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The Mike Toole Show - J-Pop vs. America
After The Pillows' comeback tour across the U.S., Mike Toole is inspired to revisit the history of Japanese artists' attempts to make it big in the west, and how American music has affected anime in kind.
― Last week, I did something I'd been meaning to do for about sixteen years – I saw the Pillows perform live. The concert, at Boston's Royale nightclub, was part of a tour the storied alt-rock band ...
The List - 7 Horrifying Magical Girl Anime
Magical Girls aren't just sugar, spice, and everything nice anymore! Here are just a few dark magical girl series to watch between your fingers with the lights off.
― One of the first Lists I ever wrote was titled "6 Trailblazing Shojo 'Deconstructions' You Should Be Watching." At the time, I wanted to write about other magical series that approached their formula the same way Madoka Magica was at t...
Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido
This quirky puzzle game for the Nintendo Switch and 3DS is sure to win over fans of absurd humor and fast-paced strategy. Branden Johnson elaborates.
― Nailing absurdist humor is tricky. If you wink too much at the audience, it can be eye roll-inducing, and if you aren't polished enough in your presentation, you run the risk of your audience laughing at you, not with you. But Nintendo has pulled it o...
Hinamatsuri—Episodes 1-12 streaming
Once you get past its oddball premise, Hinamatsuri offers plenty of laughs and charm throughout its unusual run. Nick Creamer has the details.
― You wouldn't think a show about a family composed of a yakuza mobster and a psychic alien girl could be described as “warm and relatable,” but Hinamatsuri is weird in more ways than that. Idly combining trenchant commentary on homelessness, running child lab...
Monday, July 23
New Captain Tsubasa Anime Enters Middle School Arc in October
Anime retelling of manga's story premiered on April 2
― TV Tokyo's official website for the new Captain Tsubasa anime revealed on Monday that the anime will enter the story's "Middle School" story arc in October. TV Tokyo's site revealed a visual (seen below) of Tsubasa and Kojirō's middle school appearances. The new anime based on Yōichi Takahashi's 1981-1988 Captain Tsubasa manga premiered on April...
Masakazu Ishiguro's Tengoku Dai Makyō Manga Gets 30-Second Animated Video
Manga by And Yet the Town Moves creator launched in January
― The official website website for Kodansha's Afternoon magazine began streaming an animated promotional video for Masakazu Ishiguro's new Tengoku Dai Makyō manga on Monday. The video commemorates the launch of the manga's first compiled book volume, which also shipped on the same day. The site also posted design sheets for the two character...
Yuyushiki Anime's Kaori, Yuruyuri's Namori Work on Endro~! Original Anime
Studio Gokumi animates "everyday fantasy" anime for January 2019 premiere
― Studio Gokumi (Tsuredure Children, Yuki Yuna is a Hero, Toji no Miko) announced on Monday that it is producing a new original television anime titled Endro~! that will premiere in January 2019. The anime's official website debuted three different visuals from three different illustrators. Namori (Yuruyuri), the project's orig...
More Cast, Spinoff Manga 1-shot Revealed for My Hero Academia: Two Heroes Film
1-shot in next week's Shonen Jump to focus on Melissa
― This year's 34th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed one more cast member on Monday for the My Hero Academia: Two Heroes film. Ryohei Kimura will play young David Shield (seen below) in the film. The magazine also revealed that the 35th issue on July 30 will feature a My Hero Academia one-shot manga titled "Kitto Daremo ga D...
Yoshimasa Hosoya, Chō Join Cast of Black Clover Anime
Both voice actors play priests of Seabed Temple in anime's new arc
― This year's 34th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed two more cast members on Monday for the television anime adaptation of Yūki Tabata's Black Clover manga. The anime recently entered the Seabed Temple Arc of Tabata's original manga. Yoshimasa Hosoya as Kiato, a priest of the Seabed Temple Chō as Gifso, the hig...
Sunday, July 22
Hinomaru Zumō Anime Adds 5 More Cast Members
Noriaki Sugiyama, Taku Yashiro, more join cast for series premiering in October
― This year's 34th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed five more cast members on Monday for the television anime of Kawada's Hinomaru Zumō manga. (From left to right in the image above): Justin Tomimori as Daniel Stefanov Shunsuke Takeuchi as Sōsuke Kuze Noriaki Sugiyama as Jin Yomoda Takuto Yoshinaga...
Mega Man: Fully Charged Animated Series Reveals 2 Trailers
Vincent Tong voices protagonist, Steffan Andrews composes music for series premiering on August 5
― Entertainment Weekly magazine began streaming a trailer for Mega Man: Fully Charged, the new animated television series of the Mega Man (Rockman) games, on Friday. In addition, SyFy Wire reports that Vincent Tong is voicing protagonist Aki Light/Mega Man. Composer Steffan Andrews is composing the music...
Series Premiere: Chio's School Road—Episodes 1-3
"With its absurd sense of humor and storylines that are little more than setups for comedy sketches, Chio's School Road won't be everyone's cup of tea."
Series Premiere: Revue Starlight—Episodes 1-2
"I would describe this show as Love Live! meets Revolutionary Girl Utena, and the less you know going in, the better."
Digital Manga, Inc. Listed as Suspended by Secretary of State in California
Company's privileges are suspended within California
― ANN confirmed with the Secretary of State of California that the Digital Manga, Inc. company has been suspended as of December 29, 2017. The suspended status is current as of May 2, 2018. ANN reached out to Digital Manga, Inc. several times for comment but has not heard back as of press time. Businesses usually have this status for failing to tur...
My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 53
"MHA is always a delight, but compared to the stuff that goes on before and after arcs like this, it's hard to be quite as hyped."
The Mike Toole Show - J-Pop vs. America
After The Pillows' comeback tour across the U.S., Mike Toole is inspired to revisit the history of Japanese artists' attempts to make it big in the west, and how American music has affected anime in kind.
― Last week, I did something I'd been meaning to do for about sixteen years – I saw the Pillows perform live. The concert, at Boston's Royale nightclub, was part of a tour the storied alt-rock band ...
GeGeGe no Kitarō ‒ Episode 17
"Since I kind of want to go to Sakaiminato now, I guess these past two episodes have done their job."
Series Premiere: Yuuna and the Haunted Hot Springs—Episodes 1-2
"Without troublesome worldbuilding to get in the way, this show has many more opportunities to get sexy, and it doesn't hesitate to take advantage of them."
PERSONA 5 the Animation ‒ Episode 16
"The execution of Futaba's story comes across like a breath of fresh air after seeing things done by Persona 5's playbook so many times in a row."
Cowboy Bebop's Spike Statue Includes Arms With Gun, 'Bang' Gesture
High-end figure maker First 4 Figures revealed its first Cowboy Bebop statue on Friday. The Spike Spiegel resin statue is available for pre-order in regular and exclusive versions now, and it is slated for release in the third quarter of 2019. The trailer above debuted with the announcement, and First 4 Figures staffers Alex and Chockles also sat to discuss the project in a lengthy behind-the-sce...
Series Premiere: Grand Blue Dreaming—Episodes 1-2
"I don't know that this will ever be a comedy masterpiece, but I'm hoping that GBD can provide enough dopey laughs get us through the summer."
The List - 7 Horrifying Magical Girl Anime
Magical Girls aren't just sugar, spice, and everything nice anymore! Here are just a few dark magical girl series to watch between your fingers with the lights off.
― One of the first Lists I ever wrote was titled "6 Trailblazing Shojo 'Deconstructions' You Should Be Watching." At the time, I wanted to write about other magical series that approached their formula the same way Madoka Magica was at t...
Series Premiere: Happy Sugar Life—Episodes 1-2
"There are so many questions and so few answers so far, but that's how it should be."
Series Premiere: Harukana Receive—Episodes 1-3
"The storyline isn't exactly gripping, but fans of fluff will stick around for a cast of characters who are as enthusiastic about beach volleyball as they are about one another."
Series Premiere: Angels of Death—Episodes 1-3
"If it can sustain its macabre sense of humor and murder-centric romance antics for the entire season, we should be in for quite the ride."
Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido
This quirky puzzle game for the Nintendo Switch and 3DS is sure to win over fans of absurd humor and fast-paced strategy. Branden Johnson elaborates.
― Nailing absurdist humor is tricky. If you wink too much at the audience, it can be eye roll-inducing, and if you aren't polished enough in your presentation, you run the risk of your audience laughing at you, not with you. But Nintendo has pulled it o...
DanMachi Spinoff Manga Familia Chronicle: Episode Lyu Ends in 6th Volume
Manga adapts light novel that centers on character Lyu Leon
― The fifth volume of Hinase Momoyama's Dungeon ni Deai o Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darō ka: Familia Chronicle Episode Lyu (Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Familia Chronicle: Episode Lyu) manga revealed on Saturday that the manga will end with the sixth volume when it ships in December. Momoyama launched the manga on Squ...
1st K: Seven Stories Anime Film Inspires Manga
R:B ~Blaze~ film based on novel opened in Japan on July 7
― The August issue of Kodansha's Shonen Magazine Edge revealed on Tuesday that R:B ~Blaze~, the first film in GoRA and GoHands' six-part K: Seven Stories theatrical anime project, is getting a manga adaptation titled Aiseki. GoRA is credited with the original work, and Yasuyuki Torikai is drawing the manga. Kodansha will publish the manga in t...
Gifū Dōdō!! Naoe Kanetsugu: Maeda Keiji Hana-gatari Manga to End in 14th Volume
Manga is final series in Tetsuo Hara, Nobuhiko Horie's story of samurai Maeda Keiji
― The 13th volume of Tetsuo Hara, Nobuhiko Horie, and Masato Deguchi's Gifū Dōdō!! Naoe Kanetsugu -Maeda Keiji Hana-gatari- manga revealed on Friday that the manga's 14th volume will be the final volume. The final volume will ship on November 20. The manga is the the final series in Hara and Horie's story about the sa...
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Anime to Premiere on Toonami on September 29
Sequel series premiered in Japan in April 2017
― Adult Swim's Toonami block announced at Comic-Con International: San Diego on Saturday that Boruto: Naruto Next Generations will air on the block starting on September 29. The Boruto: Naruto Next Generations television anime series premiered in Japan on TV Tokyo in April 2017. Viz Media is simulcasting the series on Hulu as it airs in Japan, with new e...
Saturday, July 21
Godzilla: King of the Monsters Film's 1st Trailer Previews Mothra, Rodan, King Ghidorah
Sequel to Legendary Pictures' 2014 film opens on May 30, 2019
― Warner Bros. Pictures began streaming the first trailer on Saturday for Godzilla: King of the Monsters, the sequel film to Legendary Pictures' 2014 Godzilla movie. The trailer introduces the new name for the monsters as "Titans," and features Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, and King Ghidorah. The film was originally slated for March 22, 2019, b...
Viz Media to Release Anri Yoshi's My Hero Academia: School Briefs Novel Series
Short story collection debuts in spring 2019
― Viz Media announced at the My Hero Academia panel at Comic-Con International: San Diego on Saturday that it will release Anri Yoshi and Kohei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia: School Briefs (Boku no Hero Academia UA Hakusho) novel series. Viz Media will debut the novel series in spring 2019. Viz Media describes the prose short story collection: The U.A. High...
Macross Frontier's Sheryl, Ranka Release 1st New Single in 7 Years
Macross Frontier's two heroines Sheryl Nome and Ranka Lee are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year with new figures and a new song release. The single "Good job!" will be released on September 26, the idols' first new release in seven years. The song was recorded in the year 2059 within the series' timeline, before the final battle. It was used in an in-series commercial for the fictional ...
Season Finale: Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory ‒ Episodes 11-12
"While the finale did cover a lot of important bases, these last two episodes together don't represent Full Metal Panic! at its best."
Series Premiere: Cells at Work!—Episodes 1-3
"This is a nice shout-out to the edutainment shows of childhoods past and generally a fun, bloody time."
Sailor Moon's Uranus, Neptune Inspire High-End Jewelry
K. Uno's character jewelry and accessory brand U-Treasure unveiled its second wave of Sailor Moon jewelry this week. The Sailor Uranus & Sailor Neptune Necklace and Sailor Uranus & Sailor Neptune Ring are now available for fans to purchase. The necklace's design is inspired by the Lip Rod transformation items of Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune. The ring's design features the two characters' resp...
Mahjong is Now Officially a Team Sport in Japan
If you've ever seen or read Saki and wanted to see more team mahjong competitions in real life, your wish is about to be granted. A new mahjong league "M.League" made its debut in Japan at a press conference on Tuesday, and it's all about bringing mahjong to the world of team sports. The league will kick off on October 1 with seven teams of three members each. Each team will play 80 matches for a ...
Ookiku Furikabutte/Big Windup Sequel Stage Play's Ad Streamed
Visual also revealed for play running in Tokyo, Osaka in September
― The official website for the sequel stage play adaptation of Asa Higuchi's Ookiku Furikabutte (Big Windup!) manga began streaming a commercial for the play on Thursday. The sequel play, titled Ookiku Furikabutte: Natsu no Taikai-hen (Summer Tournament Arc), will have performances at the Sunshine Theater in Tokyo from September 6 to ...
Glass Mask's In-Story Play 'The Crimson Goddess' Gets Real-World Adaptation in 2020
The legendary masterpiece play "Kurenai Tennyo" ("The Crimson Goddess") from Suzue Miuchi's Glass Mask (Glass no Kamen) manga is receiving a new real-world adaptation. The Japan Opera Foundation announced on Thursday that a "creative opera" adaptation will run at Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Tokyo from January 10-15. Miuchi tweeted a sketch for the announcement. 速報オペラ『紅天女』2020年1月に『ガラスの仮面』作中劇『紅天女』が、創作...
Libra of Nil Admirari Switch Game's Promo Video Streamed
Game launches in Japan on September 20
― Idea Factory began streaming a promotional video on Wednesday for the Nintendo Switch release of it and Otomate's Nil Admirari no Tenbin: Irodori Nadeshiko game. The game will launch on September 20, and will include both previous games released for the series. The release is part of Otomate's planned 12 releases for the Switch, which also include Switch relea...
New Rurouni Kenshin Stage Play's Promo Video, 9 Character Comment Videos Streamed
Play runs in October-November in Tokyo, Osaka
― Shochiku began streaming a promotional video on Thursday for the new stage play of Nobuhiro Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin manga. The company also streamed nine character comment videos on Thursday from the main cast members. The play will run in Tokyo from October 11 to November 7, and then in Osaka from November 15 to 24. The cast includes (with historical...
Reborn! Stage Play Reveals Main Visual, 8 More Cast Members
Stage play based on Akira Amano's manga runs in September-October
― The official website for the stage play adaptation of Akira Amano's Reborn! manga revealed a new main visual on Friday. The site has also revealed eight more cast members: Taizō Shiina as Ken Jōshima Seiya Inagaki as Chikusa Kakimoto Rino Hirayama as M.M. Shōta Kawakami as Lancia Yui Itō as Kyōko Sasagawa Seira Nagashima as Haru Miur...
Capcom Reveals Collector's Edition for Resident Evil 2 Remake Game
Game launches on January 25 for PC, PS4, Xbox One
― Capcom revealed a "Resident Evil 2 Collector's Edition" set for its remake of the Resident Evil 2 survival horror game at a panel at Comic-Con International: San Diego on Friday. The collection is available exclusively at GameStop and EB Games for US$199.99 (239.99 CAD). Capcom plans to reveal details about the European collector's edition in August...
My Hero Academia Manga Nabs 7 of Top 20 Spots on U.S. Monthly Bookscan June List
My Solo Exchange Diary, Tokyo Ghoul:re, Tokyo Ghoul, Splatoon, RWBY, Zelda also appear on list
― Kohei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia volume 13 topped NPD BookScan's Top 20 adult graphic novels list for June. The manga also took seven of the 20 slots on the list. This month's list featured 13 manga volumes including: #4 — Kohei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia volume 1 #5 — Kohei Horikoshi's My Hero Academ...
Digimon Survive Survival RPG Revealed for PS4, Switch in 2019
Game to feature both 2D, 3D parts with conversation, exploration, battles
― This year's September issue of Shueisha's V Jump magazine revealed on Saturday that Bandai Namco Entertainment is developing the Digimon Survive survival simulation role-playing game for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. The game's world will combine 2D and 3D parts, and it is slated to ship in Japan in 2019. In the game's s...
Gengoroh Tagame's My Brother's Husband Manga Wins Eisner Award
Akira manga's 35th anniversary edition also wins 2 awards
― The 2018 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards revealed its winners at Comic-Con International: San Diego on Saturday, and Gengoroh Tagame's My Brother's Husband manga won this year's Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia award. The manga competed against Jiro Taniguchi's Furari, Satoru Noda's Golden Kamuy, Moto Hagio's Otherworld Bar...
Funimation's Theatrical Screenings of Dragon Ball Super: Broly Film in U.S., Canada to All Feature English Dub
Company assures "other formats" will be available for sub fans "in the future"
― Funimation clarified on Twitter on Friday that its planned screenings in January 2019 of the Dragon Ball Super: Broly film will all feature the English dub version of the film. The company added, "there will be other formats for sub fans to see it in the future." The film will open in Japan on December 14. The film's Jap...
Rumiko Takahashi Inducted into Will Eisner Comic Awards Hall of Fame
Ranma 1/2, Inuyasha creator was previously nominated 3 times for award
― The 2018 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards inducted manga creator Rumiko Takahashi into the Will Eisner Comic Awards Hall of Fame on Saturday. This was Takahashi's fourth time being nominated for the award, with judges previously nominating her in 2017, 2016, and 2014. Takahashi was nominated alongside 15 others this year. Creat...
Bungo Stray Dogs Anime Gets 3rd Season
Manga series has inspired 2 TV anime, anime film, OVA, 2 stage plays, smartphone game
― The official Twitter account or the Bungo Stray Dogs anime series revealed on Saturday that the anime is getting a third season. The staff originally made the announcement at a screening of the Bungo Stray Dogs: Dead Apple film on Saturday. The previous two anime series and anime film adapt Kafka Asagiri and Sango...
New Attack on Titan Season 3 Video Previews YOSHIKI Featuring HYDE's Opening Theme
Crunchyroll also reveals streaming debut date, territories
― X Japan member Yoshiki revealed on Twitter and Instagram on Friday that the opening theme song "Red Swan" for Attack on Titan season three is now credited to "YOSHIKI featuring HYDE" instead of "X Japan featuring HYDE" as previously announced. The social media post also included a video featuring a clip from the song and animated footage fr...
Friday, July 20
Shout! Factory to Release Digimon Adventure tri. Complete Collection
5th film already slated for August 7 standalone release
― Shout! Factory announced at its Comic-Con International: San Diego panel on Friday that it will release the full Digimon Adventure tri. movie series in one collection at an unspecified date. Shout! Factory announced the license for Digimon Adventure tri. last year. Thus far, the company has released the first four movies with the fifth slated ...
Disgaea 1 Complete Game Video Previews Flonne
PS4, Switch game launches in Japan on July 26, in the West in October
― Nippon Ichi Software began streaming a character commercial on Thursday for Disgaea 1 Complete (Makai Senki Disgaea Refine), the HD remake of the first game in the series. The video highlights the character Flonne (voiced by Yuko Sasamoto). The company previously streamed videos for Laharl and Etna. The game will ship for the Pla...
My Hero Academia: Two Heroes Film Opens in U.S., Canada on September 25
Film to screen for 5 days; subtitled, dubbed screenings available
― Funimation Films announced on Friday that it will screen the My Hero Academia: Two Heroes anime film in more than 400 theaters in the United States and Canada on September 25, 26, 27, 29 and October 2. Screenings on September 25, 27, and 29 will be in Japanese with English subtitles, while screenings on September 26 and October 2 wil...
HIDIVE to Stream Armored Trooper Votoms Anime
Streaming premiere slated for July 28
― HIDIVE announced on Friday that it will stream the Armored Trooper Votoms anime series. The first three episodes will premiere on July 28 at 1:00 p.m. EDT. The series will be available in the United States Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and other select territories. Section23 Films' Maiden Japan imprint announced at Anime Expo earl...
Dr. Stone Popularity Poll Picks Senku as King
Riichirou Inagaki and Boichi's Dr. Stone manga takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where most of mankind was transformed into stone statues. High school boys Taiju and Senku awaken from petrification and decide to get world up and operating again by using science. Weekly Shonen Jump held a poll to find out which characters readers like the most and published the result in this week's issue. Th...
Soul Calibur VI Fighting Game Reveals Voldo With Video
PS4/Xbox One/PC game ships on October 19 in the West
― Bandai Namco Entertainment America began streaming a new trailer for its Soul Calibur VI fighting game for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on Tuesday. The video reveals the return of Voldo as a playable character. The game will launch on October 18 in Japan, and on October 19 in the Americas and Europe. The North American collector's edition will...
B't X TV Anime's English Dub Cast, Trailer Unveiled
Anime Midstream to release series on DVD in August
― Dallas-based anime licensing company Anime Midstream, Inc. announced on Friday that its DVD release of the B't X television anime series is slated for August 3. SoundCadence Studios announced that it is recording the English dub for the release, and revealed the cast along with a dub trailer. The cast includes: Eric Vale as Teppei Jeremy Inman as X...
Yuri!!! on Ice Staff Mourn the Death of Olympic Figure Skater Denis Ten
In an unfortunate tragedy, Kazakhstani figure skater and Olympian Denis Ten was murdered in the city of Almaty, Kazakhstan on Thursday. Ten, who won the bronze medal at the Sochi Olympics in 2014, approached two individuals who were stealing the mirrors from his car. The confrontation resulted in a fight and Ten was stabbed in the thigh. The 25-year-old skater later died in the hospital from his w...
Media Do International Licenses Keisuke Itagaki's Baki Manga
Series slated for digital release starting in August
― Media Do International announced at the Manga Publishing Industry Roundtable panel at Comic-Con International: San Diego on Thursday that it has licensed Keisuke Itagaki's Baki manga. The company will release the manga digitally first, with a possible print release in the future. Itagaki's original Baki The Grappler martial arts manga ran for 42 ...
Voltron: Legendary Defender Season 7 Trailer Streamed
Penultimate season premieres on August 10
― DreamWorks Animation Television began streaming a trailer for the seventh season of Voltron Legendary Defender on Friday. The 13-episode seventh season will premiere on Netflix on August 10. The staff premiered the first episode, "A Little Adventure," at Comic-Con International: San Diego on Friday. Show runner Lauren Montgomery said at panel that Shiro's s...
Funimation Lists Concrete Revolutio Home Video Release With English Dub
Full series slated for October 23
― Funimation is listing a Blu-ray Disc and DVD combo pack release for the Concrete Revolutio television anime series with an English dub. The release is slated for October 23. The first season premiered in Japan in October 2015 and streamed on Daisuki and Funimation. The second half, Concrete Revolutio: The Last Song, premiered in April 2016. Funimation's home video ...
Adult Swim Streams FLCL Alternative English Dub Trailer
Series premieres on Toonami on September 8
― Adult Swim began streaming an English-dubbed trailer for FLCL Alternative on Friday. The series will premiere on Adult Swim's Toonami block on September 8 at 11:30 p.m. Adult Swim describes FLCL Alternative as a a series by "young creators who will redefine the meaning of "sequel." The series centers on the misadventures of 17-year-old Kana, a high school ...
Drawn & Quarterly to Publish Collected Works of Yoshiharu Tsuge
7-volume set compiles manga by pioneering artist known for Neji-Shiki
― Drawn & Quarterly announced at its Comic-Con International: San Diego panel on Friday that it will release the complete works of Yoshiharu Tsuge in a seven-volume set. The first volume is slated for fall 2019. Ryan Holmberg is translating the works. Tsuge was a pioneer of gekiga ("dramatic pictures") comics, a genre named by Yosh...
Eevees Invade Pikachu Outbreak in Yokohama Ahead of Pokémon: Let's Go Game Release
The now annual invasion of Pikachu in Yokohama is getting some special guests this year. The 1,500 Pikachu will still descend on the area this year, but they're bringing some Eevee friends along for the event, likely to promote the upcoming release of Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! Nintendo Switch games. For the last four years, Yokohama's Minato Mirai 21 business distri...
Voltron: Legendary Defender Animated Series to End This Year With Season 8
7th season premieres on August 10
― The staff of Dreamworks' Voltron: Legendary Defender animated series announced at Comic-Con International: San Diego on Friday that the series will end with the eighth season. The season will have 13 episodes and it will premiere before the end of the year. The 13-episode seventh season will premiere on August 10. Show runner Lauren Montgomery said that Shiro's sig...
New Shin Evangelion Film Reveals Additional Staff
Film slated for 2020
― Studio Khara unveiled some of the staff for its new Evangelion film, Shin Evangelion Gekijō-ban :||, on Friday. The staff includes: CGI Animation Director: Yusuke Matsui CGI Technical Director: Takashi Suzuki CGI Modeling Director: Manabu Kobayashi CGI Animation: Masanori Iwasato, Ryōichi Nakama Rigging: Tsubasa Takabe Photography: Nanae Hirabayashi, Hiroaki Yabe, Toyonori Yama...
Series Premiere: Banana Fish—Episodes 1-3
"Even if you're not that into the show's developing romance, Banana Fish makes a strong first impression as a crime drama."
My Hero Academia Anime's 3rd Season Reveals 7 More Characters
Yuuta Kasuya, Megumi Han, more join cast
― The official website for the My Hero Academia anime series unveiled seven new cast members and characters on Friday. The characters will debut in the 15th episode of the third season (53rd episode overall). They are: Yuuta Kasuya as Yō Shindō, a student at Ketsubutsu Academy High School Megumi Han as Tatami Nakagame, a student at Ketsubutsu Academy High Scho...
Series Premiere: How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord—Episodes 1-3
"Strangely, the biggest criticism I can throw at the show about a gamer guy enslaving a couple of girls is that it seems to be playing things too safe."
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas Anime Film's Videos Preview sumika Song
Film opens in Japan on September 1
― The official website for the anime film of Yoru Sumino's I Want to Eat Your Pancreas novel began streaming 15- and 30-second promotional videos on Friday. The videos preview the song "Shunkashūtō" (The Four Seasons) by rock band sumika. The video embedded below combines both videos. (Note: the video linked on the official website below is region-locked to Japan.) ...
Magical Girl Special Ops Asuka Manga Gets Anime in 2019
Strike the Blood's Hideyo Yamamoto directs at Liden Films
― An official website launched on Saturday to reveal that Makoto Fukami and Seigo Tokiya's Magical Girl Special Ops Asuka (Mahō Shōjo Tokushūsen Asuka) manga is getting a television anime adaptation that will premiere in January 2019. The website revealed a teaser visual and promotional video, which includes an introduction from Kirara Asuka. ...
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 65
"Even if you've seen the movie multiple times, the small-screen version of this fight is not to be missed."
Dragon Ball FighterZ Game Adds Base Goku & Base Vegeta, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 Game Adds Kefla
Black-hair Goku, Black-hair Vegeta join Dragon Ball FighterZ in early August
― This year's September issue of Shueisha's V Jump magazine revealed on Saturday that the Dragon Ball FighterZ game will add Black-Hair Goku and Black-Hair Vegeta in the game in early August. The DLC will retail in Japan for 500 yen (about US$4.50). The game launched for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam in the Ameri...
Season Premiere: Free! Dive to the Future—Episodes 1-2
"In the midst of all the table-setting in these initial episodes, there are glimpses of the magic that makes Free! so beloved."
Hinamatsuri—Episodes 1-12 streaming
Once you get past its oddball premise, Hinamatsuri offers plenty of laughs and charm throughout its unusual run. Nick Creamer has the details.
― You wouldn't think a show about a family composed of a yakuza mobster and a psychic alien girl could be described as “warm and relatable,” but Hinamatsuri is weird in more ways than that. Idly combining trenchant commentary on homelessness, running child lab...
Kanan Minami's Awa-Koi Manga Goes on Long Hiatus
Kyō, Koi o Hajimemasu one-shot also delayed due to creator's poor physical condition
― The official website for Shogakukan's Sho-Comi magazine posted a handwritten message from Kanan Minami on Friday that revealed her Awa-Koi (pictured right) is going on hiatus. She said that she was unable to write the planned Kyō, Koi o Hajimemasu one-shot manga due to her poor physical condition. Minami apologized...
Kamisama Kiss' Julietta Suzuki Launches New Ninkoi Manga on August 4
Romantic comedy story follows modern-day ninja
― This year's 16th issue of Hakusensha's Hana to Yume magazine revealed on Friday that Julietta Suzuki will launch a new manga titled Ninkoi in the magazine's 17th issue, which ships on August 4. The manga will feature on the cover of the issue. The first chapter will have an opening color page and 45 total pages. The magazine describes the "modern-day n...
Final Fantasy XV Game Gets Digital Spinoff Manga About Carbuncle
Kino Takahashi draws manga debuting on Monday
― The official Twitter account for Square Enix's Final Fantasy XV game revealed on Friday that a spinoff manga will launch digitally on Famitsu's website on Monday. The manga will focus on the summon Carbuncle (called "Car-kun" in the manga), and is titled Final Fantasy XV: Episode Carbuncle. Kino Takahashi is drawing the manga. [お知らせ]7月23日(月)、#FF15 公式コミッ...
Uirabu. -Uiuishii Koi no Ohanashi- Live-Action Film's Trailer Streamed
Shō Hirano, Hinako Sakurai star in film opening on November 9
― The official website for the live-action film adaptation of Yukimo Hoshimori's Uirabu. -Uiuishii Koi no Ohanashi- (Uirabu.: Story of Innocent Love) manga began a one-minute trailer for the film on Friday. The video previews King & Prince's theme song 'High On Love!" The site is also streaming a 30-second version of the video. The film wi...
Teaser Visual Revealed for Uma Musume's New Anime Bundled on 4th BD Release
Anime to have same length as 3 episodes
― The official website for the anime portion of Cygames' Uma Musume Pretty Derby project revealed a teaser visual on Friday for the all-new animation that will be bundled with the television anime's fourth Blu-ray Disc release. The anime is titled "BNW no Chikai" (BNW's Oath). The new anime will have the same length as three episodes, and will center on Narita ...
Live-Action Garo Series Kaminokiba -JINGA- Reveals Cast, October Debut
Masahiro Inoue, Yūka Kōri, Sōshi Hagiwara star in series
― The official blog for the GARO franchise revealed on Friday that the Kaminokiba -JINGA- live-action series will premiere in Japan in October. The blog also revealed the show's main cast: Masahiro Inoue as Jinga Mikage Yūka Kōri as Fūsa Sōshi Hagiwara as Tōma Mikage Miyavi Matsunoi as Alva Satomi Andō as Koyuri Mikage Koh Takasugi as Rozan Shi...
Discotek's Sister Princess Release Has Missing Subtitles on 3 Episodes
Company works on new disc with replacement plan
― Discotek Media revealed on Thursday that its Blu-ray Disc home video release of the Sister Princess anime series suffered a manufacturing error that resulted in episodes 11-13 of the anime with missing subtitles. The company stated that it is working on a new disc that corrects the error, with plans to ship the replacement discs once they are ready. D...
Jump Square Magazine Launches Countdown Site for Announcement on July 26
The official Twitter account of Shueisha's Jump Square magazine linked to a new countdown website on Friday. The post hints that the site will reveal a "big announcement" on July 26 at 6:00 p.m. JST (5:00 a.m. EDT). The site features falling cherry blossoms. The magazine's spinoff magazine Jump SQ. Crown recently ceased publication in January, but a new spinoff magazine named Jump SQ. RISE also la...
Flavors of Youth Film's Music Video Highlights Vickeblanka Theme Song
Anime Expo screened world premiere of film on July 6, with Netflix debut on August 4
― The official website for Flavors of Youth (Shikioriori), CoMix Wave Films' collaboration anime anthology project with Haoliners, began streaming a music video for the anthology films' theme song "WALK" by Vickeblanka on Friday. The video features footage from the anime. Anime Expo hosted the anthology film's world ...
2nd Trailer Streamed for Saga Scarlet Grace Game's iOS, Android, Switch, Steam, PS4 Versions
Versions launch in Japan on August 2
― Square Enix began streaming a second trailer on Monday for the iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC (via Steam) versions of Square Enix's SaGa Scarlet Grace role-playing game. Square Enix will release ports in Japan on August 2 under the title SaGa Scarlet Grace: Hiiro no Yabō (Brilliant Red Ambition). Square Enix had revealed the game's August 2...
Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker Game's Video Shows Online Battle
PS4/Xbox One/PC game launches on August 31
― Bandai Namco Entertainment began streaming a gameplay video for its Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker game on Thursday. The video shows the mechanics of the game's online mode. Players must take and hold points for a certain amount of time in order to win a game. The game will launch in Japan for PlayStation 4 on August 30. The game will then launch for Pl...
Sailor Moon S: The Movie Dub Clip Shows Outer Guardians Fighting Snow Dancers
Sailor Moon S: The Movie screens in N. America on July 28, 30
― Fathom Events began streaming an English dub clip for Sailor Moon S: The Movie on Thursday. The clip shows the Outer Guardians fighting the Snow Dancers and Princess Snow Kaguya. Viz Media will screen both Sailor Moon S: The Movie (Sailor Moon S Movie: Hearts in Ice) and Sailor Moon SuperS: The Movie (Sailor Moon SuperS Movie: Black Drea...
Koi no Tsuki Live-Action Series Reveals 9 More Cast Members
Masanobu Ando, Miyu Imaizumi, Sairi Itō, Mina Fujii, Mansaku Ikeuchi, more join series
― The official website for the live-action series adaptation of Akira Nitta's Koi no Tsuki (Love and fortune) manga revealed additional cast members for the series on Wednesday and Friday. The additional cast members include: (Note: Character name romanizations are not official) Masanobu Ando as Makoto Tsuchiya, Wa...
Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story Stage Play Reveals Cast
Keyakizaka46 members star in play debuting in Tokyo on August 24
― The official website for the stage play adaptation of the Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Gaiden smartphone role-playing game revealed the play's cast members on Friday. The cast members are all members of the Keyakizaka46 idol group. (Top row, left to right in image above) Memi Kakizaki as Iroha Tamaki Mirei Sasaki as Yachiyo...
Ore ga Suki nano wa Imōto dakedo Imōto ja nai Anime's Main Cast, Staff, Visuals Unveiled
Tasuku Hatanaka, Reina Kondo star in October anime about light novel writer siblings
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Seiji Ebisu's Ore ga Suki nano wa Imōto dakedo Imōto ja nai (The One I Love is My Little Sister But She's Not a Little Sister) light novel series revealed the anime's main cast, more staff, and new visuals on Friday. The main cast includes: Tasuku Hatanaka...
Anima Yell! Cheerleading Anime's Promo Video Reveals Cast, Staff, October Premiere
Yuka Ozaki, Yuina Yamada, Mikako Izawa, Tomori Kusunoki, Haruka Shiraishi star in Doga Kobo anime
― The staff of the television anime adaptation of Tsukasa Unohana's Anima Yell! four-panel manga opened an official website and Twitter account for the anime on Friday. The site is streaming the anime's first promotional video, which reveals the anime's cast, staff, and October premiere on Tokyo MX, BS11...
Fantagraphics Adds Moto Hagio's The Poe Clan Manga
Print releases of classic manga slated for late 2019 - early 2020
― Fantagraphics Books announced at the Manga Publishing Industry Roundtable panel at Comic-Con International: San Diego on Thursday that it has licensed Moto Hagio's Poe no Ichizoku (The Poe Clan) manga. The company will begin releasing the manga in print in late 2019 to early 2020. Rachel Matt Thorn will translate the manga. The origi...
Next Shin Evangelion Film's Teaser Reveals 2020 Opening Date
Shin Evangelion Gekijō-ban :|| film was announced in 2012
― A teaser for the new Evangelion film, Shin Evangelion Gekijō-ban :||, debuted on Friday, and it revealed that the film will open in Japanese theaters in 2020. The teaser debuted prior to screenings of Mamoru Hosoda's new Mirai no Mirai film, which opened on Friday. Khara, the studio behind director Hideaki Anno's new Evangelion films, confir...
Thursday, July 19
Fireworks Anime Film Earns US$522,600 in U.S. Theaters
Film opened in U.S. on July 3
― Box Office Mojo is listing a total gross of US$522,600 for U.S. screenings of Fireworks (Fireworks, Should We See it from the Side or the Bottom?) as of July 15. GKIDS screened the film as a collaboration with Fathom Events on July 3, 5, and 7. It also opened a separate theatrical release on July 4. The Fireworks anime film adapts director Shunji Iwai's 1993 live-actio...
Udon Entertainment Licenses FLCL Archives Art Book, Mega Man X: Mega Mission Manga
Release windows updated for Infini-T Force manga volumes, Atsushi Nishigori art book
― Udon Entertainment announced at its Comic-Con International: San Diego panel on Thursday that it will release the FLCL Archives book in English in February 2019. The book, which shipped in Japan in November 2016 features character and mecha designs, key visuals, and the original pitch for the FLCL anime with hand-w...
Netflix Anime Hijacks Shinjuku Station Again, This Time With Quotes
Earlier this year, Netflix decided to show off its anime streaming catalog by "hijacking" Shinjuku station where 280 pairs of anime eyes stared out at passerbyes. The company launched a new campaign, this time focusing on iconic quotes from series in its catalog. Visitors can find the ad in the station's underground promenade until July 29. The ad has approximately 100 quotes from 60 different ser...
Steins;Gate 0 ‒ Episode 14
"I hate to say it, but at this point watching Steins;Gate 0 is beginning to feel more like a chore than anything."
Dragon Ball Super: Broly Movie's Trailer Unveiled at Comic-Con (Updated)
Broly's new designs also revealed
― Toei Animation and Funimation Entertainment unveiled a trailer for the Dragon Ball Super: Broly film at Comic-Con International: San Diego on Thursday. Japanese: English dub (via IGN): The panel also shared character designs for Goku, Vegeta, and Broly (Vegeta and Broly pictured below): The film will open in Japan on December 14, and Funimation will release the fil...
Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun Characters Form Idol Unit
If you're like me, you're still holding out some small hope for more Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun anime. It's been four years, sure, but I'd gladly watch more if given the opportunity. Unfortunately, I don't have any anime news to share, but there is a unique collaboration coming up featuring the Nozaki-kun crew. The manga recently reached its 100 chapter milestone and Square Enix will release the ma...
Viz Media Licenses Pokémon Sun & Moon, Pokémon Battle Frontier, Castlevania Anime
Also: digital releases for Pokémon manga
― Viz Media announced at its Comic-Con International: San Diego panel on Thursday that it has licensed the Pokémon Sun & Moon and Pokémon Battle Frontier anime, as well as the Castlevania animated series. The Pokémon Sun & Moon television anime series premiered in Japan in 2016, and Disney XD is airing the series in the United States. The Pokémon Battle Fronti...
Viz Media to Release Rumiko Takahashi's Urusei Yatsura Manga
Also: 2 Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind books
― Viz Media announced at its Comic-Con International: San Diego panel on Thursday that it has licensed Rumiko Takahashi's Urusei Yatsura manga. Viz Media will begin releasing the manga in 2-in-1 omnibus editions in spring 2019. The books will have new translations. Viz describes the series: Revisit the acclaimed romantic comedy about an unlucky human b...
This Week in Anime - What the Hell is Happening in Fate/Extra Last Encore?
F/E LE premiered on Netflix last month to plenty of head-scratching from even experienced Fate fanatics. We run down this show's often baffling plot and what went wrong in adaptation.
― Fate/Extra Last Encore premiered on Netflix last month to plenty of head-scratching from even experienced Fate fanatics. This week, Nick and Jacob run down this show's often baffling plot and what went wrong in adapta...
Persona/Catherine Video Game Character Designer Discusses Creative Process
Shigenori Soejima is well known in the gaming world for working on the Persona game franchise for Atlus. Soejima took on the role as the franchise's primary character designer starting with Persona 3, although he worked on previous games in the franchise too. In a new interview with Archipel, the YouTube channel behind the monthly Toco Toco web series, Soejima discusses the evolution of his charac...
Japan's Animation TV Ranking, July 9-15
Pokémon, Anpanman films air
― Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! aired on TV Tokyo on Thursday, July 12 at 6:48 p.m. and earned a 4.0% rating. The first half of Soreike! Anpanman Buruburu no Takarasagashi Daibōken aired on NTV on Friday, July 13 at 10:55 a.m. and earned a 2.3% rating. The Gibo to Musume no Blues live-action series adaptation aired on July 10 at 10:00 p.m. an earned an 11.5% rating. The...
Godzilla Stomps Into Virtual Reality at Osaka VR Zone Arcade
Bandai Namco Entertainment's Osaka VR Zone arcade is scheduled to open this fall with attractions previously seen at the Shinjuku location, as well as some brand new ones. The arcade's official website announced it will be home to Toho's most fearsome monster. The Godzilla virtual reality attraction is unique to soon-to-open Osaka location and promises to let players experience Godzilla's overwhel...
Black Clover ‒ Episode 41
"This episode goes right up to the line between shonen cheese and something a little more special."
Pikachin-Kit Multimedia Franchise Gets Nintendo Switch Game
Adventure game slated for November 8 in Japan
― FuRyu opened a teaser website on Thursday for a Nintendo Switch game for the Pochitto Hatsumei: Pikachin-Kit multimedia franchise. The game, titled Pikachin-Kit Game de Pirameki Daisakusen! (Pikachin-Kit Great Insight Strategy in a Game), will launch physically and digitally on November 8 in Japan. The adventure game will have an original story where Ei...
Buddha Laughs Through High School in Nara Shika Tanashi Manga
Hikaru Nakamura's Saint Young Men manga imagines Jesus and Buddha as apartment dwelling guys in Tachikawa, Tokyo. The comedic exploits of the enlightened and spiritual duo is novel but Rose Yukinoshita's Nara Shika Tanashi manga is even stranger. Can you imagine Buddha's life as a Japanese high school girl? Nara Shika Tanashi follows a Buddha-faced girl named Shanako and her friend, a deer named S...
SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy Game's Trailer Teases Story, Features
Game ships on September 7 in N. America, Europe
― NIS America began streaming a features trailer for its SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy fighting game on Friday. The video previews the playable characters, battle, character customization, and photoshoot mode. The video also teases a story where the heroines awaken in a mysterious castle and are told by a mysterious voice that they must participate in a...
Touhou Project's 16.5th Game Announced for Release at Summer Comiket
Dōjin game slated for August 10
― Japanese dōjin developer ZUN (founder and sole member of the Team Shanghai Alice dōjin game developer circle) announced a new game for his Touhou Project series on Thursday. The game, titled Touhou Project Dai-16.5-Dan Hifū Nightmare Diary ~Violet Detector., and it will be available at Summer Comiket (Comic Market) on August 10. The game is a "bullet hell" (danmaku) ...
Roundup of Newly Revealed Print Counts for Manga, Light Novel Series (June-July 2018)
Haikyu!!, Food Wars, Snow White with the Red Hair, Seven Deadly Sins, Splatoon, more
― Publishers will often reveal how many copies of a manga or light novel series volumes are in print. The following are print counts ANN has found recently, listed in order of how many volumes are available. The numbers are for Japan totals only unless otherwise specified. Manga Manga# of Copies in Print# of Volumes ...
Robot Girls NEO Net Anime Reveals More Cast, August 18 Premiere
Rika Nagae, Kanon Narumi join cast of 3-episode series
― The official website of Dynamic Planning and Toei Animation's Robot Girls NEO net anime shorts revealed on Thursday that the anime will premiere on August 18. The anime will have three episodes, each seven minutes long. The show will stream on Animax's "Animax on PlayStation" streaming service. The site also revealed three new cast members: Rik...
Kaiju Girls (Black) Anime's Promo Video Reveals Cast, Staff
Anime gets theatrical screenings in Japan starting on November 23
― The official website for the Kaijū Girls ~Ultra Kaijū Gijinka Keikaku~ franchise began streaming the first promotional video on Thursday for the Kaijū Girls (Black): Ultra Kaijū Gijinka Keikaku anime. The video reveals the show's cast and staff. The anime will have a limited theatrical run across Japan beginning on November 23. Tsubu...
Love&Art Teases New 'WAVE!!' Project About Surfing
― Game developer Love&Art opened a website for a new project titled WAVE!! on Monday. The site reveals that the new project will have a surfing theme, and shows eight different surfboards. Love&Art developed the Meiji Tokyo Renka franchise with Broccoli, and the B-Project franchise with MAGES. The Meiji Tokyo Renka franchise began with a 2011 mobile game, which was ported to PlayStation Portable in ...
Castle in the Sky Voice Actor Fujio Tokita Passes Away at 81
Actor narrated Manga Nihon Mukashi Banashi anime series for nearly 20 years
― Actor and voice actor Fujio Tokita passed away on Wednesday due to a brain hemorrhage. He was 81. Tokita's close family will hold a funeral service, and his eldest son Seiji will serve as the chief mourner. Tokita was born in Nagano prefecture in 1937, and in 1959 he formed a theatrical troupe with stage director Masakane Y...
CyberConnect2 Video Reveals 2019 Simultaneous Release for 'Trilogy of Vengeance' Games
Fuga, Tokyo Ogre Gate, Cecile games all feature vengeance themes
― CyberConnect2 began streaming a project information video for its "Trilogy of Vengeance" games on Thursday. The video reveals that CyberConnect2 is planning to release the games worldwide simultaneously in 2019 (the video does not specify if this means all three games are releasing worldwide simultaneously, or if CyberConnect2 will re...
Captain Tsubasa: Rising Sun Manga Goes on Hiatus Until October
Manga to resume in Grand Jump's 21st issue
― This year's 16th issue of Shueisha's Grand Jump magazine revealed on Wednesday that Yoichi Takahashi is putting his Captain Tsubasa: Rising Sun soccer manga on hiatus until the magazine's 21st issue, which Shueisha will publish on October 3. The manga last went on hiatus around the same time last July, and returned that October. Rising Sun revolves around ...
Arc the Lad Smartphone Game's Relaunch Teased With Website
ForwardWorks launched a new website for its new smartphone game for the Arc the Lad franchise on Tuesday. The site reveals a new visual, and notes that ForwardWorks will reveal more information on July 30. As with the original announcement, the site has the tagline "RPG of light and sound" for the new game. ForwardWorks and Sony originally announced the game in December 2016. The Arc the Lad serie...
Attack on Titan Season 3 Premiere, Recap Movie Screenings Earn US$377,334
Funimation screened season 3 premiere, recap film in 130 theaters on July 10, 11
― Box Office Mojo is listing a total gross of US$377,334 for Funimation's combined screenings of the the first episode of Attack on Titan season 3 and the Attack on Titan: The Roar of Awakening recap film. The July 10 screening, which screened the film in Japanese with English subtitles, earned US$225,441. The July 11 sc...
Famicom Mini Shonen Jump Version System Sells 111,000 in 2 Days in Japan
― Research firm Media Create revealed on July 13 that Nintendo's "Nintendo Classic Mini: Family Computer Shūkan Shōnen Jump Zōkan 50-shūnen Kinen Version" (Family Computer Weekly Shonen Jump 50th Anniversary Edition), a new edition of its Nintendo Classic Mini: Family Computer system, sold 111,000 units as of July 8. Because the system shipped in Japan on July 7, the number accounts for two days of ...
Kuma Holdings Licenses 2 'This Boy' Boys-Love Anime
This Boy Suffers from Crystallization, This Boy is a Professional Wizard anime get English dub
― ANN confirmed with CoMix Wave Films on Wednesday that Kuma Holdings has licensed Soubi Yamamoto and CoMix Wave Films' This Boy Suffers from Crystallization (Kono Danshi, Sekika ni Nayandemasu) and This Boy is a Professional Wizard (Kono Danshi, Mahō ga Oshigoto Desu.) anime. The company will release both ...
Viz Media Licenses Mari Okazaki's Will I Be Single Forever? Manga
Manga debuts digitally on July 24
― Viz Media announced on Wednesday that it has licensed Mari Okazaki's Will I Be Single Forever? (Zutto Dokushin de Iru Tsumori?) manga. The publisher will release the manga digitally on July 24. Viz describes the manga: Mami is 36 and unmarried, and the entire world seems to be telling her she must be miserable. But is she? Does she really need a ring on her finger ...
Yuruyuri Manga Goes on Indefinite Hiatus
Manga launched in 2008; inspired 3 TV anime seasons, OVA anime, specials
― The official Twitter account for Namori's Yuruyuri manga revealed on Tuesday that the manga will go on indefinite hiatus beginning with the September issue of Ichijinsha's Comic Yuri Hime magazine that shipped on Wednesday. The account did not state when the manga will return, but noted that it will announce the manga's return...
Valkyria Chronicles 4 Game's Opening Video Posted
Game ships in the West for PS4/Switch/Xbox One/PC on September 25
― Sega America began streaming the opening video on Wednesday for its Western release of the Valkyria Chronicles 4 game. The game will debut on September 25 in the Americas, Europe, and Australia. The game will be available for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. The game's Switch version will also ship in Japan...
Black Clover: Quartet Knights Game's English Video Shows 'Crystal Carry' Mode
PS4/PC game debuts on September 14
― Bandai Namco Entertainment America began streaming a gameplay video on Wednesday for the Black Clover: Quartet Knights game for PlayStation 4 and PC. The video is an English version of the previously revealed video showing the game's "Crystal Carry" mode. In the game mode, teams must attempt to retrieve and place the crystal on a designated point on the map. The g...
Cartoon Network Debuts Mega Man: Fully Charged Animated Show on August 5
SDCC to host premiere screening of show on Friday
― DHX Media announced on Wednesday that Cartoon Network will premiere Mega Man: Fully Charged, the new animated television series of the Mega Man (Rockman) games, on August 5. The series will air on Sundays. The Cartoon Network app and various video-on-demand services will also make 10 episodes available beginning on August 3. The show will debut in C...
Wednesday, July 18
2nd Eureka Seven: Hi - Evolution Film's Teaser Reveals Title, New Story Set in Tokyo
November 10 film centers on Anemone as she fights "Eureka Seven" menace
― The official website for the Eureka Seven: Hi - Evolution film trilogy revealed the title, teaser trailer, teaser visual, and debut date for the second film in the trilogy, titled Anemone: Kōkyōshihen Eureka Seven Hi-Evolution (Anemone: Eureka Seven Hi-Evolution). The visual above depicts the new Nirvash, the main mecha of the ...
Manga Creator Tite Kubo Offers Comments on Live-Action Bleach Film
With the release of a special video for the live-action film of Tite Kubo's Bleach manga, Kubo himself decided to provide comments on the project. He said he had a few concerns and was unable to participate in the project himself, but he seems satisfied with the end result. In a handwritten message, Kubo said he was unable to be very involved in the live-action film project for two reasons. One wa...
Japanese Comic Ranking, July 9-15
Haikyu!!, My Hero Academia, Teasing Master Takagi-san, Grand Blue Dreaming, Karakai Jōzu no (Moto) Takagi-san in top 5
― Rank Title Est. Weekly Copies Est. Total Copies Release Date Publisher Author Highest Rank Weeks on List 1 Haikyu!! 32 131,420 474,676 2018/07 Shueisha Haruichi Furudate 1 2 2 My Hero Academia 19 129,245 442,756 2018/07 Shueisha Kohei Horikoshi 2 2 3 Teasing Master Takagi-san 9 87...
Digimon Adventure tri., Gokaiger's Junya Ikeda Reveals Marriage, Child
Actor married long-time girlfriend in 2016
― Another marriage announcement in the voice acting industry came to light on Wednesday. Junya Ikeda, the voice of Jō Kido in the Digimon Adventure tri. film series, announced via his management agency that he married a long-time girlfriend. The announcement states that the two married sometime in 2016. He adds that when he first met his wife, she had a chil...
Japan's Video Game Rankings, July 9-15
Octopath Traveler game debuts at #1
― Japan's Game Ranking: July 9-15 Rank System Title Maker Release Date Weekly Copies Total Copies 4Gamer Reader Review 1NSwOctopath Traveler Square Enix July 13 110,111 110,111 75 2NSwCaptain Toad: Treasure Tracker Nintendo July 13 41,852 41,852 3NSwMario Tennis Ace Nintendo July 22 21,838 227,452 35 4NSwSplatoon 2 (Including Bundled Editions) Nintendo July 21, 201...
Live-Action Gangoose Film's Teaser Reveals November Opening
Film based on manga about 3 boys who start extortion racket stars Ryo Kato, Mahiro Takasugi, Daichi Watanabe
― The official website for the live-action film adaptation of Daisuke Suzuki and Keisuke Hiya's Gangoose manga began streaming a teaser video for the film on Wednesday. The video reveals the film's November opening. The main cast includes: Ryo Kato as Kazuki, the group's expert in tools, and w...
Kano Sisters' Mika Kano, High School DxD's Akeno, Rias Form Buxom Trio
The celebrity and lifestyle talent sisters, Kyoko Kano and Mika Kano have cultivated an otaku following, appearing in commercials for the Comic Toranoana dōjin store and the Ensemble Stars! male idol game and attending last year's summer Comiket convention. The pair were also part of the stage show for the Cutie Honey Universe television anime at the AnimeJapan 2018 event. The pair have briefly sp...
Discotek Licenses Reborn!, Tetsujin 28, Stellvia, Monkey Magic Anime
Marmalade Boy BD, Devilman/Angel Cop DVDs also scheduled
― Discotek Media announced on Wednesday that it has licensed the Reborn!, Tetsujin 28, Stellvia, and Monkey Magic anime. The company will release the first half of Reborn! and the other three full series on September 25. Discotek also announced that it will release Marmalade Boy on standard definition Blu-ray Disc and Devilman and Angel Cop on ...
Exclusive: Comixology Offers American Comic Goliath Girls Simultaneously in Japan
Preview released in Japanese, English
― Comixology announced on Wednesday that it will debut a new American comic titled Goliath Girls simultaneously in the United States in Japan on July 18. While the company has simultaneously published Japanese manga in English, Goliath Girls will be its first title to do the reverse and offer an English-language title simultaneously in Japanese. Sam Humphries is ...
Monster Strike The Movie: Sora no Kanata Anime Film Unveils Trailer, Cast, Staff
Masataka Kubota stars in film opening on October 5 in Japan
― The staff for the Monster Strike The Movie: Sora no Kanata (Beyond the Sky) 3DCG anime film unveiled a new visual and trailer on Thursday. The trailer introduces the main characters and lists the cast and staff. The cast includes: Masataka Kubota (live-action Death Note series' Light, live-action Tokyo Ghoul's Kaneki) as the "boy of destin...
Attack on Titan's Reeves Tries to Market Titan Meat
LAWSON campaign creates fake commercial, website starring merchant character
― The collaboration campaigns for the latest Attack on Titan season seem nigh impossible to stop. Levi is the poster boy for laundry detergent while the rest of the Survey Corp defeat the "mystery meat" inside Cup Noodles. As it turns out, the world of Attack on Titan was hiding its own delicious meat, this time in a collabo...
Disgaea 1 Complete Game's System Video Shows Unique Features
PS4, Switch game launches in Japan on July 26, in the West in October
― Nippon Ichi Software began streaming a system introduction video on Tuesday for Disgaea 1 Complete (Makai Senki Disgaea Refine), the HD remake of the first game in the series. The video introduces the features unique to the game, including Team Attacks, the Geo System, character creation, the high level and damage cap, and the ab...
Free's Tsubasa Yonaga Welcomes 1st Child
Voice actor Tsubasa Yonaga announced the birth of his and his wife Yuka Nishigaki's first child on Twitter on Tuesday. Yonaga wrote "I am truly apprehensive about sharing personal matters but I have been blessed with a child and my family has a new addition. Although we are inexperienced parents, we're determined to protect and nurture our child. We'll once again devote ourselves to walking the pa...
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas Anime Film's 2nd English-Subtitled Trailer Streamed
Aniplex USA to screen film in U.S.
― Aniplex of America began streaming a second English-subtitled trailer for the anime film of Yoru Sumino's I Want to Eat Your Pancreas novel on Wednesday. The video previews the song "Fanfare" by rock band sumika. The film will get a preview screening for the full film on July 24 in Tokyo. The film will open on September 1 in Japan. Aniplex of America will screen t...
Overlord III ‒ Episode 2
"This episode reinforces how great Overlord is at developing its supporting cast, turning at least some of the goblins from generic thugs into characters in their own right."
Answerman - Why Did US Anime Publishers Experiment With Western Cartoons?
Once upon a time, Funimation and ADV Films licensed western cartoons for release into the fabled "mass market". Justin gets into this bit of history.
― Taylor asked: I've gone through Funimation's catalog on DVDEmpire and watched the "not-so-hidden secret" videos from Skippy on Youtube, and from what I saw, during the mid-00s, Funimation licensed several cartoons for release on DVD and VHS (includin...
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time Countdown Site Reveals TV Airing
Studio Chizu's "https://miraidematteru.com" countdown website ("Mirai de Matteru" means "Waiting in the Future") for Madhouse and Mamoru Hosoda's The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (Toki o Kakeru Shōjo) anime film ended on Wednesday to reveal a television airing for the anime on NTV on Friday at 9:00 p.m. The site is now counting down to the broadcast, and is promising a special event after the broad...
Series Premiere: Angolmois Record of Mongol Invasion—Episodes 1-2
"If you can ignore the nagging impression that you're watching it on a dirty television screen, there's a lot to like about this entertaining period piece."
Kemono Friends' 'Yōkoso Japari Park' Short Story Series Debuts on August 12
AniTele service to stream series based on Nexon's original game
― The official website for TV Tokyo's AniTele app revealed on Wednesday that it will begin streaming the first two episodes of the "Yōkoso Japari Park" "original short story" on August 12 at 4:00 p.m. The first episode will be available to users with free memberships. The story will be set in the world of Nexon's original Kemono Friends ...
Lupin the Third: Part 5 ‒ Episode 15
"Perhaps the story of Lupin and Fujiko's relationship will be the real central storyline of Lupin the Third: Part 5."
Suikoden V Illustrator Kaori Fujita Passes Away at 47
Fujita collaborated with author Hiroshi Ishizaki on Kuromajyo-san ga Tōru!! children's books
― The official website of Kodansha's Aoi Tori Bunko label announced on Tuesday that illustrator Kaori Fujita passed away on July 13 at 6:45 a.m. due to pancreatic cancer. She was 47 years old. The announcement said that Fujita had been battling the disease for half a year while continuing to draw. The site in...
Live-Action Bleach Film's New Video Narrated by Anime's Lead Voice Actor Masakazu Morita
Film's N. American premiere to be held in New York on July 28
― Warner Bros. began streaming a special video for the live-action film of Tite Kubo's Bleach manga on Wednesday. Voice actor Masakazu Morita, the voice actor for protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki in the Bleach anime, narrates the video. The film will open in Japan on July 20, and will have its North American premiere with two screenings on July...
Hiroyuki Ohashi's 'Ongaku' Anime Launches Crowdfunding to Finish Film
Project seeks to raise 3.5 million yen to finish, edit film
― Hiroyuki Ohashi launched a crowdfunding campaign on the Makuake website for the anime film adaptation of his "Ongaku" manga on Wednesday. The campaign seeks to raise 3.5 million yen (about US$31,000) to finish and edit the film by next year. The campaign will end on September 28. Backer rewards include a 32-page side story for the original...
Live-Action Kyō Kara Ore wa!! Reveals 4 Cast Visuals
Live-action series adapts Hiroyuki Nishimori's manga
― The official website for the live-action television series of Hiroyuki Nishimori's Kyou Kara Ore Wa!! gag comedy manga revealed a main visual and four cast visuals for the series on Wednesday. The main visual (seen below) evokes a similar illustration by Nishimori. The four main cast members with new visuals include: Kento Kaku as Takashi Mitsuha...
2018 Pokémon Film Opens at #2
Rainbow Days drops to #6, Anpanman to #7, Detective Conan stays at #8
― Gekijōban Pocket Monster: Minna no Monogatari (Pokémon the Movie: Everyone's Story), the 21st film in the Pokémon franchise, opened on July 13 in 364 theaters in Japan, and it ranked #2 in its opening weekend. The film sold 440,000 tickets and earned 500 million yen (about US$4.42 million). The film earned 3.1% less than the open...
Tuesday, July 17
Manga Explores Author's Experience With Panic Disorder
Kadokawa released the first and only volume for Ayumi Sakurakawa's Panikuru!? Panic Shōgai, "Aseranai!" ga Kiku Kusuri (Panic!? Panic Disorder, Effective Medicine for "Keep Your Cool"), an autobiographical essay manga about the author's experience with panic disorder, on Friday. The manga launched in Kadokawa's Comic Flapper magazine in December. According to the American Psychological Association...
Touken Ranbu Stage Musical Actor's Paris Performance Was Voice-Only Due to Surgery
Actor Ryō Kitazono diagnosed with retinal detachment, underwent surgery in Paris
― The official website of the Touken Ranbu stage musicals announced on Saturday that actor Ryō Kitazono was diagnosed with retinal detachment and had to undergo surgery in Paris. Due to the surgery, he did not take the stage as the character Kogitsunemaru during the performance of the Touken Ranbu - Atsukashiyama Ibun st...
CLAMP Art Takes Center Stage for New Code Geass Merch
The Newtype Anime Market store has a whole section dedicated to Code Geass merchandise. The store recently stocked six new items, all featuring original character artwork by CLAMP. The items include wall scrolls, prints, and canvas artwork. The wall scrolls retail for 5,400 yen (US$48), the canvas prints for 7,020 yen (US$62), and the prints for 15,120 yen (US$134). Print Wall Scrolls Canvas Art ...
Mary and the Witch's Flower English Dub Streams on Netflix
Studio Ponoc's 1st film opened last July in Japan
― The English dub Studio Ponoc and Hiromasa Yonebayashi's Mary and The Witch's Flower anime film is now streaming on Netflix in the United States. GKIDS and Fathom Events opened the anime in U.S. theaters on January 18. The film had earned US$1,167,431 on its January 18 opening day, and ranked #3 on that day's box office. The film earned US$1.9 millio...
Kamikaze Kaitō Jeanne, Sakigake!! Otoko Juku Creators Team Up for Salad Manga
Acclaimed manga creators Arina Tanemura and Akira Miyashita aren't two names you'd usually stick together. Tanemura is known for her shōjo titles like Phantom Thief Jeanne, Time Stranger Kyoko, and Full Moon O Sagashite. Miyashita, on the other hand, is renown for Sakigake!! Otoko Juku, a manga focusing on juvenile delinquents beating the crap out of each other. Yet, both creators came together fo...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, July 15-21
Alice & Zoroku, Long Riders, Nanbaka anime; The Bride & the Exorcist Knight, Hanger manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Alice & Zoroku BD/DVDPlease Funimation Entertainment US$64.98 July 17 Granblue Fantasy The Animation Volume 2 BDCite Aniplex of America US$99.98 July 17 Long Riders BDAnimeNewsNetwork Sentai Filmworks US$59.98 July 17 Monster Hunter Stories Ride O...
Polar Bear in Love's Seal Stars in 2 Live-Action Movie Posters
One polar bear's unrequited love for a seal reached new heights this week. Koromo's A Polar Bear in Love (Koisuru Shirokuma) manga and petit anime is collaborating with the live-action films Minus 21℃ (English title: 6 Below: Miracle on the Mountain) and Wind River. The visuals show the adorable seal shivering in a world of white snow. Minus 21℃ opens in theaters in Japan on July 21 after previous...
My Hero Academia: One's Justice Game's Subtitled Previews Battle, Story Mode
Game launches on October 26 in the West
― Bandai Namco Entertainment America began streaming an English-subtitled features and story trailer for My Hero One's Justice (My Hero Academia: One's Justice) on Tuesday. The video previews the battle system, including destructible stages and the "sidekick" system, as well as the story mode, which has a "hero side" and a "villain side." It also shows the miss...
Saburouta's Citrus Manga Ends on August 18
Manga inspired 12-episode series that premiered on January 6
― This year's September issue of Ichijinsha's Comic Yuri Hime magazine revealed on Wednesday that Saburouta's Citrus yuri manga will end in the magazine's October issue, which will ship on August 18. Seven Seas is publishing the manga in North America, and it describes the story: Yuzuko Aihara, a high school girl whose main interests are fa...
Love Live! Sunshine!!'s Chika Arms Herself for Granblue Fantasy Collab
Futari wa Precure collab also upcoming
― The official website for Cygames' Granblue Fantasy smartphone game announced on Sunday that all members of the Love Live! Sunshine!! idol group Aqours will appear in the game for a collaboration event this August. The art for Chika Takami, complete with sword and shield, is already out. The game staff also announced an upcoming collaboration event for Futari w...
Netflix Acquires Live-Action Jin-Roh Film
S. Korean remake of anime film opened in June
― Variety reported on Tuesday that Netflix has acquired streaming rights to Illang: The Wolf Brigade, Kim Jee-woon's live-action film of Hiroyuki Okiura and Production I.G's Jin-Roh - The Wolf Brigade anime film, outside of Korea. Netflix has not yet revealed a release date. The film opened in South Korea and Japan on July 25. Filming took place from Augu...
HIDIVE to Stream The Life of Budori Gusko Anime Film
Dub, subtitles to debut on Saturday
― HIDIVE announced on Monday that it will stream the 2012 The Life of Budori Gusko (Guskō Budori no Denki) anime film on July 21 at 1:00 p.m. EDT. HIDIVE confirmed with ANN that it will have both the English dub and the Japanese version with subtitles. The stream will be available in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, and other s...
This Week in Anime - Did FLCL Progressive Live Up to its Predecessor?
FLCL Progressive came to an end last weekend, and fans are still divided on the results. This week, Nick and Steve parse their gut feelings on this highly anticipated sequel.
― FLCL Progressive came to an end last weekend, and fans are still divided on the results. This week, Nick and Steve parse their gut feelings on this highly anticipated sequel. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the...
Series Premiere: Holmes of Kyoto—Episodes 1-2
"Holmes of Kyoto is working toward a winning formula, with episodic mysteries that advance the overall plot and characters."
Series Premiere: Hanebado!—Episodes 1-3
"If you were anticipating Hanebado! specifically for the promise of intense drama, it might deliver even more strongly than you may expect."
Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, July 9-15
Gundam The Origin VI sells 8,165, followed by Yo-kai Watch Shadowside film, Precure Super Stars! film, Impossibility Defense film & drama, Kyuranger Final Live Tour
― The DVD Regular Edition for the live-action film of the Impossibility Defense manga landed at #25 on the overall DVD chart with 820 copies. The dTV original drama tie-in was #36 with 569 copies. "Uchū Sentai Kyuranger Final Live Tour 20...
Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, July 9-15
Gundam The Origin VI sells 29,856, followed by [email protected] Cinderella Girls concert, Love Live! Sunshine!!, Granrodeo, Precure Super Stars! film
― "The [email protected] Cinderella Girls 5th Live Tour Serendipity Parade!!! @ Shizuoka" sold 11,596 copies to rank #4 on the overall Blu-ray Disc chart. "Granrodeo Live 2017 G12 Rock☆Show"/"Granrodeo Live 2017 G7 Rock☆Show" landed at #9 with 2,328 copies. The Blu-...
Risa Itou Launches Oruchuban Ebichu Manga Sequel After 11 Years
Original hamster comedy manga ended in 2007, inspired Gainax anime
― This year's 15th issue of Futabasha's Manga Action magazine revealed on Tuesday that manga creator Risa Itou will launch Oruchuban Ebichu Chu~, a new Oruchuban Ebichu manga sequel, in the magazine's 17th issue on August 7. The manga will be the first new manga in the franchise since the original manga ended 11 years ago in 2007. As ...
Shonen Jump Issue Posted for Free for Limited Time Due to Flooding in Japan
Shueisha posts last week's issue due to delivery problems after record rainfall
― The official website of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed on Tuesday that the site has made a digital version of this year's 32nd issue available online for free from Tuesday to July 31. The announcement explained that Shueisha made the issue free as an "emergency measure" for those who were not able to pu...
Mob Psycho 100 Sequel Stage Play Reveals 4 Cast Visuals
Play runs in September
― The official website for the stage play based on ONE's Mob Psycho 100 manga revealed visuals of four cast members in costume as their characters on Tuesday: Setsuo Ito as Shigeo "Mob" Kageyama (Ito previously played the character in the manga's television anime adaptation) Gaku Matsumoto as Ritsu Kageyama Yūta Hoshino as Hikaru Tokugawa Takeshi Nadagi is similarly reprising h...
Galaxy Express 999's Maetel Appears in Live-Action Gintama 2 Net Series
Mizuki Yamamoto plays iconic character from Leiji Matsumoto manga
― The official Twitter account for the tie-in live-action Gintama 2: Yo ni mo Kimyō na Gintama-chan show announced on Tuesday that the character Maetel from Leiji Matsumoto's Galaxy Express 999 manga will appear in the show. Mizuki Yamamoto is playing the character. Galaxy Express 999 recently inspired its own live-action television ad...
Granblue Fantasy Project Re: Link Game Gets Localized in 5 Languages
Cygames, Platinum Games' project to be localized in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish
― Games website Gematsu confirmed with game developer Cygames on Monday that Granblue Fantasy Project Re:LINK, Cygames and Platinum Games' PlayStation 4 game based on Cygames' Granblue Fantasy smartphone game, will be localized in English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. However, Cygames emphasized tha...
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