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The List - 6 Pieces of Attack on Titan Merchandise That No One Asked For
Attack on Titan is a global phenomenon, but as with any giant media franchise that generates a ton of merchandise, there's bound to be some duds. Here are some fun ones!
― When any piece of media hits its popularity zenith, you can expect all kinds of merchandise to come out of the woodwork to capitalize on its fanbase. If you watch the Star Wars episode of Netflix's The Toys That Made Us you can se...
The Spring 2019 Anime Preview Guide
The Spring 2019 Anime Preview Guide returns with impressions of this season's new English dubs!
Available Now: Sarazanmai - Mix - Midnight Occult Civil Servants - AFTERLOST - Kono Oto Tomare! - Fairy gone - Strike Witches - Robihachi - YU-NO - Isekai Quartet - The Wiseman's Grandchild - The Helpful Fox Senko-san ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Spring 2019 Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our tea...
Available Now: Sarazanmai - Mix - Midnight Occult Civil Servants - AFTERLOST - Kono Oto Tomare! - Fairy gone - Strike Witches - Robihachi - YU-NO - Isekai Quartet - The Wiseman's Grandchild - The Helpful Fox Senko-san ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Spring 2019 Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our tea...
Kitaro's Yokai Battles GN
Fans of the new Gegege no Kitaro reboot should be sure to check out this fascinating volume of stories that inspired many of the remake's best episodes. Rebecca Silverman has the details.
― While a new volume of Drawn&Quarterly's curated collection of stories from Shigeru Mizuki's GeGeGe no Kitaro series is always interesting, this particular book, Kitaro's Yokai Battles, may be of particular interes...
OTAQUEST LIVE brings a stacked lineup of Japanese musical acts to Los Angeles this July!
OTAQUEST LIVE is returning to Los Angeles on July 3, and some of Japan's biggest names in music are coming along for the ride!
― OTAQUEST LIVE is returning to Los Angeles on July 3, 2019 and some of Japan's biggest names in music are coming along for the ride! This one-night-only event highlights a stacked lineup the likes of which won't be found anywhere in the world, not even in Japan! You won't w...
DARLING in the FRANXX Part 1 Limited Edition BD+DVD
This controversial mecha series from A-1 Pictures and Studio Trigger has finally arrived in a special edition loaded with extras. Theron Martin has the details in our full review.
― This 24-episode original anime production debuted in the winter 2018 and quickly became one of the most controversial titles of the last couple years. In this case, the controversy was not over blatantly objectionable con...
Karin Takahashi, Reina Ueda, More Join Cast of Dr. Stone Anime
Kengo Kawanishi, Mugihito also join cast for July anime
― This year's 26th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed four more cast members for the television anime adaptation of Riichirou Inagaki and Boichi's Dr. Stone manga on Monday. Karin Takahashi as Suika Reina Ueda as Ruri Kengo Kawanishi as Gen Mugihito as Kaseki The magazine also revealed the character designs for Suika. (ANN ...
Goblin Slayer: Goblin's Crown Theatrical Anime's Teaser Reveals 2020 Release
Promo video streamed with English narration
― The "Goblin Slayer Special Event: Guild Party 2019" event for the Goblin Slayer franchise announced on Sunday that the Goblin Slayer: Goblin's Crown theatrical anime episode will open in nine Japanese theaters in 2020. A teaser promotional video is streaming with English narration, and it confirms that the episode will feature a returning staff and cast. ...
Kojicast Sues Funimation Over Alleged Patent Infringment for Media Casting
Kojicast alleges it owns patent for stream syncing method
― The Kojicast company filed a lawsuit against Funimation on April 24 in the eastern district of Texas, alleging that Funimation's FunimationNow streaming service infringes on Kojicast's patent. Kojicast references its "Media Asset Streaming Over Network to Devices" patent (U.S. Patent No. 9,073,683), which describes a method that allows users...
'Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks?' Anime's 3rd Character Video Previews Porta
Sayumi Suzushiro voices character in series premiering in July
― The official website for the television anime of writer Dachima Inaka and illustrator Pochi Iida's Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks? (Tsūjō Kōgeki ga Zentai Kōgeki de Ni-kai Kōgeki no Okā-san wa Suki desuka?) light novel series began streaming a character video on Sunday for Porta. The site previously streamed c...
Square Enix Announces Star Ocean First Departure R Game for PS4, Switch
Game is HD port of Star Ocean First Departure PSP remake game
― Square Enix announced on Saturday that it will release Star Ocean First Departure R, an HD port with new features of its Star Ocean First Departure remake game, for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. Enix released the first Star Ocean game for the Super Famicom in 1996, and then Square Enix released Star Ocean First Departure as a re...
Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes Game Gets Release on PS4, PC
Game launched for Switch on January 18
― Game designer and Grasshopper Manufacture founder Goichi "Suda51" Suda announced at the MomoCon event on Saturday that the Travis Strikes Back: No More Heroes game is getting a release on PlayStation 4 and PC (via Steam). Suda51 had teased earlier this month that he would be making an announcement at the convention. The game launched on the Nintendo Switch in ...
Discotek Licenses Kemono Friends, Honey & Clover, Ayakashi, Sorcerer Hunters Anime
Also: company licenses Lupin III: the Last Job special, Kemono Friends gets dub
― Discotek announced at its panel at the Anime North convention on Saturday that it has licensed the following anime: Kemono Friends (first season) Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales Sorcerer Hunters (series and OVA) Lupin III: the Last Job special Honey and Clover (both seasons) Discotek will release Kemono Friends: The Comp...
Bath House PR Anime Collaboration with Osamu Tezuka's Phoneix Streams Prologue, Episode 1
Pony Canyon released the prologue and first episode of the Dogo Onsen hot spring bath house collaboration anime with Osamu Tezuka's Phoenix on Thursday. The anime is part of a revitalization project for the Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture bath house that began on January 15. The prologue shows two gods Ōoku Ninushi (played Takeshi Tsuruno) and Sukuna Hikona (played by Suzuko Mori) encountering the pho...
Former Dragon Ball Editor Kazuhiko Torishima Comments on Dragon Ball Evolution
'Knowing what I know now of Hollywood, we should have paid the 5 billion yen to have veto powers over the script.'
― Kazuhiko Torishima is the representative director of the Hakusensha publishing company. Before that, however, he worked at Shueisha and was Akira Toriyama's editor during Dr. Slump and the first half of Dragon Ball. On April 23, he held a lecture at Bunka Gakuen University in Tokyo whe...
'Which CLAMP Series Did You Start With' Hashtag Trends on Twitter
The hashtag #あなたのCLAMPはどこから ("Which CLAMP series did you start with") has been trending on Twitter since its creation on Thursday. It has even come to the attention of various voice actors who have worked on CLAMP anime adaptations, who have been reflecting on their early memories. Voice actress Megumi Ogata, who was herself cast in multiple CLAMP anime adaptations, tweeted: "Magic Knight Rayearth...
A Certain Scientific Accelerator Anime Reveals More Cast, July 12 Premiere
Sayumi Watabe, Nozomi Sasaki, Yuko Kaida, Ryota Ohsaka, Ayumi Mano join cast
― The official website for the television anime of A Certain Scientific Accelerator (Toaru Majutsu no Index Gaiden: Toaru Kagaku no Accelerator) manga revealed more cast members and the July 12 premiere date for the anime on Saturday. The newly announced cast members are: Sayumi Watabe as Kato Nozomi Sasaki as Sisters Yuko K...
Watch Animator Toshiyuki Inoue Dissect His Drawing Techniques on Maquia
P.A. Works posted a video on Friday showing Maquia - When the Promised Flower Blooms main animator Toshiyuki Inoue's commentary on one of the cuts from the film. Cut 144 from the B part of the film shows the heroine being startled by a dragon (called a Renato in the film) abruptly crashing into the water. As the commentary explains, the cut has many details that weren't in the storyboards that add...
The List - 6 Pieces of Attack on Titan Merchandise That No One Asked For
Attack on Titan is a global phenomenon, but as with any giant media franchise that generates a ton of merchandise, there's bound to be some duds. Here are some fun ones!
― When any piece of media hits its popularity zenith, you can expect all kinds of merchandise to come out of the woodwork to capitalize on its fanbase. If you watch the Star Wars episode of Netflix's The Toys That Made Us you can se...
Adult Swim's Toonami to Run Gundam: The Origin Starting on July 6
2nd part of Attack on Titan Season 3 premieres on Saturday
― The official Facebook account for Adult Swim's Toonami block announced on Friday that the block will start running the Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin anime on July 6 in the United States. The anime project adapts Yoshikazu Yasuhiko's manga of the same name, which in turn is inspired by the first Mobile Suit Gundam anime's story. Yasuhiko de...
Hello World Original Anime Film's 1st Special Video Streamed
"Sci-fi love story" film by Sword Art Online director Tomohiko Ito opens in Japan on September 20
― The official Twitter account for Hello World, the original anime film by director Tomohiko Ito and Graphinica, began streaming the first special video for the film on Friday. The film will open in Japan on September 20, and stars: Minami Hamabe as Ruri Ichigyō, Naomi's classmate and fellow library comm...
Hōkago Saikoro Club Anime's Teaser Promo Video Reveals Takaya Kuroda as Shop Owner
Anime centers on girls who play tabletop board games
― The official website for the television anime of Hirō Nakamichi's Hōkago Saikoro Club (Afterschool Dice Club) manga began streaming a teaser promotional video for the series on Saturday. The above video and the website also revealed that Takaya Kuroda will voice the shop owner Takeru Kinjō. The anime stars: Saki Miyashita as Miki Marika Kōno as A...
'Say I love you' Manga Creator Kanae Hazuki Launches 'Gokigenyō, Koharu-san' Manga in June
Manga centers on 19-year-old who works at maid cafe, live streams at home
― The June issue of Kodansha's Dessert magazine revealed on Friday that Kanae Hazuki will launch a new manga titled Gokigenyō, Koharu-san (Good Day, Koharu) in the magazine's next issue on June 24. The manga will launch with two chapters. The manga's story centers on 19-year-old Koharu, whose days are occupied by working at a m...
Suu Morishita Launches New Yubisaki to Renren Manga This Summer
Shortcake Cake artist launched 2 new manga last November, December
― The June issue of Kodansha's Dessert magazine revealed on Friday that Suu Morishita will launch a new manga titled Yubisaki to Renren in the magazine this summer. Morishita posted a preview image of the manga on Twitter on Friday. 本日発売のデザートにラフですが予告が出ましたのでお知らせです。夏頃スタートの予定なので、またお知らせします🌻雑誌が変わりますが、よろしくお願いいたします。#デザート#新連載#ゆびさきと恋々 pic.twit...
New Gundam Wing G-UNIT Manga Launches in June
Koichi Tokita's original manga ran in 1997-1998
― The July issue of Kadokawa's Gundam Ace magazine revealed on Saturday that Koichi Tokita will launch a new manga for his New Mobile Report Gundam W Dual Story: G-UNIT manga series tentatively titled Shin Kidō Senki Gundam W G-Unit in the magazine's next issue on June 26. Tokita posted an announcement for the manga on Twitter on Saturday. 本日発売月刊ガンダムエース...
Crunchyroll Expo Hosts Animation Director, Character Designer Terumi Nishii
San Jose event takes place on August 30-September 1
― Crunchyroll Expo announced on Friday that it will host animation director Terumi Nishii at the event. Nishii is an animation director and character designer, and she also draws the Crown of Ouroboros manga. She has worked as a character designer on such anime as Penguindrum, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable, Knights of the Zodiac: ...
The Chef Manga Artist Tadashi Katō Passes Away
Author also drew Satellite no Niji, Ron-sensei no Mishimegane manga in 1970s
― Publisher Nihonbungeisha announced on Friday that manga creator Tadashi Katō passed away of an illness on October 15, 2017. According to Nihonbungeisha, it was Katō's family's wish to hold off on announcing his passing until now. Katō drew the three-volume Satellite no Niji manga in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1976, and also dre...
Anime Expo Hosts Capcom's Yoshinori Ono, Nekopara's Sayori, Nekopara TV Anime Premiere
Event to screen 1st episode of Nekopara TV series
― The official website for the Anime Expo convention announced on Friday that it will host Street Fighter game series executive producer Yoshinori Ono and Nekopara illustrator and creator Sayori at this year's event. Ono has more than 25 years of experience at Capcom, and he has worked on such franchises as Onimusha and Monster Hunter in addition to S...
Emma: A Victorian Romance Anime's English Dub Casts Martin Billany as Al
Tara Tisch, Erica Schroeder also join cast
― Right Stuf's Nozomi Entertainment label revealed on Twitter on Friday that Martin Billany will voice Al the new English dub of the Emma: A Victorian Romance anime. The company also revealed on May 3 that Tara Tisch will voice Vivi and announced on April 12 Erica Schroeder will voice Kelly Stownar. Other dub cast members include: British voice actress Eilee...
Godzilla: King of the Monsters Film's 'Final Look' Video Streamed
Sequel film opens on May 31
― Warner Bros. Pictures began streaming an "exclusive final look" video for Legendary Pictures' Godzilla sequel film Godzilla: King of the Monsters on Friday. Warner Bros. UK is also streaming a new commercial for the film. The film was originally slated for March 22, but is now scheduled to open on May 31. The film will also open in Japan on May 31. Kyle Chandler, Vera Fa...
Funimation Changes Delay Time for Subtitled Version of Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 2 Anime
New episodes will now debut on Sundays at 9:45 p.m. EDT
― Funimation announced on Friday that it received an update from its licensor of Attack on Titan, and will stream subtitled episodes of the second part of the Attack on Titan Season 3 anime on Sundays at 9:45 p.m. EDT starting this Sunday. Funimation had stated on Thursday that it would delay the episodes worldwide from Sundays at 1:35 p.m. EDT ...
Tōko Miura to Sing Radwimps' Theme Song for Makoto Shinkai's Weathering With You Film
Film's soundtrack with 5 vocal songs, 27 background songs ships on July 19
― The official website for Makoto Shinkai's new anime film Weathering With You (Tenki no Ko) announced on Saturday that Tōko Miura will sing Radwimps' theme song for the film. Miura won a nearly year-long audition process to be the vocalist for the song. The film will open in Japan on July 19. Shinkai confirmed that the film w...
One Piece Stampede Film Reveals More Guest Cast Members
Naoto Takenaka voices character in 3rd One Piece film
― The official website for the One Piece franchise revealed more guest cast members on Saturday for the One Piece Stampede anime film. Naoto Takenaka will return to voice a character for the third time in a One Piece film. Takenaka previously voiced Shiki in One Piece Film Strong World and Double Down and White Jack in One Piece Film Gold. The sit...
Crunchyroll Adds Subtitled FLCL Progressive, FLCL Alternative Anime Series
2 sequel series debut with English dub on Toonami in June, September 2018
― Crunchyroll began streaming the FLCL Progressive and FLCL Alternative anime series on Friday worldwide outside of Asia. Both shows are available with subtitles only. The company describes FLCL Progressive: FLCL: Progressive tells the story of 14-year-old Hidomi, her classmate Ide, and two otherworldly beings, “Jinyu” and “Har...
Azoland Pictures to Screen 5th Aqours Concert in U.S., Canada in June
Screenings in U.S. start on June 22, screening in Canada to be held on June 29
― Azoland Pictures announced on Friday that it will screen the "Love Live! Sunshine!! Aqours 5th LoveLive! ~Next SPARKLING!!~" concert in theaters in the United States starting on June 22. The company will also screen the concert in Canada on June 29 only. Aqours will perform their fifth concert in Saitama on June 8 and 9....
Witch Hat Atelier Manga's 5th Volume Bundles Original Card Game
The limited edition fifth volume of Kamome Shirahama's award-nominated manga Witch Hat Atelier bundles an original card game. The card game blends elements from the manga's story with rules from the card game "Love Letter." The popular card game can be played with two to eight players. The goal is to deliver a love letter to a princess with the help of collaborators. Z-Man games has localized the ...
Watch Fairy Tail Creator Hiro Mashima Draw Kirin Brewery's Beast Symbol
The Japanese brewery Kirin Company shares its name with a legendary creature. The company mascot is a Chinese mythological beast ("qilin"), commonly described as a single-horned, colorful creature with an amalgamation of other animal parts. The creature now lends its name to a real-life animal; the giraffe. Kirin Beer has featured the mythological creature as part of its label since 1888 although ...
Final Fantasy XIV Game's 'Shadowbringers' Expansion Videos Streamed
MMORPG surpasses 16 million registered users worldwide
― Square Enix began streaming a benchmark trailer and job actions video for the Shadowbringers" expansion for the Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn MMORPG on Friday. Square Enix also announced on Friday that Final Fantasy XIV Online has surpassed 16 million registered users worldwide. The game had reachec 14 million registered accounts worldwide,...
Uniqlo's Pokémon Design Contest's Grand Prize Winner Disqualified
Winner's Gyarados design was previously sold as phone cases
― The first place winner of Uniqlo's UT GRAND PRIX 2019 (UTGP) Pokémon t-shirt design contest was disqualified after it was found the same design was previously used for a phone case sold by online retailer TaoBao. Grand prize winner Li Wen Pei's design showed the Magikarp and Gyarados in a mosaic-like style. The rules of the contest stated ...
Nichijou Anime's Video Reveals English Dub Cast
Funimation releases series on BD, digitally on July 23
― Funimation revealed the English dub cast of the Nichijou - My Ordinary Life anime on Friday. The company began streaming a dub clip that previews Monica Rial as Nano Shinonome and Jad Saxton as Hakase Shinonome. Funimation will release the series on Blu-ray Disc and digitally with the English dub and subtitles on July 23. Kyoto Animation's 26-e...
Sazae-san Sequel Stage Play Reveals Visual, Additional Cast
Manatsu Akimoto, Kyōko Saitō join cast of play marking anime's 50th anniversary
― The official Twitter account for the new stage play adaptation of the Sazae-san anime revealed the main visual and additional cast on Friday. Nogizaka46 idol group member Manatsu Akimoto and Hinatazaka46 member Kyōko Saitō are double cast as Wakame. Previously revealed cast members include: Norika Fujiwara as Sazae Ryūj...
The Spring 2019 Anime Preview Guide
The Spring 2019 Anime Preview Guide returns with impressions of this season's new English dubs!
Available Now: Sarazanmai - Mix - Midnight Occult Civil Servants - AFTERLOST - Kono Oto Tomare! - Fairy gone - Strike Witches - Robihachi - YU-NO - Isekai Quartet - The Wiseman's Grandchild - The Helpful Fox Senko-san ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Spring 2019 Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our tea...
Available Now: Sarazanmai - Mix - Midnight Occult Civil Servants - AFTERLOST - Kono Oto Tomare! - Fairy gone - Strike Witches - Robihachi - YU-NO - Isekai Quartet - The Wiseman's Grandchild - The Helpful Fox Senko-san ― Welcome to Anime News Network's Spring 2019 Preview Guide! Here's how it goes: our tea...
IGN: Catherine: Full Body Game's English Release Changes Deadname Credits
Additional dialogue involving trans character may also be changed
― Atlus USA's release of Catherine: Full Body will include some changes to the game's credit sequence and in-game dialogue to remove transphobic comments by the characters, according to a recent review by IGN's Casey Defreitas. The original Catherine game released in 2011 included a trans character named Erica. In the game's credits Er...
Wise Man's Grandchild ‒ Episode 7
"What I initially liked about this show – its low-key approach to basic isekai tropes – has proven not to be particularly sustainable in the long run."
Voice Actress Megumi Ogata Describes Sexual Harassment Incident at Tokyo Bar District
Voice actress Megumi Ogata tweeted on Thursday about a sexual harassment experience she had recently experienced while walking through the Golden Gai district in Tokyo, which is famous for its bars and night life. 今。ゴールデン街を歩いていて。見知らぬゲイの人に、すれ違いざま胸を掴まれ「ゲイだと思ったのにビアンなんだ」と言われたよ?(一緒に歩いていた女性Pとは勿論何も無い飲み友達)私個人は、LGBT、何の偏見もない。だけどこの行為自体、セクハラでしょ。問題は個々人だと、そろそろマジ認識すべき。— 緒方恵美@6/6B.D.Live (@Megumi_Ogata) May 22, 2...
Live-Action Akira Film Opens on May 21, 2021
Taika Waititi directs film set to shoot in California
― Warner Bros. announced on Friday that its live-action Akira film will open on May 21, 2021. Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok, Boy, Hunt for the Wilderpeople) is directing the film. Waititi said in an interview in April 2018 that he planned to adapt the original manga as opposed to the anime film adaptation. The California Film Commission revealed i...
Sonic the Hedgehog Film Delayed to February
Director Jeff Fowler confirms Sonic redesign causes delay from November
― Jeff Fowler, the director of Paramount Pictures' Sonic the Hedgehog film, revealed on Twitter on Friday that the film has been delayed to February 14, 2020. Fowler said in the tweet that staff are "Taking a little more time to make Sonic just right." The film was previously scheduled to open in the United States on November 8, ...
Black Clover ‒ Episode 84
"The most important story conflicts may have been dealt with already, but the Royal Knights exams still have one heck of a climactic battle up their sleeve with the final match."
Symphogear TV Anime's Season 5 Reveals Key, Character Visuals
Series premieres in July with returning cast, staff
― The official website for Senki Zesshō Symphogear XV, the upcoming fifth season of the Symphogear anime, opened and revealed a key visual and visuals for six characters on Friday. Aoi Yūki as Hibiki Tachibana Nana Mizuki as Tsubasa Kazanari Ayahi Takagaki as Chris Yukine Yōko Hikasa as Maria Cadenzavna Eve Yoshino Nanjō as Shirabe Tsukuyomi Ai Kaya...
Kitaro's Yokai Battles GN
Fans of the new Gegege no Kitaro reboot should be sure to check out this fascinating volume of stories that inspired many of the remake's best episodes. Rebecca Silverman has the details.
― While a new volume of Drawn&Quarterly's curated collection of stories from Shigeru Mizuki's GeGeGe no Kitaro series is always interesting, this particular book, Kitaro's Yokai Battles, may be of particular interes...
Gundam The Origin MSD Cucuruz Doan's Island Manga Ends
5th volume of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin spinoff ships in August
― The July issue of Kadokawa's Gundam Ace magazine published the final chapter of Junji Ōno's Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin MSD: Cucuruz Doan no Shima (Mobile Suit Gundam The Origin MSD: Cucuruz Doan's Island) manga on Saturday. The manga's fifth compiled book volume will ship this August. The manga is a spinoff of Yoshikazu Yasuhik...
Min Ayahana's Red Riding Hood Cha Cha N Manga Ends in July
Relaunch of classic shōjo series takes place in Tokyo
― The July issue of Shueisha's Cookie magazine revealed on Saturday that Min Ayahana will end her shōjo fantasy comedy manga Red Riding Hood Cha Cha N (Akazukin Cha Cha N) in the magazine's September issue on July 26. Ayahana launched the manga as a relaunch of her well-known Red Riding Hood Cha Cha (Akazukin Cha Cha) manga in June 2012 — 12 years...
Human Lost Anime Film Gets Manga Adaptation (Updated)
Ryūsuke Takashiro draws manga launching on June 25
― The July issue of Kodansha's Afternoon magazine revealed on Saturday that the Human Lost 3D CG anime film will get a manga adaptation that will launch in the magazine's August issue on June 25. Ryūsuke Takashiro is credited with the art, MAGNET and Slow Curve are credited with the original work, based on Osamu Dazai's No Longer Human novel. The fir...
Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet Complete Edition Game Launches for Switch in August
Trailer previews August 8 launch in Japan, August 9 launch in West
― Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on Friday that the Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet Complete Edition game will launch for Nintendo Switch in Japan on August 8. Bandai Namco Entertainment America also announced that it will release the game on August 9. A Japanese trailer began streaming to preview the release. The "Complete Editi...
Cencoroll Connect Film Screening's Trailer Previews Supercell Song
June 29 screening includes 1st Cencoroll short, Cencoroll 2 sequel
― The official website for Cencoroll Connect, a special joint screening of director Atsuya Uki's first Cencoroll film short and Cencoroll 2 sequel, began streaming a trailer on Friday. The video previews supercell's theme song "LOVE & ROLL." 6月29日(土)公開『「 #センコロール コネクト』本予告を公開しましたポストカードサイズ前売券、TOWER RECORDSバンドルチケット発売中ですぜひ劇場でご覧ください!本予告 視聴は...
Judgment Game's Videos Highlight Matthew Mercer, Crispin Freeman
Mercer plays Kuroiwa, Freeman plays Kaito in June 25 PS4 game
― Sega began streaming two new English videos for its Judgment (Judge Eyes: Shinigami no Yuigon) PlayStation 4 game on Thursday. The video highlights voice actors Matthew Mercer and Crispin Freeman, who voice the characters Mitsuru Kuroiwa and Masaharu Kaito. The game will launch in the West as previously scheduled on June 25. The game shi...
Granbelm Original Anime Reveals TV Ad, 5 More Cast Members
Yumi Uchiyama, Yukari Tamura, more join cast for July anime
― The official website for the Granbelm original anime series began streaming a 15-second ad on Friday, and also revealed five more cast members. The new cast members include: Juri Kimura as Nana Rin Nozomi Kasuga as Mimi Rin Marika Kōno as Claire Fugo Yumi Uchiyama as Sasha Yukari Tamura as Shisui Tsuchimikado The show's first 10 minutes st...
The Brave-Tuber Manga Gets Anime Shorts on Anime Beans App
Seven Seas to release manga about fantasy world with Internet in English
― The &CAST!!! app announced on Friday that Takahito Oosaki and Ikuro's The Brave-Tuber (Haishin Yūsha) manga is inspiring a series of anime shorts that will stream on both &CAST!!! and Production I.G's Anime Beans app. 20 performers from &CAST!!!'s &CAST!!! Hour Love Yell! program who are young voice actors will voice character...
Ayane Sakura, Junta Terashima Join Cast of Kono Oto Tomare!: Sounds of Life Anime
Voice actors play members of rival koto club
― The official website for the television anime of Amyū's Kono Oto Tomare! (Stop This Sound!) manga announced two more cast members for the series on Friday. The two cast members will play members of a rival koto club at Tokize High School. Ayane Sakura as Kazusa Ōtori Junta Terashima as Ōsuke Kiryū The anime will air for two cours or two quarters of a yea...
Human Lost Anime Film's Clip Reveals 2 More Cast Members
Miyuki Sawashiro, Haruka Chisuga join cast in film premiering this year
― The official website for the Human Lost 3D CG anime film began streaming a new clip from the film on Friday. The clip reveals that Miyuki Sawashiro will play Madam (pictured first below), and Haruka Chisuga will play Tsuneko (pictured second below). Madam is the owner of the bar Melos where Yozo is a freeloader, and Tsuneko wor...
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night Game's Ad Previews Gameplay
Game debuts for PS4, Xbox One, PC on June 18; Switch on June 25
― The official YouTube channel for Koji Igarashi's Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night game began streaming a commercial for the game on Thursday. The video shows more gameplay footage. The game will launch for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam and GOG on June 18. The game will then launch for Nintendo Switch on June 25. Bloodstain...
Jump Force Game's Trailer Previews Biscuit Kreuger
Character available as DLC alongside Seto Kaiba, All Might on May 28
― Bandai Namco Entertainment America began streaming a trailer for its Jump Force crossover fighting game on Thursday. The trailer highlights the character Biscuit Kreuger from Hunter x Hunter. The character will be available as a DLC character on May 28, and will release for those who have the game's character pass on Friday. The g...
Samurai Shodown Game's Video Highlights Yashamaru
Fighting game launches for PS4, Xbox One in West in June
― SNK began streaming a video for its new Samurai Shodown (Samurai Spirits) game on Thursday. The trailer highlights Yashamaru, one of the characters new to the franchise. The game will launch for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in Japan on June 27, and in the West in June. The Nintendo Switch and PC versions will follow in winter 2019. The arcade v...
Japan's Animation TV Ranking, May 13-19
Natsuzora's latest episode earns 23.2% rating
― The latest episode of the Natsuzora live-action series about the early Japanese animation industry aired on NHK on Wednesday, May 15 at 8:00 a.m. and earned a 23.2% rating. The latest episode of the live-action series adaptation of Tomohiro Yokomaku and Taishi Mori's Radiation House medical drama manga aired on Fuji TV on Monday, May 13 at 9:00 p.m. and...
Japan's Video Game Rankings, May 13-19
Ys; Celceta no Jukai: Kai debuts at #1
― Japan's Game Ranking: May 13-19 Rank System Title Maker Release Date Weekly Copies Total Copies 1PS4Ys; Celceta no Jukai: Kai Falcom May 16 13,895 13,895 2NSwSuper Smash Brothers Ultimate Nintendo December 7, 2018 8,507 3,085,499 3NSwMario Kart 8 Deluxe Nintendo April 28, 2017 7,258 2,302,993 4NSwMinecraft Nintendo June 21, 2018 6,954 783,332 5PS4Days Gone So...
Anime Expo Hosts Azur Lane's Hao, Voice Actresses Saya Horigome, Asuka Itou
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure producers Hiroyuki Omori, Takamitsu Sueyoshi also attend
― The official website for the Anime Expo convention announced on Thursday that it will host illustrator Hao and voice actresses Saya Horigome and Asuka Itou as part an "Azur Lane Behind the Scenes" panel, and it will also host producers Hiroyuki Omori and Takamitsu Sueyoshi as part of a "Warner Bros. Japan Anime Lineup...
Netflix Orders Dino Girl Gauko Kids Anime Series for Late 2019 Debut
Osomatsu-kun's Akira Shigino directs anime at Ascension
― Entertainment news website Variety reported on Wednesday that Netflix has ordered a new kids anime titled Dino Girl Gauko (Kyōryū Shōjo Gauko), with the "first season" slated to debut in late 2019. Akira Shigino (Osomatsu-kun, Nanako SOS, Crayon Shin-chan movies 17 and 18) is directing the anime at Ascension. Variety describes the anime: The c...
OTAQUEST LIVE brings a stacked lineup of Japanese musical acts to Los Angeles this July!
OTAQUEST LIVE is returning to Los Angeles on July 3, and some of Japan's biggest names in music are coming along for the ride!
― OTAQUEST LIVE is returning to Los Angeles on July 3, 2019 and some of Japan's biggest names in music are coming along for the ride! This one-night-only event highlights a stacked lineup the likes of which won't be found anywhere in the world, not even in Japan! You won't w...
Try Knights Anime Casts Takuma Terashima, Kōhei Amasaki, Hidenori Takahashi
Summer rugby anime based on Senzoku Erisawa, Shunsaku Yano's manga
― The official website for the television anime of Senzoku Erisawa and Shunsaku Yano's Try Knights manga revealed three additional cast members for the anime on Friday. The newly announced cast members for the second-year students include: Takuma Terashima as Tori Fuyuhara, the reliable captain of the rugby team. Kōhei Amasaki as Sōya...
Ni no Kuni Film Reveals More Cast, August 23 Opening Date
Masatō Ibu, Tsuyoshi Muro join cast
― The official website for Warner Bros. Japan and Level 5's Ni no Kuni anime film revealed two additional cast members and the film's August 23 opening date on Friday. Masatō Ibu (lower left in picture below) joins the cast as King Flander of the Estavani Kingdom (Evermore). Tsuyoshi Muro (lower right) plays Ojii-san, an old man who was in the same hospital as Yū w...
Seven Seas Licenses Dungeon Builder, Our Dining Room, Reincarnated as a Sword Manga
Magic User light novels, Penguindrum manga also licensed
― Seven Seas Entertainment announced on Thursday that it has licensed the Dungeon Builder: The Demon King's Labyrinth is a Modern City! manga, the Our Dining Room manga, the Reincarnated as a Sword manga, the Magic User: Reborn in Another World as a Max Level Wizard light novel series, and the Penguindrum manga. Seven Seas will release Rui Tsuk...
Sadako Becomes YouTube Celebrity in Sadako-san to Sadako-chan Manga
The Ring's Sadako is not quite so scary in Aya Tsutsumi's comedy manga spin-off Sadako-san to Sadako-chan (Ms. Sadako and Little Sadako). The ComicWalker web series was collected into a single manga volume and released on May 23 by Kadokawa. The story follows a young girl named Sadako who spends every day in a narrow closet until one day the ghostly Sadako comes to curse and kill her. The ghost is...
Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 2 Anime's Sub Delayed to Wednesdays Worldwide
Sublicensee leaks lead to global delay from Sundays
― Funimation announced on Thursday that the English-subtitled simulcast of the second part of the Attack on Titan Season 3 television anime will be delayed beginning with episode 54, which will launch on May 29 on FunimationNow, Hulu, Crunchyroll, and through all other sublicensees worldwide. New episodes will be delayed from Sundays at 1:35 p.m. ED...
Critical Role's Matthew Mercer Plays D&D with Stephen Colbert in Charity Video
After the resounding success of Critical Role's Kickstarter campaign in March, its Dungeon Master and voice actor Matthew Mercer appeared alongside The Late Show host Stephen Colbert for a one-on-one Dungeons and Dragons session. The game was for a good cause. The Critical Role team began soliciting donations on May 16 to raise funds for Red Nose Day. Founded by Comic Relief in 1985 in the U.K, th...
Eureka Seven Character Designer Kenichi Yoshida Illustrates Soccer Novel
Character designer and animator Kenichi Yoshida provided the cover art and illustrations for the newly released Hoshi Furu Shima no Footballer (The Footballer's Starry Island) novel. The novel is the first written by real-life soccer game announcer Yasuo Kurashiki. Kurashiki has previously penned non-fiction and other books about soccer. The "fantasy football" story centers on a 15-year-old boy Ha...
Utena Black Rose Arc Stage Musical Reveals Visual
― The official website for the stage musical adaptations of the Revolutionary Girl Utena (Shōjo Kakumei Utena) anime revealed a new visual for the Shōjo Kakumei Utena ~Fukaku Hokorobu Kuro Bara no~ musical on Thursday. The musical will run at Theatre G-Rosso in Tokyo from June 29 to July 7. The cast members for Utena, Anthy, Juri, Nanami, and Wakaba are returning from last year's musical. The musica...
Singer Aira Yūki, angela Member KATSU Announce Marriage
Violet Evergarden and A Sister's All You Need's singer Aira Yūki and angela musical group member KATSU announced their marriage on social media on Wednesday. The pair's joint statement reads that both will continue their musical careers and work to support each other's dreams. Aira Yūki previously used the name Asuka Katō while working as part of Yuki Kajiura's FIctionJunction project. She sang th...
Funimation Streams Ghost In The Shell, Psycho-Pass, Steins;Gate Films
― Funimation confirmed with ANN on Thursday that four more anime films are streaming for the first time on FunimationNow. All four films are available both with an English dub and subtitles. The newly added films are: Ghost In The Shell: The New Movie Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence Psycho-Pass Steins;Gate: The Movie - Load Region of Déjà Vu Funimation previously released all of the films on home vi...
This Week in Anime - Is Netflix's Revisions Worth Watching?
Netflix delivers another CG mecha action series this season with Revisions. Nick and Andy find out if this time-warping sci fi adventure is worth checking out.
― Netflix delivers another CG mecha action series this season with Revisions. This week, Nick and Andy find out if this time-warping sci fi adventure is worth checking out. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the participants in t...
2nd Reborn! Stage Play Reveals 15 More Character Visuals
New play runs in Tokyo, Osaka in June
― The official website for the second stage play adaptation Akira Amano's Reborn! manga revealed 15 additional character visuals on Thursday. Kōhei Hayashida as Xanxus Shungo Takasaki as Superbia Squalo Katsuya Takagi as Lussuria Shōichirō Oomi as Belphegor Takanori Yamaki as Levi A Than Chihiro Kai as Mammon Ryō Yokota as Gola Mosca Takeshi James Yamada as Dino ...
DARLING in the FRANXX Part 1 Limited Edition BD+DVD
This controversial mecha series from A-1 Pictures and Studio Trigger has finally arrived in a special edition loaded with extras. Theron Martin has the details in our full review.
― This 24-episode original anime production debuted in the winter 2018 and quickly became one of the most controversial titles of the last couple years. In this case, the controversy was not over blatantly objectionable con...
Given Boys-Love Anime's Promo Video Previews Ritsuka
Series debuts on Noitamina in July
― The official website for the anime adaptation of Natsuki Kizu's Given manga began streaming a new promotional video on Thursday. The video previews the character Ritsuka Uenoyama (voiced by Yūma Uchida). The series will premiere on Fuji TV's Noitamina programming block in July. The anime will be the "first anime based on a boys-love manga" to air on Noitamina. The...
Tokyo Wine Party People Novel by Drops of God's Shin Kibayashi Gets Film
Author considers story about woman who becomes interested in wine as "one more Drops of God"
― Publisher Bungeishunju Ltd. announced on Thursday that Shin Kibayashi's Tokyo Wine Party People novel is inspiring a film adaptation this fall. Hideki Wada is directing the film, and Mika Hayashi is writing the script. The novel centers on a female office worker named Shino Sakuragi, who receives an invitat...
Oninaki Game's New Video Previews Daemons
Tokyo RPG Factory's game for PS4, Switch, PC launches this summer
― Square Enix began streaming a new video on Wednesday for its Tokyo RPG Factory subsidiary's ONINAKI (Japanese title: Oni no Naku Kuni, or "country where the ogre cries") action role-playing game. The video previews the different daemon characters in the game. The game is slated for release in North America, Europe, and Japan this sum...
Koei Tecmo's Gust Brand Teases New Project in Video
More news to come on May 28
― Koei Tecmo Games' Gust brand revealed in a teaser trailer video on Thursday that it is developing a new project. The company will reveal more details about the project on May 28. The Japanese text in the video below reads, "our adventure begins." Gust has also opened a website for the project. Gust is known for the Atelier and Ar tonelico series of role-playing games. T...
Iya na Kao Sare Nagara Opantsu Misete Moraitai Project Gets Manga
Project inspired anime last August, second "season" later this December
― This year's 23rd issue of Shueisha's Young Jump magazine revealed on Thursday that Shimahara's doujin project Iya na Kao Sare Nagara Opantsu Misete Moraitai (I Want You To Make a Disgusted Face and Show Me Your Underwear) is inspiring a manga serialization titled Iya na Kao Sare Nagara Opantsu Misete Moraitai - Yo wa Pantsu ga ...
Crunchyroll Adds 'Welcome, Chitose' Anime With 1st 8 Episodes
Osomatsu-kun, Swan Lake, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz anime also added
― Crunchyroll announced on Wednesday that it has added the Welcome, Chitose (Okoshiyasu, Chitose-chan) anime for users in the United States and Canada, with the first eight episodes already available. Eight new episodes will debut every Wednesday. Crunchyroll also added the Osomatsu-kun, Swan Lake, and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz ani...
Vancouver's Anirevo Event to Host Voice Actress Ryoka Yuzuki
Event takes place on August 9-11
― The Anirevo convention in Vancouver announced on Wednesday that it will host voice actress Ryoka Yuzuki as a guest. Yuzuki has voiced numerous roles in anime and games, including Satsuki Kiryuin (Kill la Kill), Imo Yamanaka (Naruto), Shamal (Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's), Arcueid Brunestud (Melty Blood, Carnival Phantasm), Shizuka Hiratsuka (My Teen Romantic Come...
Crunchyroll Expo Hosts Composer Yasuharu Takanashi
Convention to be held on August 30-September 1
― Crunchyroll announced on Wednesday that it will host composer Yasuharu Takanashi at the Crunchyroll Expo event this year. Takanashi has composed the music for numerous anime, including four anime from the Precure franchise: Fresh Pretty Cure, HeartCatch PreCure!, Suite PreCure, and Smile PreCure!. He has also composed music for Naruto Shippuden, Boruto...
Otakon to Host Trigger's Hiromi Wakabayashi, Shigeto Koyama, Hiroyuki Imaishi
Convention takes place on July 26-28
― The Otakon convention announced on Wednesday that it will host Studio Trigger staff members Hiromi Wakabayashi, Shigeto Koyama, and Hiroyuki Imaishi. Wakabayashi previously worked at Gainax, and was involved in the Hiroyuki Imaishi-directed anime Gurren Lagann and Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt. He also worked as assistant episode director for two episodes of ...
Devils' Line's Ryo Hanada Launches New Blackguard Manga in September
Hanada ended Devils' Line manga last December
― This year's seventh issue of Kodansha's Morning two magazine revealed on Wednesday that Ryo Hanada will launch a new manga titled Blackguard in the magazine's November issue in September. The official Twitter account for Hanada's Devils' Line manga revealed a preview for the new Blackguard manga on Wednesday. 【新連載告知!】『デビルズライン』を描き終えた花田陵の新連載は、9月にモーツーで開始! ...
GKIDS Licenses Shinkai's Weathering With You Film for Early 2020 Screening
Film will first have "awards qualifying" theatrical run later this year
― GKIDS announced on Thursday that it has licensed Makoto Shinkai's new anime film Weathering With You (Tenki no Ko). The film will have an "awards qualifying" theatrical run this year, with a broader theatrical release slated for early 2020 with both English subtitles and English-dubbed screenings. The film will open in Japan on...
Netflix Adds Kakegurui××, Forest of Piano Anime Season 2 in June
Also: Evangelion TV, Death & Rebirth, End of Evangelion on June 21 plus 4 other anime in June
― Netflix revealed its premiere dates for the Kakegurui×× anime and Forest of Piano anime's second season as June 13 and June 24, respectively. It also confirmed that the Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth and Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion films will be available at the same as its deb...
Ultraman Taiga Series Reveals 9 Cast Members
Takuma Terashima, Satoshi Hino, Shouta Hayama, Yūma Uchida, Daisuke Ono voice roles in July show
― The official website for Ultraman Taiga, the new series in the Ultraman franchise, revealed the show's cast on Wednesday. The cast includes (Note: Character name romanizations are not official): Chiharu Niiyama as Kana Sasaki Ryōtarō as Homare Sōya Momoka as Pirica Asahigawa Kō Nanase as Kirisaki (Ultra...
Harmony Manga Ends in June
Fumi Minato's manga of Project Itoh novel launched in 2015
― The 33rd chapter of Fumi Minato's manga adaptation of Project Itoh's Harmony novel revealed on Tuesday that the manga's next chapter on June 10 will be the last chapter. Viz Media's Haikasoru imprint published the Harmony novel in 2010 and it describes the story: In Japan, Tuan Kirie and her friends Miach Mihie and Cian Reikado are taught a...
Kengan Ashura Anime's New Promo Video Previews Opening Song
11 new character roles also revealed for series debuting on Netflix globally on July 31
― The official YouTube channel for the anime adaptation of Yabako Sandrovich's Kengan Ashura manga began streaming a new promotional video for the anime on Thursday. The video previews the anime's opening theme song "King & Ashley" by MY FIRST STORY. The anime's staff also revealed 11 new character roles for previ...
Fruits Basket ‒ Episode 7
"At long last, this episode lays Akito Soma's first round of cards on the table."
Kodansha Confirms New Blade of the Immortal Anime as 'Complete Adaptation'
Title also revealed, official sequel manga launches on May 25
― Japanese publisher Kodansha confirmed the new anime adaptation of Hiroaki Samura's Blade of the Immortal (Mugen no Jūnin) manga. The anime's website notes that the project will be a "complete anime adaptation" but does not list the format of the anime. The website also lists the anime's title as Mugen no Jūnin -Immortal-. The official we...
Firefighting Promare Anime Film Promotes Japan's Real Firefighters
Firefighters are HOT right now. In the coming months there are three different firefighter anime heading to the small and big screen. The futuristic Fire Force based on Soul Eater creator Atsushi Ohkubo's manga is slated for July, the same month as the steamier Yubisaki kara no Honki no Netsujō -Osananajimi wa Shōbōshi- television anime. Ahead of both those premieres is Studio Trigger's Promare fi...
YU-NO: A girl who chants love at the bound of this world. ‒ Episode 8
"The good news is that this episode is able to focus on its clear through-lines in a way that feels like we're actually building to something in this new arc."
Isekai Quartet ‒ Episode 7
"This episode marks the first time that I have strongly wished for the runtime to be a little longer."
All 2nd Generation Pokémon Turned Into Plushies for 'My 251' Campaign
The official Pokémon Centers in Japan released the original 151 Pokémon from the Red, Blue, Green and Yellow games as plushies late last year and are now moving on to the second generation: Pokémon Gold and Silver. The new monsters first seen in 1999 will appear at Pokémon Centers on June 8. Combined with the previous generation, fans can pick and choose their favorites from 278 Pokémon. (Pokémon ...
YU-NO Remake Game Ships in West on October 1
PS4/Switch/PC game's trailer previews Japanese audio with English text
― Spike Chunsoft announced on Wednesday that it will release 5pb. and MAGES.' remake of Hiroyuki Kanno's YU-NO: A girl who chants love at the bound of this world. (Kono Yo no Hate de Koi o Utau Shōjo YU-NO) visual novel for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam in the West on October 1. The release will include Japanese...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, May 19-25
Pokémon Sun & Moon Adventures, Sagrada Reset anime; Happy Sugar Life, Mega Man MasterMix manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Gonna Be the Twin-Tail!! Essentials BDPlease Funimation US$29.98 May 21 Katana Maidens: Toji no Miko Part 2 BDCite Funimation US$64.98 May 21 Land of the Lustrous BDAnimeNewsNetwork Sentai Filmworks US$69.98 May 21 Pokémon Sun & Moon Adventur...
AnimeNEXT Staff Launch Investigation Into Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Former Con Chair
Multiple women reported sexual misconduct by Eric Torgersen in 2015; staff followed with a vote that made him convention chair
― Allegations of sexual misconduct against a former member of the board of Atlantic City's AnimeNEXT convention has led to an ongoing internal investigation. Former con staff member "Anne May" posted her story on Facebook on March 12 where she alleged the board member was "ha...
Answerman - Is Hunting Allowed In Japan?
In a country with famously strict gun laws, how exactly does hunting for sport work? Justin digs in.
― Sarah asked: A few months ago I was watching Flying Witch and it had a gag where the uncle sees a pheasant and tries to catch it with his bare hands. Originally I thought getting a gun would be a lot quicker, but then I remembered Japanese gun laws are much stricter. I was wondering if there is a d...
Tanishi Kawano's Firefighter Romance Manga Gets Anime
ComicFesta's newest adult romance series premieres on July 7
― Tanishi Kawano's Yubisaki kara no Honki no Netsujō ~Kyara Otoko Shōbōshi wa Massugu na Me de Watashi o Idaita~ manga is getting a television anime adaptation titled Yubisaki kara no Honki no Netsujō -Osananajimi wa Shōbōshi-. The anime will premiere on television on Tokyo MX and other networks and also begin streaming on July 7. The story...
NGT48 Idol Minami Katō Demoted After 'Inappropriate' Instagram Post About Maho Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi graduated from the group in May after speaking up about alleged assault in December
― NGT48 idol Minami Katō made a formal apology on Tuesday for an "inappropriate" Instagram post she made earlier that day about former group member Maho Yamaguchi who graduated on May 18. The NGT48 website also announced that Katō's position has been demoted from captain to trainee. The Instagram post in que...
Live-Action Kūbo Ibuki Film's New Trailer Streamed
Film based on Osamu Eya, Kaiji Kawaguchi's manga opens on May 24
― The official Twitter account for the live-action film adaptation of Osamu Eya and Kaiji Kawaguchi's Kūbo Ibuki (Aircraft Carrier Ibuki) manga began streaming a promotional video on Wednesday. The film will open in Japan on May 24. Setsurō Wakamatsu is directing the film. Kazunori Itō (Patlabor, Ghost in the Shell, .hack//SIGN) and Yas...
Witness Roronoa Zoro's High School Teenage Years in Cup Noodle Ad
On May 17, Cup Noodle launched an animated ad for its "Hungry Days" campaign teasing the One Piece characters in school uniforms, leaving fans "hungry" for more. On Tuesday, Cup Noodle followed this up with a 30-second commercial focusing on Roronoa Zoro's high school days in the kendo club. Zoro's high school days are brought to life with lush animation. Other iconic One Piece characters are also...
Utawarerumono Zan Game's Video Reveals September Launch in West
Game ships in N. America on September 10; in Europe on September 13; in Australia, New Zealand on September 20
― NIS America began steaming a new promotional video for Aquaplus' Utawarerumono Zan PlayStation 4 action game on Wednesday. The trailer reveals that the game will ship in North America on September 10. The game will then ship in Europe on September 13 and in Australia and New Zealand on Sep...
YU-NO Anime Gets New Episode in December
Original anime bundles with 3rd BD set
― The official website for the television anime of Hiroyuki Kanno's Kono Yo no Hate de Koi o Utau Shōjo YU-NO (YU-NO: A girl who chants love at the bound of this world.) visual novel revealed on Wednesday that the series will get a completely new anime episode when the first Blu-ray Disc box set surpasses 1,000 pre-orders. The new episode will bundle with the th...
Pokémon Rumble Rush Smartphone Game Launches for Android
Newest Pokémon Rumble game launches later for iOS
― The Pokémon Company released the Pokémon Rumble Rush (Pokémon Scramble SP) game worldwide for Android devices on Wednesday. The company began streaming three gameplay videos and confirmed that it is still preparing to release the iOS version. Ambrella returned from the previous Pokémon Rumble (Pokémon Scramble) games to develop the "exhilarating str...
Masaaki Yuasa's Ride Your Wave Anime Film Video Shows Characters Singing Theme
Film opens in Japan in June after competing at Annecy
― Toho began streaming a promotional video for director Masaaki Yuasa and Science SARU's Ride Your Wave (Kimi to, Nami ni Noretara) anime film on Wednesday. The video previews the main characters Minato (played by Ryota Katayose) and Hinako (Rina Kawaei) singing the theme song "Brand New Story." The film will open in Japan on June 21. The film wil...
'Kuzumi-kun, Can't You Read the Room?' Manga Ends in June
Mosuko launched romantic comedy manga in 2015
― The June issue of Square Enix's Gangan Joker magazine revealed on Wednesday that Mosuko's Kuzumi-kun, Can't You Read the Room? (Kuzumi-kun, Kūki Yomemasu ka?) manga will end in the magazine's next issue on June 22. Yen Press licensed the manga, and it describes the story: When super-popular Sakura Erika is suddenly interested in a her totally out-of-tou...
Carole & Tuesday Anime Casts Shouta Aoi
Anime also adds Steve Aoki, MOGUAI, Andy Platts, Cornelius as composers
― The official website for Carole & Tuesday, the new original anime by supervising director Shinichiro Watanabe (Cowboy Bebop, Kids on the Slope, Terror in Resonance) and anime studio BONES, announced on Wednesday that Shouta Aoi joins the cast as the character Pyotr (seen below), "a social media celebrity" who appears in the ani...
Happy Sugar Life Horror Manga Ends in June
Manga launched in 2015, inspired 2018 TV anime
― The June issue of Square Enix's Gangan Joker magazine revealed on Wednesday that Tomiyaki Kagisora's Happy Sugar Life manga will end in the magazine's next issue on June 22. The manga will have a color opening page in the next issue, which will also put the manga on its cover. The manga's ninth and 10th volumes will ship simultaneously on July 22. Yen ...
Crunchyroll Adds Kyo Kara Maoh! Anime Seasons 1-2
Includes subtitled, dubbed versions of episodes 1-78
― Crunchyroll announced on Tuesday that it has added the first and second "seasons" (episodes 1-78) of the Kyo Kara Maoh! anime for users in the United States and Canada, with both English subtitles and Japanese audio as well as the English dub. Discotek recently licensed the anime in February, and it describes the anime: Yuri Shibuya is an average...
Anime Expo to Host Devils and Realist Artist Utako Yukihiro
Event also hosts producer, cosplayer Hiroto Kuramasu
― The official website for the Anime Expo convention announced on Tuesday that it will host artist Utako Yukihiro, as well as producer and cosplayer Hiroto Kuramasu. Yukihiro is the artist of the Devils and Realist manga, which inspired a television anime in 2013. She is also the artist for the Uta no Prince-sama manga, and drew the original charac...
DRAGON BALL WORLD ADVENTURE: The Exciting Tour Returns This Year!
Dates, cities, and more information revealed!
― In 2018, to commemorate the release of Dragon Ball Super: BROLY, the ground-breaking “DRAGON BALL NORTH AMERICA TOUR” visited seven cities across the United States and Canada. Featuring a life-sized replica of the “World Martial Arts Tournament” (“Tenkaichi Budokai”), the booth appeared in the news as North America was engulfed in Dragon Ball fever. Bu...
Dororo ‒ Episode 19
"It's an abrupt change of pace for the series: a welcome respite, but hardly as impactful as usual."
Fairy gone ‒ Episode 7
"The difference between taking a half hour to watch an episode of Fairy Gone and simply reading its summary on Wikipedia is almost nonexistent."
Police Are Irritated by Japanese Public's 'Flippant' Reaction to Pierre Taki's Drug Crime
Fellow Denki Groove member Takkyu Ishino's reunion photo with Taki got too many likes for the police's liking
― Denki Groove member and actor Pierre Taki (real name Masanori Taki) was arrested in March for alleged illegal possession and use of cocaine. Since then, his roles in Judgment and Kingdom Hearts III, among other titles, have been recast. His image has even been removed from a manhole in Fuji...
One Piece ‒ Episodes 884-885
"The overlong recaps are still a burden on this arc, but at least we're getting to the point where the table scraps of new material are uniformly juicy."
Rapping Zombie Manga Gets Live-Action TV Special
Would being a zombie be so bad if you got amazing word-slinging abilities? Web manga creator Inka Teikoku (lit. Inca Empire) doesn't think so. Their manga Rappā ni Kama Retara Rapper ni naru Manga (If You're Bitten By a Rapper You Become a Rapper) is published on the LINE manga app and tells the story of a mysterious virus that turns the populous of Japan into rappers. "All of Japan becomes a hell...
Man Shoplifts 80 Detective Conan Manga Volumes
A 26-year-old unemployed man was arrested in Suzuka city in Mie prefecture for allegedly shoplifting 80 volumes of the Detective Conan manga from a bookstore between April 10 to 13. The total value is estimated at 37,000 yen (US$334). According to local police, customers noticed the man making suspicious movements in the store and notified the bookstore clerk. The clerk reviewed security camera fo...
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 Game Adds Ribrianne as DLC
Character joins game in June
― This year's July issue of Shueisha's V Jump magazine revealed on Tuesday that Ribrianne will join Bandai Namco Entertainment's Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 game as a DLC character in June. Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe also confirmed the announcement and revealed screenshots of Ribrianne. Bandai Namco Entertainment released Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 for PS4, Xbox One, and ...
Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution Game's Video Reveals August Launch in West
Game launched in Japan on April 25
― Konami Digital Entertainment announced on Tuesday that the Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution Nintendo Switch game will launch in the West on August 20. The company also began streaming a trailer for the announcement. The game launched digitally in Japan on April 25. The game shares a title with the previous Yu-Gi-Oh! Legacy of the Duelist game. Konam...
Voice Actress Nao Tōyama Awarded for 2011 Earthquake Charity Efforts
Voice Actress Nao Tōyama (Yui Yuigahama from My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, Karen Kujō from Kinmoza! Kiniro + Mosaic) was honored with the Golden Achievement Award on May 15 for her charity efforts to help areas recovering from the Great East Japan Earthquake. The award was given by the Japanese Red Cross Society. Tōyama's birthday is March 11, the same day as the Great East Japan Earthquake. Last...
This Week in Anime - Amazing Stranger is the Guilty Pleasure of the Season
Be careful what you wish for, because this short series proves that having all your favorite waifu figurines come to life might not be a dream come true. Micchy and Steve dive headfirst into some truly amazing trash.
― Be careful what you wish for, because Amazing Stranger proves that having all your favorite waifu figurines come to life might not be a dream come true. This week, Micchy and Steve di...
Japanese Home Video, Rental, Streaming Market Rises 8% in 2018
Paid streaming services continue to rise, with slight increase in physical disc sales
― The Japan Video Software Association (JVA), The Digital Entertainment Group Japan (DEG Japan), and Institute for the Arts (IFA) released a report on Thursday about the home video market and user trends in Japan in 2018. The report stated that Japan's total paid content market — comprised of DVD and Blu-ray Disc sa...
Fan Made Brazilian Nausicaä Tribute Film Releases Teaser
Film maker Chris Tex released a 40-second trailer for a fan made Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind tribute film titled Wind Princess. The video was posted on his YouTube channel on May 2, and has since accumulated almost a million views as well as hundreds of comments praising its professional-level quality. According to Tex, the film was shot in Brazil and is an entirely non-profit endeavor. The...
God Wars: The Complete Legend Game's PC Version Launches on June 14
The official website for the God Wars: The Complete Legend (God Wars: Nippon Shinwa Taisen) game revealed on Tuesday that the game will launch for PC via Steam in Japan on June 14. The Steam version will add mouse and keyboards controls, the ability to change the order of party members on the menu screen, and a feature that automatically arranges characters on the map. The updates with the Steam v...
Promare Anime Film's Opening Action Scene Streamed
Original anime film by Trigger, XFlag opens in Japan on May 24
― Toho Animation began streaming the opening action scene for Studio Trigger and XFlag's original anime film Promare on Tuesday. The film will open in Japan on May 24. Theatergoers will receive character cards with serial codes to grant access to advance streaming of a prequel anime. The all-new 10-minute "Galo-hen" anime will be set one ...
Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, May 13-19
LiSA sells 2,342, followed by Kamen Rider Heisei Generations FOREVER, live-action Uirabu film, Hiroyuki Yoshino, Cheer Boys!!
― LiSA's LiVE is Smile Always ~Asia Tour 2018~ [eN + core] LiVE & Document sold 2,342 copies to rank #1 on the overall DVD chart. The live-action film of Yukimo Hoshimori's Uirabu. -Uiuishii Koi no Ohanashi- (Uirabu.: Story of Innocent Love) manga sold 1,967 more copies for a ...
Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, May 13-19
LiSA sells 12,113, followed by Seishun Buta Yarō, Quintessential Quintuplets, Sukima Switch, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind
― LiSA's LiVE is Smile Always ~Asia Tour 2018~ [eN + core] LiVE & Document sold 12,113 copies to rank #1 on the overall Blu-ray Disc chart. Sukima Switch's 15th Anniversary Special at Yokohama Arena ~Reversible~ the Movie debuted at #5 with 4,619 copies. The Blu-ray Box f...
Game of Thrones' George R. R. Martin Has Consulted on Japanese Game
Author George R.R. Martin revealed in a blog post on Monday that he has consulted on a Japanese video game. Martin is best known for his A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy novels, which inspired HBO's Game of Thrones television series. The series aired its final episode on Sunday. Martin published A Dance with Dragons, the fifth novel of A Song of Ice and Fire, in 2011, with two more novels planned. S...
Yuka Iguchi Returns for 'Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?' Anime Season 2's Opening Song
Iguchi sings "HELLO to DREAM" opening for July anime
― The official website for the second season of the Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? anime revealed on Tuesday that Yuka Iguchi is returning to perform the second season's opening theme song "HELLO to DREAM." Yuka Iguchi performed the theme song for the first season of the anime, the Sword Oratoria spinoff, and the Is It Wrong to T...
Judgment Game Gets New Version in Japan on July 18
Includes new model, voice for Kyohei Hamura character after Pierre Taki's drug arrest
― Sega announced on Tuesday that it will begin offering a "New Price Version" of its Judgment (Judge Eyes: Shinigami no Yuigon) PlayStation 4 game in Japan on July 18. The release will have the new model and voice for the character Kyohei Hamura, with the same model used in the game's Western release. Sega changed t...
Police Arrest Man for Threatening NGT48 Idol Yuka Ogino
24-year-old male allegedly faxed news organization with threatening letter
― Police arrested a 24-year-old male on Monday for allegedly issuing a death threat to NGT48 idol group member Yuka Ogino. The police arrested the suspect, Kazuki Dōmoto, after he allegedly sent a letter by fax to a news organization on May 9 that indicated that he was planning to kill Ogino. The police stated that Dōmoto admi...
Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories Anime Gets 7th Season This Summer
Kenji Tsuda returns as storyteller, vTuber Taku Nanase joins cast
― TV Tokyo announced on Tueday that the Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories television anime series is getting a seventh season that will premiere this July. Kenichi Sugimoto of DRAWIZ is returning to direct the new anime at ILCA. Scriptwriters Ayako Yamaguchi, Hiromu Kumamoto, Kuniyoshi Saki, and Mitsuhi Sasagi are also returning. The ...
Aggretsuko Anime Season 2's Video Reveals June 14 Premiere
Netflix anime's 1st season premiered in April 2018
― Netflix announced on Monday that it will debut the second season of the Aggretsuko anime on June 14. Netflix Japan is streaming a promotional video for the anime. Retsuko is a 25-year old red panda who works in her dream company's accounting department. But it turns out that she is forced to keep doing more and more impossible tasks by her superior...
Detective Pikachu Drops to #2, Kingdom Jumps to #3 in Japan
Detective Conan drops to #4 in weekend box office
― Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros.' live-action Pokémon: Detective Pikachu film dropped from #1 to #2 in the Japanese box office rankings in its third weekend. The film sold 180,000 tickets for 275,989,800 yen (about US$2.50 million) over the weekend, and has cumulatively earned 1,965,934,600 yen (about US$17.26 million). Detective Pikachu ope...
Director Makoto Shinkai Creates Opening for News Program
The late-night news program "NEWS23" will get a new opening courtesy of your name. director Makoto Shinkai. Shinkai edited landscape footage from his previous works to create the opening sequence. The compilation is based around the theme "A Worker's Day." The opening is set to the band Sakanaction's track "Wonderland" from their upcoming album 834.194. Shinkai's your name. film opened in Japan in...
Voice Actress Nao Toyama's Website Announces that Staff Will Start Blocking Social Media Harassers
Popular voice actress Nao Toyama (Yui Yuigahama from My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, Karen Kujō from Kinmoza! Kiniro + Mosaic) has been a victim of online harassment for some time. Tōyama's official website announced on Friday that enough was enough - the staff will start blocking social media users if they leave too many replies at once, or act in a way that is deemed stalker-like, indecent, or th...
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 107
"As things stand, this is shaping up to be Boruto's best Boruto-less arc yet."
Attack on Titan ‒ Episode 53
"It's been a bumpy ride so far, but this episode finally manages to capture the near-perfect balance of grim spectacle and bloody horror that made the franchise famous in the first place."
Live-Action Kaguya-sama: Love is War Film Reveals 6 More Cast Members
Natsumi Ikema, Nana Asakawa, Yūtarō, Mayu Hotta, Masahiro Takashima, Jiro Sato join cast
― The official website for the live-action film adaptation of Aka Akasaka's Kaguya-sama: Love is War (Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunōsen) manga revealed additional cast on Tuesday. The newly revealed cast members are: (top row, left to right) Natsumi Ikema as Nagisa Kashiwagi Nana Asakawa a...
Sailor Moon Powers Up in Universal Studios Japan Ad
The "Sailor Moon: The Miracle 4D" show at Universal Studios Japan is getting a new "chapter" this time with Sailor Pluto, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, and Chibi Moon. Sailor Moon will power up to Super Sailor Moon during the show and it will include a brand new story. A new ad shows some of the action from the attraction and the design of the monster, a female youma merged with a disco ball. The 4D fi...
We Never Learn: BOKUBEN ‒ Episode 7
"This episode got me to finally come around on Fumino as a character, depicting her and Nariyuki's deep trust that transcends the boyfriend-girlfriend barrier."
Fairy Tail: Final Season ‒ Episode 309
"The fight between Gray and Natsu may get top billing this week, but it's really the least important part of the episode."
The Straw Hat Crew Try High School in New 'Hungry Days' Cup Noodle Ad
In 2017, Cup Noodle launched its "Hungry Days" ad campaign, a series of commercials that starred famous anime characters at the precipice of their youth to invoke a specific, nostalgic feeling. Manga artist Eisaku Kubonouchi (Chocolat, Carole & Tuesday) redesigned Studio Ghibli's Kiki, the titular Heidi, Girl of the Alps, and Sazae-san. The previous ads starred classic heroines but the instant ram...
Kono Oto Tomare!: Sounds of Life ‒ Episode 7
"Two ladies get their tragic backstories this week, making for an episode that aims to deliver twice the emotional impact as usual."
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind ‒ Episode 30
"The Green Day/Oasis fight rages on, and I'm left unsure as to how I feel about most of what has been happening in JoJo's lately."
LEVEL5 comcept's Dragon & Colonies Smartphone Game Trailer Reveals Summer Launch
Keiji Inafune's game has players build, battle with cube-shaped kingdoms
― LEVEL-5 Inc. launched a website for LEVEL5 comcept's Dragon & Colonies smartphone game and began streaming a promotional video on Monday. The game is slated to launch for iOS and Android devices in Japan in early summer. The game is LEVEL5 comcept's first title, which Keiji Inafune is producing. In the game, players create the...
Hollywood Reporter: Sony Launches PlayStation Productions to Produce Films, TV Shows
New studio partners with Sony Studios to develop works based on 25 years of games
― The entertainment news website The Hollywood Reporter reported on Monday that Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has launched the production studio PlayStation Productions. The studio will develop films and television shows based on Sony's game catalog of more than 100 titles. Asad Qizilbash is head of the new studi...
Sega Reveals Fist of the North Star: Legends Revive Smartphone Game
Manga artist Tetsuo Hara supervises project
― Sega revealed on Monday that it is developing the Hokuto no Ken LEGENDS ReVIVE smartphone game for the Fist of the North Star franchise. Sega plans to officially launch the role-playing game this year. The game is commemorating that last year was the 35th anniversary of the original manga. Original artist Tetsuo Hara is supervising the project. Hara state...
Voice Actress Saki Ogasawara Takes Hiatus to Undergo Medical Treatment
My Hero Academia actress was diagnosed with stage 1 tongue cancer in early April
― Voice actress Saki Ogasawara announced on Twitter on Monday that she was diagnosed with stage 1 tongue cancer in early April. She stated that she will go on hiatus from her voice acting activities while she has surgery and undergoes treatment. Ogasawara added that because the cancer was luckily detected at an early sta...
Cardfight!! Vanguard EX Game's Video Previews Argonavis Theme Song
Game ships for PS4, Switch on September 19
― Furyu Corporation began streaming a promotional video for the Cardfight!! Vanguard EX PlayStation 4 and Switch game on Monday. The video reveals and previews the game's theme song "STARTING OVER" by BanG Dream! band Argonavis. The video also reveals the game's release date of September 19. The game will feature an original story with the new Vanguard chara...
Nippon Ichi Software Sells Stocks at Lower Price to Raise Funds
NIS to use funds to pay employees
― Nippon Ichi Software announced on Friday that it will issue stock warrants through a third party allotment, issuing 3,750 warrants for an issue price of 837 yen each (for 3,138,750 yen in total) in order to aim to raise funds equivalent to 573,638,750 yen (about US$5.20 million). This type of MS ("moving strike") warrant is often used by companies to raise funds du...
Japan's Animation TV Ranking, May 6-12
Natsuzora's latest episode earn 21.7% rating
― The latest episode of the Natsuzora live-action series about the early Japanese animation industry aired on NHK on Thursday, May 9 at 8:00 a.m. and earned a 21.7% rating. The latest episode of the live-action series adaptation of Tomohiro Yokomaku and Taishi Mori's Radiation House medical drama manga aired on Fuji TV on Monday, May 6 at 9:00 p.m. and ear...
23rd Detective Conan Film Earns 8.3 Billion Yen
Film has sold 6.51 million tickets since April 12 debut
― The official website for Meitantei Conan: Konjō no Fist (Detective Conan: Fist of Blue Sapphire), the 23rd Detective Conan anime film, revealed on Monday that the film has sold 6.51 million tickets and earned a total of 8.3 billion yen (about US$75.35 million). To celebrate the milestone, the film will have "cheering" screenings in 20 theaters...
Pokémon: Detective Pikachu Ranks #3 in the U.S. in 2nd Weekend
Film earned US$24.8 million in 2nd weekend, for US$287.4 million worldwide total
― Rob Letterman's live-action Pokemon: Detective Pikachu film earned US$24.8 million to rank #3 in its second weekend in the United States box office. The film has earned an estimated cumulative total of US$94,001,846 in the United States. The film earned an estimated US$53.8 million internationally over the same weekend...
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