaos;Child first debuted on the Xbox One in 2014. That first version allowed players to hea...
NGT48 Idol Group Cancels 2 Performances, Changes Other Performances' Lineups
Also: Ichimasa Kamaboko's NGT48 ads canceled after December incident involving member Maho Yamaguchi
― The official website for the NGT48 idol group announced on Tuesday that the staff has canceled the Team NIII subgroup's performances on January 22 and January 23. In addition, the website announced that NGT48's junior "trainee" subgroup will perform all currently scheduled shows at NGT48's theater f...
Live-Action School-Live! Film Gets 4-Episode Net Prequel
Original story with different characters connects to January 25 film
― The official website for the live-action film of Norimitsu Kaihō and Sadoru Chiba's School-Live! (Gakkō Gurashi!) manga revealed on Wednesday that the film is inspiring a four-episode live-action mini-series prequel titled Gakkō XXX ~Mō Hitotsu no Gakkō Gurashi! (School XXX - Another School-Live!). The series premiered on Amazon P...
Pop Team Epic Manga Launches 'Season 4' With Boys-Love Manga Artist Harada
Popuko, Pipimi drawn as handsome, cute schoolboys to start new season
― The Manga Life Win website posted a page after the announced "final" chapter of Bkub Okawa's Pop Team Epic comedy manga on Tuesday. However, the page revealed that the manga is continuing with a "fourth season" drawn by Harada, an artist known for boys-love manga such as Yata-Momo and Color Recipe. Bkub Okawa is still credited fo...
23rd Detective Conan Film's Visuals Tease 3-Way Battle
― The official website for the Detective Conan films revealed the poster visual on Wednesday for Meitantei Conan: Konjō no Fist (Detective Conan: Fist of Blue Sapphire), the 23rd anime film in the Detective Conan franchise. The site also revealed a "Fist Visual" for the film. Tomoka Nagaoka (assistant director on Detective Conan: The Crimson Love Letter) is directing the film. Takahiro Okura (Detect...
2nd Fate/stay Night: Heaven's Feel Film Opens at #1
DBZ Super: Broly drops to #4, Love Live! Sunshine!! stays at #8
― Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel II. lost butterfly, the second film in the Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel anime film trilogy sold 363,080 tickets to earn 602,841,741 yen (about US$5.55 million), topping the Japanese box office rankings in Japan in its first three days. The film sold 12% more tickets and earned 18% more in its opening we...
Japan Railway's Penguin Mascot Makes TV Anime Debut in Shinkalion
We've had a whole series of Evangelion tributes and idol appearances, but Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion the Animation isn't done yet with the quirky collaborations. Japan Railway's beloved Suica penguin mascot appeared in the 53rd episode, which aired on Saturday. The Suica penguin appeared as the partner of Subaru Azuma, the top commander of the Shinkansen Ultra Evolution Institute. This mark...
2nd Fate/stay night Heaven's Feel Film Opens in U.S. on March 14 (Updated)
L.A. premiere on February 23 precedes wider release
― Aniplex of America announced on Monday that it will debut Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel II. lost butterfly, the second film in the Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel anime film trilogy, at the Regal L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles on February 23. The film will screen at 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. local time. Fathom Events will then open the film nationwide o...
Etrian Odyssey Nexus Game's Video Highlights Battle
3DS game ships on February 5 in N. America, Europe
― Atlus USA began streaming a trailer for Etrian Odyssey Nexus on Tuesday. The video focuses on battle and leveling up. The Nintendo 3DS game is slated for February 5 in North America and Europe. The game's launch edition will include an outer box, art book, and pin featuring the innkeeper Vivian. The game introduces a new class named "Hero." In addi...
Yakitate!! Japan Creator's Erotic Book Sells over 20,000 Copies
Takashi Hashiguchi's Yakitate!! Japan manga is about a 16-year-old baking prodigy named Azuma Kazuma. Kazuma travels the world to discover new types of bread and challenge his contemporaries. The series was a hit that ran for 26 volumes and inspired a 69-episode anime series. However, Hashiguchi isn't done with the series and fans aren't either. He's created two erotic dōjin starring Tsukino Azusa...
Media Do Acquires MyAnimeList Website
DeNA previously owned anime database site
― Anime database website MyAnimeList and e-book distributor Media Do Holdings announced on Tuesday that Media Do has acquired MyAnimeList from DeNA. According to a statement from MyAnimeList founder and site administrator Garrett Gyssler, DeNA will continue to operate the site for the next few weeks as "bunch of logistics and legal hurdles are still being wor...
Ariana Grande Stans Eevee in Latest Tattoo
The “thank u, next” pop star chose Eevee as her main for her latest tattoo. Ariana Grande showed off her new ink on SnapChat this week after revealing she spent 15 hours gaming on her Nintendo Switch. Grande wrote on Twitter that she had Saturday off and spent the day playing Pokémon Let's Go Eevee before making the Pokémon a permanent addition to her body. Los Angeles-based tattoo artist Kane Nav...
Your Daily Streaming Reviews Schedule: Winter 2019
The results are in and we have your Daily Streaming Reviews schedule for Winter 2019!
― This season's poll results have been tallied and we've put together the schedule for the Winter 2019 Daily Streaming Reviews! Due to lack of interest in the show, Paul Jensen will be wrapping up his reviews of Radiant this week. We may add coverage of more autumn anime based on future reader interest, so let us kn...
Aniplex USA Details Record of Grancrest War, SAO Alternative: Gun Gale Online BD Releases
― Aniplex of America announced on Tuesday that it will release the Record of Grancrest War anime on two Blu-ray Disc sets on April 23 and August 20. The releases will include the English dub option, and both will have rigid boxes and booklets. Aniplex of America also announced that it will release Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online on Blu-ray Disc in two parts on March 26 and May 21. Both...
20 Years Ago 'N Sync Tried to Sing the PokéRap
Boy bands were it in pop music in the 1990s with fans flocking to the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync. This is the era of Justin and Britney in matching denim on the red carpet. I was absolutely living it at the time, although I profess I was a traitor that liked both "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" as much as "Bye Bye Bye." At the time, the Kids' WB programming block was home to Animaniacs, Batman Be...
Gundam NT Anime Promo Recaps Universal Century
Film opened in Japan in November; will open in U.S. on February 19
― Sunrise began streaming a new promotional video for Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative (Kidō Senshi Gundam NT), the new anime project for the Gundam franchise, on Tuesday. The video, titled "Zoltan's 3-minute Universal Century Lesson," tells the history of the franchise's Universal Century as narrated by Gundam NT character Zoltan Akkanen...
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 89
"Ku's grand plan comes crashing down and Mitsuki's true loyalties are revealed as the current arc continues to wind down."
North American Anime, Manga Releases, January 13-19
Rocket Girls anime ships
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Black Clover Season 1 Part 3 BD/DVDPlease Funimation Entertainment US$54.98 January 15 Black Clover Season 1 Part 3 Collector's Box BD/DVDCite Funimation Entertainment US$69.98 January 15 Hunter X Hunter Set 5 BDAnimeNewsNetwork Viz Media US$49.99 January 15 Hunter X Hunter Set 5 DVDPlease Viz Media US$39.99 January...
Record of Agarest War Mariage PC Release Slated for February 1
― Idea Factory International announced on Monday that its release of Compile Heart, Red Entertainment, and Felistella's Record of Agarest War Mariage game for the PC via Steam is slated for February 1. The new release will include graphical enhancements, as well as subtitle support for English, Japanese, and Simplified and Traditional Chinese. Idea Factory International describes the game: Agarest™ ...
Prince of Tennis Character Popularity Poll Officially Adds Hamster, Beetle to the Running
Jump Square is currently holding its yearly character popularity poll for Takeshi Konomi's New Prince of Tennis manga. Although the voting is being conducted online and not through chocolates this year, Jump Square has insisted that every character, including the middle school students, the high school students, the overseas students, and so on, will be eligible for voting. Last Wednesday, the off...
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Wins Critics' Choice Award Over Mirai
― The Broadcast Film Critics Association announced its winners for the 24th Critics' Choice Awards on Sunday, and Sony's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse animated film won the Best Motion Picture – Animated category. Mamoru Hosoda's Mirai anime film was nominated in the category, along with The Grinch, The Incredibles 2, Isle of Dogs, and Ralph Breaks the Internet. Mirai is also nominated in the Be...
OLDCODEX to Perform Ultraman Anime's Theme Song
Suit design revealed for Seven
― The official Twitter account for the anime of Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi's Ultraman manga announced on Tuesday that OLDCODEX is performing the anime's theme song "Sight Over The Battle." The staff also revealed the suit design for Seven (Dan Moroboshi). The anime will premiere globally on Netflix on April 1. Kenji Kamiyama (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone ...
Cencoroll Anime's Project Relaunch is TV Edit, More News Slated for March
― The 10th anniversary Cencoroll broadcast on Tokyo MX debuted a Cencoroll TV edit version of the anime on Wednesday. The official Twitter account also revealed that another announcement is slated for this year, and that it will have news to share on the Cencoroll project in March. Aniplex had previously teased that the 10th anniversary broadcast would be the "relaunch of the Cencoroll project." Uki...
'How much heavy dumbbells can you lift?' Manga Gets TV Anime
Doga Kobo animates "body-building comedy" about school girl & schoolmate with muscle fetish
― A website opened on Wednesday to announce that a 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 has been green-lit for this summer. The "body-building comedy" centers around ...
Märchen Mädchen Anime Delays Last 2 Episodes Again to April or Later
Last Blu-ray volume also delayed to May 30 due to "circumstances"
― The official website for the Märchen Mädchen television anime announced on Tuesday that the anime's 11th and 12th episodes have been delayed again "due to circumstances" from December 2018 to "April or later." The release method for these two final episodes' premieres has yet to be determined. In addition, the anime's sixth Blu-ray D...
Fire Force TV Anime Casts M.A.O as Iris
Character promo also streamed for nun on Shinra's team
― The official website for the television anime of Atsushi Ohkubo's Fire Force (En En no Shōbōtai) manga announced on Tuesday that M.A.O will play the role of Iris, a nun assigned to the protagonist Shinra Kusakabe's team to pray and offer requiems. The website also began streaming a character promotional video for the "angel" of the team: Yuki Y...
Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, January 7-13
Kamen Rider Build movie sells 2,057 + 1,089, followed by Sengoku Night Blood stage play, live-action Gintama 2, Keyakizaka46, One Piece
― Kamen Rider Build the Movie: Be The One debuted at #6 on the overall DVD chart with 2,057 copies. The Collector's Pack sold 1,089 copies at #14. The Sengoku Night Blood stage play was #16 with 903 copies. The Regular Edition for Gintama 2: Okite wa Yaburu Tame ni K...
Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, January 7-13
[email protected] SideM sells 18,558, followed by Kamen Rider Build movie, Fate/Extra Last Encore, Ayaka Ohashi, Sailor Moon S
― The [email protected] SideM 3rd Live Tour ~Glorious [email protected]!~ Live Blu-ray Side Sendai sold 18,558 copies to rank #3 on the overall Blu-ray Disc chart. The Collector's Pack for Kamen Rider Build the Movie: Be The One debuted at #6 with 5,281 copies. Kamen Rider Hibiki Blu-ray Box 1 was #22...
Kiratto Pri☆Chan Anime Season 2 Visual Shows 3 New Idols
2nd season premieres in April
― The official website for the Kiratto Pri☆Chan television anime series revealed a new visual for the anime's second season on Tuesday. The visual features three new idols (top row, left to right in image below): Suzu, Daia, and Maria. Daia is a new "Virtual Idol" made through CGI graphics, and the chairperson of the Jewel Audition, whose true form is unknown. Suzu and M...
Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Mirai, More Nominated for 42nd Japan Academy Prize
Penguin Highway, 22nd Detective Conan film, Okko's Inn also nominated
― The Japan Academy Prize Association for excellence in film announced the nominees for the 42nd annual awards on Monday. The five movies that have been nominated for Animation of the Year are: Dragon Ball Super: Broly Penguin Highway Mirai Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer Okko's Inn Actors and actresses nominated for Newcomer of...
Spice & Wolf VR Anime Crowdfunding Campaigns End With 72 Million Yen
Campaigns launched in late November, early December last year
― The Kickstarter and Campfire crowdfunding campaigns for independent development circle Spicy Tails' virtual reality anime based on Isuna Hasekura's Spice & Wolf novels both ended last Saturday. The Campfire campaign raised a total of 41,479,064 yen (about US$382,600) from 2,228 patrons, while the Kickstarter campaign raised a total of 30...
Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission Heads West on Switch, PC
Slated for April 5 in the West
― Bandai Namco Entertainment America revealed on Monday that it will release Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission game in the West on April 5 for the Nintendo Switch and PC. The game's announcement trailer highlights the new character Sealas. Sealas is a mysterious warrior who wears the logo of the Galactic Patrol. He fights with Trunks and the Supreme Kai of Time, a...
Aimer's Fate/stay night Heaven's Feel II Song Tops Weekly Chart
Yonezu's "Lemon" certified double platinum with over 500,000 shipped
― Singer Aimer's "I beg you/Hanabira-tachi no March/Sailing" single sold about 31,000 copies in its first week to rank #1 in Oricon's weekly single chart. It is Aimer's first release among her singles and albums to rank #1 since she debuted in September 2011. Aimer is also the first solo female artist in five years to rank #1 in the...
Fate/Grand Order U.S.A. Tour Event Launches in February
1st stop in L.A. hosts voices Kana Ueda & Satoshi Tsuruoka, producer Yōsuke Shiokawa
― Aniplex of America announced on Monday that it is launching Fate/Grand Order U.S.A. Tour 2019, an event focused on the Fate/Grand Order smartphone game. The first event will take place at the California Market Center in Los Angeles on February 23 and 24. The tour will continue with booths in various anime conventio...
Tsurune ‒ Episode 12
"Through a combination of plot-driven drama and our prior knowledge of the team's middling success rate, this was the tensest episode of Tsurune so far."
GeGeGe no Kitarō ‒ Episode 39
"This may not have been the most profound episode of the show, but it definitely was fun."
One Piece ‒ Episode 868
"The remainder of the Katakuri fight becomes an entirely new beast as our fighters tune out the haters and focus on their newfound bond as warriors."
Love Live Goods Seized, Auctioned by Tax Collection Agency
Auction sites can be a treasure trove of limited edition anime merchandise as long as buyers keep their eyes peeled for fakes. What may come as a surprise is that some items are put up as collateral by the tax man. Wakayama's local tax collection agency has a Yahoo! Auction's page where the agency attempts to recoup unpaid taxes by selling off seized property. Among the golf clubs and multitude of...
Answerman - Is It Possible To Kickstart Your Own Anime Series?
With the success of so many kickstarted movies, games, and other pop culture ephemera, could the dream of "making your own anime" really be as close as a month or two of crowdsourcing? Justin Sevakis has the answers.
― PAL asked: I know several web comic artists who have popular strips and are always asked by their fans “Any chance of an animated series?” To which they reply “No. Never. It's impossi...
Japanese-Language Channel FAMILY GEKIJO U.S. Airs Space Battleship Yamato III Anime, The Next Generation -Patlabor- Live-Action Series
― The 24-hour Japanese-language channel FAMILY GEKIJO U.S. began airing the Space Battleship Yamato III (Uchusenkan Yamato 3 or Star Blazers: The Bolar Wars) anime and the The Next Generation -Patlabor- live-action movie series this January. Space Battleship Yamato III is airing two episodes every Monday to Friday at 11:00 p.m. EST. The Next Generation -Patlabor- is airing Monday to Friday at 3:00 a...
Fairy Tail: Final Season ‒ Episode 291
"Fortunately, things are moving in a direction that's going to focus more on Fairy Tail trying to beat Zeref's forces than dealing with romance."
Attack on Titan Voice Actor Hiroshi Kamiya Shares His Ideology Towards Acting
Voice actor Hiroshi Kamiya recently appeared on Professional Shigoto no Ryūgi (Professional: Work Style), an NHK documentary television program that highlights the working lives of people in various professions in Japan. The episode showed his work as Levi on Attack on Titan, as well as his acting in tokusatsu programs and his voice-over work on TV commercials and Japanese dubs of foreign films. T...
Sword Art Online: Alicization ‒ Episode 14
"This is the kind of fight where Sword Art Online excels: a dramatic high-stakes battle against a capable foe who can push both Kirito and Eugeo to the limits of their capabilities."
Masaaki Yuasa's 'Kimi to, Nami ni Noretara' Anime Film Reveals Lead Cast, Character Details
Ryota Katayose, Rina Kawaei star in film about surfer, fireman
― The official website for director Masaaki Yuasa's Kimi to, Nami ni Noretara (tentative English title: "Riding a Wave with You") anime film announced the two lead cast members and character details on Tuesday. The cast includes: Ryota Katayose (pictured left in image above) of GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE as Minato Hinageshi, a fireman w...
Kakegurui Anime's 2nd Season Listed With 12 Episodes
― The official website for Kakegurui××, the second anime season based on Homura Kawamoto and Tōru Naomura's Kakegurui manga, posted the show's Blu-ray Disc and DVD release information on Monday, listing a total of 12 episodes on two home video releases. The anime premiered on MBS on January 8 and is also airing on TV Aichi, Tokyo MX, RKB Mainichi Broadcasting, and BS NTV. The show began streaming on...
Zombie Land Saga is Anime General Election 2018's Top Show
Animage, Animedia, and Newtype magazine along with the Akiba Research Institute and Anime! Anime! news sites revealed the results the Anime General Election 2018 Grand Prize and Anime Buzzword Awards during a niconico stream on January 13. The magazines' editors previously revealed their picks for the best of the fall 2018 anime season as a lead up to the big announcements. The winners of the Anim...
NGT48 Management Apologizes to Fans, Members in Press Conference
NGT48 member Maho Yamaguchi was allegedly assaulted in December
― Takumi Matsumura, Maiko Hayakawa, and Tsuyoshi Okada of NGT48's talent agency AKS appeared at a press conference on Monday to apologize for the circumstances around the incident in which two men were arrested, but subsequently released, for allegedly assaulting NGT48 member Maho Yamaguchi. Matsumura, the company director, opened with, ...
Tennis Players Osaka, Nishikori Unlock Their 'Insight' in Cup Noodle's Prince of Tennis Ad
The training has only become more intense for tennis greats Kei Nishikori and Naomi Osaka. The pair were abducted by Prince of Tennis coach Nyudō Mifūne in Cup Noodle's "Hungry to Win" campaign ahead of the Australian Open. The eccentric tennis coach had the champs jumping alongside kangaroos, running on water of Sydney Harbor, and climbing waterfalls above waiting crocodiles' open mouths. 三船コーチ「ま...
Our World is Ended PS4/Switch Version Slated for March in the West
PC version slated for later this year
― PQube announced on Monday that it will release the new version of Red Entertainment's Our World is Ended (Ore-tachi no Sekai wa Owatteiru.) game for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 on March 22 in Europe and March 26 in North America. A PC version is slated for later this year via Steam. Excited to announce #OurWorldIsEnded will be coming to #Switch & #PS4 on ...
Kentaro Yabuki Says Darling in the Franxx Manga Will Have 'Major Divergences' From the Anime
To Love-Ru and Darling in the Franxx manga artist Kentaro Yabuki posted a special message on December 30 on the Shonen Jump+ website, where the Darling in the Franxx manga is currently being serialized. He thanked readers for their support for the past year of the manga's serialization, and said that starting from the next issue (chapter 37), the story will begin to have major divergences from the...
Media Blasters Relicenses Phoenix Anime for HD BD/DVD Release
Anime of Osamu Tezuka's manga aired in 2004
― Media Blasters announced on Facebook on Monday that it has re-licensed the television anime of Osamu Tezuka's Phoenix manga and plans to release it on Blu-ray Disc for the first time and on DVD in 2019. Both the Blu-ray Disc and the DVD will be sourced from a new HD transfer. The television anime adaptation of Tezuka's Phoenix manga aired in 2004. Media B...
Shelf Life - Princess Tutu
Paul discovers whether this mid-2000s magical girl classic has aged gracefully on blu-ray, plus all this week's new anime releases and a new mecha-filled Shelf Obsessed!
― It's Preview Guide time again! Actually it might be streaming review announcement time on the day this column comes out. They've rolling the new shows out pretty darn fast this season. Welcome to Shelf Life. Jump to this week's re...
Kamen Rider Agito Actor Retires After Assault, Adultery Allegations
Actor allegedly assaulted, stole, committed adultery on 3 separate women
― Kamen Rider Agito actor and Junretsu music group member Yusuke Tomoi announced at a press conference last Friday that he will retire from the entertainment business after admitting to allegations of domestic violence, theft, and adultery from three women. Tomoi admitted that all the allegations regarding his behavior made by a...
In/Spectre Supernatural Mystery Gets TV Anime by Brain's Base
Kiddy Grade's Keiji Gotoh helms anime based on story by Spiral's Shirodaira
― A website opened on Tuesday to announce that a television anime adaptation of Kyo Shirodaira and Chasiba Katase's In/Spectre (Kyokō Suiri or Invented Interface) manga has been green-lit. Keiji Gotoh (Kiddy Grade, Endride, Sengoku Collection) is directing the anime at Brain's Base, and Noboru Takagi (Durarara!!, Golden Kamuy...
Atsuko Ishida Launches New Manga in Tezucomi Magazine
Manga adapts Osamu Tezuka's Rainbow Parakeet series
― The third issue of Micro Magazine Publishing Company's Tezucomi Osamu Tezuka tribute magazine confirmed on December 5 that artist Atsuko Ishida is launching the HeiSei Nanairo Inko (HeiSei Rainbow Parakeet) manga in the next issue on Tuesday. The manga is based on Tezuka's Rainbow Parakeet (Nanairo Inko) manga, and it brings back the thief Rainbow...
Bandai Namco Ent. Files Trademark for 'Shining Soldiers'
― The Japan Patent Office reported on January 8 that Bandai Namco Entertainment filed a trademark on December 17 for "Shining Soldiers." The trademark refers to various video game commodities. While the filing did not specify that the trademark is related to the Saint Seiya franchise, the franchise has in the past inspired games with titles such as Saint Seiya: Brave Soldiers and Saint Seiya: Soldie...
Alicesoft Job Recruitment Ad Hints at Expansion into Adult 'Social' Games
― Adult game developer Alice Soft posted an advertisement for a job listing on December 27 for a programmer for an adult "social game" (a Japanese term for mobile games). The job will be for programming the game's servers or the front end (the software and user interface that users interact with). The listing also noted that Alice Soft will continue to produce PC games even while undertaking the new...
Hiroshi Takahashi's 'Worst' Manga Gets New Spinoff in February
Manga side story focuses on Tesshō Kawachi
― This year's February issue of Akita Shoten's Bessatsu Shōnen Champion magazine revealed on Saturday that Hiroshi Takahashi's Worst manga will get a new spinoff manga in the next issue on February 12. The manga is titled Worst Gaiden: Dokuro (Worst Side Story: Skull), and it is about Tesshō Kawachi, a character from the original manga. Masashi Kida is drawi...
Robotics;Notes DaSH Game's Video Highlights Kō Kimijima
Game launches for PS4, Switch in Japan on January 31
― 5pb. began streaming a video on Saturday for Robotics;Notes DaSH, the sequel game to MAGES.' Robotics;Notes visual novel. The video shows a scene of the character Kō Kimijima declaring war on the protagonists. The sequel story will center around the former members of the Robot Club after they have graduated from high school. Steins;Gate character...
NGT48 Idol Group Manager Resigns, Management Forms Committee to Investigate Members' Actions
Maho Yamaguchi, Ayaka Tano, Riko Sugahara did not attend Saturday performance
― The official website for the NGT48 idol group issued a statement on Monday that revealed that NGT48 theater manager Etsurō Imamura has resigned as manager of the idol group, and has been replaced by Maiko Hayakawa, with Tsuyoshi Okada as assistant manager. The resignation comes after NGT48 group member Maho Yamaguchi (pic...
Man Arrested Over 7-Vehicle Fire at Anime Los Angeles Hotel Lot
Parking lot night manager saw video of person lighting car on fire with gasoline
― Police arrested a suspect in an arson case that occurred on early Sunday morning in the parking lot of the Azure Hotel and Suites, adjacent to the Ontario Convention Center and Doubletree Ontario Airport Hotel — the venues for the Anime Los Angeles anime convention in Ontario, California. The parking lot's night manage...
Free! Anime Gets Compilation Film on July 5, All-New Film in Summer 2020
Compilation film of Free! Dive to the Future to feature "new episode"
― Kyoto Animation announced on Monday through a video that its Free! anime franchise is getting a compilation film on July 5, and an all-new anime film in summer 2020. The film opening on July 5 will be a "reconstruction" of the Free! Dive to the Future television anime series, but with an added "new episode." The 12th and final ep...
Sound! Euphonium Author's New Novel is About High School Canoeing Team
1st book in new novel series ships on February 1, bundles Sound! Euphonium collaboration story
― Writer Ayano Takeda revealed in November that she will launch a new novel series titled Kimi to Kogu - Nagatoro Kōkō Canoe-bu (Rowing With You - Nagatoro High School Canoeing Club). Takeda then revealed on Saturday that the novel will have a collaboration short story with Takeda's Sound! Euphonium novels ...
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Anime Casts Takahiro Sakurai
Anime original side story, Veldora episode to air as episodes 24, 25
― The official website for the television anime of author Fuse and artist Mitz Vah's That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken or Regarding Reincarnated to Slime) light novel series revealed a new cast member and new episode details for the anime on Monday. Takahiro Sakurai joins the cast as the charact...
My Hero Academia Film's Bonus Anime Short Previewed in Video
All Might: Rising The Animation bundled with February 13 BD/DVD release
― Toho Animation began streaming a commercial for the Blu-ray Disc and DVD release of the My Hero Academia: Two Heroes film on Monday. The commercial includes a few seconds of footage from All Might: Rising The Animation, the included bonus anime that adapts the "No.0 ALL MIGHT: RISING" one-shot manga. The Blu-ray Disc and DVD re...
Penguin Wars Game's PS4 Version Ships on January 29
― The official Twitter account of publisher Dispatch Games announced on Friday that it will release the PlayStation 4 version of City Connection's remake of the Penguin Wars (Pengin-kun Gira Gira Wars) arcade game in the West on January 29. The PS4 version was originally scheduled to ship on August 30. The company launched the game's Nintendo Switch version on August 15 as planned. Dispatch Games al...
Sazae-san to Include 28 Real Life Families in Anime's 50th Anniversary Special
The Sazae-san anime is recruiting 28 families who live in Asahigaoka to appear in the anime's 50th anniversary special, which is planned to commence in fall this year. Asahigaoka is a district in Tokyo, and is the setting of the Sazae-san series. The chosen families will get anime character designs based on their likenesses, and their names will be used in the show. Three families will appear in t...
Registration Opens For World Cosplay Summit's One Piece Cosplay King Grand Prix
The World Cosplay Summit (WCS) opened online registration on Monday for the One Piece Cosplay King Grand Prix. To celebrate the TV anime's 20th anniversary, the World Cosplay Summit is recruiting 20 One Piece cosplayers from around the world: 9 characters from the Straw Hat crew, and 11 others. Movie-original characters are applicable. The 20 selected cosplayers will appear at the World Cosplay Su...
Eromanga Sensei Gets Free Exhibit in Tokyo Anime Center
To celebrate the impending release of the OVA on January 16, Eromanga Sensei is getting a free exhibit in the Tokyo Anime Center from January 18 to February 17. The exhibit will feature animation and setting materials from the TV series, as well as a display area for the OVA and a photo spot that recreates Sagiri's bedroom. Although the exhibit will be free to enter, there will be original goods o...
Black Clover Spinoff Artist: 'Most Manga Artists Don't Realize What Their Work Means to Others'
Setta Kobayashi, the artist of the Black Clover gag manga spinoff Asta-kun Mahōtei e no Michi (Asta's Journey to Wizard King), posted a message on his Twitter account on Tuesday reflecting on the lack of feedback manga artists often receive on their week. He said that he recently went to a concert, and realized that unlike live performers, many manga artists live a lonely and reclusive lifestyle. ...
Radiant ‒ Episode 15
"Apart from the fact that Konrad is still a boring antagonist, I'm reasonably happy with where Radiant is going right now."
Squishy Rimuru Comes in Medium, Large Slime Cushions
If you're in the market for a faithful monster companion, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better option than Rimuru. The star of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is intelligent and caring. He managed to befriend dragons, dwarves, wolves, and goblins alike. The online shop Tokyo Otaku Mode is offering some of the largest Rimurus you can find, perfect for squishing close to on the couch. The ...
Anime Tourism Association Updates Booth at Narita Airport with Top 88 Pilgrimage Sites for 2019
The Anime Tourism Association updated their information booth at Narita airport on December 21 with an updated list of 88 pilgrimage spots for 2019. The list was first announced in October last year and features over 20 new series, including A Place Further Than the Universe (Tatebayashi City, Gunma Prefecture), Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale (Tokyo), and Laid-Back Camp (Minobu City, Ya...
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind ‒ Episode 14
"The charm of this episode resides in the little details."
Kingdom Hearts III Game's Pre-order Bonuses Previewed in Videos
Game launches on PS4, Xbox One in Japan on January 25, worldwide on January 29
― Square Enix began streaming three videos on Sunday that preview the three pre-order keyblade bonuses players can receive for the Kingdom Hearts III game. Players will receive the "Dawn Till Dusk" keyblade by pre-ordering from 7-Eleven stores in Japan (or from Amazon outside of Japan), the "Phantom Green" keyblade by pre-...
Ensemble Stars! TV Anime's 1st Promo Video Reveals July Premiere
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure's david production animates with game's cast
― The Ensemble Stars! Starry Stage 2nd ~in Nippon Budōkan~ concert event debuted the first promotional video from the television anime of Happy Elements' Ensemble Stars! smartphone game franchise on Sunday. The video announced that the anime will premiere this July. As previously announced, the studio david production (JoJo's Bizar...
Fairy Tail DiceMagic Action RPG App Launches on January 17
― Fuji Games announced on Friday that it will release its Fairy Tail DiceMagic smartphone action role-playing game based on Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail manga and anime on January 17. The game was originally slated for fall 2018. The game will include both the main characters of the manga as well as new characters. Shown in the visual at right is Viseru, one of the game's original characters. The game ...
Actress Etsuko Ichihara Passes Away at 82
Played grandmother in Makoto Shinkai's your name, starred in Manga Nihon Mukashi Banashi
― Prolific screen actress and voice actress Etsuko Ichihara passed away just after 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 12 in a Tokyo hospital due to heart failure. She was 82. She had been battling autoimmune myelitis ever since she was diagnosed with the neurological disorder two years ago. A service will be held in ...
Rock Band flumpool Returns After 13-Month Hiatus
Band to host countrywide tour in Japan starting in May
― Rock band flumpool announced on their official website on Sunday that they have returned from hiatus. The band performed a street concert in their hometown of Osaka in the city's Tennoji Park on Sunday. The Music Natalie website has posted pictures of the concert. The band will host a fanclub tour in February and March, and will then host their...
Love Live! Sunshine!! The School Idol Movie Over the Rainbow Film Earns Nearly 100 Million Yen in 1st 3 Days
Dragon Ball Super: Broly film's cumulative earnings reach 3.34 billion yen
― The Love Live! Sunshine!! The School Idol Movie Over the Rainbow film earned 98,963,900 yen (about US$911,690) in its first three days at the box office. The film ranked at #7 for earnings from January 4-6, but ranked at #8 in terms of tickets sold during the January 5-6 weekend. The television anime's cast and staff returne...
'My First Story' Perform Kengan Ashura Anime's Theme Song
Show will debut on Netflix globally this year
― The official website for the anime adaptation of Yabako Sandrovich's Kengan Ashura manga revealed on Saturday that four-member band My First Story will perform the show's opening theme song "King & Ashley." The band have previously performed theme songs for Arpeggio of Blue Steel - Ars Nova, Golden Kamuy, and Nobunaga Concerto. The anime will stream glo...
Kamen Rider Zi-O Show Inspires Rider Time Shinobi Spinoff Net Series
Toei to announce 2nd spinoff on January 23
― Toei announced on Sunday that Kamen Rider Zi-O, the latest installment in the Kamen Rider franchise, is getting a spinoff series titled Rider Time Shinobi. The net series will stream only within the Toei Tokusatsu Fan Club app, and it will premiere there in late March. The show will star Hideya Tawada as Rentarō Kagura//Kamen Rider Shinobi, who is a Rider ...
TPP Copyright Laws Come Into Effect in Japan, Allows Breaches to Be Charged Without Initiation From Rights Holder
The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)'s revised copyright laws came into effect in Japan on December 31. The laws have also been changed to allow copyright breaches to be prosecuted without a complaint from the rights holder. Previously, the rights holder would have been required to file the copyright breach before legal action could be taken. The revision was made as part of an ongoing effort to co...
Fate/Grand Order User Survey Reveals 20% of Respondents Spent Over 200,000 Yen in 2018
Appbank posted the results of its yearly Fate/Grand Order user survey last Wednesday, which revealed that 20.6% of their 982 respondents spent over 200,000 yen (US$1,837) on micro-transactions in 2018. This was the highest spending bracket and also the group with the highest representation overall, although the next largest group was those who spent no money on micro-transactions at all (13.3%). ...
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection Sequel Film's Advance Ticket Bundles DVD of Film's Opening Scenes
― The second round of advance tickets for the Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection (Code Geass: Fukkatsu no Lelouch) film began in Japan on Saturday, and now offers a DVD as a bonus with purchase. The DVD includes an early look at the beginning of the film. The DVD will also have a talk with the director and cast, as well as a recap narrated by Jun Fukuyama. The film will open on February 9 in 1...
A Certain Magical Index III ‒ Episode 14
"For a while there, it actually looked like the England arc was going to conclude in relatively satisfying fashion, but then they had to go and add on the epilogue, reducing some of what happened to a head-scratcher of a plot turn."
Voice Actress Megumi Nakajima Explains Why She Went on Hiatus After Macross Frontier
Voice actress Megumi Nakajima appeared as a guest on the Nekojita Showroom online show on Tuesday, where she revealed why she went on a three-year hiatus from music after her iconic role as Ranka Lee on Macross Frontier. "It was because I had no expectations of myself," she explained. "I had such little confidence in myself that I thought of quitting around the time the Macross Frontier TV series ...
Fafner Production Stays With IG Port as XEBECzwei Studio Is Renamed
I.G takes in zwei & photography unit, Signal.MD takes in coloring unit after most of Xebec transfer to Sunrise
― IG Port, the parent company of several anime studios including Production I.G and Wit Studio, gave more details on the reorganization that will transfer most production operations of its anime studio Xebec to Sunrise this year. In a December 27 press release, IG Port emphasized that the pr...
Ghibli Musical Program Will Run on NHK's International Station
NHK's international broadcast station NHK World-Japan will air the Ghibli no Uta program on February 17. The 45-minute musical is hosted by actor Ryunosuke Kamiki and features performances by child actress Miu Arai, male idol group King & Prince, violinist Ryū Gotō, singer Kazumi Nikaido, Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi, singer Daisuke Yokoyama, and the band Little Glee Monster. Miyu Irino narrated t...
Gegege no Kitaro Episode Unites 4 Generations of Neko Musume Voice Actresses
3 previous Neko Musume voice actresses guest star
― The official website for the new GeGeGe no Kitaro anime announced on Saturday that the 39th episode features three guest characters voiced by actresses who have played Neko Musume (Cat Chick) in previous seasons. In total, the episode will feature four actresses who have played Nako Musume in the various Gegege no Kitaro anime. Chinami Nishimura, wh...
Kagoshima's Local Hero Team Gets Net Anime in February
A group of six heroes protect the city of Kagoshima from evildoers. Well, supposedly. The Kiirender is a group of local performers who dress up in Super Sentai-like costumes and perform PR work for the city of Kagoshima, Kyushu's southernmost major city. The group was established in 2012, and each hero represents one of six school districts in Kiire-Chō from the Ibusuki district in Kagoshima. To f...
Japanese Comic Ranking, December 31-January 6
The Promised Neverland, Black Clover, Gintama, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Snow White with the Red Hair in top 5
― Rank Title Est. Weekly Copies Est. Total Copies Release Date Publisher Author Highest Rank Weeks on List 1 The Promised Neverland 12 180,160 180,160 2019/01 Shueisha Story: Kaiu Shirai / Art: Posuka Demizu 1 1 2 Black Clover 19 102,669 102,669 2019/01 Shueisha Yūki Tabata 2 1 3 Gint...
ASCA Performs Ending Song for Tokyo Cronos Visual Novel
VR project slated for early 2019
― MyDearest announced on Saturday that ASCA's new song "Mirage" will be the ending theme song for its Tokyo Chronos VR visual novel project. ASCA's single "REGISTER" will include the song when it ships on February 27. Sekai Project launched a Kickstarter campaign for the visual novel on July 10, and the campaign raised US$90,625, surpassing the original funding goal o...
The Magnificent Kotobuki Voice Actors Suggest Watching the Anime in a Theater
Director Tsutomu Mizushima and scriptwriter Michiko Yokote's original television anime project The Magnificent Kotobuki held an advance screening of episode 1 on December 12. The screening was held at the Shinjuku Piccadily theater in Tokyo. Afterwards, the voice actors Sayumi Suzushiro (who plays Kylie), Eri Yukimura (Emma), Sayaka Nakaya (Kate), Asami Seto (Reona), Hibiku Yamamura (Zara), and Mi...
Kaguya-sama: Love is War Anime Listed With 12 Episodes
― The official website for the television anime of Aka Akasaka's Kaguya-sama: Love is War (Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai - Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunōsen) manga is listing six Blu-ray Disc/DVD volumes and a total of 12 episodes for the series. The anime premiered on Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, Tochigi TV, and BS11 on January 12 at 11:30 p.m. Aniplex of America is streaming the series on Hulu, Crunchyroll, and F...
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown Game's New Video Highlights Su-57 Aircraft
Game slated for PS4/Xbox One on January 18, on PC via Steam on February 1
― Bandai Namco Entertainment America began streaming an aircraft profile video for the Su-57 aircraft on Friday for its Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown game. The company is also streaming a new "Arsenal Bird" trailer. Previous videos highlighted the F-15C, A-10C, MiG-31B, F-14D, A-10C, MiG-31B, Gripen E, MiG-29A, F-35C, Su-34, and ...
Our World is Ended Game's PS4, Switch Version Previewed in Video
Game launches in Japan on February 28, in the West for PS4/Switch/PC this year
― 5pb. Games began streaming a promotional video on Friday for Judgement 7: Ore-tachi no Sekai wa Owatteiru., the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch version of Red Entertainment's Our World is Ended (Ore-tachi no Sekai wa Owatteiru.) game. The video previews Kurokumo's opening theme song "Change the World." The new version ...
Psycho-Pass SS Anime Film Trilogy to Have 4D Screenings
1st film opens in Japan on January 25
― The official website for the Psycho-Pass anime franchise revealed on Friday that the three-film Psycho-Pass SS or Psycho-Pass Sinners of the System project will get 4D screenings with both 4DX and MX4D in Japan. The site also revealed that those who attend screenings of the film in Japan will receive a bonus present of an image board with character visuals by c...
Seattle's Sakura-Con to Host Manga Creator Satoshi Shiki
Daphne in the Brilliant Blue, Attack on Titan: Before the Fall artist attends April event
― The official Twitter account for Seattle's Sakura-Con convention announced on Thursday that this year's event will host manga creator and illustrator Satoshi Shiki. The appearance will be Shiki's first at Sakura-Con and his first appearance at an American convention since 2003. Shiki's Daphne in the Brilliant ...
2nd Fate/stay night Heaven's Feel Anime Film Previewed in TV Ad
2nd film opened in Japan on Saturday, 3rd film will open in spring 2020
― The official Twitter account for the Fate/stay night franchise began streaming a second commercial on Saturday for Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel II. lost butterfly, the second film in the Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel anime film trilogy. The video previews Aimer's theme song "I beg you." 【劇場公開記念 新CM解禁!】本日からの全国ロードショーを記念して、新規カッ...
Sega's Kemono Friends Game Project Revealed as Kemono Friends 3 Arcade, Smartphone Game
Kemono Friends 3: Planet Tours arcade game debuts at JAEPO event later this month
― Sega announced on Saturday that its previously announced game for the Kemono Friends franchise will be two games: an arcade game titled Kemono Friends 3: Planet Tours and smartphone game titled Kemono Friends 3. If the smartphone game receives more than 10,000 preregistrations, production will start on a new anime sho...
Super Robot Wars X-Ω Smartphone Game Adds Galaxy Angel Characters
Smartphone game launched in October 2015
― Bandai Namco Entertainment revealed during a livestream for its Super Robot Wars franchise on Friday that the Super Robot Wars X-Ω smartphone game will add characters from the Galaxy Angel franchise. The characters are joining the game as part of a limited-time event. The video below also features a clip of the gameplay from the collaboration (video will pla...
Black Bird Stage Play Reveals Main Cast, Visual
Play starring Fuyuna Asakura, Yū Matsumura runs in Tokyo in March
― The official website for the stage play adaptation of Kanoko Sakurakoji's Black Bird manga revealed a visual featuring the two main cast members in costume on Saturday. The play will star Fuyuna Asakura as Misao Harada and Yū Matsumura as Kyo Usui. The play will run at the Ginza Hakuhinkan Theater in Tokyo from March 27 to 31. Miwa F...
Final Fantasy XV: A New Empire Smartphone Game Earns US$375 Million in 2018
Game has grossed US$518.4 million since June 2017 launch
― Mobile app data analysis organization Sensor Tower reported on Saturday that Square Enix and MZ's Final Fantasy XV: A New Empire smartphone game earned an estimated US$375 million worldwide in 2018. The iOS version accounted for 52% of the revenue in 2018, with the Android version accounting for the remaining 48%. Players in the United States...
Dynamic Chord Stage Play Runs in Tokyo in May
― The staff for the Dynamic Chord franchise revealed on Friday that the franchise's previously announced stage play adaption will run in May. The play, titled Dynamic Chord the Stage, will run at the Hulic Hall Tokyo from May 10-15. Satoko Okazaki is penning the script, and Kōjirō Ishioka is directing the play. The Dynamic Chord anime follows the musical careers and personal lives of several bands u...
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