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Puzzle & Dragons X BD/DVD Part 2
The adventure continues in this children's mobage adaptation with surprising ambitions. Rebecca Silverman finds out how things develop.
― Just because you've achieved your goal doesn't mean that the journey's over. That's the premise behind the second set of Puzzle & Dragons X episodes to be released on DVD. The first thirteen saw Ace work towards his goal of becoming a dragon caller – the show's com...
Warner Brothers Japan at Anime Central
All the details from Warner Bros' panel at Anime Central, including a look at the first episode of the action fantasy anime Dragon Pilot, coming soon to Netflix!
― On Sunday May 20th at Anime Central, a representative of Warner Brothers Japan hosted a panel. During the presentation she provided previews of some upcoming projects and then showed the English subtitled version of the first episode of Dr...
The Best and Worst of Spring 2018, May 6-12
Hinamatsuri and MEGALOBOX duke it out for the top spot! Catch up with our weekly user rankings - and find out how your favorite shows performed!
― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Spring 2018 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season. Keep in mind that these rankings ...
Shelf Life - Koro Sensei Quest!
Paul enjoys a bite-sized, RPG-themed spoof of Koro-sensei's adventures in Assassination Classroom, then breaks down all this week's new anime releases alongside a brand-new Shelf Obsessed!
― I got myself a Nintendo Switch last week, and my first impression of the thing was pretty darn positive. I plugged it in, turned it on, put in a game, and started playing. No insanely huge updates to download or...
Interviews with Monster Girls BD/DVD
This slice-of-life comedy delivers an entertaining and occasionally thoughtful package that avoids the seedier pitfalls common to the monster girl genre. Theron Martin digs in.
― Riding the current wave of monster girl titles is this manga adaptation from winter 2017, which takes a somewhat unusual approach to the genre. Rather than treating its subject matter as exotic potential love interests, it a...
Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] THE MOVIE I. presage flower Ticket Giveaway
To celebrate the Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] THE MOVIE I. presage flower English Dub premiere, Fathom Events and Aniplex of America are giving away a pair of tickets to 5 lucky winners!
― The first film of this high-stakes trilogy explodes with epic action and heart-wrenching drama, tied together by the original author Kinoko Nasu's unique storytelling and otherworldly cast of characters. To cele...
Wednesday, May 23
Golden Kamuy ‒ Episode 7
"There isn't much room for the black-and-white baddies in Golden Kamuy's increasingly greying canvas."
Anime Expo to Host Sunrise Producers, Neptunia Series Staff
Osamu Taniguchi, Naohiro Ogata, Tsunako, Naoko Mizuno announced as guests
― The organizers of the Anime Expo convention announced this week that it will host Sunrise producers Osamu Taniguchi and Naohiro Ogata, Gundam game producer Kotaro Usui, GUNPLA modeler Katsumi Kawaguchi, Neptunia series character designer Tsunako, and Neptunia series producer Naoko Mizuno. Taniguchi and Ogata will participate ...
Magical Girl Ore ‒ Episode 8
"Saki's mom was definitely the star of the show this week."
Jump Music Festa Adds GRANRODEO, SPYAIR, FLOW, More Performers
July's Jump Music Festa two-day concert event added its next round of musical guests to the line-up. The concerts, which already include KANA-BOON, BiSH, Kishidan, and Little Glee Monster, announced GRANRODEO, SPYAIR, FLOW, DISH//, and Hiroshi Kitadani will perform at the event. GRANRODEO is a duo made up of vocalist Kishô Taniyama and guitarist Masaaki Iizuka. The band has performed themes for th...
2nd Live-Action Gintama Film Brings Back Kankurō Nakamura as Isao Kondo
New cast members being announced every day this week
― The official website for the upcoming sequel film Gintama 2 (Kari) (Gintama 2 (Working Title)) announced on Thursday that Kankurō Nakamura is returning from the first film to play Isao Kondo. The staff are revealing a new cast member every day from May 22 until May 26. Previously announced returning cast members include (from left to right in top...
Innovative Designer Brings Magic Weapons Closer to Reality
FriskP is a tech designer with a steampunk aesthetic. She's created items like a propeller watch that looks like something out of Bladerunner, and her latest creation utilizes similar technology for a stunning, realistic effect. FriskP created a special effects weapon resembling a blaster rifle that appears to create a magic incantation before shooting a fireball. The effect is created by using li...
Crunchyroll Adds Mind Game, Hyouka, The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness, More
GKIDS films, Funimation series added to catalog
― Crunchyroll added the Studio Ghibli documentary The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness and four anime films from GKIDS on Wednesday. The newly-added anime films, all in Japanese with English subtitles, are: Mind Game A Letter to Momo Welcome to the Space Show Patema Inverted In addition, the platform is adding the following full series from Funimation Ente...
Japanese Comic Ranking, May 14-20
Chihayafuru, Skip Beat!, The Heroic Legend of Arslan, DAYS, Dagashi Kashi in top 5
― Rank Title Est. Weekly Copies Est. Total Copies Release Date Publisher Author Highest Rank Weeks on List 1 Chihayafuru 38 95,548 195,878 2018/05 Kodansha Yuki Suetsugu 1 2 2 Skip Beat! 42 90,241 90,241 2018/05 Hakusensha Yoshiki Nakamura 2 1 3 The Heroic Legend of Arslan 9 70,830 234,156 2018/05 Kodansha Story: Yosh...
3 Kids Crush the Competition in Functional Transformers Costumes
Three kids are destined to own the competition in their functional Transformers costumes. Twitter user @MrBoak shared a video of the costumes in action with the caption "Seriously any other kids attending this fancy dress competition have no idea how badly they're about to get owned" on Sunday and it's already been shared 136,000 times. Since the video was posted, Twitter has blocked the video pos...
Caligula ‒ Episode 7
"It remains difficult to care about these plot breadcrumbs when Caligula's storytelling is so haphazard."
Cutie Honey Universe ‒ Episode 7
"After the hard left turn of last week, Cutie Honey Universe could now pass for a completely different show."
Japan's Video Game Rankings, May 14-20
Caligula Overdose game debuts
― Japan's Game Ranking: May 14-20 Rank System Title Maker Release Date Weekly Copies Total Copies 4Gamer Reader Review 1PS4Caligula Overdose FuRyu May 17 20,399 20,399 2NSwDonkey Kong Tropical Freeze Nintendo May 3 15,452 129,760 3NSwSplatoon 2 (Including Bundled Editions) Nintendo July 21 12,646 2,323,048 73 4PS4Jikkyō Powerful Pro Yakyū 2018 Konami April 26 10,240 189,...
Fireworks Anime Film's English-Subtitle Trailer Streamed
Film opens in the U.S. this July
― GKIDS began streaming a full trailer for the anime film Fireworks (Fireworks, Should We See it from the Side or the Bottom?) on Wednesday. The video has English subtitles. The film will screen in the United States on July 3, 5, and 7 in collaboration with Fathom Events. It will also get a separate theatrical release starting on July 4. The Fireworks anime film adapt...
Hunter x Hunter's Gon's Impossible Hair Transforms Into Dangling Earrings
Hunter x Hunter character Gon Freecss is returning in earring form. The Premium Bandai website is offering silver earrings that feature Gon in his transformed form with incredibly long hair, which appears in the Chimera Ant arc in Gon's battle with Neferpitou. Gon's flowing hair makes up most of the length of the nine-centimeter (about 3.5-inch) earrings. The dangling earrings are available in cl...
KADO - The Right Answer Gets English-Subtitled Compilation Film on YouTube
2-hour video now streaming until June 5
― Toei Animation posted a two-hour, English-subtitled compilation film titled for the Kado: The Right Answer television anime series on YouTube on Tuesday. The film is listed as the anime's "episode 12.5" and has the title KADO: Beyond Information. The video will be available until June 4 at 10:00 a.m. JST. The official website posted a visual. The anime series...
Lupin III Anime Franchise's New Concert Streams Live on May 26
Lupin III anime franchise veteran composer Yuji Ohno's Yuji Ohno & Lupintic Six band will perform the "Lupin III Concert 2018 ~Lupin! Lupin!! Lupinissimo!!!~" concert at Tokyo Kinema Club on May 26. The event will stream live on Niconico Live. The event will feature music from various Lupin III anime, and anime clips will screen during the performance. The livestream will include an encore present...
Answerman - Why Aren't There Japanese Voice Actor Bloopers?
One reader wants to know why you never seem to see blooper reels for anime voice actors - bad takes can be fun to watch, so how come we never get to see them? Justin gets into it.
― Rodolfo asked: I was watching the Panty and Stocking bloopers on youtube and started wondering if there were any original Japanese anime bloopers floating around. I couldn't find any. Not one. So i was wondering, do the ...
14-Sai to Illustrator Light Novels' Anime Adaptation Not Announced (Update)
Novels by How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord author, The Pet Girl of Sakurasou illustrator debuted in 2016
― Update: ANN staff based this article on a bookstore's photograph of the wraparound jacket band for 14-Sai to Illustrator, which stated that an anime adaptation has been greenlit. However, Twitter user @akibablog posted a photograph that shows the small print on the wraparound jacket band, and it r...
Natsume's Book of Friends Film Video Previews 3 Nyanko-sensei Cats
Film with returning cast, staff opens on September 29
― The official website for Gekijōban Natsume Yūjinchō ~Utsusemi ni Musubu~ (Natsume's Book of Friends the Movie: Tied to the Temporal World), the anime film of Yuki Midorikawa's Natsume's Book of Friends (Natsume Yūjin-Chō) manga, began streaming a special commercial on Thursday. The video previews Nyanko-sensei split into three bodies. (Note: The...
Osora's Naka no Hito Genome [Jikkyōchū] Manga Gets Anime
Story of game streamer in life-or-death struggle debuted in 2014
― The official Twitter account for Osora's Naka no Hito Genome [Jikkyōchū] (Naka no Hito Genome [Now Streaming]) manga announced on Thursday that an anime adaptation of the manga is in the works. The wraparound jacket band on the manga's seventh compiled book volume, which will ship on Saturday, will also feature the announcement. The s...
Ueno-san wa Bukiyō Comedy Manga Gets TV Anime
tugeneko's manga about genius girl awkward at romance launched in 2015
― Retailer Rakuten's listing for this year's 11th issue of Hakusensha's Young Animal magazine features a cover image that reveals that tugeneko's Ueno-san wa Bukiyō (Ueno is Awkward) manga will receive a television anime adaptation. The issue will ship on Friday. The comedy manga centers on the titular Ueno, a stoic and strong-wil...
Bandai Namco Files 'Greed Adventure' Trademarks in Japan
Bandai Namco Entertainment filed trademarks for "Greed Adventure" and a shortened version of the title in Japan on April 26. The company has yet to announce a game with that title. [Via Shōhyō Sokuhō bot Twitter Account, Gematsu]
5th Space Battleship Yamato 2202 Film Streams Video With Ending Theme
Film opens in Japan on May 25
― The official website for the Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2202 (Uchū Senkan Yamato 2202: Ai no Senshi-tachi or Space Battleship Yamato 2202: Warriors of Love) anime sequel project began streaming a new promotional video for "Rengoku-hen" (Purgatory Chapter), the fifth film in the series, on Wednesday. The video previews the ending theme song "Yōranka" performe...
Märchen Mädchen Anime Delays Last 2 Episodes to December
Blu-ray volumes 3-6 delayed to improve animation
― The official website for the Märchen Mädchen television anime announced on Wednesday that the premieres of the anime's 11th and 12th episodes have been delayed to this December. The release method for these two final episodes' premieres has yet to be determined. In addition, the third to sixth volumes of the anime's Blu-ray Disc releases have also be...
Utsunuke Essay Manga About Depression Gets Live-Action Show
Naoki Tanaka, Suzuka Ohgo star in Keiichi Tanaka's autobiographical account
― A live-action series adaptation of Keiichi Tanaka's "Utsunuke" Utsu Tunnel o Nuketa Hito-tachi (People Who Got Through the Depression Tunnel) manga has been green-lit for streaming this fall on an unspecified service. Naoki Tanaka (seen right in picture below), a member of comedy duo Kokoriko, plays author Keiichi Tanaka in...
Dragon Ball Fighterz Game's Trailer Previews Vegito Blue
Character release slated for late May
― Bandai Namco Entertainment America began streaming a character trailer for the Vegito Blue character in its Dragon Ball FighterZ fighting game on Tuesday. Vegito Blue is a fused version of Goku and Vegeta, transformed into the Super Saiyan Blue form. The DLC will debut in late May alongside the release for Fused Zamasu. Vegito Blue is one of eight DLC character...
Ani ni Tsukeru Kusuri wa Nai! Anime Gets 2nd Season in July
Anime based on Chinese web manga reunites cast, staff from 1st season
― Animation studio Fanworks (Aggretsuko, Hagane Orchestra) announced on Tuesday that it is producing a second season for the Ani ni Tsukeru Kusuri wa Nai! (There's No Cure for My Brother Being Around Me!) television anime. The second season is titled Ani ni Tsukeru Kusuri wa Nai! 2. It will premiere on Tokyo MX1 in July, and Tencen...
Yakuza 3, 4, 5 Get PS4 Releases in Japan
Yakuza 3 slated for PS4 on August 9
― Kadokawa's Famitsu.com website previewed a thumbnail for this week's issue of the Weekly Famitsu magazine on Tuesday. The preview reveals that Sega is developing PlayStation 4 versions of its Yakuza 3, Yakuza 4, and Yakuza 5 games. The magazine will contain more details about the releases, but the article specifies that Yakuza 3 will ship on August 9, and will re...
2nd Live-Action Gintama Film Casts Midoriko Kimura as Otose
New cast members being announced every day this week
― The official website for the upcoming sequel film Gintama 2 (Kari) (Gintama 2 (Working Title)) announced on Wednesday that the film has cast Midoriko Kimura as Otose. The staff are revealing a new cast member every day from May 22 until May 26. Previously announced returning cast members include (from left to right in top row in picture below) Sh...
Tuesday, May 22
Eat-Man The Main Dish Manga Enters 'Final Arc'
Manga resumed after 2-year hiatus in January
― Amazon is showing the cover of the upcoming fourth compiled book volume of Akihito Yoshitomi's Eat-Man The Main Dish manga with the text, "Entering the final arc!" Eat-Man The Main Dish recently resumed on January 26 after a two-and-a-half year hiatus. The manga launched in Kodansha's Monthly Shonen Sirius in May 2014. Kodansha shipped the third compiled...
Food Wars! The Third Plate ‒ Episode 19
"It's time for the show to do what it does best: have a group cook-off."
Batman Ninja Japanese Clip Highlights Villains
Film debuted digitally on April 24, screening in Japanese theaters slated for June 15
― Warner Bros. began streaming a Japanese clip for the Batman Ninja anime on Tuesday. The video shows the villains from Batman's rogue's gallery that appear in the film, which include the Joker, Penguin, Poison Ivy, and Deathstroke, all of whom take the place of famous historical Sengoku period warlords in the film....
Short Anime Commemorates Opening of Expressway's New Exit
A short anime commemorating the completion of East Nippon Expressway Company's (E-NEXCO) soon to be opened Tokyo Outer Ring Expressway on the Misato-Minami interchange to Kōya junction began streaming on May 16. The newly completed road will open on June 2 The anime stars Jun Shison (anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day live-action special) as Takashi, a florist whose shop is located near the newly...
Basilisk's Segawa Ends Jū ~Ninpō Makai Tenshō~ Manga in June
Manga based on Makai Tenshō novel, which also inspired Ninja Resurrection OVA
― The June issue of Kodansha's Young Magazine revealed on Saturday that Masaki Segawa's Jū ~Ninpō Makai Tenshō~ manga will end in the magazine's next issue on June 20. The manga's story is set in Japan in the year 1638, and tells of master swordsmen who have all died but are being resurrected for nefarious purposes. The man...
Cowboy Bebop Gets 20th Anniversary Screenings With Updated Sound
Though difficult for some fans of the classic series to believe, Cowboy Bebop is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, both the space western television series and its Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door anime film will have special screenings in Tokyo in August. The "Cowboy Bebop 20th Anniversary Special Nights" all-night screening events will be held at the Cinema...
GeGeGe no Kitarō ‒ Episode 8
"The more prosaic storytelling of this week's Kitaro adventure is a disappointment, but it does play some decent tricks with perspective."
This Week in Anime - Wotakoi is the Relatable Otaku Love Story We Need
Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku delivers warm fuzzy romance and anime reference humor in equal measure. Nick and Steve dig into what aspects of this romcom they see in the otaku relationships around them.
― Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku delivers warm fuzzy romance and anime reference humor in equal measure. This week, Nick and Steve dig into what aspects of this romcom they see in the otaku relatio...
Character Designer Mel Kishida Creates Art for World Cosplay Summit 2018
Hanasaku Iroha character designer will also attend event
― This year's giant World Cosplay Summit (WCS) event is heading to Nagoya from July 28 to August 5 and popular character designer and part-time "cosplayer" Mel Kishida is drawing brand new artwork for the event. Kishida's character, who is still unnamed, is the fifth to be created for the cosplay event. Mascot characters already include Yuni, R...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, May 20-26
Tsugumomo anime; Himouto! Umaru-Chan, Devilman, Golosseum, How to Treat Magical Beasts, Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date RIN-NE 3 BDPlease Sentai Filmworks US$89.98 May 22 RIN-NE 3 DVDCite Sentai Filmworks US$69.98 May 22 Tsugumomo BD/DVDAnimeNewsNetwork Funimation Entertainment US$64.98 May 22 Print Manga Releases Tit...
Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card ‒ Episode 19
"Things are definitely getting down to the wire for Clear Card, which makes episodes that drag like this one a bit worrisome."
Rilakkuma to Kaoru-san Stop-Motion Anime's Promo, Visual Revealed
Netflix series premieres in spring 2019
― Netflix Japan began streaming a teaser for Rilakkuma to Kaoru-san (Rilakkuma and Kaoru-san), the anime series of San-X's "Rilakkuma" character, on Tuesday. The video previous the kind of stop-motion animation that will be used in the series. The official "Rilakkuma" website posted a visual for the series on Tuesday. The visual shows Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma, an...
One Piece ‒ Episode 837
"This is an examination of One Piece's themes of forgiveness and compassion pushed to their breaking point."
Idol Yui Ogura Promotes Gunma City as Tourism Ambassador
Voice actress and idol Yui Ogura is continuing her duties as a tourism ambassador for Gunma prefecture's Midori city. Ogura is a native to Gunma and originally signed on to help promote the area on October 22, 2016. This time she's helping promote Midori in two campaigns, "Four Seasons of Midori" and "Nagame Theatre". Posters for each campaign were revealed on the official website on May 1. The po...
Grimoire of Zero English Dub Stars Jason Douglas, Amanda Lee
Full cast list revealed; preview clip streamed
― Sentai Filmworks announced its English dub cast for Grimoire of Zero on Tuesday, and began streaming a preview clip. The cast, under director Kyle Jones, includes: Jason Douglas as Mercenary Amanda Lee as Zero Chelsea McCurdy as Albus Ian Sinclair as Thirteen David Wald as Holdem Melissa Pritchett as Sorena Jay Hickman as Narrator Other cast members in...
Puzzle & Dragons X BD/DVD Part 2
The adventure continues in this children's mobage adaptation with surprising ambitions. Rebecca Silverman finds out how things develop.
― Just because you've achieved your goal doesn't mean that the journey's over. That's the premise behind the second set of Puzzle & Dragons X episodes to be released on DVD. The first thirteen saw Ace work towards his goal of becoming a dragon caller – the show's com...
Comic Girls Anime Staff Thanks Missouri Viewers
Last week, Crunchyroll published the service's top non-sequel anime series in each state for the spring 2018 season based on current viewers of each show's most recent episode. Megalobox and Sword Art Online: Alternative Gun Gale Online dominated the map but in one midwest state, Comic Girls was the favorite. The series' staff took notice of its victory in Missouri with a special image thanking vi...
Haikara-San: Here Comes Miss Modern Anime Film's English Dub Cast Revealed
Mimi Torres, Robbie Daymond star in film opening in U.S., Canada on June 8
― Eleven Arts Anime Studio announced the English dub cast for the Haikara-San: Here Comes Miss Modern Part 1 (Gekijōban Haikara-san ga Tōru Zenpen - Benio, Hana no 17-sai) anime film on Tuesday. As previously announced, Mimi Torres will star as the main character Benio Hanamura. Other cast members include: Robbie Daymond as Sh...
GOG Adds Visual Novels From Sekai Project, MangaGamer
Publishers Sekai Project and MangaGamer announced on Tuesday that the GOG game platform has added several of their visual novels. The platform is now offering the Fault and Sunrider series from Sekai Project and eden* and the Higurashi When They Cry series from MangaGamer. MangaGamer also announced that it is working with GOG to add nine other titles, including Kindred Spirits on the Roof and A Ki...
Warner Brothers Japan at Anime Central
All the details from Warner Bros' panel at Anime Central, including a look at the first episode of the action fantasy anime Dragon Pilot, coming soon to Netflix!
― On Sunday May 20th at Anime Central, a representative of Warner Brothers Japan hosted a panel. During the presentation she provided previews of some upcoming projects and then showed the English subtitled version of the first episode of Dr...
Pokémon GO Adds Alolan Forms of Kanto Pokémon
The official website for the Pokémon GO smartphone game announced on Monday that it is adding Alolan forms of Kanto region Pokémon "in the coming weeks." The Alolan forms first appeared in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon. These Pokémon include Rattata, Sandshrew, Vulpix, Diglett, Meowth, Geodude, Grimer, and their respective evolutions, as well as Exeggutor, Marowak, and Raichu. The Pokémon GO app la...
The Best and Worst of Spring 2018, May 6-12
Hinamatsuri and MEGALOBOX duke it out for the top spot! Catch up with our weekly user rankings - and find out how your favorite shows performed!
― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Spring 2018 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season. Keep in mind that these rankings ...
Corpse Party 2: Dead Patient, Gungrave VR Games Head West
XSEED Games also releases Gal Metal, Touhou: Scarlet Curiosity in 2018
― Marvelous USA subsidiary XSEED Games announced on Tuesday that it will release the Corpse Party 2: Dead Patient, Gungrave VR, Gal Metal, and Touhou: Scarlet Curiosity games in North America in 2018. Marvelous Europe announced Gungrave VR and Gal Metal. XSEED Games began streaming an announcement teaser trailer for all four games...
Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker Game Launches in West on August 31
Trailer reveals Gaara, Deidara, battle modes
― Bandai Namco Entertainment revealed on Tuesday that its Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker game will launch for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam in the Americas, Europe, and Southeast Asia on August 31. The company also began streaming a new trailer for the game that reveals the new characters Gaara and Deidara. The trailer also previews the Flag...
Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO: PS4 Enters 'Final Phase of Life Cycle'
Sony plans to leverage recurring membership revenue, existing IP
― Sony Interactive Entertainment president and CEO John (Tsuyoshi) Kodera revealed at the Sony Investor Relations Day 2018 event in Tokyo on Tuesday that Sony's PlayStation 4 console is entering the "final phase of its life cycle." Kodera added that recurring revenue from user subscription services will ease the impact of fewer sales in...
Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, May 14-20
Asahinagu sells 7,585 + 3,507, followed by 1st Godzilla anime film, Kamen Rider Heisei Generation Final, Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I, Mob Psycho 100 play
― The Special Edition (Limited Complete Pressing) for the live-action film of Ai Kozaki's Asahinagu manga sold 7,585 copies to rank #5 on the overall DVD chart. The Standard Edition sold 3,507 copies at #6. Kamen Rider Heisei Generation Final B...
Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, May 14-20
Asahinagu sells 17,029, followed by 1st Godzilla anime film, Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I, Mob Psycho 100 play, Kamen Rider Heisei Generation Final
― The Special Edition (Limited Complete Pressing) for the live-action film of Ai Kozaki's Asahinagu manga sold 17,029 copies to rank #2 on the overall Blu-ray Disc chart. The Mob Psycho 100 stage play sold 1,075 copies to land at #12. The Collector's ...
Codate Establishes 'No Pictures' Animation Studio for Shorts
Studio will use pre-existing assets, royalty-free material to produce animation
― Video content company Codate announced on May 18 that it has founded an anime studio named No Pictures. The new studio produces no raw original animation of its own, but will use pre-existing content and royalty-free material, such as regional mascot characters, or digitally altered royalty-free photographs. Codate note...
DC Comics to Publish Batman & the Justice League Manga in October
Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas - Meiō Shinwa's Shiori Teshirogi launched manga last June
― DC Comics announced in March that it will release Shiori Teshirogi's Batman & the Justice League manga in English. The first volume is slated for October 23, and will have 200 pages. DC Comics describes the manga: A young boy from Japan travels to Gotham City on a mission. A year before, his two parents—both scie...
Miss caretaker of Sunohara-sou Anime Reveals New Visuals
The official website for the television anime of Nekoume's four-panel romantic comedy manga Miss caretaker of Sunohara-sou (Sunohara-Sō no Kanrinin-san) revealed a new visual for the anime on Tuesday. In addition, the site also revealed a new visual for a talk event for the anime that will take place at the Kanda Myojin shrine in Tokyo on June 29. The anime will premiere this summer. Shin Oonuma (...
Godzilla Opens at #8, Detective Conan Stays at #1
Crayon Shin-chan dropped to #10
― Godzilla: Kessen Kidō Zōshoku Toshi (Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle), the second film in the Godzilla anime film trilogy, opened last Friday in 158 theaters in Japan. The film ranked #8 in its opening weekend. Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters (Godzilla: Kaijū Wakusei), the first film, opened in Japan last November. Netflix began streaming the film worldwide on ...
Monday, May 21
'[New Life+] Young Again in Another World' Light Novels Get October TV Anime
Digimon Adventure tri.'s Keitaro Motonaga directs anime at Seven Arcs Pictures
― Hobby Japan announced on Tuesday that a television anime adaptation of MINE's [New Life+] Young Again in Another World (Nidome no Jinsei o Isekai de) light novel series has been green-lit for an October premiere. Hobby Japan opened a website and Twitter account for the anime. Keitaro Motonaga (School Days, Jormungand, Di...
Resident Evil: The Marhawa Desire's Naoki Serizawa Ends Psycho Bank Manga
Manga about psychic powers launched in 2015
― This year's sixth issue of Kodansha's Monthly Young Magazine announced on Saturday that Naoki Serizawa will end his Psycho Bank manga in the next issue on June 20. Serizawa launched the manga in 2015. Kodansha shipped the second compiled volume April 6. The story follows high school student Mirai, who thought he could predict the future, until an overwhel...
PERSONA 5 the Animation ‒ Episode 7
"The staff could stand to slow down and explore the more impactful moments of the story instead of working to cram absolutely everything in from the game version."
Agency Cancels Ensemble Stars! Stage Play Actor's Contract Due to 'Inappropriate Posts'
The official website for talent agency Omnia announced on Friday that it has cancelled the contract of affiliated actor Yūdai Natsume. The agency had posted an apology on May 12 in relation to Natsume's actions. The announcement said that the agency had investigated reports related to Natsume. Through the investigation, the company was able to confirm Natsume's "inappropriate posts" from around 20...
My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 45
"The Forest Training arc is wrapping up, and our main characters return to the city to discuss their next move going forward."
Silent Möbius QD Manga Ends Next Month
Sequel manga launched in 2013
― This year's sixth issue of Kodansha's Monthly Young Magazine announced on Saturday that Kia Asamiya's Silent Möbius QD (Quadriga) manga will end in the next issue on June 20. The magazine announced in November that the manga was approaching its climax. Asamiya launched the series in August 2013 and Kodansha published the fourth compiled volume on April 20. Kei Shigema,...
2nd Live-Action Gintama Film Brings Back Tsuyoshi Muro as Gengai Hiraga
New cast members will be announced every day this week
― The official Twitter account for the upcoming sequel film Gintama 2 (Kari) (Gintama 2 (Working Title)) announced on Tuesday that Tsuyoshi Muro is returning to play Gengai Hiraga. The staff are revealing a new cast member every day from May 22 until May 26. Previously announced returning cast members include (from left to right in top row in pic...
New Mechagodzilla Figure Gives a Closer Look at Godzilla Anime's Design
A new PVC figure is giving collectors a closer look at Mechagodzilla's design from Godzilla: Kessen Kidō Zōshoku Toshi (Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle) anime film, the second movie in the planned trilogy. The thorny, silver monster is recreated for Bandai's Master Detail Movie Monster Series. Film director Hiroyuki Seshita remarked on the figure's detail, saying, "The level of detail reprod...
BanG Dream! Music Video Clip Shows Sanzigen's Animation
Sanzigen to replace ISSEN/Xebec for upcoming new anime
― The official website for the BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! smartphone game's "Band Story Chapter 2" event began streaming a music video clip for the band Roselia's song "Neo-Aspect" on Saturday. The clip was animated by SANZIGEN Animation Studio, the studio handling the anime's second and third seasons. The BanG Dream! anime will premiere two m...
Naruto Kabuki Play to Also Run at Newly Re-Opened Minamiza Theatre in Kyoto
The staff of the historical Minamiza Theatre in Kyoto announced the theater's 2018-2019 lineup at a presentation on Friday, and it will include the Naruto kabuki play in June 2019. It will also include a collaboration between Hatsune Miku and kabuki actor Nakamura Shidō in August 2019 — the actor and virtual idol previously starred together in Hanakurabe Senbonzakura in 2016. Minamiza Theatre date...
New Game! Manga Creator Stops Replying to Letters After Fans Resell Gifts
New Game! manga creator Shōtarō Tokunō said on Twitter on Tuesday that he will no longer respond to fan letters because a fan or fans have resold fancy paper boards that he had specially drawn and sent after receiving letters. Tokunō did not give details of any particular incident that sparked his decision. Although it remains unclear which signed paper boards the creator is referring to in partic...
Spend Your Lovely Virtual Reality Days with Asuna
Bandai Namco Entertainment is bringing Asuna to fans in a new, leisurely-paced virtual reality experience. The company announced during the Dengeki Online live stream broadcast on Monday that it is planning to release the Sword Art Online: Lovely Honey Days for mobile devices this year. The game will have multiple "episodes" for purchase, while the initial episode is free to play. Players take on ...
The Lost Child Game Video Features Fallen Angels
Game debuts in N. America on June 19, in Europe on June 22
― NIS America began streaming a new video for its The Lost Child game on Saturday. The video shows a dialogue scene in which protagonist Hayato and his ally Lua meet fallen angels. The game will ship in North America on June 19 and in Europe on June 22. The game will be available physically and digitally for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStatio...
Manga Creator, Illustrator Hisashi Eguchi Draws Lyrical School CD Artwork
Manga creator and illustrator Hisashi Eguchi (Stop!! Hibari-kun!, The Kotobuki Goro Show) lent his art skills for the group Lyrical School's newest CD. Eguchi based his illustrations on the album's overall concept, representing the title World's End with a gas mask around a woman's neck. This is the second time Eguchi has worked with Lyrical School. He previously provided artwork for their album d...
World Screen: GKIDS Licenses 'Ronja, The Robber's Daughter' for U.S.
Worldwide rights holder Serious Lunch signs deals for U.S., China, other territories
― International media news website World Screen reported on Monday that GKIDS has acquired the rights to Goro Miyazaki and POLYGON PICTURES' Ronja the Robber's Daughter television anime in the United States. United Kingdom-based distributor Serious Lunch previously acquired the worldwide rights to the series. World S...
MangaGamer to Host Illustrator MIN-NARAKEN at Anime Expo
Alicesoft illustrator to attend July convention
― MangaGamer announced at Anime Central on Friday that it will bring illustrator MIN-NARAKEN to this year's Anime Expo as a guest. MIN-NARAKEN will have a panel and an autograph session. MIN-NARAKEN has worked as a character designer and illustrator at Alicesoft, and has contributed to the developer's Rance and Toushin Toshi series, among other titles. ...
Answerman - Lightning Round
It's another batch of enlightening quickies: small faces, crime in Japan, High School of the Dead and more!
― Doc Fraga asked: I have wondered about this for almost 30 years. But what is the meaning of the three finger point "Sign of the devil" hand sign in anime. it's usually seen in Ranma 12 or Urusei Yatsura when someone gets knocked out. The hand-sign often associated with the devil and heavy me...
Happy Sugar Life Anime Casts Kikuko Inoue
Series premieres in July
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Tomiyaki Kagisora's Happy Sugar Life manga revealed on Tuesday that Kikuko Inoue will play Satō's aunt. The website also revealed designs for the character and a new key visual for the anime. Kikuko Inoue as Satō's aunt The anime will premiere on MBS and other networks in July. The psychological horror manga's stor...
Shenmue III PS4, PC Game's Footage Streamed
Game slated for 2019 after delays
― THQ Nordic, parent company of Koch Media and its publishing division Deep Silver, revealed footage from Deep Silver's Shenmue III PlayStation 4 and PC game at a presentation on May 16. The video features a presentation by Koch Media's Mario Gerhold and reveals pre-alpha footage of the game (presentation of the game begins at around the 1:12:00 mark in the video lin...
Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online ‒ Episode 6
"Pito's got some serious issues behind her seemingly pleasant demeanor."
Shelf Life - Koro Sensei Quest!
Paul enjoys a bite-sized, RPG-themed spoof of Koro-sensei's adventures in Assassination Classroom, then breaks down all this week's new anime releases alongside a brand-new Shelf Obsessed!
― I got myself a Nintendo Switch last week, and my first impression of the thing was pretty darn positive. I plugged it in, turned it on, put in a game, and started playing. No insanely huge updates to download or...
Sirius the Jaeger Anime's Videos Preview Jaeger, Vampire Characters
Original series by P.A. Works debuts in July
― The official website for P.A. Works' original television anime project Sirius the Jaeger began streaming two new promotional videos on Monday. The English-subtitled videos preview the anime's Jaeger and vampire characters. The anime will premiere in July. The official English website for the series describes the story: Imperial Capital, 1930. A strange g...
Hinamatsuri ‒ Episode 7
"It's a week of new beginnings for the cast of Hinamatsuri, though these fresh starts work out better for some than others."
Interviews with Monster Girls BD/DVD
This slice-of-life comedy delivers an entertaining and occasionally thoughtful package that avoids the seedier pitfalls common to the monster girl genre. Theron Martin digs in.
― Riding the current wave of monster girl titles is this manga adaptation from winter 2017, which takes a somewhat unusual approach to the genre. Rather than treating its subject matter as exotic potential love interests, it a...
Gudetama Tap! Smartphone Game Launches for iOS, Android
Players collect recipes to make versions of Sanrio's egg character
― CyberStep released the gudetama tap! iOS and Android app game on Monday. The game, which features Sanrio's Gudetama character, is a collaboration between CyberStep, Sanrio, Gathering Holdings, and Good Luck3. In the game, players collect recipes to create Gudetama characters, place them in a room, and poke them. The game includes fr...
Record of Grancrest War ‒ Episode 19
"Both in storytelling and animation, consistency has been thrown out the window."
Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory ‒ Episode 5
"It will be interesting to see how Sousuke responds to a new girl his age, given what he's used to dealing with from Kaname or Tessa."
To the Moon Game Creator: Animated Film in the Works with Japanese Studio
Creator: "first-tier Japanese animation production companies" are involved
― Independent game creator Kan Gao from Freebird Games posted on YouTube on Friday that Freebird Games' To the Moon game is getting an animated film adaptation. Gao stated that the project is a collaboration between China and Japan, with Chinese companies in charge of funding, and Japanese companies producing the film. Gao sai...
One Piece Manga Gets 2 Books in June, July Compiling Chapter Cover Stories
This year's 25th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed on Monday that Shueisha will release two books of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga that will compile the chapter cover stories from the manga. The two volumes are titled One Piece DOORS. The first volume will ship on June 4, and the second volume will ship on July 4. The volumes will also include a "special page." Shueisha wil...
Job Recruitment Site Posts Ad for Animators, Directors for New Bilibili Studio Based in Tokyo
Production studio aims to create 3 anime per year
― Job recruitment site Wantedly has posted a job listing to recruit animators, animation directors, and directors for a production studio that is part of the Japanese division of the Chinese video sharing website bilibili. The listing states that the studio is located in the Ningyōchō area of Tokyo. The listing adds that the new production studio will...
Developers: Steam Will Review Games' Content Before Action is Taken
Steam tells developers to "disregard previous notice" about 2-week ultimatum to alter games' alleged adult content
― MangaGamer, Sekai Project, Neko Works, Lupiesoft, Huniepop, and other game developers and publishers reported over the weekend that digital game publishing platform Steam has contacted them regarding the recent notices they have received about publishing adult content on Steam. Accordi...
Lupin III: Part IV Anime Returns to Toonami on June 2
Show replaces Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex in 3:30 a.m. timeslot
― The official Facebook page of Adult Swim's Toonami block announced on Saturday that the Lupin III: Part IV anime will return to the block on June 2 at 3:30 a.m. The show is replacing Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. The anime premiered on the block in June 2017 with an English dub. Discotek Media will release the se...
Live-Action Kyō Kara Ore wa!! Series Reveals Jiro Sato in Costume
The staff for the live-action television series of Hiroyuki Nishimori's Kyou Kara Ore Wa!! gag comedy manga revealed photos of Jiro Sato in costume as his character Tetsuo Akasaka, Riko's father. The series will premiere on NTV's Nichiyō Drama time slot in October. The new series marks the first live-action adaptation for the manga in about 21 years. Yūichi Fukuda (live-action Gintama, HK/Hentai K...
Fate/Grand Order Arcade Game Adds Georgios, Gaius Julius Caesar as Playable Servants
2 Noble Phantasm videos also posted
― The official website for Type-Moon's Fate/Grand Order Arcade game revealed on Monday that Georgios (Rider) and Gaius Julius Caesar (Saber) will be available in the game at launch. Type-Moon is also streaming videos for Georgios' "Ascalon" and Caesar's "Crocea Mors" Noble Phantasms. Georgios Caesar Other playable Servants at launch: Artoria Pendragon (Saber), Emiy...
5th Space Battleship Yamato 2202 Anime Film Reveals 3 New Cast Members
Shoko Ikeda, Takeshi Kusao, Kazuhiko Inoue play members of Dessler family
― The official website for the Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2202 (Uchū Senkan Yamato 2202: Ai no Senshi-tachi or Space Battleship Yamato 2202: Warriors of Love) anime sequel project revealed three new cast members for "Rengoku-hen" (Purgatory Chapter), the fifth film in the series, on Monday. The new characters reveale...
Dragon Ball N. American Tour Reveals Cities, Dates
Tour stops at Comic Con Int'l, Otakon, Fan Expo Canada, NY Comic Con, more
― Bandai began streaming a video on Monday to reveal the dates and cities for the previously announced "Dragon Ball North America Tour" event. The tour will go to: Comic Con International in San Diego from July 18-22 Otakon in Washington, D.C. from August 10-12 Fan Expo Canada in Toronto from August 30-September 2 Rose City Co...
Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer Earns 7.2 Billion Yen, Becomes Highest-Grossing Film in Franchise
Film tops Japanese box office for 6th straight weekend
― Meitantei Conan Zero no Shikkōnin (Detective Conan: Zero's Executioner), the 22nd film in the Detective Conan series, has earned a total of 7.2 billion yen (about US$64.7 million) as of Monday, becoming the highest-grossing film in the Detective Conan franchise. The film is the sixth consecutive Detective Conan film to become the highest-grossi...
Resident Evil 7: Cloud Version Game Announced for Switch
Cloud-based game available in Japan on Thursday
― The official Japanese website for Capcom's Resident Evil 7: biohazard game revealed on Sunday that the game will get a new version in Japan for the Nintendo Switch titled Biohazard 7: resident evil Cloud Version. The new version will be available in Japan on Thursday. The new version is playable through the cloud by accessing Capcom's servers. Like al...
Muhyo & Roji Anime Reveals 5 More Character Designs
Series premieres this summer
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Yoshiyuki Nishi's Muhyo to Roji no Mahōritsu Sōdan Jimusho (Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation) manga revealed the character designs on Monday for five new cast members. This year's 25th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine had revealed the cast members for the characters earlier on ...
Viz Media Reveals English Dub Cast for Accel World: Infinite Burst Anime Film
Viz Media will screen film with new, returning English dub cast at Anime Expo in July
― Viz Media revealed the English dub cast on Sunday for its release of the Accel World: Infinite Burst anime film. The returning cast members from Viz Media's English dub of the television anime include: Kira Buckland as Kuroyukihime/Black Lotus Erik Scott Kimerer as Haruyuki Arita/Silver Crow Lucien Dodge as Takumu...
Sunday, May 20
More Live-Action Gintama Film Cast Members Return for Sequel
Masami Nagasawa, Masaki Okada reprise roles for August 17 film
― The official website for the upcoming sequel film Gintama 2 (Kari) (Gintama 2 (Working Title)) revealed more returning cast from the first film on Monday. Masami Nagasawa (bottom row left in picture below) returns as Tae Shimura, while Masaki Okada (bottom row center) returns as Kotarō Katsura. The character Elizabeth (bottom row right)...
The Laws of the Universe Anime Continues With Film Trilogy
Fumika Shimizu joins returning cast for Happy Science religious group's Fall film
― HS Pictures Studio revealed a new anime film titled Uchū no Hō: Reimei-hen (The Laws of the Universe: Part 1) on Monday. The film is a sequel to The Laws of the Universe Part 0 (UFO Gakuen no Himitsu) religious anime film, and will be the first part of a trilogy. The film's cast includes: Ryota Ohsaka as Ray Asami Set...
My Hero Academia Anime Reveals 2 New Cast Members
Kenta Kamakari, Shuhei Matsuda to play pro heroes
― This year's 25th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed two more characters and cast members on Monday for the third season of the My Hero Academia anime. Shuhei Matsuda as Gang Orca, the #10 pro hero, whose Quirk is Orcinus Kenta Kamakari as Edgeshot, the #5 pro hero, whose Quirk is Foldabody Matsuda also plays the Villain Moonfis...
Uma Musume Anime's 4th Blu-ray Release Includes 'Completely New Animation'
November 14 release also bundles novel with original story
― The official website for the anime portion of Cygames' Uma Musume Pretty Derby project announced the details for the anime's fourth Blu-ray Disc release (titled "Umabako: The Fourth Corner") on Mondaty. The November 14 release will contain a "completely new animation." It will also contain an original prose story titled "Uma Hanashi" (Horse...
Viz Licenses Kakuriyo Manga, Accel World Film & OVAs
1st K: Seven Stories film premieres at Anime Expo; Loveless volume 13 slated for June
― Viz Media announced at its Anime Central panel on Sunday that it has licensed Wako Ioka's Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits manga, as well as the Accel World: Infinite Burst anime film and the franchise's two original video anime (OVA) releases. Viz Media also announced that it will premiere R:B ~Blaze~, the...
Dennō Coil's Mitsuo Iso Directs Original 'Chikyūgai Shōnen Shōjo' Anime
Kenichi Yoshida designs, SIGNAL.MD animates project about children stranded in space
― Anime director Mitsuo Iso announced at the Anime Central convention on Sunday that he is directing and scripting Chikyūgai Shōnen Shōjo (Extraterrestrial Children), his first new original anime since 2007's Dennō Coil. Kenichi Yoshida (Eureka Seven, Gundam Reconguista in G, Overman King Gainer) is drawing the chara...
Magic Knight Rayearth Gears Up for 25th Anniversary with New Merch
CLAMP's Magic Knight Rayearth celebrated its 20th anniversary pretty quietly with some low-key merchandise and a new Blu-ray boxset. Enough time has passed since the initial wave of nostalgic promotions for the series to gear up for the next round, this time as part of its 25th anniversary. The GraffArt Shop with A3MARKET inside the Ikebukuro shopping mall PARCO will introduce new merchandise fea...
DARLING in the FRANXX ‒ Episode 18
"I don't know what's bringing DARLING in the FRANXX down more: that its themes have become so trite and shallow, or that the story still hasn't cleared up its plot or antagonist after 18 episodes."
JRA's Captain Tsubasa Campaign Offers Web Content, Panel Displays, Prize Lotteries
The image below makes it look like Youichi Takahashi's characters have given up soccer to chase a much smaller ball as polo players. However, the visual is for a new promotion that the Japan Racing Association (JRA) announced on Wednesday for its 85th Tokyo Yūshun (Japanese Derby) horse race, which will be held on May 27. The JRA's latest anime collaboration, titled "Captain Tsubasa Derby," is a p...
CLAMP Draws Cardcaptor Sakura Art for Crew de Gozaimasu! Flight Attendant Manga
CLAMP provided an illustration of Cardcaptor Sakura's Sakura and Mokona to celebrate the release the compiled book volume of Moka Onmae's Crew de Gozaimasu! New Stewardess Monogatari manga, which shipped on Wednesday. The volume is the Crew de Gozaimasu! series' third book. In CLAMP's image, the characters wear the uniform of the series' Yamato Aviation airline. CLAMP also provided comments for th...
Attack on Titan Anime Inspires Lingerie, Watch, Umbrellas
Online retailer SuperGroupies revealed its newest Attack on Titan merchandise on Friday. The collection includes a lingerie set, wristwatch, and umbrellas inspired by the show's Survey Corps. The lingerie set costs 10,584 yen (about US$96) and draws inspiration from the Survey Corps uniform. The left cup on the bra features the Wings of Freedom insignia. The watch costs 15,984 yen (about US$144),...
Shonen Jump Reveals New Vertical Manga Awards
The editorial department of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine announced the first Jump Tate Scroll Manga Shō (Jump Vertically Scrolling Manga Awards) on Thursday. The awards will honor manga intended for smartphones and other devices that scroll vertically. The awards promise that at least three manga, chosen as the grand prize or runners-up, will be serialized in Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ app ...
Vegito Blue Joins Dragon Ball FighterZ Game
Character release slated for late May
― The July issue of Shueisha's V-Jump magazine revealed on Monday that the Vegito Blue character will join the playable roster of Bandai Namco Entertainment's Dragon Ball FighterZ fighting game. Vegito Blue is a fused version of Goku and Vegeta, transformed into the Super Saiyan Blue form. The DLC will release in late May alongside the release for Fused Zamasu. V...
Muhyo & Roji Anime Reveals More Cast Members
Satomi Akesaka, Wataru Hatano, more join cast for series premiering this summer
― This year's 25th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed more cast for the new television anime adaptation of Yoshiyuki Nishi's Muhyo to Roji no Mahōritsu Sōdan Jimusho (Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation) manga on Monday. Mitsuki Saiga as Reiko Imai Wataru Hatano as Page Klaus Rie Kawa...
Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker Game Launches on PS4 on August 30
This year's 25th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed on Monday that Bandai Namco Entertainment's Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker game will ship in Japan on August 30. The game will arrive in Japan on the PlayStation 4, and in the West on the PS4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. Bandai Namco Entertainment America describes the game: Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is a high-spe...
Super Dragon Ball Heroes Arcade Card Game Gets Promotional Anime This Summer
Anime will cover game's "Prison Planet" story arc
― The July issue of Shueisha's V Jump magazine revealed on Monday that the Dragon Ball Heroes game series will get a promotional anime this summer. The anime will depict the story's "Prison Planet" arc from Super Dragon Ball Heroes: Universe Mission. The anime's "first episode" will get an advance screening at the "Super Dragon Ball Heroes Universe To...
The Promised Neverland to Have 'Super Important Announcement' on May 28
This year's 25th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine teased on Monday that Kaiu Shirai and Posuka Demizu's The Promised Neverland (Yakusoku no Neverland) manga will have a "super important announcement" in the next issue on May 28. The domain name "neverland-anime.com" was registered in April. A Twitter account for The Promised Neverland manga launched at around the same time. Shirai a...
Phantom in the Twilight Anime's 1st Character Video Highlights Vlad
Takahiro Sakurai voices character in series premiering in July
― The official website for smartphone game company Happy Elements' first original anime Phantom in the Twilight began streaming the show's first character video on Sunday. The video highlights the character Vlad Garfunkel (voiced by Takahiro Sakurai). The series is being developed in Japan and China, and it is slated to premiere in Japan ...
5th Space Battleship Yamato 2202 Anime Film's 1st 10 Minutes Streamed
Film opens in Japan on May 25
― The official website for the Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2202 (Uchū Senkan Yamato 2202: Ai no Senshi-tachi or Space Battleship Yamato 2202: Warriors of Love) anime sequel project began streaming the first 10 minutes on Saturday of "Rengoku-hen" (Purgatory Chapter), the fifth film in the series. Bandai previously aired the video during a special program for th...
Actress, Singer, Dancer Yukiji Asaoka Passes Away at 82
Actress performed roles in My Neighbors the Yamadas, The Tale of Princess Kaguya
― Newspapers in Japan reported on Sunday that actress, singer, and dancer Yukiji Asaoka (real name Yukie Katō) passed away on April 27. She was 82. Her close relatives held a funeral. While the cause of death is unknown, Asaoka was seeking treatment for Alzheimer's Disease. Asaoka was interested in dancing from a young a...
Adult Swim Streams English-Dubbed Trailer for FLCL Progressive Anime
1st of 2 new 6-episode series for FLCL premieres on June 2
― Adult Swim began streaming a new trailer on Sunday for FLCL Progressive, the first of two new six-episode television anime for the FLCL anime series. FLCL Progressive will premiere on June 2 at 12:00 a.m. EDT and PDT (effectively June 3) on Adult Swim's Toonami block. (Note: the series was previously slated to premiere at 11:30 p.m. EDT but...
ReoNa Performs Ending Theme for Happy Sugar Life Anime
Series premieres in July
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Tomiyaki Kagisora's Happy Sugar Life manga revealed on Sunday that ReoNa will perform the show's ending theme song "Sweet Hurt." The single for the song will be ReoNa's first single, and it will ship on August 29. ReoNA previously performed several insert songs for the Sword Art Online: Alternative Gun Gale Online ...
One Piece: Episode of Skypeia Anime Special Previewed in Video
2-hour special airs on August 25
― The official Twitter acccount for the One Piece franchise began streaming a commercial on Saturday for the One Piece: Episode of Sorajima (Skypeia) anime special. 8月25日(土)夜9時~放送『ONE PIECE』夏のスペシャル「エピソード オブ 空島」PV公開! https://t.co/QIGSwRCRcX #ワンピース pic.twitter.com/L9VosgQUnM— ONE PIECE.com(ワンピース) (@OPcom_info) May 19, 2018 The special will air on August 25 on Fuji TV fr...
Saturday, May 19
HIDIVE to Stream Land of the Lustrous Anime in U.S., Canada
12-episode series previously streamed in U.S., Canada on Anime Strike
― HIDIVE announced on Saturday that it will stream the Land of the Lustrous television anime series in the United States and Canada starting on June 17. HIDIVE will add new episodes every Sunday. HIDIVE describes the series: In the distant future, new life forms known as Gems inhabit the Earth. These immortal beings find themselves...
Crunchyroll to Stream ISLAND, To Be Heroine, The Master of Ragnarok & Blesser of Einherjar Anime
Site also streams final 6 episodes of Dies Irae anime starting in July
― Crunchyroll announced at its Anime Central panel on Saturday that it will stream the ISLAND, To Be Heroine, and The Master of Ragnarok & Blesser of Einherjar television anime series. Crunchyroll confirmed that ISLAND and The Master of Ragnarok & Blesser of Einherjar are both Crunchyroll co-production titles. Crunchyroll also con...
Viz Media to Screen Sailor Moon S The Movie, Sailor Moon SuperS The Movie Films in N. American Theaters
Both films get dubbed, subtitled screenings this summer
― Viz Media announced at Anime Central on Saturday that it 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 Dream Hole) this summer in North America. The Sailor Moon S The Movie screening will also include an encore screening of Sailor Moon R: The Movi...
Release Your Words with Cardcaptor Sakura Mini Pens
Ever want to hold a Sealing Wand in the palm of your hand? Now's your chance. POMMOP is offering three different "strap pens" for the Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card anime. The mini pens are available as the Sealing Wand in its original form, as well as in Star Wand and Dream Wand varieties. Each strap pen comes with a strap to attach it to a bag or other item, and an acrylic stand to display it be...
Touken Ranbu Musical Cast Sings 'BE IN SIGHT' in New MV
The cast of the fifth Touken Ranbu stage musical is getting audiences ready for the new "Kashū Kiyomitsu Solo Performance" event and a third "Shinken Ranbu Sai" event with a new music video. The song "BE IN SIGHT" is the fifth single from the musical series and went on sale on Wednesday. The music video won't only stream online. Seven outdoor large screens will play the music video throughout Shib...
Megalobox ‒ Episode 7
"This sudden wrench in the team's plans seems like the perfect opportunity for them to get creative."
New Manga Tells Story of Pokémon Creator Satoshi Tajiri
Shogakukan released a manga book about Pokémon creator Satoshi Tajiri on Wednesday. The book, titled Shogakukan-ban Gakushū Manga Special Pokémon o Tsukutta Otoko Tajiri Satoshi (Shogakukan Edition Learning Manga Special, Satoshi Tajiri: The Man Who Made Pokémon), tells Tajiri's story from his upbringing to the creation of Pokémon. The 160-page book costs 900 yen (about US$8). The book discusses T...
Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku ‒ Episode 6
"Ho ho ho! It's time for a very otaku Christmas."
Comic Girls ‒ Episode 7
"This is probably the most manga-focused installment since Ruki stole the show a few weeks back, and this episode is much stronger for it."
Yoko Takahashi's Evangelion Songs Get New Single Release, International Tour
Yoko Takahashi's "Zankoku na Tenshi no Thesis / Tamashii no Refrain" double A-side maxi single featuring two Evangelion theme songs will ship in Japan on June 20. The single will feature the Neon Genesis Evangelion opening theme song "A Cruel Angel's Thesis" and the Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death & Rebirth ending theme song "Soul's Refrain." The release will feature special jacket art illustrated ...
Tada Never Falls in Love ‒ Episode 7
"This week we get yet another episode starring the show's best character, Nyanko Big, when our favorite fat cat decides to run away in pursuit of his lady-love."
Singer, Actor Hideki Saijo Makes Final Chibi Maruko-chan Anime Appearance on May 27
Late singer and actor Hideki Saijo will appear on the Chibi Maruko-chan anime on May 27. Saijo was already scheduled to appear on the program before he passed away due to heart failure on Wednesday. The anime episode featuring Saijo will air one day after his funeral service will be held at Aoyama Funeral Home in Tokyo. Chibi Maruko-chan manga creator Momoko Sakura is a fan of Saijo, and she poste...
Legendary Animator Yasuji Mori Gets Animation Exhibit in Kichijoji
The mentor to Miyazaki and Takahata forever changed the animation industry as we know it
― It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Yasuji Mori helped shape the history of 2D animation in Japan. He was an instrumental animator in the early days of Toei Doga (before it became Toei Animation) and Nippon Animation, and his character designs helped define the aesthetic of anime in that period. He was a...
Live-Action Kakugo wa Ii ka Soko no Joshi. TV Series Reveals 3 Cast Members in Costume
5-episode live-action TV series premieres on June 24 before film opens on October 12
― The official website for the live-action television adaptation of Nana Shiiba's Kakugo wa Ii ka Soko no Joshi. (Are you ready? Hey you girl!) romantic comedy manga revealed a visual as well as three character visuals on Saturday. This year's 12th issue of Shueisha's Margaret magazine revealed the three new cast mem...
Yuu Watase Aims to Resume Arata: The Legend Manga This Year
Manga went on hiatus in August 2015
― Manga creator Yuu Watase posted on Twitter on Saturday that she is considering trying to resume her Arata: The Legend manga this year. Watase added that she is still recovering from depression. Watase put the manga on hiatus in August 2015. The manga had resumed a month before after another 17-month hiatus. Watase is also working on the "Remaster" edition of the ...
Legend of the Galactic Heroes' New Stage Play Reveals Visual, 4 Cast Members
Play adaptation of new anime runs in Tokyo in October
― The official website for the new stage play series adaptation of Yoshiki Tanaka's epic science fiction novel series Legend of the Galactic Heroes revealed a visual and four cast members on Friday for the first play in the series. The play stars: Seiichirō Nagata as Reinhard von Lohengramm Shō Katō as Sigfried Kircheis Ryō Hatakeyama as Oskar von...
NISA Streams New Dub Clip for Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk Game
PS4, Switch, PC game launches in N. America, Europe this fall
― NIS America began streaming a new video on Saturday for its upcoming release of Nippon Ichi Software's Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk game. The video previews a conversation between characters Dronya and Marietta featuring the English dub cast. NIS America will release the game for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC (via Ste...
Ani ni Aisaresugite Komattemasu's Rina Yagami Launches New Manga in June
Country girl moves in with handsome actor in Tokyo in new manga
― This year's 12th issue of Shogakukan's Sho-Comi magazine revealed on Saturday that Rina Yagami will launch a new manga titled Wake Atte Kinō Ubawaremashita (I Was Taken Away Yesterday For Some Reason) in the magazine's next issue on June 5. The manga will have a color opening page, and it will be featured on the issue's front cover. Th...
Kingdom Hearts III Gameplay Videos Preview Olympus, Toy Story Worlds
Nomura: Square Enix will reveal release date in early June
― Famitsu began streaming an extended gameplay video on Friday for Square Enix's Kingdom Hearts III game, after Square Enix had invited several press outlets to California to demo the game on Thursday. Press outlets were able to play snippets from the "Olympus" world from Hercules and the "ToyBox" world from Toy Story. Keyblades featured in t...
Friday, May 18
Ore ga Suki nano wa Imōto dakedo Imōto ja nai TV Anime Reveals Teaser Visual, Main Staff
My First Girlfriend is a Gal's Hiroyuki Furukawa directs series at his new studio Magia Doraglier
― 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 a teaser visual and the show's main staff on Saturday. Hiroyuki Furukawa (My First Girlf...
Game Publishers: Valve Issues Warning to Remove Adult Content From Steam (Updated)
MangaGamer, Lupiesoft, others report receiving warnings about previously-approved games
― Several game developers and publishers have reported receiving notices from Valve regarding adult content on Steam. Valve allegedly said it would take the games off of Steam if the adult content was not removed. Publisher MangaGamer posted a statement on its blog, and shared part of Steam's alleged notice in a p...
DARLING in the FRANXX Manga Artist Draws Zero Two With Anime Singer Mika Nakashima
DARLING in the FRANXX manga artist Kentaro Yabuki provided an illustration of the series' character Zero Two with Mika Nakashima to mark the deluxe single release of the singer's "Kiss of Death" theme song for the original anime. The illustration debuted at the end of the manga's 18th chapter in Shueisha's digital Shonen Jump+ magazine. The new release of "Kiss of Death" will ship in Japan on June...
One Piece Gets Episode of Skypeia Anime Special Airing on August 25
Preview will debut on Saturday
― One Piece will get a new special titled One Piece: Episode of Sorajima (Skypeia) on August 25. The special will air on Fuji TV from 9:00 p.m. to 11:10 p.m. A trailer will air during an airing of One Piece Film Gold on Saturday night. The special will be the first in the "Episode of" series to cover the Skypeia arc, and will feature a character who did not appear in th...
Vertical Licenses Kino's Journey, 'Go with the Clouds, North by Northwest' Manga, Sherlock Holmes and Hirobumi Ito Novel
Blame!, Knights of Sidonia omnibus volumes announced
― Vertical Comics announced at Anime Central on Friday that it has licensed the Kino's Journey and Go with the Clouds, North by Northwest (Hokuhokusei ni Kumori Yuke) manga and the Sherlock Holmes and Hirobumi Ito novel. In addition the company plans to release the new Blame! manga in one collective volume and a Knights of Sidonia Master's Edition ...
BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle Fighting Game's Trailer Highlights Persona 4 Arena Characters
PQube announces June 22 release date, demo for Europe
― Arc System Works America began streaming an English-dubbed trailer and a gameplay video for its BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle crossover fighting game for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC on Thursday. The video highlights characters from Persona 4 Arena and shows them interacting with other characters in the game. Arc System Works previously st...
Prince of Tennis Valentine Ranking Gets 400,000+ Chocolates in 2018
Every year, Prince of Tennis fans send chocolate to Shueisha to vote in a ranking contest for their favorite character. Manga creator Takeshi Konomi revealed on Twitter on Monday that the franchise's annual chocolate campaign received a total of more than 400,000 chocolate gifts this year, which is more than double the amount received last year. 今年のテニプリバレンタインは総数40万越え(*´◇'๓)*゜ｱﾘｶﾞﾄｰそれを記念して今年のサマバレは8...
Aniplex USA Confirms English Dub for March comes in like a lion Season 2
Aniplex of America confirmed at Bang Zoom! Entertainment's panel at Anime Central on Friday that it will continue its English dub of March comes in like a lion with the second series. Bang Zoom! and Aniplex of America are hosting open auditions at Anime Central. The second season premiered on NHK last October, and Crunchyroll streamed the 22-episode series as it aired. Aniplex of America released ...
Touken Ranbu Mochi Mochi Mascot Goes Super-Size
SK Japan's Mochi Mochi Mascot characters remain popular, enough so that the company has had to issue guides to help buyers make sure they aren't picking up a counterfeit Yūri Katsuki. Touken Ranbu fans are in luck though, factories will probably have a difficult time pulling off a replica of such large proportions. The "Mochi Mochi Mascot Big Touken Ranbu -Online- Mikazuki Munechika" is far large...
Kenichi Sonoda Launches Kickstarter for New 'Bean Bandit' Anime
Project seeks to fund short anime film.
― Kenichi Sonoda announced at Anime Central on Friday that he launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund a new "Bean Bandit" anime. He confirmed that the project will meld elements of Riding Bean and Gunsmith Cats, and like these previous works it will take place in Chicago. The initial goal of the project is to make a five-minute animation, with stretch goals tha...
Agency Apologizes for Ensemble Stars! Stage Play Actor's Actions
The official website for talent agency Omnia posted an apology on Saturday related to reports about affiliated actor Yūdai Natsume. The company did not specify the content of the reports or confirm Natsume's alleged actions but apologized to fans, staff members, and others upset by the situation. Omnia said it it taking measures to prevent incidents from recurring. The company is currently investi...
Japan's Animation TV Ranking, April 30-May 6
Yo-kai Watch Shadowside makes top 10
― Title Station Date Time Length Average Household Rating Sazae-san Fuji TV May 13 (Sun) 18:30 30 min. 13.0 Chibi Maruko-chan Fuji TV May 13 (Sun) 18:00 30 min. 9.3 Doraemon TV Asahi May 11 (Fri) 19:00 30 min. 7.3 Crayon Shin-chan TV Asahi May 11 (Fri) 19:30 24 min. 7.2 Detective Conan NTV May 12 (Sat) 18:00 30 min. 6.9 One Piece Fuji TV May 13 (Sun) 9:30 30 min....
Beat Takeshi Guest Stars in Gurazeni Anime's Final Episode
Actor, director voices role for episode premiering on June 22
― Actor and director Takeshi Kitano (popularly known as Beat Takeshi; seen third from left in image below) will guest star in the final episode of the television anime of Yūji Moritaka and Keiji Adachi's Gurazeni baseball manga. The episode will air on June 22. Kitano has risen to prominence as both an actor and a director in Japan, and ha...
Steins;Gate 0 ‒ Episode 6
"We needed a reintroduction to this world after so many years away, but S;G0 simply doesn't have the benefit of the first series' slow-burn pacing."
IBM's Sword Art Online Virtual Reality MMO Wins at 2nd Animonozukuri Awards
A prominent part of Japanese culture is monozukuri (literally, "thing making"), wherein Japanese people take pride in carefully crafting products. Although the term commonly appears alongside traditional Japanese items such as paper fans or pottery, the concept can also apply to goods produced for the anime and popular culture industries. The otaku market brings in a large part of its revenue thro...
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 58
"With so many battles covered in one week, episode 58 certainly had the potential to feel overcrowded, but each match is able to entertain despite its brief runtime."
Comic Ryū Magazine Moves Online
Hour of the Zombie manga ends
― This year's July issue of Tokuma Shoten's Monthly Comic Ryū magazine announced on Saturday that the magazine is moving online. The switch will begin with the August issue, which will debut online on June 19. All currently-serialized manga will debut online for free in July on the tentatively titled "Comic Ryū Web-hen" (web edition). The magazine launched in September 2...
Golden Kamuy Gets Branded Sapporo Beer Cans in Hokkaido
The official website for the Golden Kamuy anime announced on Thursday that a limited number of Sapporo Classic beer cans will be available featuring main character Saichi Sugimoto. The branded cans will go on sale on July 18, and they will only be available in Hokkaido, the setting of the anime and the original home of Sapporo Brewery. A present campaign will offer a chance to win one of 150 packs...
Black Clover ‒ Episodes 31-32
"Black Clover seems to be entering some rough waters."
Amidamuku's Meshi Numa. Manga Gets Anime in New App
Anime launches with Anime Beans app that will replace Tate Anime
― The wraparound jacket band on the fourth compiled book volume of Amidamuku's Meshi Numa. manga revealed on Saturday that the series is receiving an anime adaptation the Anime Beans app at the end of May. The new app will also launch at the end of May to replace Production I.G's existing Tate Anime (Vertical Anime) app. The food manga ...
Cells at Work! Gets BLACK Spinoff Manga in June
Spinoff's story centers on cells working in unhealthy body
― The official website for Kodansha's Morning magazine revealed on Friday that the Cells at Work! (Hataraku Saibō) spinoff manga Hataraku Saibō BLACK will launch in the magazine and in the Weekly D Morning digital manga magazine on June 7. Shigemitsu Harada is providing the story, Issei Hatsuyoshi is drawing the manga, and original manga crea...
Live-Action Kakugo wa Ii ka Soko no Joshi. Film's Additional Cast, Prequel TV Series Revealed
Kentaro, Shōma Kai, Jiei Wakabayashi join cast; live-action prequel series premieres in June
― This year's 12th issue of Shueisha's Margaret magazine revealed additional cast members for the live-action film adaptation of Nana Shiiba's Kakugo wa Ii ka Soko no Joshi. (Are you ready? Hey you girl!) romantic comedy manga on Saturday. The magazine also revealed that the project will also get a live-actio...
Gakuen Basara TV Anime Reveals 7 Main Character Designs
Kazuya Nakai, Sōichiro Hoshi, Toshiyuki Morikawa, more reprise Sengoku Basara roles
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Gakuen Basara, a high school spinoff project based on Capcom's Sengoku Basara game franchise, revealed character designs for the main characters on Friday. The cast members for the characters are reprising their roles from Sengoku Basara. Kazuya Nakai as Da...
ISLAND TV Anime Casts Rina Satou, Takamasa Mogi
Anime starring Tatsuhisa Suzuki, Yukari Tamura premieres this summer
― The official website for the television anime of Frontwing and Prototype's ISLAND visual novel revealed on Friday that Rina Satou will play Rinne Ohara's mother Kuon Ohara, and Takamasa Mogi will play policeman Tarō Harisu. Both Satou and Mogi are reprising their roles from the game. The website also revealed character designs for...
Hanebad! Badminton Anime Adds 4 More Cast Members
LIDEN FILMS' series premieres in July
― The official Twitter account for the television anime of Kosuke Hamada's Hanebad! (The Badminton play of Ayano Hanesaki!) manga announced four additional cast members for the anime on Friday. The additional cast members include: Mariya Ise as Conny Christensen Ai Kayano as Yuika Shiwahime Asami Shimoda as Kaoruko Serigaya Arisa Sakuraba as Nozomi Ishizawa Previ...
How NOT to Summon A Demon Lord Anime Reveals More Cast, New Visual, Opening Theme Artists
Yumi Hara, Rumi Okubo, Emiri Katō join cast for series premiering in July
― The official website for the television anime of Yukiya Murasaki's How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord light novel series revealed three more cast members, a new visual, and the opening theme song artists on Friday. The new cast members include: Yumi Hara as Alicia Crystella Rumi Okubo as Sylvie Emiri Katō as Edelgard The previous...
Soul Calibur VI Fighting Game Reveals Yoshimitsu in Video
Game launches this year on PS4, Xbox One, PC
― Bandai Namco Entertainment announced on Friday that Yoshimitsu is returning as a playable character in the Soul Calibur VI fighting game. The company streamed an introduction video on Friday. English Video Japanese Video The game will ship for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam this year in Japan, Europe, and North America. Previously revealed...
Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories Anime Gets 6th Season in July
Kanji Tsuda returns as storyteller in new season of horror shorts
― TV Tokyo announced on Friday that the Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories television anime series is getting a sixth season that will premiere in July. The new season will tell stories of "familiar natural phenomena." Kunpei Yanagawa of ILCA is directing the new anime at ILCA. Hiromu Kumamoto is returning from the first five seasons t...
Nintendo Reveals Go Vacation Switch Game
New version of game featuring 50+ co-op, competitive activities launches on July 27
― Nintendo revealed on Thursday that it will launch a game titled GO VACATION on the Nintendo Switch on July 27. Bandai Namco Entertainment is developing the game. Nintendo describes the game: Welcome to Kawawii Island, a paradise resort where friends and family can enjoy 50+ co-op and competitive activities. There ar...
BanG Dream! Spinoff Anime Pastel Life's 1st Episode Streamed
Aya, Chisato go shopping in 1st episode of 3-minute shorts
― The official Youtube channel for Bushiroad's BanG Dream! franchise began streaming the first episode of the Pastel Life spinoff anime on Friday. The episode originally premiered as a segment in the BanG Dream! TV variety program on Thursday. In the episode, Aya convinces Chisato to go out together since they've been working hard. Aya wants ...
The Master of Ragnarok & Blesser of Einherjar Anime's New Visual, July 7 Premiere Revealed
Anime starring Kōdai Sakai, Rie Suegara, Arisa Date adapts Seiichi Takayama's light novel series
― The official website for the television anime of Seiichi Takayama and Yukisan's The Master of Ragnarok & Blesser of Einherjar (Hyakuren no Haō to Seiyaku no Valkyria) light novel series revealed a new visual and the anime's July 7 premiere on Friday. The anime will premiere on Tokyo MX and BS11 on July ...
Tetsuya Tsutsui's Prophecy Cyber Crime Manga Gets Stage Play
Manga previously inspired 2015 live-action film, spinoff manga
― The first compiled book volume of Tetsuya Tsutsui's noise manga revealed on Friday that Tsutsui's Prophecy (Yokokuhan) manga will get a stage play adaptation. The play will run from September 13 to 23 at OWL SPOT in Tokyo. Vertical publishes the manga in North America, and it describes the story: The Tokyo Metropolitan Police has develo...
Hobby Japan Launches HJ Mechanics Mecha Modeling Magazine
Hobby Japan launched a new hobby magazine titled HJ Mechanics on Friday. The magazine is oriented toward "adults who love mecha," and contains articles and columns on mecha model kits. HJ Mechanics also features pictures of model kits, interviews of modelers and developers of model kits, and product recommendations. The first issue contains two sections, with the first dedicated to Mobile Suit Gun...
Viz Publishes Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku Manga Digitally
Manga about undying ninja on quest to find elixir of immortality launched in January
― Viz Media announced on Twitter on Thursday that it has published the first chapter of Yūji Kaku's Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku manga for free digitally. The manga centers on Gabimaru, once exalted as the strongest ninja, but who has now quit his trade, violating the laws of his village. After being captured, he clai...
Lost Song Original Anime Unveils New Visual
The official website for the Lost Song original anime project unveiled a new visual for the anime on Friday. Netflix Japan began streaming the project on March 31, and new episodes stream weekly on Saturdays. The series also began airing on television in Japan on April 7. Netflix will premiere the anime outside of Japan on September 30. The series is a co-production between Liden Films and Dwango ...
Thursday, May 17
Magical Somera-chan Sequel Manga Listed as Ending on May 22
Manga launched in 2015; original series inspired anime
― Amazon is listing this year's July issue of Ichijinsha's Manga 4-Koma Palette with the final chapter of Choboraunyopomi's Fushigi na Somera-chan Haute Couture (Magical Somera-chan Haute Couture) manga. The magazine will ship on May 22 and and the manga's seventh and final volume is slated for July. The original two-volume Fushigi na Somera-chan...
Twin Star Exorcists English Dub Previewed in Trailer
1st BD/DVD release slated for July 24
― Fuimation Entertainment began streaming an English-dubbed trailer for Twin Star Exorcists on Thursday. Funimation will release the first part of the series on Blu-ray Disc and DVD combo pack on July 24. The dub cast includes: Bryce Papenbrook as Rokuro Enmado Cassandra Lee Morris as Benio Adashino Laura Summer as Mayura Otomi Vic Mignogna as Yuto Ijika Erica Li...
Ninja Batman Inspires Figma Figures in Regular, Sengoku Editions
Good Smile Company announced its new figma Batman Ninja and figma Batman Ninja: DX Sengoku Edition figures on Thursday. The figures show the caped crusader as he appears in the Batman Ninja anime film. The posable figure can recreate a variety of scenes from the anime. Parts include glaring and shouting facial expressions, a sword, and a bat kunai with throwing effects. The DX Sengoku Edition of ...
Strawberry Panic Blu-ray Listed for June From Media Blasters
Retailer Right Stuf is listing a Blu-ray Disc release for the Strawberry Panic anime series from Media Blasters. The set is slated for June 26. The listing describes the story: Nagisa is a young woman who transfers to a prestigious all-girls school that happens to share a campus with two other elite female academies. The new surroundings are overwhelming at first but Nagisa quickly adapts to life ...
Elf Yamada Joins the Eromanga Sensei VR Pool Party
The Eromanga Sensei virtual reality game expanded in January, adding Sagiri in a swimsuit to its wake-up call functions. The next expansion is adding another character, this time light novel author Elf Yamada, starting on May 24. Elf also dons a swimsuit and voice actress Minami Takahashi reprises her role for the game. The game's story takes place on a private beach and the player is woken up by ...
High School DxD Hero ‒ Episode 5
"Overall this is the best set of action scenes yet, even though the series still feels like it's underperforming."
Pow! Entertainment Owner Camsing Comments on Stan Lee's Lawsuit
Company calls the suit "preposterous," completely without merit"
― Pow! Entertainment parent company Camsing International issued a statement regarding Stan Lee's lawsuit against Pow! Entertainment. Camsing stated that it has seen a copy of the lawsuit released to the media, but that the filing has not been confirmed by the listed courthouse. Camsing's statement continues: The complaint is completely...
2nd Steins;Gate 0 AR Rally Will Send Players Scrambling in Akihabara
While Steins;Gate fans in Saitama are exploring Seibu Railways, Tokyo fans will be rushing from location to location in Akihabara. Another Augmented Reality (AR) rally will start this weekend and will send players to eight different locations around the otaku hub in order to get a can badge set. The rally is named "OPERATION: HEPAHAISTOS" and will use the mobile phone app "Butai Meguri." Each loca...
Tokyo Ghoul:re ‒ Episode 7
"By its nature, this episode feels interstitial, a brief pit stop before the next onslaught of big plots and new villains. But I like these quiet, character-driven moments."
Black Clover: Quartet Knights Game's Video Previews Yuno (Updated)
Game launches this year for PS4, PC
― The official website for the Black Clover: Quartet Knights game began streaming a character video on Wednesday. The video previews the character Yuno. Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe began streaming the same video with subtitles on Friday. The game's playable characters so far include Asta, Yuno, Noelle Silva, Mimosa Vermillion, Gauche Adlai, Magna Swing, Luck ...
Real Girl ‒ Episode 7
"This episode does a plausible job of keeping the peace amongst the cast, but that low-key approach isn't necessarily what Real Girl needs right now."
BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle Fighting Game's English-Dubbed Trailer Highlights RWBY Characters
Gameplay video shows Yang Xiao Long
― Arc System Works America began streaming a trailer and a gameplay video for its BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle crossover fighting game for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC on Wednesday. The trailer focuses on characters from RWBY, and the gameplay video specifically focuses on RWBY's Yang Xiao Long and her attacks. Both videos are English dubbed. The game's beta...
Evangelion XR Roller Coaster Returns to USJ This Summer
Universal Studios Japan will bring back last year's Evangelion XR roller coaster this summer, giving fans another chance to survive a 360-degree Angel attack. The park will open the ride, currently skinned as a Final Fantasy attraction, starting on July 6. The ride is said to be same as the one from the previous Cool Japan campaign. It was a big hit with riders and earned a 99% satisfaction rating...
Lupin the Third: Part 5 ‒ Episode 7
"It's only the first episode of this new arc, and it already feels like there are a million different mini-stories embedded within it."
Persona 3, Persona 5 Dancing Game Videos Preview Shinjiro Aragaki, Goro Akechi
PS4/Vita games ship in Japan next Thursday
― Atlus began streaming two promotional videos for its Persona 3 Dancing Moon Night and Persona 5 Dancing Star Night games on Friday. The videos preview Shinjiro Aragaki from Persona 3 and Goro Akechi from Persona 5, respectively. Both characters will be available in both games as DLC after the games launch. Both games will launch on PlayStation 4 and PlaySt...
Kemono Friends' Fennec Voice Actress Dotes on Degu for Her Birthday
Voice actress Kana Motomiya, voice of Kemono Friends' Fennec, appeared in the latest episode of the "Kana to Tsuki no, Sai wa Nagerareta!" livestream program, which is related to the Call of Cthulhu TRPG, on Tuesday. Her fellow cast members on the program apparently surprised Motomiya with a special cake for her birthday, which is May 26. Motomiya tweeted pictures of herself and the cake that feat...
Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These ‒ Episode 7
"This is a very different version of Schönkopf than has been presented in previous versions of this story."
Utawarerumono Zan Action Game's Trailer Reveals September 27 Release Date
Tamsoft, Aquaplus are developing game for PS4
― Aquaplus began streaming a trailer for Utawarerumono Zan, its PlayStation 4 action game based on the Utawarerumono franchise, on Friday. The trailer reveals that the game will ship in Japan on September 27. Tamsoft is working with Aquaplus on the game. Aquaplus first teased the game last July under the code name "UTZ." Aquaplus is recruiting three scena...
Rohan Kishibe Gets His Own Personal Exhibit at Shibuya Tower Records
One of the fan favorite characters in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable is Rohan Kishibe, the eccentric manga artist who can peer into a person's inner life using his Stand, Heaven's Door. Such is Rohan's popularity that he recently got an exhibit all to himself in the Shibuya Tower Records between April 25 - May 20. The exhibit is dedicated to all of Rohan's major appearances in th...
Metal Gear Concert Gets New Performances in Tokyo, Los Angeles, New York, Paris
Orchestra concerts debut in Tokyo in July, continue in West in October
― The official website for the "Metal Gear in Concert" orchestra concerts revealed on Thursday that new performances will be held at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan on July 7, at Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles on October 10, at United Palace Theatre in New York on October 13, and at Palais des Congrès in Paris on October 28. The website...
Exclusive: DC Collectibles Unveils Limited Jiro Kuwata Batman Statue
Jiro Kuwata is a superhero legend in Japan. He's the artist behind the country's first costumed superhero 8 Man created in the 1960s. 8 Man remained a cultural touchstone in Japan, but after Kawata's tenure on the comic he moved on to another major work: DC Comic's Batman. Known as Bat-Manga, Kuwata's crisp artwork and stories of the caped crusader remained limited to Japan only for decades—it did...
Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle Anime Film's 2nd Trailer Streamed
2nd film in trilogy opens on Friday
― The official website for the Godzilla anime film trilogy began streaming the second trailer on Thursday for the second film in the trilogy, Godzilla: Kessen Kidō Zōshoku Toshi (Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle). The video preview's XAI's theme song "The Sky Falls." The film will open on May 18 in Japan, and will feature a "Godzilla Earth vs. Mechagodzilla" ba...
Oshi ga Budōkan Ittekuretara Shinu Manga Gets Anime
Story centers on enthusiastic fan of minor idol
― Retailer Rakuten's listing for the July issue of Tokuma Shoten's Monthly Comic Ryū magazine features a cover image that reveals that Auri Hirao's Oshi ga Budōkan Ittekuretara Shinu (If the Fan Goes to Budōkan, She'll Die) manga is receiving an anime adaptation. The issue will ship on Saturday. The manga's story centers on a woman called "Eripiyo," who...
Grand Jump Mecha Magazine Gets 2nd Issue on May 30
Magazine focuses on sexual stories
― This year's 12th issue of Shueisha's Grand Jump magazine revealed on Wednesday that the Grand Jump Mecha special edition magazine will receive a second issue on May 30. The magazine is a collaboration with online manga distribution platform Mecha Comics. (Note: The Japanese word "mecha" means "absurd" or "extreme" and does not refer to robots or mechanics.) As bef...
Sony to Stop Producing Physical PS Vita Game Cards in Americas, Europe by 2019
Physical card production to continue in Japan
― Sony Interactive Entertainment recently confirmed with the website Game*Spark that production of PlayStation Vita game cards will end in the Americas and Europe by March 2019. The production of physical game cards will continue in Japan, and digital game distribution will continue in all regions. When asked if production of the PS Vita system itself wil...
Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner M∀RS Trailer Reveals Game's Release Dates
PS4/PC game slated for September 6 in Japan & Europe, September 4 in the Americas
― Konami began streaming both a Japanese and English introduction trailer for Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner M∀RS (Anubis Zone of the Enders: M∀RS in Japan), it and Cygames' virtual-reality version of the Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner game, on Tuesday. The videos reveal the game's release date as September 6 in...
Aksys Games to Release Jake Hunter Detective Story: Ghost of Dusk Game on 3DS
Arc System Works released adventure game in Japan on August 31
― Aksys Games announced on Thursday that it will release the Jake Hunter Detective Story: Ghost of Dusk (Tantei Jingūji Saburō: Ghost of the Dusk) adventure game on the Nintendo 3DS in English this fall. The game will retail for US$39.99, and Aksys Games is releasing the game both digitally and physically. The company describes the game: ...
Holmes at Kyoto Teramachi Sanjō TV Anime Reveals New Visual
The official website for the television anime of Mai Mochizuki's Holmes at Kyoto Teramachi Sanjō (Kyōto Teramachi Sanjō no Holmes) mystery novel series revealed a second visual on Thursday. The visual features the Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto in the background, and features the five main characters Aoi Mashiro (Miyu Tomita), Kiyotaka Yagashira (Kaito Ishikawa), Akihito Kajiwara (Ryohei Kimura), Enshō (K...
Space Battleship Yamato 2202 Anime Film Series Gets TV Version this Fall
5th film in series premieres in Japanese theaters on May 25
― The official Twitter account for the Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2202 (Uchū Senkan Yamato 2202: Ai no Senshi-tachi) anime sequel film project announced on Thursday that the film series is getting a television version that will premiere in Japan this fall. The project is a seven-part theatrical anime project, and the first film, s...
Kunihiko Ikuhara's Original TV Anime Sarazanmai Reveals Character Designs
Anime also gets spinoff manga launching on May 22
― The official website for Kunihiko Ikuhara's original television anime project Sarazanmai revealed two character designs on Thursday. Illustrator Migi designed the characters. The two characters are Reo and Mabu, who are a policemen team and are key to the show's plot. The site also revealed that a spinoff manga titled Reo to Mabu: Futari wa Sarazanm...
Okami HD Game's Switch Version Slated for August 9 in Japan, West
The official English Twitter account for Capcom's Okami game, and the official Japanese website for the game, both announced on Wednesday that Okami HD, an updated version of the game, will launch for the Nintendo Switch in both Japan and the West on August 9. Okami HD previously launched for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC in Japan, North America, and Europe last December. The new version offers 4K sup...
Little Dragons Café PS4, Switch Game Ships on August 30 in Japan
Aksys Games also reveals contents of game's limited edition release in the West
― Kadokawa's Famitsu.com website revealed on Tuesday that Little Dragons Café, the new game from designer Yasuhiro Wada (Bokujō Monogatari/Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons, Birthdays the Beginning), will ship in Japan for the Switch and PlayStation 4 on August 30. Aksys Games also revealed the contents of its limited edition...
Crunchyroll Adds Scar-red Rider XechS, Pandora in the Crimson Shell, More Catalog Anime
Saiki K., Prince of Stride, Lodoss OAV also added
― Crunchyroll announced on Wednesday that it has added the Scar-red Rider XechS, Pandora in the Crimson Shell: Ghost Urn, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K., Prince of Stride: Alternative, and the Record of Lodoss War OVA to its catalog. Scar-red Rider XechS is available for users in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New ...
Mr. Nietzsche in the Convenience Store Manga Listed With Bilingual English-Japanese Release
Comedy manga inspired live-action series in 2016
― Amazon is listing a bilingual English-Japanese release of Matsukoma and Hashimoto's Mr. Nietzsche in the Convenience Store (Nietzsche-sensei ~Konbini ni, Satori Sedai no Shinjin ga Maiorita~) manga. The volume is slated for June 22. The comedy manga follows a male part-time late-night convenience store worker named Matsukoma, and the new part-time wo...
'pokemonletsgopikachu.com,' 'pokemonletsgoeevee.com' Domain Names Registered
CSC Corporate Domains, Inc. registered both the "pokemonletsgoeevee.com" and "pokemonletsgopikachu.com" domain names on Tuesday. No further details are known about the domains. The company also previously registered the domain names for the Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon games in 2016, one day before the games were revealed. Nintendo, Creatures Inc., and GAME FREAK filed a trademark for "Ultra Shiny...
Dissidia Final Fantasy NT Game Reveals Locke Cole as Next DLC Character
Trailer, gameplay video streamed for character launching in game in late June
― Square Enix began streaming a character trailer for Dissidia Final Fantasy NT, the PlayStation 4 version of the Dissidia Final Fantasy arcade game, on Tuesday. The video reveals and previews the character Locke Cole from Final Fantasy VI as the game's next DLC character. Locke will be available in the game in late June. F...
Shaman King Manga Gets Spinoff Manga About Tao Jun
Shaman King The Super Star arc also launched on Thursday
― The June issue of Kodansha's Shonen Magazine Edge revealed on Thursday that Jet Kusamura will launch Shaman King Gaiden: Red Crimson, a new spinoff manga of Hiroyuki Takei's Shaman King manga, in the magazine's next issue in June. The magazine previews the art centering on the character Tao Jun, with the text, "A crimson shadow draws close to...
Singer, Actor Hideki Saijo Passes Away at 63
Saijo sang opening song for Turn A Gundam, ending song for Chibi Maruko-chan
― Singer and actor Hideki Saijo passed away at 11:53 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16 in a Yokohama hospital due to heart failure. He was 63. The Aoyama Funeral Home in Tokyo will hold a service on May 26. In anime, Saijo was perhaps best known for the song "Hashire Shōjiki Mono," the second ending theme song for the first Chibi Ma...
BanG Dream! Spinoff Anime Pastel Life Premieres on Thursday
Pastel*Palettes band's spinoff gets 6 shorts in BanG Dream! TV variety show
― The official Twitter account for Bushiroad's BanG Dream! franchise announced on Thursday that the franchise's Pastel Life spinoff anime will premiere as a segment in the BanG Dream! TV variety program on the same day. The anime will have six episodes that will each be about three and a half minutes long. The overall BanG Dr...
Kase-san and Morning Glories Video Anime Unveils New Visual
The official Twitter account for original video anime of Hiromi Takashima's Kase-san and Morning Glories (Asagao to Kase-san.) manga revealed a new visual for the anime on Wednesday. Character designer Kyuta Sakai drew the visual, which will be in the 52-page pamphlet sold at the screenings (among other character goods). The anime will debut on June 9 in theaters in Japan. The new anime's staff re...
Peach-Pit Ends Nishina Tesura wa Mitsukaranai Manga on May 24
"2nd season" of Nishina Tesura series launched in March
― This year's 24th issue of Kodansha's Morning magazine revealed on Thursday that manga artist duo Peach-Pit will end Nishina Tesura wa Mitsukaranai (Tesura Nishina Can't Find It) — the "second season" of their Nishina Tesura manga series — in the magazine's next issue on May 24. The magazine does not specify if only the second season is ending ...
Wednesday, May 16
Crunchyroll Map Reveals U.S.'s Most Popular Non-Sequel Spring 2018 Anime
Crunchyroll rolled out its latest United States popularity map for the current anime simulcast season on Tuesday. The map shows the service's top non-sequel anime series in each state for the spring 2018 season based on current viewers of each show's most recent episode. Coming out on top, is boxing underdog MEGALOBOX, the futuristic ode to Asao Takamori's Ashita no Joe manga. A total of 22 out of...
Seven Seas Licenses The Ancient Magus' Bride Novels
Short story anthologies slated for December, March
― Seven Seas Entertainment announced on Wednesday that it has licensed The Ancient Magus' Bride: The Golden Yarn (Kinshi-hen) and The Ancient Magus' Bride: The Silver Yarn (Ginshi-hen), two short story prose collections based on Kore Yamazaki's The Ancient Magus' Bride (Mahō Tsukai no Yome) manga. Seven Seas Entertainment will release The Ancient Mag...
Koei Tecmo Prez Hisashi Koinuma Wants Mario Musou
Koei Tecmo president Hisashi Koinuma sat down with Kotaku's Chris Kohler and discussed his dream collaborations for the video game company's popular Warrior (Musou) game series. Koei Tecmo has produced Musou games based on a variety of popular video game and even anime franchises, but one series has remained out of reach. “I'd like to have an opportunity to work on Nintendo's Mario. Basically, he'...
Japanese Comic Ranking, May 7-13
The Heroic Legend of Arslan, Ajin: Demi-Human, Chihayafuru, MF Ghost, Yotsuba&! in top 5
― Rank Title Est. Weekly Copies Est. Total Copies Release Date Publisher Author Highest Rank Weeks on List 1 The Heroic Legend of Arslan 9 163,326 163,326 2018/05 Kodansha Story: Yoshiki Tanaka / Art: Hiromu Arakawa 1 1 2 Ajin: Demi-Human 12 137,074 138,798 2018/05 Kodansha Gamon Sakurai 2 1 3 Chihayafuru 38 100...
Japan's Video Game Rankings, May 7-13
Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze remains at #1
― Japan's Game Ranking: May 7-13 Rank System Title Maker Release Date Weekly Copies Total Copies 4Gamer Reader Review 1NSwDonkey Kong Tropical Freeze Nintendo May 3 25,886 114,307 2PS4Jikkyō Powerful Pro Yakyū 2018 Konami April 26 15,172 179,432 10 3NSwSplatoon 2 (Including Bundled Editions) Nintendo July 21 12,966 2,310,403 73 4NSwMario Kart 8 Deluxe Nintend...
Made in Abyss Creator Designs 3DCG Character for VR Company
Akihito Tsukushi, the original creator of the critically acclaimed Made in Abyss anime series, designed a brand-new character to appear in a whole new kind of world. The cat-like character Mokuri was designed for the virtual reality corporation HIKKY. Tsukushi works as a character designer for the company outside of his manga duties. Mokuri is planned as part of the company's overall "Mokuri Proje...
Otaku Coin Cryptocurrency Slated to Launch in Summer or Fall
Committee issues concept paper outlining plans
― The Otaku Coin Preparation Committee (OCPC) released a concept paper for its Otaku Coin cryptocurrency on May 9. The paper reveals that the committee is seeking to issue coin this summer or fall, and a voting platform is slated for 2019. The committee plans to issue 100 billion Otaku Coins at once, with no additional issuances later, and is also planni...
Golden Kamuy ‒ Episode 6
"Golden Kamuy continues to excel at both adding to its cast and deepening the ones we've slowly come to love."
Magical Girl Ore ‒ Episode 7
"I can already tell I'm not going to recall this show a year from now, but with such (occasionally) great characters, it's not for lack of potential."
Zelda Williams Turns to Fans to Identify Late Father's Figure Collection
It's been almost four years since actor and comedian Robin Williams passed away. Williams was, by all accounts, a huge anime fan. He said in interviews that he was a collector, and especially enjoyed sci-fi works like Appleseed, Ghost in the Shell, and Neon Genesis Evangelion. His performance in the film One Hour Photo includes an extended reference to Neon Genesis Evangelion and included his own ...
One Piece ‒ Episode 836
"Before she ever became known as the woman named "Big Mom", Charlotte Linlin was once a mere child like the rest of us. (Okay, maybe not exactly like us.)"
My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 44
"This is great execution of a very familiar type of shonen arc, but it wouldn't be half as good without these villains."
Touhou Genso Wanderer Reloaded Gameplay Trailer Shows Battle, Item Customization
Game ships in N. America, Europe this July
― NIS America began streaming a gameplay trailer its release of Aqua Style's Touhou Genso Wanderer Reloaded (Fushigi no Gensokyo 3 -The Tower of Desire- Reloaded) Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 game. The video shows dungeon explorations, battle, and customizable items. The game will launch digitally in North America on July 17 and in Europe on July 20. NI...
Yūsha Neptune PS4/Switch Game Heads West as Super Neptunia RPG
Idea Factory confirms release for Switch
― Idea Factory International announced on Wednesday that it will release the Yūsha Neptune: Sekai yo Uchū yo Katsumoku se yo!! Ultimate RPG Sengen!! PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch game in North America and Europe this fall under the title Super Neptunia RPG. The game will have English and Japanese audio and the option for French subtitles. It will be availa...
Gintama's Hijikata Spreads the Love for 'Mayo Beam' Yakisoba
Many people in Japan have an exceptional love for mayonnaise, so much so that the egg-based condiment is even known to appear on pizza. Gintama's Tōshirō Hijikata is also known for his extreme obsession with mayonnaise. Accordingly, a brand of instant yakisoba (fried buckwheat) noodles is collaborating with the series to promote noodles that come with mayo packets. Myojo Foods, a subsidiary of Cup...
Viz Media Licenses One-Punch Man Season 2
License includes streaming, TV, home video, EST, merchandise
― Viz Media announced on Wednesday that it has acquired the master license the upcoming second anime season based on ONE and Yuusuke Murata's One-Punch Man manga. The license covers digital streaming, TV broadcast, electronic sell-through, home media, and merchandising rights for North America, Latin America and Oceania. Chikara Sakurai (Ma...
Golden Kamuy Gets Original Anime DVD in September
Anime DVD focuses on Barato arc, bundles with 15th volume
― This year's 24th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump magazine revealed on Thursday that the 15th compiled book volume of Satoru Noda's Golden Kamuy manga will bundle an original anime DVD when it ships on September 19. The new DVD will focus on the manga's Barato arc, and includes a conflict between sniper Ogata Hyakunosuke and Bakumatsu h...
A Public Farewell to Isao Takahata at the Ghibli Museum
On May 15, Studio Ghibli held a farewell ceremony for Isao Takahata at the Ghibli museum, where Hayao Miyazaki and other close friends of Takahata shared their eulogies. As a thoughtful gesture to the fans, the Ghibli Museum opened its doors to the fans between 2 to 5pm that day. Although there were no regular activities that day as the museum is usually closed on Tuesdays, fans wishing to pay the...
Dragon Ball Z Bucchigiri Match Smartphone Browser Game Pre-Opens, Streams Video
Card battle game available for iOS, Android devices through enza platform
― The official Twitter account of the Dragon Ball Z Bucchigiri Match iOS and Android smartphone game announced on Wednesday that the game has pre-opened in Japan. Bandai Namco Entertainment also began streaming a promotional video for the game. During the pre-opening period, restrictions include a limit on the number of people ...
Violet Evergarden Promo Video Previews 'Extra Episode' Anime
New anime centers on songstress' request between series' 4th, 5th episodes
― The official website for the Violet Evergarden anime began streaming a promotional video on Wednesday for an "Extra Episode" anime that will ship on the series' fourth Blu-ray Disc and DVD release. The video features the song "Letter" performed by TRUE. The story of the new episode will center on a letter request from an ope...
Shenmue III PS4/PC Game Delayed to 2019
Deep Silver announced on its official website on Wednesday that the release of the Shenmue III PlayStation 4 and PC game has been delayed from the second half of 2018 to 2019. The announcement stated, "The extra time will be used to polish the quality of the game even further, to the high standards it deserves and release the product in the best possible timeframe." The game was originally slated ...
Stan Lee Files Lawsuit Against Pow! Entertainment, Seeks US$1 Billlion in Damages
Suit alleges company fraudulently gained exclusive rights to Lee's name, image
― Stan Lee has filed a lawsuit against Pow! Entertainment and its executives Gill Champion and Shane Duffy, and he is seeking US$1 billion in damages. The lawsuit alleges that the company forged or fraudulently obtained exclusive rights to Lee's name, image, and likeness. According to the suit, Lee grants non-exclusive rig...
OxT, MYTH&ROID Perform Songs for Overlord III Anime Season
Madhouse returns to animate new season premiering July
― The staff of Overlord III, the third television anime season based on Kugane Maruyama's Overlord novel series, revealed on Wednesday that OxT and MYTH&ROID are returning to perform the opening and ending theme songs, respectively, of the new anime. OxT's opening theme song is titled "VORACITY," and the CD single is slated to ship on July 25. MY...
Konami Reports 24.3% Increase in Profits for 2017
Konami reported an overall revenue of 239,497 million yen (about US$2.19 billion) for its fiscal year that ended on March 31, 2018, and noted that this was a a 4.2% increase from the previous year. Its operating profit for the year is 45,181 million yen (about US$413 million), a 24.3% increase from last year. Konami's highest earning business segment is "digital entertainment," which includes mobi...
Live-Action Marmalade Boy Film's Interview, Behind-the-Scenes Video Posted
Video shows filming, interviews cast on favorite points in film
― The Mainichi Shimbun newspaper's MAiDiGiTV YouTube channel began streaming an interview and behind-the-scenes video for the live-action film of Wataru Yoshizumi's Marmalade Boy manga. The short interview segment at the beginning of the video shows the cast describing the adorable points in the movie, while the latter half of the video ...
Tonegawa Anime Reveals Additional Cast Members
Masato Hagiwara reprises Kaiji role in July anime
― The staff for the anime of the Kaiji spinoff manga Chūkan Kanriroku Tonegawa (Middle Management Chronicle Tonegawa) revealed additional cast for the anime on Wednesday. The cast includes: Masato Hagiwara as Kaiji Itō (reprising role from previous Kaiji anime Wataru Hatano as Kenji Yamazaki Nobunaga Shimazaki as Jirō Saemonsaburō Taku Yashiro as Ebit...
Bakemonogatari Manga's 1st Volume Bundles Short Story by NisiOisin
Also includes new short manga & color cards by Fairy Tail, Soul Eater creators
― Kodansha revealed on Wednesday that a special edition of the first compiled book volume of manga artist Oh! great's (Ito Ogure) manga adaptation of NisiOisin's Bakemonogatari novel will contain "Hitagi Dish," an original "short short story" by NisiOisin. The volume will also include an exclusive short manga titled "Bake ...
Rurouni Kenshin Gets New Stage Play in October
Stage play includes original character Kanō Sōzaburō from 2016 Takarazuka musical
― A new stage play adaptation of Nobuhiro Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin manga has been green-lit. The play will make its debut run at the Shinbashi Enbujō theater in Tokyo from October 11 to November 7, followed by a run at the Shōchikuza theater in Osaka from November 15 to 24. Shūichirō Koike is directing and scripting th...
Tuesday, May 15
Zenki Manga Artist Yoshihiro Kuroiwa Passes Away
Macross F spinoff, Buddy Spirits artist launched Otomegami Amaterasu in April 2017
― The wife of manga artist Yoshihiro Kuroiwa announced on his blog on Wednesday that Kuroiwa passed away due to a heart attack on May 8. His family held a funeral service for him. Kuroiwa's wife explained that she did not announce his passing sooner as it was so sudden. Kuroiwa is best known for drawing the art for the...
Food Wars! The Third Plate ‒ Episode 18
"It's now truly up to our core group of characters to defeat Central, because they may be on their own from here on out."
Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle Anime Film Visual Shows 9 Lead Characters
The official website for the Godzilla anime film trilogy posted a new visual featuring nine character posters. The visual includes the new characters Maina (voiced by Reina Ueda) and Miana (Ari Ozawa), twins who are descendants of humanity, a new race called "Houtua." The film will open on May 18 in Japan, and will feature a "Godzilla Earth vs. Mechagodzilla" battle. Godzilla: Planet of the Monste...
Caligula ‒ Episode 6
"Now that the cast has their powers, the series can include fight scenes on a more regular basis, which will at least make its incoherent story feel less tepid."
GeGeGe no Kitarō ‒ Episode 7
"From the moment we see a much more ominous Kitaro than we ever have before, it's clear that this is going to be a darker story."
Anime Expo to Host Zero Escape Writer Kōtarō Uchikoshi
Game writer, director to attend July convention
― The organizers of the Anime Expo convention announced on Tuesday that it will host visual novel scenario writer and director Kōtarō Uchikoshi as a guest. Uchikoshi will attend a panel and do autographs. Uchikoshi co-wrote KID's Infinity visual novel series, including Never 7, Ever 17, and Remember 11. He wrote Spike Chunsoft's Banshee's Last Cry visua...
Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card ‒ Episode 18
"Potentially casting Sakura as Alice could have some very interesting implications for the story going forward."
Hinamatsuri ‒ Episode 6
"This is an excellent episode all around, showcasing Hinamatsuri's ability to make the most of its two tonal sweet spots."
Studio Ghibli Holds Farewell Ceremony for Late Director Isao Takahata
Longtime friend Hayao Miyazaki offered eulogy in Tuesday gathering
― Studio Ghibli held a farewell ceremony for the studio's late director Isao Takahata at the Ghibli Museum on Tuesday. At the gathering, Ghibli co-founder and longtime friend Hayao Miyazaki offered a eulogy for Takahata. In his eulogy, Miyazaki referred to Takahata by his nickname "Paku-san," and told the story of the name. "[Takahata...
Record of Grancrest War ‒ Episode 18
"Even though a million things happen in Record of Grancrest War, there's still never enough time for the stuff that I actually want to see happen."
Couple Preps for Their Dream Date in Adorable HoneyWorks Collab CM
Rohto Pharmaceuticals took a unique approach to promote its skin care line. The company created a series of mini-movie ads following two high school students played by actor Ryo Ryusei (Ouran High School Host Club ) and entertainer Yuriyan Retriever. The first ad sees the pair hit it off, but Yuriyan thinks she's been rejected when she sees Ryo with another girl. She comforts herself while applyin...
Megalobox ‒ Episode 6
"This episode carried last week's intense dramatic stakes with a welcome degree of emotional gravitas."
North American Anime, Manga Releases, May 13-19
elDLIVE, TsukigaKirei, Yona Yona Penguin anime; Crisis Girls, Hungry for you Endo Yasuko Stalks the Night, RWBY anthology manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date All Out!! Part 2 BD/DVDPlease Funimation Entertainment US$64.98 May 15 Bleach Set 4 BDCite Viz Media US$54.97 May 15 elDLIVE BD/DVDAnimeNewsNetwork Funimation Entertainment US$64.98 May 15 One Piece Season 9 P...
Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku ‒ Episode 5
"Naoya is an adorable addition to the cast, and I can only pray that these filthy grown-up otaku don't corrupt him too badly."
Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time Game's Launch Trailer Streamed
Game debuted Tuesday for PS4, PC
― Bandai Namco Entertainment began streaming a trailer for its Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time PlayStation 4 and PC game on Tuesday to coincide with the game's launch in North America and Europe. The game launched for PS4 in Japan on November 30. Bandai Namco Entertainment America describes the "3D action beat 'em up" game's original story: Having been inspired...
Comic Girls ‒ Episode 6
"Adding new elements to the established formula may be a good thing in the case of Comic Girls."
Tada Never Falls in Love ‒ Episode 6
"Too much of the show is rushing to make up for lost time, so sometimes it feels like too little for the series' halfway point."
Hikaru Utada Performs Penguin Highway Anime Film's Theme Song
Trailer streamed for film opening August 17
― The official website for Studio Colorido's anime film adaptation of Tomihiko Morimi's penguin highway novel announced on Wednesday that Hikaru Utada (Kingdom Hearts, Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone) is performing the film's theme song "Good Night." The website streamed a new trailer previewing the song. The website also announced that the film will op...
Rock Band Kūsō Iinkai's Crowdfund Anime Will Premiere on May 19
Last year, the rock band Kūsō Iinkai launched a crowdfund campaign to raise 6 million yen (about US$53,000) to fund an anime short titled "Naniiiro no Nani" (What of What Color). The campaign was ultimately a success and the group's short anime will premiere on the Nico Nico streaming service on Saturday at 10 p.m JST. The short's story centers on a painter named Kanata whose work is not selling w...
Steins;Gate 0 ‒ Episode 5
"I possess less patience for this series' abuse of thriller, visual novel, and sci-fi tropes now that I can see the twists coming so far in advance."
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 57
"Boruto and company fight their way through the second round of the exams as various Kage prepare for the Otsutsukis' assault."
Exclusive: Loot Crate Gears Up for New FLCL Seasons with T-Shirt
The May box of Loot Crate's Loot Anime subscription service is all about alternate universes, including the new seasons of FLCL, the first coming to Adult Swim in June. Loot Crate revealed to Anime News Network one of the items its bringing in the upcoming crate; an FLCL T-shirt featuring art from the classic anime OVA. The shirt is a sunshine yellow, just like Haruko's Vespa. The art shows Haruk...
DARLING in the FRANXX ‒ Episode 17
"The problem is that DARLING has been so vague and noncommittal in its writing that any of this could change at any moment."
Octopath Traveler Game Trailer Reveals Final 2 Protagonists
Switch game following 8 characters launches on July 13
― Nintendo began streaming a new trailer for Octopath Traveler, Square Enix's new original role-playing game project for the Nintendo Switch, on Tuesday. The video previews the final two main characters Cyrus and Opilia, the game's talent system, and the story mode. Previous videos introduced the characters Olberic, Primrose, H'aanit, Therion, Tr...
d Anime Store's 3rd Shirobako Anime Ad Features New Cuts
Wireless provider Docomo's d Anime Store (Docomo Anime Store) streaming service recently began streaming the third commercial featuring the anime Shirobako on Sunday. The video features new cuts and shows Musashino Animation employees in a meeting about making a commercial for the service. In the video, Watanabe asks Kinoshita if he has drawn the storyboards for the commercial. Kinoshita complains...
Silver Spoon Manga Gets New Chapter on May 23
Hiromu Arakawa's series went back on hiatus last July
― This year's 25th issue of Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine revealed on Wednesday that the next issue will publish the newest chapter of Hiromu Arakawa's Silver Spoon manga on May 23. After returning from hiatus on July 5, the manga went back on hiatus after three chapters on July 26. The series centers on Yūgo Hachiken, as well as the ...
New Tensai Bakabon Anime Reveals 1st Promo Video, Main Visual
Franchise's 1st TV anime in 18 years premieres in July
― The official website for Shinya! Tensai Bakabon (Late Night! Genius Bakabon), a new television anime adaptation of Fujio Akatsuka's classic comedy manga Tensai Bakabon, revealed the first promotional video and the main visual for the series on Tuesday. The anime's cast includes: Arata Furuta as Bakabon's father Miyu Irino as Bakabon Noriko Hida...
Future Card Buddyfight Ace Anime Reveals Video, Cast, Theme Songs
Takumi Mano, Tetsu Inada, Shūta Morishima, Daiki Kobayashi, Rimi Nishimoto, Aimi join cast
― A presentation held at Akihabara UDX Theater in Tokyo revealed a promotional video, the main cast, and the theme song performers for the Future Card Buddyfight Ace (Future Card Shin Buddyfight) anime on Tuesday. The video previews the opening theme song "Saa Ikō!" performed by Poppin' Party. The cast includes...
Beyblade Burst Battle Zero Game Announced for Switch Release on October 25
Game gets physical, digital versions in Japan
― FuRyu opened a teaser website on Tuesday to announce the Beyblade Burst Battle Zero game for Nintendo Switch. The game with launch with physical and digital versions in Japan on October 25. The physical version of the game will cost 6,980 yen (about US$63), and the digital version will cost 6,280 yen (about US$57). Physical copies will bundle an exclusi...
Angolmois Historical TV Anime's 2nd Promo Video Streamed
Yuuki Ono, Lynn star in series premiering in July
― The official website for the television anime of Nanahiko Takagi's Angolmois: Genkō Kassen-ki manga began streaming the second promotional video for the series on Tuesday. The anime will have an advance screening event open to 300 people at Tsushima-shi Kōryū Center in Tsushima, Nagasaki on June 30. Takagi and voice actors Yuuki Ono and Lynn will at...
New Brave10 Stage Play Reveals Cast, Visual
Sequel stage play debuts July
― The official website for the stage play adaptation of Kairi Shimotsuki's Brave10 manga revealed the new Brave10: Tomoshibi (Lamplight) stage play's visual and cast in costume on Tuesday. The cast returning from the previous stage play includes: Yūichi Nakamura as Kirigakure Saizō Yū Imari as Sanada Yukimura Kōdai Miyagi as Unno Rokurō Asana Mamoru as Anastasia Shō Arai...
Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, May 7-13
Kamen Rider Heisei Generation Final sells 3,447 + 2,115, followed by Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I, Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card live-action Ghost in the Shell, A3!
― Kamen Rider Heisei Generation Final Build & Ex-Aid with Legend Rider sold 3,447 copies to rank #8 on the overall DVD chart. The Collector's Pack was #11 with 2,115 copies. Kamen Rider Amazons Season 2 Vol. 4 was #38 with 450 copies....
Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, May 7-13
Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I sells 53,090 + 6,093, followed by Kamen Rider Heisei Generation Final, Kenichi Suzumura, Kamen Rider x Super Sentai, Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card
― Kamen Rider Heisei Generation Final Build & Ex-Aid with Legend Rider Collector's Pack sold 7,637 copies to rank #4 on the overall Blu-ray Disc chart. Chō Eiyū Sai Kamen Rider x Super Sentai Live & Show 2018 was #10 with 1...
Singer LiSA's 2 Catalog Albums Rank #1, #2 on Weekly Chart
1st anime song singer to chart 2 catalog albums at #1, #2 simultaneously
― Singer LiSA's BEST -Day- and BEST -Way- catalog albums both shipped in Japan on May 9 and ranked #1 and #2, respectively, on the Oricon weekly album chart for the May 7 to 13 week. The albums are LiSA's highest ranking releases on the weekly album chart so far. She is the fourth female artist to have two catalog albums on the ...
Golden Kamuy Anime's BDs/DVDs Delayed by 1 Month Each
Delayed to improve quality over TV broadcast; now slated for July, August, September with new shorts
― The official website for the anime of Satoru Noda's Golden Kamuy manga revealed on Tuesday that the anime's Blu-ray Disc and DVD home video releases in Japan have been delayed by one month to improve the quality of the footage compared to the television broadcast version. As previously announced, th...
Shin-chan Film Drops to #7, Detective Conan Stays at #1
Gundam the Origin drops to #10, Digimon Adventure tri. gets 4th week screenings
― Meitantei Conan Zero no Shikkōnin (Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer), the 22nd film in the Detective Conan series, remained at #1 at the box office in Japan in its fifth consecutive weekend. The film earned 277 million yen (about US$2.5 million) and sold 199,000 tickets on Saturday and Sunday. The film has now earned ...
Monday, May 14
Kenji Hamaoka's New Sensei! Shimekiri desu yo~ Manga Launches in June
1st chapter debuted in March
― This year's June issue of Akita Shoten's Bessatsu Shonen Champion announced on Friday that Kenji Hamaoka's new series Sensei! Shimekiri desu yo~ (Manga Artist! It's Your Deadline~) will launch in the next issue on June 12. The manga debuted its first chapter in Weekly Shonen Champion on March 15, but was it always slated to launch in Bessatsu Shonen Champion. The gag ma...
Bandai Namco Ent. Launches Network Service Subsidiary
Bandai Namco Entertainment announced that it will launch a new wholly owned subsidiary titled Bandai Namco Network Service on October 1. The goal of the company is to more efficiently create better an more stable network connections for online services, starting with Bandai Namco game apps. Ultimately, the goal is to create a multifunctional company that can support all areas of business. Bandai N...
Galaxy Express 999 Gets 1st Live-Action TV Series
Live broadcast to premiere in June
― Leiji Matsumoto's Galaxy Express 999 (Ginga Tetsudo 999) manga and anime franchise is inspiring its first live-action television adaptation. The series will premiere as an atypical live broadcast on June 18 at 8:00 p.m. on BS Sky Perfect. Chiaki Kuriyama is playing Maetel and Ohshirō Maeda of the comedy duo Maeda Maeda is playing Tetsurō. The staff revealed images...
Original Guilty Gear to Launch on PS4, Switch, Steam
PSX game debuted in 1998
― Arc System Works announced in a Twitch live stream presentation on Monday that the original Guilty Gear PlayStation game will get a port for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The staff begin the announcement at around 1:24:30 in the video below, and preview gameplay from 1:26:34 to 1:51:42. Watch ARC SYSTEM WORKS official live from ArcSystemWorks on www.twit...
Fist of the North Star's Heart Gets in Shape in Gym Collaboration
The gym RIZAP is teaming up with the Fist of the North Star franchise to inspire men to get in shape. The original manga's artist Tetsuo Hara provided an image of the character Heart with an "ideal body" for the collaboration. The promotional page on RIZAP's official website features a special manga with Heart on a quest to transform his body. In the manga's story, Heart is frustrated at his inabi...
Comic-Con Int'l to Host Illustrator Yoshitaka Amano
Vampire Hunter D, Final Fantasy illustrator to attend San Diego event
― The official blog for Comic-Con International: San Diego announced on Monday that illustrator Yoshitaka Amano will be a guest at this year's event. Amano is most well known for his contributions to Vampire Hunter D and the Final Fantasy series, as well as his collaboration with English graphic novelist Neil Gaiman on Sandman: The...
Ryuo's Work is Never Done's Shirow Shiratori Gets Married
The Hentai Prince and the Stony Cat, Haganai authors attend
― The Ryuo's Work is Never Done! and No-Rin light novel author Shirow Shiratori tied the knot on Saturday with a reception that included his colleagues, family, and friends. The bride is a bookstore employee seven years younger that Shiratori. He shared a picture of himself and the bride (with faces obscured) on Twitter. Evidently, the cerem...
Viz's Shonen Jump to Preview New Kimi wo Shinryakuseyo! Manga
Viz Media's digital English edition of Weekly Shonen Jump confirmed on Monday that it will preview Kazusa Inaoka's Kimi wo Shinryakuseyo! (Invade You!) manga in English as part of its "Jump Start" initiative. The manga will debut in Japan and in Viz's Shonen Jump on May 21. Inaoka previously serialized a manga with the same title in Shonen Jump GIGA. For its "Jump Start" initiative, Viz Media's Sh...
Japan's Animation TV Ranking, April 30-May 6
Oshiri Tantei makes top 10
― The Kaiketsu Zorori Mamoru ze! Kyōryū no Tamago anime aired on NHK-E on Sunday, May 6 at 3:10 p.m. and earned a 1.1% rating. The live-action series adaptation of Yoko Kamio's Boys Over Flowers Season 2 (Hana Nochi Hare ~HanaDan~ Next Season) manga aired on Tuesday, May 1 at 10:00 p.m. and earned a 9.6% rating. Title Station Date Time Length Average Household Rating Sazae-...
Is Love Really Difficult for Otaku? Part 2: Women's Responses
Last week, the Anime! Anime! website published one half of the responses to its survey asking otaku whether they found romance difficult. The survey was inspired by the currently airing Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku anime series. More than 500 individuals responded to a survey asking them if they found romance difficult or not. The majority (64%) said "yes, love is difficult," while 29% said tha...
Superman Actress Margot Kidder Passes Away
Kidder narrated Wonderful Wizard of Oz English dub
― Actress Margot Kidder reportedly passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday. She was 69. Kidder was best known for playing Lois Lane in 1978's Superman: The Movie and its sequels. She also had roles in Sisters (1973), The Great Waldo Pepper (1975), Black Christmas (1974), The Amityville Horror (1979), and Heartaches (1981). Kidder battled manic ...
Cutie Honey Universe ‒ Episode 6
"Even with all the dissonant death and destruction on display, this was still easily the most fun I'd had with Cutie Honey Universe in weeks."
I Summoned My Own Servant in the Real World Fate/Grand Order Escape Game
The Fate franchise began back in 2004 with an 18+ visual novel in which seven mages each summon a legendary hero and then battle each other to the death to win a wish from the holy grail. Today, it spans numerous anime, games, books, manga, and films. Recently, the franchise has once again come to prominence in the Japanese popular consciousness with the success of the smartphone game, Fate/Grand ...
PERSONA 5 the Animation ‒ Episode 6
"PERSONA 5 the Animation gets into the body of its next story arc by dropping a new main character right into our laps."
Persona 5 Game Sells 2.2 Million Units Worldwide
Sega Sammy Holdings revealed in its "Road to 2020" business recap presentation on Monday that Atlus' Persona 5 role-playing game has sold 2.2 million copies worldwide. The game had sold more than 2 million copies worldwide as of December 1. The latest entry in the Persona role-playing game series shipped for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 in Japan in September 2016. The game shipped in North ...
Seishun Buta Yarō Anime Casts Atsumi Tanezaki
Video, visual preview Tanezaki's role as Rio Futaba
― The official website for the Seishun Buta Yarō wa Bunny Girl-senpai no Yume wo Minai (The Young Pig-Rascal Isn't Dreaming of a Bunny Girl Upperclassman) television anime adaptation of Hajime Kamoshida's Seishun Buta Yarō light novel series revealed on Tuesday that Atsumi Tanezaki will play Rio Futaba, protagonist Kaito Ishikawa's friend. The websi...
Splatoon Will Have 'Shocking' Announcement on June 9
This year's June issue of Shogakukan's Coro Coro Comics magazine announced on Tuesday that the Splatoon franchise will have "news that will shock the world" on June 9 on the magazine's official Twitter account and news website. The magazine did not state if the news will be related to the game, manga, or some other media. The tease features a "mysterious emblem" shaped like the Japanese katakana c...
Fairy Tail Manga's Hiro Mashima Teases 'Secret' Project
Separate new manga launches on June 27
― Fairy Tail manga creator Hiro Mashima revealed on his Twitter account on Monday that he is working on a "secret" project. He said that he is becoming "a little confused" due to simultaneously working on his new manga (seen right), Fairy Tail, and an unnamed project, which is "still a secret." He also noted that "ideas emerge one after another" for his new mang...
One Piece Oto Utage Stage Production's Ad Previews Luffy, Band
Production adapts East Blue arc with brass band music
― The official website for One Piece Oto Utage - Episode of East Blue, the stage production for Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga and anime franchise, began streaming a commercial on Monday. The video previews Tsukasa Matsuura in action as Luffy, as well as the production's brass and percussion band. The production will run at the Tokyo International...
Live-Action After the Rain Film's 3 TV Ads Streamed
Film opens on May 25
― Toho began streaming three television commercial for the live-action film of Jun Mayuzuki's Koi wa Ameagari no You ni (After the Rain) manga on Monday. The videos preview the film's theme song "Front Memory" by Emiko Suzuki and Seiji Kameda, a cover of Shinsei Kamattechan's 2014 song of the same name. The film will open in Japan on May 25. A live-action spinoff web mini-series ...
Nexon Korea Reveals Screenshots, Recruits Staff for Final Fantasy XI Game's Smartphone Edition
Square Enix originally revealed plans for smartphone version of MMORPG in 2015
― The Japanese game news website 4Gamer reported on Monday that game developer Nexon Korea is recruiting staff for a planned smartphone edition of Square Enix's Final Fantasy XI game. The recruitment sites reveal five screenshots for the mobile game. Nexon Korea is recruiting for quest and scenario writers and planners, ch...
Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer Film Tops Box Office for 5th Consecutive Weekend, Earns 6.7 Billion Yen
Film has now sold 5.19 million tickets
― Meitantei Conan Zero no Shikkōnin (Detective Conan: Zero's Executioner), the 22nd film in the Detective Conan series, remained at #1 at the box office in Japan in its fifth consecutive weekend during the May 12-13 weekend. The film has now earned 6.7 billion yen (about US$61.1 million), and has sold 5,190,000 tickets. The film earned 277 million yen (about US$...
Live-Aciton Kenkō de Bunkateki na Saitei Gendo no Seikatsu Series Reveals Cast
Riho Yoshioka, Arata Iura, Kei Tanaka, Kenichi Endo star in July series
― The staff of the live-action television series adaptation of Haruko Kashiwagi's Kenkō de Bunkateki na Saitei Gendo no Seikatsu (A Minimum Healthy and Cultural Life) manga revealed the series' cast on Monday. The cast includes: Riho Yoshioka as Emiru Yoshitsune (pictured left in image above) Kenichi Endo as Masao Aizawa, the man...
Kamen Rider 555 Actor Toshinobu Matsuo Arrested for Suspected Stimulant Use
Toshinobu allegedly used stimulants from April to early May
― Police in Tokyo arrested actor Toshinobu Matsuo on May 9 on charges of using stimulants. Toshinobu denied the charge. The authorities alleged that Matsuo took stimulants sometime between April and early May. Police supposedly found evidence of Matsuo using stimulants after reaching out to him and having him take a urine test. Matsuo starre...
GameStop CEO Resigns After 3 Months in Position
Game retailer GameStop announced on Friday that CEO Michael Mauler resigned from his position, three months after taking the position. The company's board of directors has appointed company co-founder Daniel DeMatteo as interim chief executive officer. Entertainment news magazine Variety quoted a statement from a GameStop spokesperson who said that Mauler resigned due to personal reasons, and not,...
TV Tokyo Establishes License Business Division
New division will focus on increasing licensing revenue for streaming, foreign business
― TV Tokyo is establishing a new license business division as part of a reorganization on June 27. The division will focus on managing the licenses of TV Tokyo properties, as well as increasing revenue from licensing, particularly revenues from streaming and foreign business. The license business division will hav...
Police in 2 Prefectures Investigate Mangamura Pirate Site After 4 Japanese Publishers File Criminal Charges
Newspaper: Kodansha, other publishers file complaints on behalf of Hajime Isayama, Eiichiro Oda
― Police in both Fukuoka and Oita prefectures are actively investigating the Mangamura pirate website after Kodansha and three other publishers filed criminal complaints with the police departments in summer through fall last year, according to reports by both The Mainichi Shimbun and The Asahi Shimbun new...
Cardfight!! Vanguard Anime's English Dub Trailer Posted
Anime premiered on May 5, English dub debuts on May 25
― The official YouTube channel of the Cardfight!! Vanguard anime series began streaming a trailer for the new anime's English dub on May 5. The English dub for the anime will premiere on the anime's official YouTube channel on May 25 at 9:30 p.m. EDT. New episodes will stream on Fridays at the same time. The anime premiered on Tokyo MX, Sun TV, K...
My Hero Academia: One's Justice Game Launches in Japan on August 23
The official Twitter account for Bandai Namco Entertainment's My Hero Academia: One's Justice game announced on Monday that the game will ship for the Switch and PlayStation 4 in Japan on August 23. Bandai Namco Entertainment will release the game for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PC this year in Europe and the Americas. The game will also get a PS4 and PC release in Singapore,...
Lu over the wall Anime Film Earns Estimated US$66,000 in 1st Weekend of U.S. Screenings
GKIDS began screening film in 97 theaters on Friday
― GKIDS' United States screening of Masaaki Yuasa and Science SARU's Lu Over the Wall anime film earned an estimated US$66,067 in its opening weekend. The film opened in 97 theaters last Friday. The English dub stars Christine Marie Cabanos as Lu and Michael Sinterniklaas as Kai. Stephanie Sheh voices Yūho. The film is continuing to screen in theate...
SPYAIR, CHiCO with HoneyWorks to Perform New Gintama Anime Theme Songs
Anime returns with "climax" of Silver Soul arc in July
― Rock band SPYAIR and music group CHiCO with HoneyWorks both announced on Sunday that they will perform the new opening and ending themes, respectively, for the Gintama. anime when it returns in July. The anime entered into a hiatus after episode 353, which aired on March 25. The anime had entered the "Silver Soul" arc on January 7. Silver Soul ...
Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] THE MOVIE I. presage flower Ticket Giveaway
To celebrate the Fate/stay night [Heaven's Feel] THE MOVIE I. presage flower English Dub premiere, Fathom Events and Aniplex of America are giving away a pair of tickets to 5 lucky winners!
― The first film of this high-stakes trilogy explodes with epic action and heart-wrenching drama, tied together by the original author Kinoko Nasu's unique storytelling and otherworldly cast of characters. To cele...
Sunday, May 13
Famicom Mini Shonen Jump Edition's Video Shows Included Games
New version of Famicom Mini with Shonen Jump games debuts on July 7
― Nintendo began streaming a video on Monday for its "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. The video introduces some of the games included in the system...
NES Classic Edition Gets Re-Release on June 29
NES, SNES Classic Edition both expected to be available until end of year
― Nintendo of America announced on Sunday that it will re-release the NES Classic Edition system on June 29, with both it and the SNES Classic Edition system "expected to be available through the end of the year." Nintendo also announced that it will re-release the Nintendo Classic Mini Family Computer (Famicom) in Japan on Jun...
Astro Boy Manga Page Auctions for 5 Times Expected Amount
An Astro Boy manga page by the late creator Osamu Tezuka sold for a record 269,400 euros (about US$320,000) at an auction in Paris on Saturday. The page was expected to sell for only 40,000 to 60,000 euros (about US$48,000 to US$72,000). The Chinese ink and watercolor illustration, which features Astro Boy in a fight, is 35 centimeters long by 25 centimeters wide. Manga featuring the finished page...
One Piece Whitebeard Figure Prepares for Battle of Marineford
One Piece's Edward Newgate, better known as Whitebeard, is getting a high-end figure this year. The Bandai Premium website and other retailers will begin accepting pre-orders for the "Portrait.Of.Pirates One Piece 'Neo-Maximum' 'Shirohige' Edward Newgate" figure on Friday. Whitebeard appears in a scene from the Battle of Marineford in the figure, which stands 300 millimeters (about 12 inches) tal...
Golden Kamuy Anime Shop Offers Exclusive Merch, Exhibits, Photo Spots
A special Golden Kamuy anime shop will run at several locations in Japan in June. The shop will exclusively sell merchandise related to the anime, including limited-edition goods. In addition to selling merchandise, the shop will include an exhibition space, game corner, and photo spots. For every 1,000 yen (about US$9) that people spend on the promotion, they will receive one of eight bromides at...
Atelier Mimina's Indie PC Game Giraffe and Annika Slated for 1st Half of 2019
Adventure game about cat-eared girl received Unreal Dev Grant last year from Epic Games
― Japanese indie developer Atelier Mimina revealed at the BitSummit 2018 event in Kyoto on Sunday that its Giraffe and Annika 3D adventure game will launch on PC (via Steam and other planned platforms) in the first half of 2019. The company streamed a fourth introduction video for the game on Tuesday. The video pr...
Prepare for Cuteness With Laid-Back Camp, FMA, Haikyu!! Nendoroids
Characters from Laid-Back Camp, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Haikyu!! are the newest to join the lineup of Good Smile Company's Nendoroid figures. All three figures went on sale for pre-order on the Goodsmile Online Shop on Wednesday. The figure of Laid-Back Camp's Nadeshiko Kagamihara comes with three facial expressions: normal, smiling, and whole-face smiling. The figure has a removable scarf and h...
Kenkō de Bunkateki na Saitei Gendo no Seikatsu Manga Gets Live-Action TV Series
Series about case worker for welfare office debuts this summer
― This year's 24th issue of Shogakukan's Weekly Big Comic Spirits magazine revealed on Monday that Haruko Kashiwagi's Kenkō de Bunkateki na Saitei Gendo no Seikatsu (A Minimum Healthy and Cultural Life) manga is getting a live-action television series that will premiere this summer. The manga follows Emiru Yoshitsune, who is hired as a go...
My Hero Academia: One's Justice Game Adds 3 Playable Characters
PS4/Switch/Xbox One/PC game slated for this year
― This year's 24th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed more playable characters for Bandai Namco Entertainment's My Hero Academia: One's Justice game on Monday. The characters Fumikage Tokoyami, Kyōka Jirō, and Eijirō Kirishima join the game. Other confirmed playable characters in the game include Izuku Midoriya, Katsuki Bakugō, Al...
Splatoon 2 Game Collaborates With Sanrio for Character Contest
Nintendo announced a collaboration between its Splatoon 2 game and Sanrio characters on Thursday. The game will run an in-game promotion alongside the 33rd Sanrio Character Ranking contest. Players will be able to participate in a "Which is cuter?" contest to determine the most popular character among Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, My Melody, and Pompompurin. A special Turf War Splatfest will determine...
BanG Dream! Replaces Yurika Endō With Yuki Nakashima as Lisa's Voice
Endō to retire from entertainment after final concert on June 1
― The official website for the BanG Dream! franchise confirmed on Monday that Yuki Nakashima will replace Yurika Endō as the voice actress of the Roselia band member Lisa Imai. Endō will retire from the entertainment industry after a final live concert on June 1. Both Endō and Nakashima appeared on the second day of the "BanG Dream! 5th☆...
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Detonation Film Unveils Designs, October 19 Opening
2nd film in 2-part project
― The "Lyrical Party VI" event announced on Sunday that the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Detonation anime film will open in Japan on October 19. The anime's official website also updated with a story introduction and character designs: Participating theaters will begin selling the second batch of advance tickets for the film with a clear file folder on Friday. Both the ticke...
Nintendo Makes Famicom Mini Shonen Jump Edition for Magazine's 50th Anniversary
System includes 20 games based on Weekly Shonen Jump properties
― This year's 24th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed on Monday that Nintendo will release a new version of its Nintendo Classic Mini: Family Computer system named the "Nintendo Classic Mini: Family Computer Shūkan Shōnen Jump Zōkan 50-shūnen Kinen Version" (Family Computer Weekly Shonen Jump 50th Anniversary Editio...
Dragon Ball FighterZ Sells 2.5 Million Copies, Tekken 7 Sells 2.8 Million Copies Worldwide
Bandai Namco Group revealed its financial report on Wednesday for the fiscal year ending on March 31. In the report, the company stated that the Tekken 7 game has sold 2.8 million copies, and Dragon Ball FighterZ has sold 2.5 million copies worldwide. The company also stated that while it expected sales of its older Dark Souls 3 and Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 games to reach 2.09 million copies by Mar...
Sony Reveals Date, Details for its E3 Showcase
Sony announced on the U.S. PlayStation Blog on Friday that it will host its E3 Showcase on June 11 at 6:00 p.m. PDT (9:00 p.m. EDT). Sony, in what it called "a rare break from tradition," shared some information about what the Showcase will include. The event will present an exclusive look at four titles: Kojima Productions' Death Stranding, Sucker Punch's Ghost of Tsushima, Insomniac Games' Marve...
Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk Game's English Video Previews Dub
PS4, Switch, PC game launches in N. America, Europe this fall
― NIS America began streaming a new video on Saturday for its upcoming release of Nippon Ichi Software's Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk game. The video previews a conversation featuring the English dub cast. NIS America will release the game for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC (via Steam) in North America and Europe this fa...
Yui Ogura Performs Opening Theme for Ongaku Shōjo TV Anime
Series based on Studio DEEN's Anime Mirai short premieres in July
― Voice actress and singer Yui Ogura announced on Saturday that she will perform the opening theme song "Eien Shōnen" (Forever Boys) for the Ongaku Shōjo (Music Girls) television anime series. The single for the song, which will be Ogura's ninth single, will ship on July 25. Ogura also voices Haori Mukae in the anime. The anime is base...
Live-Action Ao-Natsu Film Casts BanG Dream! Cast Member Aimi
Film opens in Japan on August 1
― The official website for Ao-Natsu: Kimi ni Koi Shita 30-Nichi (Ao-Natsu: The 30 Days I Loved You), the upcoming live-action film adaptation of Atsuko Nanba's Ao-Natsu romance manga, revealed on Saturday that voice actress Aimi (BanG Dream!'s Kasumi Toyama) will have a guest role in the film. Aimi will play a woman who is visiting the countryside from a big city, and ...
Saturday, May 12
Professor Uses Godzilla Films to Teach Japan's Constitution, Peace
Hiroshi Ito, a media studies professor at Wakayama Shin-ai Women's Junior College in Wakayama, is taking a different approach to teaching Japan's constitution and anti-war ideals this semester. Ito began teaching a class on April 26 that explains the constitution through the Godzilla film series. Ito said, "I want students to examine how Japanese society that surrounds the constitution has transfo...
Defend Your Own Palace in Rose of Versailles T-Shirts
Uniqlo is known for offering graphic T-shirts with anime and other pop culture-inspired designs. The apparel store will release Rose of Versailles shirts as part of its UT brand on May 14. Each of the 15 varieties of shirts will cost 1,620 yen (about US$15). Designs will feature Oscar's various uniforms, manga creator Riyoko Ikeda's illustrations, rose petals, and the series' logo. The designs wi...
Detective Conan, Gundam: The Origin Films Get Collaboration Poster
A collaboration poster is celebrating the Japanese theatrical releases of "Tanjō Akai Suisei" (Rise of the Red Comet), the sixth and last Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin anime, and Meitantei Conan Zero no Shikkōnin (Detective Conan: Zero's Executioner), the 22nd film in the Detective Conan series. The poster features the Detective Conan characters Conan Edogawa and Tōru Amuro, as well as the Gundam...
Pokémon Games' Soda Pop Inspires Retro Pikachu, Eevee Merch
With spring underway, the Pokémon franchise decided to offer a fresh take on the season with new "Saiko Soda" merchandise. The line is named after the game series' HP-restoring item of the same name, which is known as "Soda Pop" in English. The merchandise includes a tin pencil case, mascots, a day bag, a hand towel, T-shirts, crew socks, plastic tumblers, a folding mirror, a masking tape set, a ...
BanG Dream's New Anime Seasons Replace ISSEN, Xebec Studios With Sanzigen
Arpeggio CG studio also animating Girls Band Party! ☆ Pico with DMM.futureworks
― The official YouTube channel for the BanG Dream! franchise began streaming the video for the second season of the BanG Dream television anime on Saturday. The video confirms that the CG animation studio Sanzigen (Arpeggio of Blue Steel, Wooser's Hand-to-Mouth Life, BBK/BRNK) is replacing ISSEN and Xebec on the productio...
Destiny Child Smartphone, PC Game Gets 26-Minute Promotional Anime Episode
Yumeta Company animates video for game about devil battles
― The official YouTube channel for the Destiny Child smartphone and PC game began streaming a 26-minute promotional anime video for the game on Saturday. The video features an original story. The game features character designs by Kim Hyung Tae (Magna Carta, Blade & Soul character designs) and music by ESTi. DMM Games released the "narrative ...
BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! Game App's Pico Mini Anime Premieres July 5
Anime runs within BanG Dream! TV variety program
― The official Twitter account for the BanG Dream! franchise announced on Saturday that BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! ☆ Pico, a mini anime of the BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! game app, will premiere on July 5. It will run within the BanG Dream! TV variety program, which will air on the Tokyo MX station every Thursday at 11:30 p.m., and on Sun TV every...
BanG Dream! Anime Gets 2nd, 3rd Seasons
2nd Season starts next January, 3rd Season starts in October 2019
― The official Twitter account for the BanG Dream! franchise announced on Saturday that production on a new anime series has been green-lit. BanG Dream! 2nd Season will premiere next January. In addition, the staff is also simultaneously announcing the production on a 3rd Season for an October 2019 premiere. The franchise's website ann...
Hollywood Live-Action Monster Hunter Film Features Milla Jovovich, Starts Production in September
Film is budgeted at US$60 million
― Entertainment news website Variety reported on Friday that Constantin Film's Hollywood live-action film adaptation of Capcom's Monster Hunter action game franchise will feature Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil movie franchise). The film is budgeted at around US$60 million, and will shoot in and around Cape Town in South Africa. The film will start production in Septem...
BanG Dream! Idol Franchise Gets All-Male Band Project
Shūta Morishima, Seiji Maeda, Daisuke Hyuga participate in new project with 1st concert in July
― Bushiroad launched a website on Saturday to announce a new project in the BanG Dream! multimedia franchise. The new project will feature an all-male band. Voice actors Shūta Morishima, Seiji Maeda, and Daisuke Hyuga are part of the project. The HiBiKi agency streamed a video on Twitter on Saturday featur...
Aguu: Tensai Ningyō Anime Reveals Visual, Character Designs
Series about 2 ballet dancers premieres in July
― Studio DEEN opened a website on Friday for Aguu: Tensai Ningyō (Aguu: Genius Dolls), the television anime adaptation of Yichun Jun's Chinese comic Aguu (Devil Dolls). The website reveals the show's visual and character visuals. The show stars: Noriko Shibasaki as Ai, 16 years old. Her specialty is ballet. She is virtuous, passionate, and a hard worker...
Inti Creates Reveals Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX Game for Switch
New game in Azure Striker Gunvolt series stars "anti-hero" Copen
― Inti Creates announced at the BitSummit 2018 event in Kyoto on Saturday that it is developing Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX (Shiroki Kōtetsu no X: The Out of Gunvolt), the latest game in its Azure Striker Gunvolt series of games. Inti Creates will release the game on Nintendo Switch. English Trailer Japanese Trailer The game...
Inti Creates Reveals Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 8-Bit Game for PS4, PS Vita, 3DS, Switch, Xbox One, PC
Game promised as stretch goal for original Kickstarter campaign releases worldwide on May 24
― Inti Creates began streaming a trailer on Saturday to announce it and Koji Igarashi's Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon video game. The game is an 8-bit style game that Igarashi originally promised as a stretch goal for the Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night Kickstarter campaign. Bloodstained: Curse of the Moo...
Lu over the wall Anime Film's 2 New English Dub Clips Streamed
Film opened in select theaters in U.S., Canada with both dubbed, subtitled screenings on Friday
― GKIDS released two new English dub clips on Friday for Masaaki Yuasa and Science SARU's Lu Over the Wall anime film. The company began screening the film in select theaters in the United States on Friday. GKIDS is screening the film in both English dub and English subtitled versions. The film also opened...
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