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Nyankees GN 1
Gang warfare between delinquents in Japan can be a dog-eat-dog world, but what if all the street toughs are actually adorable stray cats? Rebecca Silverman checks out this feline twist on classic gangster manga.
― If the cult '80s song “Stray Cat Strut” had a manga adaptation, it would look an awful lot like this. Nyankees is a gag manga about street toughs who are actually stray cats living in urban...
The Best and Worst of Winter 2019, Feb 5-11
Mob Psycho 100 stumbles a little and leaves the way open for a strong contender! Did your favorites sink or soar? Find out in our weekly user rankings.
― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Winter 2019 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season. Keep in mind that these ra...
Dragon Ball Super Blu-Ray Parts 5 & 6
The Future Trunks arc brings a whole new dimension (or two) to the world of Dragon Ball, as Goku Black's threat rises. Sam Leach weighs the strengths and weaknesses of this storyline on blu-ray.
― One of Dragon Ball's more distinctive quirks is how stakes routinely escalate so high that our heroes end up standing toe-to-toe with gods and even befriending them like it's no big deal. Our understanding ...
Woof Woof Story: I Told You to Turn Me Into a Pampered Pooch, Not Fenrir! Novel 1
This reincarnation isekai takes a turn for the canine when an exhausted office worker becomes a not-so-cute playful puppy in another world. Rebecca Silverman has the details.
― Why yes, this is another light novel about someone who dies in our world and is given the chance to be reincarnated, memories intact, in another. But unless you're unilaterally opposed to the genre, don't write this one off ju...
Love So Life Manga Artist Crowdfunds Animal Rights Manga
Love So Life manga artist Kaede Kochi opened up a campaign on crowdfunding website Green Funding for a manga volume to be published in May called The Truth of Fluffy Pets (Mofu mofu no Honto), which will focus on the real lives of animals in human homes. Kochi is planning to use the money raised by the crowdfunding campaign to gift the book to various elementary schools and libraries in order to h...
Nyankees GN 1
Gang warfare between delinquents in Japan can be a dog-eat-dog world, but what if all the street toughs are actually adorable stray cats? Rebecca Silverman checks out this feline twist on classic gangster manga.
― If the cult '80s song “Stray Cat Strut” had a manga adaptation, it would look an awful lot like this. Nyankees is a gag manga about street toughs who are actually stray cats living in urban...
You Are Already Drunk on This Fist of the North Star Potato Shochu
On March 1, Mitsutake Brewery will debut its latest collaboration drink: sweet potato shōchū featuring Fist of the North Star characters. The brewery is offering bottles featuring Kenshiro and Raoh. Kenshiro's is titled after his catchphrase "You are already dead," while Raoh's is titled "I have no regrets in this life." In addition, the brewery is offering a mini bottle set of a variety of alcoho...
Princess Kaguya, Other Classic Japanese Tales Reimagined as Boys-Love
A new book series is reimagining literary classics for a modern audience... as boys-love stories. The first volume of BL Selection Classic Literature launched last October with its own rendition of The Tale of Princess Kaguya and The Tale of Ise. A second volume shipped in January with a reimagined version of The Kojiki. The first volume is "translated" by Emma Yukifune, which in this case means s...
Nelvana, Sumitomo Reveal Geki Drive Animated Series Based on Bandai's Car Toy Line
Shigeki Fujiwara works on hybrid 2D/3D series with 52 planned episodes
― Corus Entertainment announced on February 7 that its Nelvana subsidiary and Sumitomo Corporation will produce the Geki Drive animated series as their first collaborative project. The 2D/3D hybrid animated series will have 52 11-minute episodes and will target boys aged six to eight. The show is based on Bandai Spirits' customiza...
Fate/Extella Link Game's English Character Trailers Preview Nero Claudius, Tamamo no Mae, Nameless
XSEED Games releases game for PS4, PS Vita, Switch, PC in March
― XSEED Games began streaming three character videos on Friday for its upcoming release of Marvelous and Type-Moon's Fate/Extella Link game. The videos preview the characters Nero Claudius, Tamamo no Mae, and Nameless. XSEED Games, a subsidiary of Marvelous, will release the game in the West for PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Nintendo ...
Anime Studio Production Reed Changes Name Back to Ashi Productions
Company founded in 1975 started using Production Reed name in 2011
― Anime studio Production Reed announced on February 12 that it is changing its name back to Ashi Productions Co. Ltd. Toshihiko Sato, the company's president, stated in the announcement that the company is returning to its original founding name "with the intention of pushing forward with new feelings and a theme of 'let's make somet...
Alita: Battle Angel Film Earns US$8.7 Million on Opening Day in U.S.
Film ranks at #1 on opening day
― The Box Office Mojo website is listing that Alita: Battle Angel, James Cameron and Robert Rodriguez's live-action film of Yukito Kishiro's Battle Angel Alita (GUNNM) manga, earned US$8,716,232 on its opening day in the United States on Thursday. The film screened in 3,790 theaters for a per-screen average of US$2,300. The film ranked #1 in the U.S. on Thursday. The m...
Furin Shokudō Manga's Live-Action Series Listed with 2nd Season
1st live-action net series premiered last March
― Amazon is currently listing the cover for this year's sixth issue of Shueisha's Grand Jump magazine, which reveals that the live-action series adaptation of Masakazu Yamaguchi's Furin Shokudō (Adultery Restaurant) manga will get a second season. The issue will officially ship on Wednesday. The magazine's fifth issue had teased that the sixth issue wou...
Fate/Grand Order: Zettai Majū Sensen Babylonia Anime Reveals Character Visual for Ishtar
― The official website 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 another character visual on Saturday. Kana Ueda as Ishtar The television anime will premiere this year....
French Live-Action City Hunter Film Nicky Larson Opens at #3
Film opened in France on February 6, earned €3.1 million in 1st 5 days
― The Box Office Mojo website is listing that the Nicky Larson et le Parfum de Cupidon (Nicky Larson and the Cupid's Purfume) live-action film opened at #3 at the French box office for the February 6-10 time period. The film opened in France on February 6, and earned €3,111,807 (about US$3,515,249) in its first five days. The film...
Million Arthur: Arcana Blood Arcade Game Gets PC Release (Updated)
Game launches on Steam this summer
― Square Enix announced during a livestream for the EVO Japan 2019 event on Friday that it will release the 2D fighting game Million Arthur: Arcana Blood for PC via Steam this summer. Watch Evo Japan 2019 - Day 1! from evo on www.twitch.tv Square Enix began streaming a gameplay video for the release on Saturday. The original arcade version launched in Japan in Novem...
'Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?' Anime's 2nd Season Premieres This Summer
― Staff and cast for the Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?: Arrow of the Orion anime film (visual pictured at right) revealed at a screening event on Saturday that the planned second season for the Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? television anime will premiere this summer. The Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?: Arrow of the Orion anime film opened in...
Nobuo Kawakami Steps Down as Kadokawa Dwango President
Dwango reorganized as Kadokawa subsidiary
― Kadokawa Dwango announced on Wednesday that Nobuo Kawakami has stepped down as the company representative director and president. Managing director Masaki Matsubara has taken over his previous role, and Kawakami serve as a director instead. Kawakami has also stepped down as a board member of Dwango and will instead serve as an adviser. Likewise, Takashi Ara...
Funimation Lists Dragon Ball Super: Broly Film's BD/DVD for April 16
Funimation and Best Buy are listing an April 16 release date for a Blu-ray Disc, DVD, and Digital combo pack for the Dragon Ball Super: Broly film. Best Buy will exclusively offer the film in a SteelBook case edition. Funimation will offer a Goku standee as a gift with purchase. Anime retailer Right Stuf is not yet listing a release date, but it will offer a Vegeta standee as a gift with purchase....
Double Decker! Doug & Kirill ‒ Episode 14
"Remember the halcyon days when Double Decker was a simple buddy-cop comedy? This first bonus episode of the series remembers."
Pokémon GO Game's Lawsuit Settlement May Remove PokéStops, Gyms Near Private Property
Lawsuit initially filed in 2016 after nuisance, trespassing complaints
― A proposed settlement filed in a Northern District of California court on Thursday in a class action lawsuit against Pokémon GO smartphone game developer Niantic may affect PokéStops, Gyms, and Raid Battles in the augmented reality game. The lawsuit relates to the plaintiffs' claims for nuisance and unjust enrichment against Nia...
Girly Air Force ‒ Episode 6
"Phantom's presence has pushed the show just beyond the bare-bones antics of its first arc, making this the most interesting episode yet."
The Best and Worst of Winter 2019, Feb 5-11
Mob Psycho 100 stumbles a little and leaves the way open for a strong contender! Did your favorites sink or soar? Find out in our weekly user rankings.
― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Winter 2019 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season. Keep in mind that these ra...
The Fable Live-Action Film Reveals More Cast
Ryō Kimura, Kai Inowaki, more join cast
― The official website for the live-action film adaptation of Katsuhisa Minami's The Fable manga on Thursday. The newly announced cast includes: Ryō Kimura as Code, Hood's partner Kai Inowaki as Kuro, Ebihara's subordinate Ryōka Minami as Fable as a child Masao Yoshii as Kainuma, an employee at the company Fable works part time for in his normal life Toranosuke...
The Quintessential Quintuplets ‒ Episode 6
"With three out of the five quintuplets now showing up for his study sessions, Futaro is starting to feel optimistic about their chances of graduating."
Jouji Nakata's Seiyū Red and White Contest Adds 2nd Round of Performers
Jouji Nakata's inaugural Seiyū Red and White Singing Contest has added its second line-up of performers. Joining the Red (Women's) Team is Noriko Hidaka, the voice of Gunbuster's Noriko, Ranma 1/2's Akane, Touch's Minami Asakura, Inuyasha's Kikyō, and Wake Up, Girls' Junko Tange. Hidaka will compete with the previously announced voice actresses Kikuko Inoue, her daughter Honoka Inoue, Cardcaptor S...
Yutaka Yamamoto's Hakubo Anime Launches Kickstarter for English Subtitles
Project also seeks to expand Fukushima theatrical premiere
― Director Yutaka Yamamoto launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for his original anime project Hakubo (Twilight) on Wednesday. The project is seeking to raise 5 million yen (US$45,329) by March 31 in order to create English subtitles and expand the anime's theatrical premiere in Fukushima. Specifically, the project aims to give away t...
Crunchyroll Expo to Host Voice Actress Yuu Asakawa
Convention to be held on August 30-September 1
― Crunchyroll announced on Friday that it will host voice actress Yuu Asakawa at this year's event. Asakawa's many anime roles include Love Hina's Motoko, Azumanga Daioh's Sakaki, Bubblegum Crisis 2040's Priss, Amagami SS's Hibiki, Akame ga KILL!'s Leone, and Fate/stay night's Rider. She also lent her voice to the Vocaloid 2 virtual singer character Megu...
Karakuri Circus ‒ Episode 17
"Still being this on board for a story that's jumped at least half a dozen sharks since its inception is a testament to the weird power that Karakuri Circus still has to entertain and intrigue me."
Trinity Seven Smartphone Game Reveals Visual, Story
Previously cancelled game slated to launch this spring
― The official website for the Trinity Seven: Phantasm Library & Seventh Sol smartphone game revealed a teaser visual and story for the game on Thursday. In the game's story, Arata Kasuga is a Demon Lord Candidate at Royal Biblia Academy, where he studies magic alongside beautiful female mages known as the Trinity Seven. One day, Arata and his co...
Kemurikusa ‒ Episode 6
"Since we're only halfway done with the season, I expect Kemurikusa to develop a larger narrative, but I appreciate how this first half focuses on the small-scale drama of survival."
Live-Action Yu-Gi-Oh x Monster Strike Ad Shows a Rude Yugi
Smartphone game Monster Strike is collaborating with Yu-Gi-Oh! from February 15 to March 2 with prizes and social media campaigns. That's not all, however. The commercials for the collaboration, which feature the shenanigans of a live-action Yugi, have been causing quite a stir lately because of how ridiculously over-the-top and rude Yugi appears to be in real life. The commercials were written an...
Seven Seas Licenses Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! Manga
Manga about buxom, teasing underclassman debuts in September
― Seven Seas Entertainment announced on Friday that it has licensed Take's Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! (Uzaki-chan wa Asobitai!) manga. The company plans to release the series in print and digitally beginning on September 17. Seven Seas describes the story: Sakurai Shinichi's one wish is for a little peace and quiet. But Uzaki Hana–his bo...
Adult Swim's Jason DeMarco: FLCL Alternative/Progressive Subtitles Coming This Year
― Jason DeMarco, senior vice-president and creative director for Adult Swim, said on Twitter on Friday that the English subtitled versions of FlCL Alternative and FLCL Progressive are slated for sometime this year "for sure." DeMarco explained, "Due to agreements with Toho we had to wait on the subbed version, and now it's been caught up in legal details." The subtitled versions were originally slat...
New Fruits Basket Anime's English Dub Brings Back Laura Bailey as Tohru
Series premieres in April
― Funimation Entertainment announced on Friday that Laura Bailey will star in the English dub for the new television anime of Natsuki Takaya's Fruits Basket manga. Bailey is reprising her role as the protagonist Tohru Honda from the original anime adaptation. In addition, Funimation announced that Caitlin Glass is directing the dub. The new anime will have an entirely new Ja...
Hiriluk's Cherry Blossoms Replicated at Live-Action One Piece Job Ad Press Conference
Last year, the job search engine Indeed paired up with One Piece for a commercial. The ad starred the Straw Hat Pirates as they sing a little sea shanty about Indeed's site while staring out at the stormy sea. Arguably the most memorable thing about it was that it cast an actual reindeer as Chopper. After the launch of that initial ad, the Indeed web site listed a job for "Chopper's assistant", wh...
Anime Boston to Host Kingdom Hearts Composer Yoko Shimomura
Hi Score Girl, Napping Princess composer to attend April event
― The Anime Boston convention announced on Friday that it will host composer Yoko Shimomura at this year's event. She will appear on April 19 and 20. This will be Shimomura's second time attending the convention. Shimomura is perhaps best known in the West for composing the score for the Kingdom Hearts series, and she has also contribute...
Dorohedoro's Q Hayashida Draws Bloodborne Comic Cover
The Japanese release of the Bloodborne: The Death of Sleep comic got a new cover by Dorohedoro manga creator Q Hayashida. Ales Kot and Piotr Kowalski's comic based on From Software's action role-playing game was released in North America on October 23 and the Japanese language version hits store shelves on February 18. Hayashida launched the science-fiction manga Dorohedoro in Shogakukan's Monthly...
Ultraman R/B Select! Kizuna no Crystal Film's Trailer Previews Theme Song by Takeshi Tsuruno, DAIGO
Film opens in Japan on March 8
― Tsuburaya Productions began streaming a web-exclusive trailer for Gekijōban Ultraman R/B Select! Kizuna no Crystal (Ultraman R/B The Movie Select! The Crystal of Bonds), the film based on the newest Ultraman series Ultraman R/B, on Thursday. The video previews the film's theme song "Hikari no Kizuna" by Takeshi Tsuruno (Ultraman Dyna) and DAIGO (Ultraman Saga). Tsurun...
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Novels, Manga Win Bookwalker 2018 Award
Overlord and Goblin Slayer win runner-up awards.
― Kadokawa Shoten's e-book publisher BookWalker announced the results of its yearly book awards on February 8. The results of the award are determined by a combination of user votes, sales ranking, and general reputation among the literary community. This year's grand prize winner is Fuse's That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime novels and the corresp...
Pokémon: Detective Pikachu Film Reveals New Footage
Live-action film opens on May 10 in the U.S.
― The official Twitter account for Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros.' live-action Pokémon: Detective Pikachu film began streaming a new short teaser for the film on Friday. Talking Pikachu. ✔️No Memory. ✔️Addicted to caffeine. ✔️☕✔️☕✔️☕☕☕☕☕#DetectivePikachu pic.twitter.com/mLuczQkLL2— POKÉMON Detective Pikachu (@DetPikachuMovie) February 15, 2019 Th...
NY Int'l Children's Film Fest Screens Okko's Inn, Penguin Highway
Event holds world premiere of Okko's Inn dub on February 23
― The New York International Children's Film Festival (NYICFF) will screen the world premiere of the English dub of the Okko's Inn (Waka Okami wa Shōgakusei!) anime film on February 23 and March 10. The festival will also screen Hiroyasu Ishida and Studio Colorido's Penguin Highway anime film with English subtitles on February 24, March 2, a...
Manga Answerman - Which forgotten or underappreciated manga do you think deserve a big splashy omnibus rerelease?
Which manga do you think deserve a lavish rerelease? Deb weighs in.
― Which forgotten or underappreciated manga do you think deserve a big splashy omnibus rerelease? Hm. This is a tough one, since a lot of terrific manga that would have otherwise not have had a chance to get an official release five or ten years ago are now getting picked up for publication. As a result, my “impossible dream” or “re...
Dragon Ball Super Blu-Ray Parts 5 & 6
The Future Trunks arc brings a whole new dimension (or two) to the world of Dragon Ball, as Goku Black's threat rises. Sam Leach weighs the strengths and weaknesses of this storyline on blu-ray.
― One of Dragon Ball's more distinctive quirks is how stakes routinely escalate so high that our heroes end up standing toe-to-toe with gods and even befriending them like it's no big deal. Our understanding ...
The Promised Neverland ‒ Episode 6
"A master class in building an atmosphere of pure suspense and dread."
Jump Force Game's Remix Launch Trailer Streamed
Game launched for PS4, Xbox One, PC on Friday
― Bandai Namco Entertainment America began streaming a "launch trailer remix" for the Jump Force crossover game on Friday. The video is an updated version of the game's previous launch trailer that highlights different characters. Spike Chunsoft is developing the game, which launched on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam on February 15 in the A...
Black Clover ‒ Episode 70
"As a heartwarming celebration of our two main characters, it's a little underwhelming, but this is also as clear as the story has gotten about its themes and desired trajectory."
Rooster Teeth, Polygon Pictures Produce War For Cybertron Animated Series for Netflix
Series based on Transformers franchise debuts in 2020
― Netflix announced on Friday that it is partnering with Hasbro and Rooster Teeth (RWBY, gen:LOCK) to produce the War For Cybertron animated series that is slated to debut in 2020. Rooster Teeth is producing the original series based on the Transformers franchise for Netflix, and Polygon Pictures (Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Ajin, Knights of...
Cygames' Princess Connect! Re:Dive Smartphone Game Gets TV Anime
Mysteria Friends' CygamesPictures produces anime
― Cygames' Princess Connect! Re:Dive smartphone game is getting a television anime adaptation from CygamesPictures (Mysteria Friends, Blade Runner: Black Out 2022). An official website for the adaptation launched on Friday and revealed a visual. Cygames announced the game as a sequel to CyberAgent and Cygames' Princess Connect! smartphone game in 2016....
Death end re;Quest Game's Introduction Video Highlights Game Systems
PS4 game ships in N. America on February 19, in Europe on February 22
― Idea Factory International began streaming a five-minute introduction video on Wednesday for Compile Heart's Death end re;Quest PlayStation 4 game. The video summarizes the story and explains the various systems in the game. The game will ship in North America on February 19, and in Europe on February 22. Idea Factory Internation...
Nekopara Vol. 2 Game's Switch, PS4 Trailers Streamed
Neko Works' game launched on both consoles on Thursday in multiple langauages
― CFK began streaming two videos on Thursday or its release of Neko Works' Nekopara Vol. 2 game on Switch and PlayStation 4. CFK released the game for both consoles on Thursday, and the release features text in Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese. Switch Version PS4 Version Nekopara Vol. 1 launche...
Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Happiness Memories Smartphone Game's 2nd Promo Video Streamed
Bushiroad, Monstar Lab's smartphone game launches this year
― Bushiroad began streaming a second promotional video on Friday for it and Monstar Lab's Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card-hen Happiness Memories smartphone game. The game will feature a returning cast and will launch this year. Maaya Sakamoto is performing the game's theme song "Flash." Keiichi Tomita is writing and arranging the song. Preregis...
'How much heavy dumbbells can you lift?' TV Anime 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 on Friday that the anime will premiere in July. The "body-building comedy" centers around Hibiki Sakura, a high school girl who loves eating, and Akemi Sōryūin, the beautiful and c...
Overlord's 'Mass for the Dead' Smartphone RPG Listed with February 21 Release
― Apple's iTunes store is listing that it will release Exys Inc.'s Mass for the Dead smartphone game inspired by Kugane Maruyama's Overlord novel series on February 21. Exyx Inc. also revealed on Wednesday that the game has received 500,000 pre-registrations. The game was originally slated to debut last year, but Exys Inc. delayed the game to 2019. Mass for the Dead will be available on both iOS and...
'Maō-sama, Retry!' TV Anime's Teaser Video Reveals Staff, Cast, July Premiere
New visual also revealed for anime based on light novel series
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Kurone Kanzaki's Maō-sama, Retry! (Dark Lord, Retry!) light novel series revealed the cast, staff, July premiere, teaser video, and a new visual on Friday. Hiroshi Kimura (Haitai Nanafa both seasons, The Irresponsible Galaxy Tylor, Danchigai) is directing the series at EKACHI E...
Yume Nikki -Dream Diary- Game Heads to Switch on February 21
"Reimagining" of Kikiyama's 2004 dōjin game launched on PC in February 2018
― Playism announced on Friday that it and Active Gaming Media will release the Yume Nikki -Dream Diary- game for the Nintendo Switch in North America and Europe on February 21. Playism is streaming a launch trailer for the game. Kikiyama used RPG Maker 2003 to make the original dōjin game, which launched for PC in 2004. In th...
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Anime's New Videos Reveal Theatrical Debut Before TV Airing
1st 5 episodes of anime to screen in theaters for 2 weeks starting on March 29
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Koyoharu Gotouge's Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga began streaming a new ad and a new trailer on Friday for the anime. The videos reveal that the first five episodes of the anime will screen in 11 theaters in Japan for two weeks starting on March 29. The th...
Live-Action Kakegurui Series' 2nd Season Trailer Posted
2nd season premieres on March 31
― The official website for the second live-action television season based on Homura Kawamoto and Tōru Naomura's Kakegurui - Compulsive Gambler manga began streaming a trailer for the season on Thursday. The series will premiere on MBS on March 31 at 12:50 a.m. (effectively April 1), and will also premiere on TBS on April 2 at 1:28 a.m. (effectively April 3). The new s...
Bayonetta/Star Fox Zero's Yusuke Hashimoto Leaves Platinum Games
― Platinum Games director Yūsuke Hashimoto announced on Friday on Twitter that he resigned from Platinum Games. His last day at the company was on January 31. Like many of Platinum Games' founding and early members, Hashimoto was a Capcom veteran, where he worked on such series as Resident Evil and Devil May Cry. At Platinum Games, he most notably worked on the two Bayonetta games, God Hand, and Sta...
B Rappers Street Anime's Visual, Staff Revealed
Taketo Shinkai, Yūtarō Sawada direct anime, Haruka Suzuki designs characters
― The official website for the B Rappers Street anime revealed the anime's staff and visual on Friday. Taketo Shinkai (GraP & RodeO, Ahare! Meisaku-kun) and Yūtarō Sawada (Inui-san!) are both directing and penning the script at Pie in the sky. Haruka Suzuki is designing the characters. The anime will premiere in April within...
I'm From Japan Anime's Staff, New Visual Revealed
Anime will premiere in April within Oha-Suta program
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Seiji Hayashi's I'm From Japan (Jimoto ga Japan) manga revealed on Friday that the anime will premiere in April within the Oha-Suta ("Good Morning Star") children's television program. The site also revealed the anime's staff and visual. Isamu Ueno (PRECARIOUS WOMAN EXECUTIVE MISS BLACK ...
New Beyblade Burst Gachi Net Anime Premieres on April 5
Manga also launches next month
― This year's March issue of Shogakukan's Coro Coro Comics magazine announced on Friday that a new Beyblade series titled Beyblade Burst GT (Gachi) will debut on April 5. The series will stream weekly on the CoroCoro YouTube channel, the official Beyblade portal website, and the Takara Tomy Channel. The magazine shared a visual of a new protagonist with short blond hair...
Saga of Tanya the Evil Anime Film's Clip Shows Tanya Attacking Enemy HQ
Film earns 100 million yen in 1st 5 days
― The official website for the anime adaptation of Carlo Zen and Shinobu Shinotsuki's Saga of Tanya the Evil (Yōjo Senki) novel series began streaming a 200-second clip from the franchise's anime film on Friday. The clip shows Tanya and her unit being fooled by an enemy stratagem, but turning the tables and assaulting the enemy headquarters. The film opened in...
Puzzle & Dragons Anime Starts 'Pro Gamer Arc' on April 1
This year's March issue of Shogakukan's Coro Coro Comics announced on Friday that the Pazudora anime based on the Puzzle & Dragons game series will begin its "Pro Gamer Arc" on April 1. The arc will focus on [Highlight white text to read spoilers] the protagonist Taiga, now a pro gamer, and a new character, a mysterious boy named Hayato. Pazudora premiered on TV Tokyo last April. The anime's story...
Kenka Banchō Otome 2nd Rumble!! Game's Introduction Video Streamed
PS Vita game ships on March 14
― Spike Chunsoft began streaming an introduction movie for Kenka Banchō Otome 2nd Rumble!!, the PlayStation Vita game sequel to the Kenka Banchō Otome PS Vita game, on Thursday. The video previews the game's characters, as well as the story and gameplay events. The game will ship on March 14. The game's limited edition includes a soundtrack CD, a drama CD, an art book t...
Laid-Back Camp Manga Moves From Magazine to New App
Houbunsha's new Comic Fuz app launches this spring
― The official Twitter account for Houbunsha's Manga Time Kirara magazine revealed on Thursday that Afro's Laid-Back Camp (Yurucamp) manga will move from the Manga Time Kirara Forward magazine to Houbunsha's upcoming manga website and app Comic Fuz, which will launch this spring. Comic Fuz will host Houbunsha manga, including Puella Magi Madoka Magic...
2nd Live-Action Tokyo Ghoul Film Brings Back Kunio Murai, Shuntarō Yanagi
Cast members for Yoshimura, Renji Yomo return
― The official website for the live-action films of Sui Ishida's Tokyo Ghoul manga announced two more returning cast members for the tentatively titled live-action Tokyo Ghoul 2 film on Friday. The cast members are: Kunio Murai as Yoshimura Shuntarō Yanagi as Renji Yomo The film opens in Japan on July 19. Masataka Kubota (center in image below) is returni...
Live-Action Radiation House Series Casts Masataka Kubota, Tsubasa Honda
Manga centers on medical professionals in radiology department of hospital
― The staff for the live-action series adaptation of Tomohiro Yokomaku and Taishi Mori's Radiation House manga revealed two main cast members for the series on Friday. Masataka Kubota (left in picture below) plays radiology technician Iori Igarashi, while Tsubasa Honda plays radiologist An Amakasu. The manga centers on the med...
Yūma Uchida Performs Ending Song for Kono Oto Tomare! Anime
Uchida also voices character Chika Kudō in April anime
― The official website for the television anime of Amyū's Kono Oto Tomare! (Stop This Sound!) manga revealed on Thursday that Yūma Uchida will perform the anime's ending song "Speechless." Uchida also voices the character Chika Kudō in the anime. The anime will air for two cours or two quarters of a year. The series will air the first half in Apr...
Yōkai Chiitan TV Anime Delayed From Planned April 3 Premiere
Anime for viral mascot originally slated to premiere in Kinder TV block
― The official website for TV Tokyo's children's programming block Kinder TV revealed on Friday that Yōkai Chiitan, the television anime for the mascot character Chiitan, has been delayed from its April 3 premiere. The site will announce a new premiere date for the anime once it has been decided. Natsuki Takemura (Hana Kappa conc...
Joshi Kausei Anime Reveals Opening Song Artist, April 8 Premiere
amatsuuni sing "silent days" opening for anime about high school girls without dialogue
― The official website for the television anime of Ken Wakai's Joshi Kausei manga revealed the anime's opening theme song artist and April 8 premiere date on Friday. The artist amatsuuni performs the anime's opening theme song "silent days." The anime will premiere in Tokyo MX's Futabanime programming block on Apr...
Nobunaga Sensei no Osanazuma Anime Reveals More Cast, April 8 Debut
Konomi Yūzaki, Marika Tanaka, Moe Toyota, Suzuna Kinoshita cast
― The official website for the television anime of Azure Konno's Nobunaga Sensei no Osanazuma (Mr. Nobunaga's Young Bride) manga revealed four more cast members and the April 8 premiere date for the anime on Friday. The new cast members include: (Note: Character name romanizations are not official) Konomi Yūzaki as Mayu Biwajima, Nobunag...
Over Drive Girl 1/6 - Amazing Stranger Anime Reveals More Cast, Song Artists, April 8 Debut
Kengo Kawanishi, Risae Matsuda, Sora Tokui, Misa Fukamachi, Yū Sasahara cast
― The official website for the television anime of Oyster's Over Drive Girl 1/6 (Chōkadō Girl 1/6 - Amazing Stranger) manga revealed five new cast members, a new visual, theme song artists, and the April 8 premiere date for the anime on Friday. The new cast members include (Note: Character name romanizations are not official...
Mangaka, Scriptwriter, DJ Daisuke Nishijima Launches Idol Project
Manga artist, scriptwriter, and DJ Daisuke Nishijima launched an idol project titled "Mayowigo." The project's "Future Tech Super Idol Audition" are set to start. Nishijima plans to produce 12 music CDs and a full-color manga titled Mayowigo: Hoshi no Kioku no Monogatari (lit. Lost Child: The Story of the Star's Memory). The selected idols will appear at talk events, concerts, and in the manga its...
500 Days of Summer's Marc Webb Directs Hollywood Remake of Makoto Shinkai's your name.
Deadline: Remake centers on Native American woman, young man from Chicago
― Entertainment news website Deadline reported on Thursday that Marc Webb (The Amazing Spider-Man, 500 Days of Summer) is directing the planned live-action Hollywood adaptation of Makoto Shinkai's your name. anime film. In addition, Deadline also provided a description of the new film's plot: A young Native American woman livin...
SuBLime Licenses Yarichin Bitch Club Boys-Love Manga for November Release
Manga inspired original anime DVD in September
― Viz Media's SuBLime imprint for boys-love manga announced on Thursday that it has licensed Tanaka Ogeretsu's Yarichin Bitch Club (Yarichin Bitch-bu) manga, and plans to begin publishing the manga in print and digitally in November. The manga centers on Takashi Tōno, a boy who has just transferred to Morimori Academy, a private boarding school deep in t...
Cosplayer Enako Channels Hestia for Young Gangan Cover
This year's fifth issue of Young Gangan magazine's cover girl is popular cosplayer Enako dressed as none other than Danmachi goddess Hestia. The collaborative gravure photos were taken to promote the theatrical release of Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?: Arrow of the Orion on February 15. Enako appears in the magazine as Hestia and other "other world" style characters including a...
B Rappers Street Anime Airs Within Oha-Suta Program
― The March issue of Shogakukan's Coro Coro Comics magazine announced on Friday that the B Rappers Street anime will premiere in April within the Ota-Suta ("Good Morning Star") children's television program. The project is a collaboration between Shogakukan, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Music Entertainment, and Sony Music Communications, and features a theme of rap and hip-hop. Pie in the sk...
The Rising of The Shield Hero ‒ Episode 6
"Overall, this episode offers more team development exercises than any major plot turns, but it works well enough in that capacity."
My Roommate is a Cat ‒ Episode 6
"If you prefer Haru's perspective to her human's, you're in luck, because the bulk of this episode is taken up with her feline perspective."
Koei Tecmo Games Co-Develops Fire Emblem: Three Houses Switch Game
― The official Twitter account of Nintendo of America revealed on Wednesday that Koei Tecmo Games is co-developing its Fire Emblem: Three Houses Nintendo Switch game. The image for the Seasons of Warfare Edition of the game lists Koei Tecmo games as a co-developer with Nintendo and Intelligent Systems. The Seasons of Warfare Edition of the game will bundle an artbook, sound selection CD, steelbook c...
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?: Arrow of the Orion Cast Shares Comments on Film
Film opened in Japan on February 15.
― Eight members of the cast of Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?: Arrow of the Orion shared their comments on the film on February 8 ahead of the opening day on February 15. The film tells an original animated story based on Fujino Ōmori's Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? light novel series. Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, who plays Bell, sai...
Run with the Wind ‒ Episode 17
"This episode does a great job sharing thoughtful interactions between its ensemble cast, but it still struggles with going beyond that to really surprise the audience."
Top-Selling Light Novels in Japan: January 2019
Classroom of the Elite sells 68,519, followed by 2 DanMachi books, 2 Promised Neverland books, 4 Seishun Buta books, Eromanga Sensei
― This list covers sales surveyed from January 14 to February 11, 2019. Rank Title Estimated Sales Release Date Publisher Author 1 Classroom of the Elite 10 68,519 2019/01 Kadokawa Writer: Syohgo Kinugasa/ Illustration: Shunsaku Tomose 2 Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Gi...
Top-Selling Comics in Japan: January 2019
Kingdom sells 641,651, followed by 2 Promised Neverland books, Seven Deadly Sins, Black Clover, Ace of Diamond Act II
― This list covers sales surveyed from January 14 to February 11, 2019. Rank Title Estimated Sales Release Date Publisher Author 1 Kingdom 53 641,651 2019/01 Shueisha Yasuhisa Hara 2 The Promised Neverland 12 488,270 2019/01 Shueisha Original Story: Kaiu Shirai/ Art: Posuka Demizu 3 ...
This Week in Anime - Love is a Garbage Fire in Kaguya-sama
Kaguya-sama: Love is War takes a blowtorch to the bittersweetness of adolescent romance, with two paramours who're determined to defeat the objects of their affection in a battle of banter. Nick and Micchy engage in their own war of words about the highs and lows of this quirky comedy.
― Kaguya-sama: Love is War takes a blowtorch to the bittersweetness of adolescent romance, with two paramours who'r...
Kemono Friends 2 Director Ryuichi Kimura Shares Frustration with Twitter Feedback
Kemono Friends 2 director Ryuichi Kimura recently shared on Twitter his frustrations with certain fans who have been pestering him online lately. In a tweet published on Tuesday, he wrote: "Hey, it's fine to criticize and complain, but you don't have to come into a person's mentions directly in order to do that. Do those people think that getting into a person's face and telling them how much they...
Japanese Comic Ranking, February 4-10
My Hero Academia sells 383,594, followed by Haikyu!!, Rurouni Kenshin: Hokkaido, D.Gray-man, Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma
― Rank Title Est. Weekly Sales Est. Total Sales Release Date Publisher Author HighestRank Weeks on List 1 My Hero Academia 22 383,594 386,517 2019/02 Shueisha Kōhei Horikoshi 1 2 2 Haikyu!! 36 362,225 369,191 2019/02 Shueisha Haruichi Furudate 2 2 3 Rurouni Kenshin: Hokkaido Arc ...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, February 10-16
Beyblade: Metal Fury, My Girlfriend is Shobitch anime; Beauty and the Beast Girl, Yuri Bear Storm manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Ace Attorney Season One BDPlease Funimation Entertainment US$69.98 February 12 Beyblade: Metal Fury DVDCite Cinedigm US$24.97 February 12 Beyblade: Shogun Steel DVDAnimeNewsNetwork Cinedigm US$24.97 February 12 Fate/Apocrypha Box Set...
Yo-Kai Watch Anime Gets New Series in April With Returning Protagonist Keita
Manga to also renew with Keita as the lead
― This year's March issue of Shogakukan's Coro Coro Comics magazine announced on Friday that a new Yo-Kai Watch anime series will begin on April 5. Unlike the currently airing Yo-Kai Watch Shadowside anime, the new series will return to the original title of simply "Yo-Kai Watch" and bring back Keita (Nate in the English version) as the main character. Orien...
Share the Valentine's Day Love — Anime Style 2018
Valentine's Day has come again, and women throughout Japan are giving chocolate to men in their lives. However, recent trends are allowing for more Japanese people to enjoy chocolate confections today. Sometimes friends give each other chocolate on this day of love in Japan, and favored teachers may even receive sweet gifts. As always, the world of Japanese pop culture is also sending Valentine's ...
Viz Licenses The Way of the Househusband, Cats of the Louvre, No Guns Life, Levius Manga
Also: Assassination Classroom box set
― Viz Media announced on Thursday that it has licensed the following manga for release beginning this fall: Kousuke Oono's The Way of the Househusband (Gokushufudō) Taiyo Matsumoto's Cats of the Louvre (Louvre no Neko) Tasuku Karasuma's No Guns Life Haruhisa Nakata's Levius and Levius/est Viz Media also announced that it will release all 21 volumes of Yusei Matsu...
Dub Voice Actor Vic Mignogna Issues Statement: 'Taking Time to Recommit to God, Seeking Help'
Voice actor Vic Mignogna issued a new statement on February 13 in the midst of new allegations by fellow voice actors Jamie Marchi and Monica Rial and Funimation Entertainment severing its relationship with him. In the statement, Mignogna apologizes for anything he has "said or done out of ignorance" and states he was unaware of any animosity that existed between himself and his colleagues and apo...
Catherine: Full Body Game's English Trailer Announces September 3 Release for the West
Game will be PS4 only in N. America, Europe
― Atlus USA began streaming a trailer for its Catherine: Full Body game on Thursday. The video announces that the game will ship for PlayStation 4 on September 3 in North America and Europe. The launch edition will include the game in a metal case. Atlus USA will offer a "heart's desire" premium edition, which will include a sheep plush, soundtrack, hardcov...
Production I.G Makes Hand-Drawn Anime in 4K HDR for Netflix This Fall
Production I.G's Teru Saitou directs anime to debut on Netflix's premium plan
― Production I.G and Netflix announced on Thursday that they are collaborating on an experimental project to produce the first hand-drawn anime with 4K HDR quality. The Netflix Original anime is slated to debut this fall through Netflix's premium plan. Netflix creative technology engineer Haruka Miyagawa is supervising, and...
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ‒ Episode 19
"Despite all the things it does well, this episode doesn't really feel like a suitable conclusion for the current storyline."
Mob Psycho 100 II ‒ Episode 6
"We finally get an episode all about that scheming punk, that salty swindler, the one, the only, the beautiful Arataka Reigen."
Japan's Animation TV Ranking, February 4-10
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure live-action film earns 1.6% rating
― The live-action JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable film aired on TBS on Sunday, February 10 at 1:20 a.m., and earned a 1.6% rating. Title Station Date Time Length Average Household Rating Sazae-san Fuji TV February 10 (Sun) 18:30 30 min. 13.1 Detective Conan NTV February 9 (Sat) 18:00 30 min. 9.7 Chibi Maruko-chan Fuji TV Feb...
King of Prism: Shiny Seven Stars Anime's TV Version Premieres on April 8
Ryoko Shiraishi, Kōichi Yamadera, Aya Hisakawa, more join guest cast
― The official website for the King of Prism: Shiny Seven Stars anime project revealed an updated main visual and the April 8 premiere for the television anime on Thursday. The television anime will premiere on TV Tokyo and TV Aichi on April 8 at 25:35 (effectively 1:35 a.m. on April 9). The series will also air on TV Osaka and BS-T...
Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition Game Ships Over 500,000 Copies Worldwide
― The official Twitter account for the Tales of series announced on Wednesday that Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition (titled Tales of Vesperia Remaster in Japan) has shipped more than 500,000 copies worldwide. Bandai Namco Entertainment released the game for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam in the Americas, Europe, and Japan on January 11. The game is a remastered v...
Build New World Kamen Rider Grease Film Revealed With Teaser Video
Project gets limited theatrical run in fall, home video release on November 27
― V-Cinema announced its Build New World Kamen Rider Grease V-Cinext project as the "final chapter" for the Kamen Rider Build live-action series on Wednesday. The project will have a limited theatrical run this fall before shipping on DVD and Blu-ray Disc on November 27. Toei also began streaming a teaser video for the pro...
Dororo ‒ Episode 6
"Even well-intentioned actions can have deadly consequences in this emotional episode that shows just how difficult a journey Dororo and Hyakkimaru still have ahead of them."
Sewayaki Kitsune no Senko-san TV Anime Reveals Main Cast
Azumi Waki, Junichi Suwabe star in series premiering in April
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Rimukoro's Sewayaki Kitsune no Senko-san (Senko, the Always-Helpful Fox) manga revealed the show's main cast and additional staff on Thursday. The site also revealed that the show will premiere in April. The anime stars: (from left to right in image above) Azumi Waki as Senko Ju...
Original TV Anime Series RobiHachi Reveals New Visual
― The official website for the original television anime RobiHachi revealed the show's new visual on Thursday. The show will premiere this spring. The anime's story is set in Neo Tokyo in the year G.C. (Galaxy Century) 0051, which marks a half century since first contact was made. Humans have obtained super light-speed navigation technology and formed a commonwealth of planets with aliens. A streak ...
Final Space Battleship Yamato 2202 Anime Film Previewed in 'Last Promo Video'
7th film in series opens in Japan on March 1
― Bandai Namco Arts began streaming a "truly the last promo video" on Thursday for the seventh and final film in the Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2202 (Uchū Senkan Yamato 2202: Ai no Senshi-tachi or Space Battleship Yamato 2202: Warriors of Love) anime sequel project. The final film is subtitled "Shinsei-hen" (Nova Chapter). The video previews the...
'Why the hell are you here, Teacher!?' Anime's 2 Promo Videos Streamed
Series starring Sumire Uesaka, Ryouta Suzuki premieres in April
― Note: The videos below may not be safe for work. Asmik Ace began streaming two versions of the first promotional video on Thursday or the anime of Soborou's Nande Koko ni Sensei ga!? (Why the hell are you here, Teacher!?) manga. The anime will premiere in April on Tokyo MX and BS11, and stars: Sumire Uesaka as Kana Kojima Ryouta Suzuki...
Sword Art Online: Alicization ‒ Episode 18
"The battle scenes are still wonderfully sharp and dynamic, but there had to be a better way to avoid making these details feel cumbersome."
Maaya Sakamoto Joins Cast of Fruits Basket Anime
Series premieres in April
― The official website for the new television anime of Natsuki Takaya's Fruits Basket manga announced on Thursday that Maaya Sakamoto (Ouran High School Host Club's Haruhi Fujioka, Ghost in the Shell: Arise's Motoko Kusanagi, Black Butler's Ciel Phantomhive) is joining the cast as the character Akito Sohma. The new anime will have an entirely new cast and staff, as per Takay...
Kedama no Gonjiro Anime's Visual Revealed
― TV Tokyo opened a website on Thursday for its Kedama no Gonjiro anime based on the "Gonjiro" mascot character. The website reveals the show's key visual. The anime will premiere this spring and will air on TV Tokyo and its affiliates. Yasunari Nagatoshi launched the Kedama no Gonjiro manga in the October issue of Shogakukan's Coro Coro Comics magazine on September 15. The manga is inspiring a smar...
Tsurune Anime's Unaired Episode Previewed in Video
"Episode 14" of series ships with 5th BD/DVD volume on May 1
― Kyoto Animation began streaming a promotional video on Thursday for an unaired "episode 14" of the anime of Kotoko Ayano's Tsurune: Kazemai Kōkō Kyūdō-bu (Tsurune: Kazemai High School's Archery Club) novel. The anime's fifth Blu-ray Disc and DVD volume on May 1 will bundle the episode. The episode will first debut during two sessions of a...
Nintendo, ARIKA Reveal Tetris 99 Switch Game
Free battle royale-style game available now for Nintendo Switch Online members only
― Nintendo revealed during its Nintendo Direct presentation on Thursday that it has released the Tetris 99 game for the Nintendo Switch. Nintendo describes the game: The free to download online software, Tetris® 99, is available as a special offer for Nintendo Switch Online members. In large-scale, 99-player battles, ...
Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon Every Buddy! Game Launches in English on March 20
― Square Enix revealed on Thursday that its Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon EVERY BUDDY! game will launch for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in English on March 20. Those who pre-order the game digitally will receive digital bonuses. The game will also launch in Japan on the same day. Nintendo is also streaming a gameplay video for the game. Square Enix describes the game: The rules to this mysteri...
Doraemon: Nobita no Bokujō Monogatari Game Unveiled for Switch This Year
BNE, Marvelous, Brownies develop crossover game between Doraemon, Story of Seasons series
― Bandai Namco Entertainment, Marvelous, and Nintendo announced on Thursday that Brownies is developing a crossover game with the Doraemon and Story of Seasons (Bokujō Monogatari) franchises titled Doraemon: Nobita no Bokujō Monogatari (Doraemon: Nobita's Story of Seasons). The game is slated for release on the ...
Yarichin Bitch-bu Boys-Love OVA's 'Morimori' Version Previewed in Video
New BD/DVD release on April 17 will have 2 episodes
― Toho Animation began streaming a promotional video on Thursday for the "Morimori Version" of the anime of Ogeretsu Tanaka's boys-love manga Yarichin Bitch-bu (Playboy Bitch Club). Note: The below video may not be safe for work. The "Morimori Version" release will include episodes 1 and 2 of the anime on DVD and Blu-ray Disc, and will feature bonus...
BNE Reveals Disney Tsum Tsum Festival Switch Game for 2019 Release
Game based on Disney Tsum Tsum toy line
― Bandai Namco Entertainment America announced on Wendesday that it is developing the Disney Tsum Tsum Festival game for the Nintendo Switch, with a slated release date for the Americas this year. The game is based on the Disney Tsum Tsum toy line. Bandai Namco Entertainment America describes the game: Disney Tsum Tsum stars a large roster of beloved characters...
Square Enix Releases Dragon Quest Rivals Game on Switch
Game launched for iOS, Android in 2017, with PC version also available
― Nintendo announced during its Nintendo Direct presentation on Wednesday that it has released the Dragon Quest Rivals game on the Switch. The game is free-to-play with purchasable in-game items. The game is only available in Japan. The game launched for iOS and Android devices in November 2017, and is also available on PC. Dragon...
Yoshi's Crafted World Switch Game Slated for March 29
Demo out now
― Nintendo revealed during the Nintendo Direct presentation on Wednesday that its Yoshi's Crafted World Switch game will ship on March 29. A demo for the game is available now. Nintendo announced the game for Nintendo Switch at the E3 event in June 2017 and the game was originally slated to launch last year, but was delayed until this year. Nintendo describes the game: Lead Yoshi on a br...
The Morose Mononokean II Anime Casts Akira Ishida, Akemi Okamura
New visual also revealed for ongoing TV anime
― The staff of The Morose Mononokean II (Fukigen na Mononokean Tsuzuki), the second television anime season based on Kiri Wazawa's The Morose Mononokean (Fukigen na Mononokean) manga, revealed two new cast members and a new visual for the anime on Thursday. The new cast members include: Akira Ishida as Sakae Ashiya, Hanae's father who disappeared when Han...
Miru Tights Web Anime Reveals 3 Main Cast Members
Yōko Hikasa, Haruka Tomatsu, Aya Suzaki play 3 high school girls in tights
― The official website for the Miru Tights web anime revealed the anime's main cast members on Thursday. The cast (from left to right in image below) stars Yōko Hikasa as Yua Nakabeni, who likes 30 denier tights (sheer); Haruka Tomatsu as Ren Aikawa, who likes 60 denier tights (opaque); and Aya Suzaki as Homi Moegi, who likes ...
Bungo Stray Dogs 3rd Season Casts Kenichi Suzumura
Suzumura plays shut-in hacker Katai Tayama in April anime
― The official website for the third television anime season based on Kafka Asagiri and Sango Harukawa's Bungō Stray Dogs manga revealed on Thursday that Kenichi Suzumura will join the anime's cast as the character Katai Tayama. Tayama is a hacker who has known Kunikida for a decade. A former Armed Detective Agency member, he now lives as a sh...
Japan's Video Game Rankings, February 4-10
Arc of Alchemist game debuts
― Japan's Game Ranking: February 4-10 Rank System Title Maker Release Date Weekly Copies Total Copies 4Gamer Reader Review 1NSwNew Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe Nintendo January 21 38,482 397,231 2PS4Kingdom Hearts III (Including Bundled Editions) Square Enix January 25 35,450 736,545 80 3NSwSuper Smash Brothers Ultimate (Including Bundled Editions) Nintendo December 7, 2018...
Square Enix Releases Final Fantasy IX on Switch, Xbox One
Final Fantasy VII also coming to Switch, Xbox One on March 26
― Square Enix announced on Wednesday that it has released the Final Fantasy IX game on the Switch and Xbox One. In addition, it will release the Final Fantasy VII game on the Switch and Xbox One on March 26. Square Enix most recently re-released Final Fantasy IX on the PlayStation 4 in September 2017. It previously re-released the game on ...
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night Game Slated for Summer
Trailer accompanies release window announcement
― The Kickstarter page for Koji Igarashi's Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night game announced on Wednesday that the game is slated to launch this summer. The staff debuted a trailer to accompany the announcement. Nintendo's Nintendo Direct presentation on Tuesday also shared footage for the game: Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night will be an "action-advent...
BoxBoy! + BoxGirl! Game Announced for Switch on April 26
Game to feature 270 stages
― Nintendo announced the BoxBoy! + BoxGirl! game for Nintendo Switch during its Nintendo Direct presentation on Wednesday. The game will launch on April 26. The game will feature a two-player mode and a total of 270 stages, the most in the franchise so far. The original BoxBoy! game launched for Nintendo 3DS in 2015. The BoxBoxBoy! sequel game then launched for Nintendo 3DS...
Square Enix's Tokyo RPG Factory Announces Oninaki Game for PS4, Switch, PC
Game about saving lost souls debuts this summer
― Square Enix and its Tokyo RPG Factory subsidiary (I Am Setsuna, Lost Sphere) announced a new action role-playing game titled ONINAKI (Japanese title: Oni no Naku Kuni, or "country where the ogre cries") on Wednesday. The game is slated for release in North America, Europe, and Japan this summer on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The ...
Daemon X Machina Switch Game Announced for Summer
Action game's demo launched on Wednesday
― Nintendo announced the Daemon X Machina Nintendo Switch action game for release this summer during its Nintendo Direct presentation on Wednesday. The company also released the Daemon X Machina: Prototype Missions demo through the Nintendo eShop. IMG daemon2.jpg IMG daemon3.jpg IMG daemon4.jpg IMG daemon5.jpg IMG daemon6.jpg Nintendo describes the demo with f...
Rune Factory 4 Special, Rune Factory 5 Announced for Switch
Rune Factory 4 is remastered with new stories
― Marvelous and XSEED Games announced during the Nintendo Direct presentation on Wednesday that Rune Factory 4 Special, a remastered Nintendo Switch version of Rune Factory 4, will launch this year. In addition, the presentation confirmed that Rune Factory 5 is in development. Developer Neverland released Rune Factory 4 for the Nintendo 3DS in Japan in Ju...
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Remake Game Announced for Switch in 2019
Original Game Boy game debuted in 1993
― Nintendo announced during its Nintendo Direct presentation on Wednesday that the The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Game Boy game is getting a remake for Nintendo Switch this year. The original game launched for Game Boy in Japan and the West in 1993. The game then received an updated Game Boy Color release in 1998. Sources: Nintendo Direct presentation, N...
Dragon Quest Builders 2 PS4/Switch Game Heads West on July 12
Gameplay video, opening movie streamed
― Square Enix announced on Wednesday that in will release Dragon Quest Builders 2 (Dragon Quest Builders 2: Hakaigami Shidō to Karappo no Shima) for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in North America and Europe on July 12. Those who preorder the game will receive a stackable slime DLC. Square Enix debuted a gameplay video and two versions of the opening movie, o...
PlatinumGames' Astral Chain Switch Game Announced for August 30
NieR: Automata's Takahisa Taura directs game with supervision of Bayonetta's Hideki Kamiya
― Nintendo announced the Astral Chain game for Nintendo Switch during its Nintendo Direct presentation on Wednesday. PlatinumGames is developing the game for release on August 30. Nintendo describes the game: "As part of a police special forces unit in a multi-cultural futuristic city, players work together wit...
Dragon Quest XI S Switch Game Heads West This Fall
Game also slated for fall in Japan
― Square Enix announced during the Nintendo Direct presentation on Wednesday that it will release Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age (Dragon Quest XI S: Sugisarishi Toki o Motomete), the Switch version of the Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age (Dragon Quest XI: Sugisarishi Toki o Motomete) game, in North America and Europe. The game will debut this f...
Fire Emblem: Three Houses Switch Game's Trailer Reveals Delay to July 26
Game was originally slated for release this spring
― Nintendo revealed a trailer for its Fire Emblem: Three Houses Nintendo Switch game during its Nintendo Direct presentation on Wednesday. The presentation also announced that the game has been delayed from spring to July 26. Nintendo first announced in January 2017 that it was working on a Fire Emblem game for Switch. The game is the first Fire Embl...
Super Mario Maker 2 Game Announced for Switch in June
Game to add new tools, items, ability to create slopes
― Nintendo announced during its Nintendo Direct presentation on Wednesday that the Super Mario Maker 2 game will launch for Nintendo Switch in June. Nintendo also began streaming an announcement trailer for the game. The game will feature new tools and items, as well as new features such as the ability to create slopes. Nintendo released Super Ma...
Zanki Zero Game's Western Release Delayed to April 9
― Spike Chunsoft, Inc., Spike Chunsoft's North American subsidiary, announced on Wednesday that its release of the Zanki Zero: Last Beginning PlayStation 4 and PC game has been postponed to April 9. The game was previously slated for March 19. The game will have a physical and digital release for PlayStation 4. The PlayStation 4 launch edition will include a soundtrack CD, which will also be availab...
Legendary Mangaka Go Nagai Draws Cover for Mazinger Z, Transformers Cross-over
Publisher Village Books will release a cross-over manga to end all cross-over manga on March 28. The Mazinger Z vs. Transformers manga takes a unique approach manga; it includes six chapters, each one drawn by a different artist. The book's cover is drawn by none other than Go Nagai, the creator Mazinger Z, Devilman, and Cutie Honey. Transformers franchise alumni Hiroto Ishikawa wrote the manga's ...
Woof Woof Story: I Told You to Turn Me Into a Pampered Pooch, Not Fenrir! Novel 1
This reincarnation isekai takes a turn for the canine when an exhausted office worker becomes a not-so-cute playful puppy in another world. Rebecca Silverman has the details.
― Why yes, this is another light novel about someone who dies in our world and is given the chance to be reincarnated, memories intact, in another. But unless you're unilaterally opposed to the genre, don't write this one off ju...
Sentai Filmworks Announces Dub for Kämpfer Anime
Anime with gender-swapping protagonist aired in 2009
― Sentai Filmworks announced on Wednesday that it will produce an English dub for the Kämpfer anime. According to the announcement, the dub is "coming soon." The anime based on a light novel series Toshihiko Tsukiji (Maburaho). Sentai Filmworks describes the story: Waking up transformed into a beautiful girl might be the stuff of some guys' fantasi...
Japan's Ministry of Health Turns to Survey Corps During Latest Flu Outbreak
Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare is bringing back the Survey Corps to help combat the influenza outbreak in Japan. Last year, the ministry introduced posters to teach proper coughing etiquette to help prevent the spread of illnesses. The ministry reinstated the posters this month. The poster depicts Survey Corps members Eren, Mikasa, and Armin using proper coughing etiquette: using a...
Rising of the Shield Hero English Dub Debuts, Future Episodes to Debut Simultaneously With Japan (Update)
Billy Kametz, Erica Mendez star
― The official English Twitter account for the television anime of Aneko Yusagi's The Rising of the Shield Hero (Tate no Yūsha no Nariagari) fantasy light novel series announced on Wednesday that it will begin debuting the first six episodes of the anime's English dub at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Each episode will debut 15 minutes apart. Future dubbed episodes will debut...
Crunchyroll Adds Fight League: Gear Gadget Generators Anime
Net anime based on smartphone game debuts on Thursday
― Crunchyroll announced on Wednesday that it has added Fight League: Gear Gadget Generators, the web anime adaptation of XFLAG's Fight League smartphone game, to its winter simulcast lineup. The anime will begin streaming on Thursday at 6:00 a.m. EST for users worldwide outside of Asia. Crunchryoll describes the anime: Fight League... the ultimate...
Honey Bee Nyanko-sensei Lottery is Oh-So-Sweet
FamilyMart convenience stores in Japan will launch a new lottery campaign featuring the sweetest Nyanko-sensei yet. The "Natsume's Book of Friends: Honey Bee Nyanko-sensei's Sweet Moments" lottery will launch on March 8 with 16 total prizes. Prize A: Honey Bee Nyanko-sensei plush Prize B: Honey Bee Nyanko-sensei plush Prize C: Honeycomb shaped nesting boxes Prize D: Hand cream (three varieties) Pr...
Voice Actress Hiroko Konishi Shares Her #MeToo Story
Voice actress Hiroko Konishi, who is best known for voicing Sae Sawanoguchi in Magic User's Club!, Sena Wakabayashi in You're Under Arrest, and Akane Kimidori in Dr. Slump, wrote an article on the Japanese online news website Ironna, sharing her thoughts on the #MeToo movement in Japan, as well as her own experiences with harassment from her superiors. The article is titled: "My Tell-All Story abo...
German Rating Board Lists Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaire's Journey - Deluxe Edition Switch Game
― Level-5 and Dentsu Inc.'s California-based subsidiary Level-5 abby submitted the Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaire's Journey - Deluxe Edition Nintendo Switch game for a rating on January 30 to Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK; Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body), the German game rating board. The Layton Mystery Journey Katrielle to Daifugō no Inbō DX (Layto...
Dragon Quest Games Get Their 1st 3DCG Anime Film by Stand By Me Doraemon Staff
Story based on Dragon Quest V, with music by games' Koichi Sugiyama
― Film director Takashi Yamazaki (Stand By Me Doraemon, live-action Parasyte films, live-action Space Battleship Yamato film) announced on NTV's news zero program on Wednesday that the Dragon Quest game franchise is receiving a film adaptation. An official website for the film launched and revealed that the film, titled Dragon Quest ...
The Tale of Genji Museum to Debut 'Genji Fantasy' Anime Short in April
MAO, Tomoaki Maeno star in short about girl transported to era of Japan's most famous novel
― The Tale of Genji Museum in Uji City, Kyoto has completed "Genji Fantasy: The Cat Fell in Love With Hikaru Genji" ("Genji Fantasy Neko ga Hikaru Genji ni Koi Shita"), a 20-minute original anime that the museum will start screening on April 2. Uji City began streaming a trailer on Wednesday: Blending history ...
Toronto Comic Arts Festival to Host Horror Manga Artist Junji Ito
Toronto convention takes place on May 11-12
― The Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) announced on Monday that it will host horror manga artist Junji Ito. Ito is also the official poster artist for the event. Below is the poster Ito drew for the event. Ito will have an on-stage interview, a live-drawing event, and autograph sessions during the event. Ito's Uzumaki and Tomie manga have inspired live-ac...
Hello Kitty Gets New 52-Episode Animated Series in 2021
France's Monello Productions animates new series with Sanrio
― The French animation studio Monello Productions and Japanese licensing company Sanrio announced on February 6 that they are developing a new animated series based on Sanrio's Hello Kitty franchise. The World of Hello Kitty series is slated to debut in the first quarter of 2021 with 52 11-minute episodes. Monello Productions describes the ...
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection Anime's New Promo Video Posted
Film opened last Saturday at #5
― Note: The visual and YouTube videos at the end of this article may contain spoilers for the film. Bandai Namco Arts began streaming a new promotional video for the Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection (Code Geass: Fukkatsu no Lelouch) sequel anime film on Wednesday. The video features the ending theme song "Revive" by Unione. The film's new characters and cast me...
Voice Actress Nanako Mori Announces Marriage
Former Takarasienne recently voiced Bloom Into You's Miyako Kodama
― Voice actress Nanako Mori announced on her Twitter account on Wednesday that she has gotten married to a "normal company worker" (outside the voice-acting industry) a few days ago. She said that she will continue to work, and will strive to make her work more interesting and fun. Mori started out as a Takarasienne (an actress in the...
New City Hunter, Code Geass Films Debut at #4, #5
City Hunter earns 450 million yen, Code Geass earns 287 million yen
― City Hunter: Shinjuku Private Eyes, the new anime film adaptation of Tsukasa Hojo's City Hunter manga, ranked at #4 in its opening weekend. The film sold 180,000 tickets to earn 257 million yen (about US$2.32 million) on Saturday and Sunday, and sold 320,000 tickets and earned 450 million yen (about US$4.06 million) from Friday to ...
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 93
"The series slows things down and recharges its batteries with a low-key, comedy-heavy installment focused on Naruto and Himawari."
ENDRO! ‒ Episode 5
"Another example of the series demonstrating some thoughtful effort alongside its simpler course of comedy."
World's 1st Immersive "Poo Museum" Opens in Yokohama in March
A world filled with poo awaits you at Yokohama's Unko Museum (Poo Museum). The "hands-on" museum will open on March 15 and introduce a playful world filled with colorful crap (literally). The museum will have four different areas to best explore all your bowels have to offer. The "Poo Plaza" will feature a giant volcanic poo that regularly shoots out small poos from its top. The "Un-stagenic Area"...
Psychedelica of the Ashen Hawk Game Gets Steam Release
Intragames to hold closed beta test
― Publisher Intragames announced on Facebook on Tuesday that it will release the Psychedelica of the Ashen Hawk game on PC via Steam. The staff are seeking participants for a closed beta test. The game takes place in a town ruled by two powerful families: Wolg and Farji. In the town, any woman who has a red eye is considered a witch, a taboo existence. The protagon...
W'z ‒ Episode 6
"It depresses me that in order for W'z to get better at delivering action and adventure, it had to become even worse at telling a story, which is a dubious achievement indeed."
Yuri Fair 2019 Set for 5-City Tour Across Japan
This year's Yuri Fair is expanding from its low-key exhibit last year into a five-city tour throughout Japan. The Village Vanguard hosted event will start in Tokyo's Japanese Restaurant Sacra in Shibuya on March 16 where visitors can browse the yur-themed works for one week. The exhibition will then move to the seventh floor of the Namba Parks office space in Osaka, the Sendai Forus shopping mall ...
This Week in Anime - Domestic Girlfriend is a Surprisingly Thoughtful Sleazefest
This anime takes a practically pornographic premise and turns it into high-stakes melodrama with some surprisingly meditative moments. Andy and Steve separate the trash from the treasure within this controversial series.
― Domestic Girlfriend takes a practically pornographic premise and turns it into high-stakes melodrama with some surprisingly meditative moments. This week, Andy and Steve separate ...
Yo-kai Watch Franchise's Last Retail Store Closes on February 24
Chain began closing stores in April 2018
― The official website for the Yo-kai Watch franchise's retail store chain Yorozu Mart announced on February 1 that the lead store in Fukuoka, the chain's last remaining location, will close on February 24. The chain once had more than 10 stores in locations such as Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Sapporo. However, a wave of store closures began in April 2018. The J...
Code Geass Ads Explain the Whole Story in 1-Minute Bites
Code Geass is an infamously convoluted series, so much so that even three recap movies couldn't really cover the sheer extent of all the twists and surprises. Even after watching all of those movies, you might be left thinking, "I still don't get it!" Fear not, however. Bandai Namco Arts has released a handful of one-minute videos that distill the plot of Code Geass to its purest essence. Note tha...
Sony's Shawn Layden Discusses Sony's Absence From E3
― Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios chairman Shawn Layden discussed Sony's decision to skip the 2019 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) trade show event in an interview with CNet on Monday. Layden explained that E3, held in June, is too late in the year for a trade show where the company has Christmas holiday discussions with retailers. "Now we have an event in February called Destina...
The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince Game's Launch Trailer Streamed
PS4/Switch game launches on Tuesday
― NIS America began streaming a launch trailer on Tuesday for its The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince (Usotsuki Hime to Mōmoku Ōji) game for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. The trailer introduces the game's story. NISA released the game on Tuesday in the United States, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand (only the release in the United States has a physical ed...
Maquia DVDs Incorrectly List Japanese Language Track
Shout! Factory's DVD is dub-only, BD is dual-audio
― Shout! Factory confirmed with ANN that its first run of DVDs for the Maquia - When the Promised Flower Blooms anime film incorrectly listed a Japanese track with English subtitles, but this has been corrected for subsequent runs. Shout! Factory told ANN that the non-inclusion of the Japanese language track was due to a requirement from the licensor...
GeGeGe no Kitarō ‒ Episode 43
"The series has been dark and heavy before, but I think this episode may be in a category of its own."
Nippon Ichi Software, Acquire Develop Jinrui no Minasama e Survival Adventure Game
Game about “girls surviving in a somehow ruined Akihabara" planned for PS4, Switch release
― The website Famitsu.com revealed on Tuesday that game developers Nippon Ichi Software (Disgaea, Yomawari) and Acquire (Akiba's Trip, Octopath Traveler) are developing the new adventure game Jinrui no Minasama e (To All of Mankind) for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. The upcoming issue of Gzbrain Inc.'s Wee...
One Piece ‒ Episode 872
"Just about everything to do with Pekoms looks beautiful, and this manages to be a shockingly thoughtful and well-paced episode altogether."
3rd Psycho-Pass SS Anime Film's Trailer Previews Remixed Ending Song
Final film in trilogy opens on March 8
― The official website for the Psycho-Pass anime franchise began streaming a trailer on Tuesday for the third film in the three-film Psycho-Pass SS or Psycho-Pass Sinners of the System project. The video previews the ending theme song, which is Masayuki Nakano's (from Boom Boom Satellites) remixed version of the first television anime season's ending song "Namae...
Fairy Tail: Final Season ‒ Episode 295
"We finally get an important piece of the puzzle that we've been missing, and it will be interesting to see how it affects the story's endgame."
Kaguya-sama: Love is War ‒ Episode 5
"After continuously matching wits for the better part of four episodes, Kaguya and Miyuki spend the bulk of episode 5 apart."
The Morose Mononokean II ‒ Episode 6
"There's a deeper, weirder story here, and I can't wait to discover it."
Fire Force TV Anime Casts Kenjiro Tsuda as Joker
Mysterious man who knows Shinra's past, confronts his team
― The official website for the television anime of Atsushi Ohkubo's Fire Force (En En no Shōbōtai) manga announced on Tuesday that Kenjiro Tsuda will play Joker, an enigmatic man who knows Shinra's past. He mysteriously appears and confronts Shinra's team. Yuki Yase (Mekakucity Actors, Hidamari Sketch × Honeycomb) is directing the anime at Da...
Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, February 4-10
Live-action Zero show sells 2,514, followed by Funassyi, Kamen Rider Build, Mirai, live-action Gibo to Musume no Blues show
― The DVD Box for Zero Ikkakusenkin Game (Zero: Get Rich Quick Game), the live-action television series based on Nobuyuki Fukumoto's Tobaku Haōden Zero gambling manga, sold 2,514 copies to rank #6 on the overall DVD chart. Funassyi's Charamel Splash Tour 2018 landed at #10 with ...
Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, February 4-10
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai sells 4,931, followed by live-action Zero show, Lupinranger VS Patranger, Dog Days, live-action Gibo to Musume no Blues show
― The Blu-ray Box for Zero Ikkakusenkin Game (Zero: Get Rich Quick Game), the live-action television series based on Nobuyuki Fukumoto's Tobaku Haōden Zero gambling manga, sold 3,052 copies to rank #4 on the overall Blu-ray Disc chart....
Precure Voice Actress Kanako Miyamoto Marries
Actress voiced Makoto Kenzaki/Cure Sword in Dokidoki! Precure
― Singer and voice actress Kanako Miyamoto wrote on her blog on Tuesday to announce her marriage on Monday. She stated that her partner was eight years older than her and a "normal" person (outside the voice-acting industry). She added that her partner had always supported her, and she started wanting to be together with him as they spent ...
The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese Boys-Love Manga Gets Film in 2020
Tadayoshi Okura, Ryō Narita star as salaryman, private detective in relationship
― Shogakukan revealed on Tuesday that Setona Mizushiro's The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese (Kyūso wa Cheese no Yume o Miru) manga and its The Carp on the Chopping Block Jumps Twice (Sōjo no Koi wa Nido Haneru) sequel will get a film adaptation that Phantom Film will release in 2020. Isao Yukisada is directing the film,...
Sony Interactive Entertainment Promotes Jim Ryan to President & CEO
Current CEO John Kodera to step down, assume Ryan's current deputy president role
― Sony Interactive Entertainment announced on Tuesday that its President and CEO John (Tsuyoshi) Kodera will step down from the position, while Jim Ryan, the current Deputy President, has been appointed the new President and CEO, effective April 1. Ryan is now also Representative Director and President of Sony Interacti...
Jump Force Game's Launch Trailer Streamed
Game launches for PS4, Xbox One, PC on February 15
― Bandai Namco Entertainment America began streaming a launch trailer for the Jump Force crossover game on Monday. Early access with the game's Ultimate Edition launched in Japan on Monday and will launch in the West on Tuesday. Spike Chunsoft is developing the game, which will launch on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam on February 15 in...
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