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Interview: The Cast and Crew of That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime
Assistant Director Atsushi Nakayama, Character Designer Ryouma Ebata, and Rimiru voice actress Miho Okasaki chat about their experiences working on the affectionately-nicknamed "Slime Time"!
― The anime adaptation of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime became quite popular during its run in the Fall 2018 and Winter 2019 TV seasons, enough so that Crunchyroll had part of its industry booth specif...
Overlord II Limited Edition BD+DVD
Despite an anti-climactic stopping point before the third season, this arc of Overlord is sure to please fans of Ains, Sebas, and a host of other wicked heroes. Rebecca Silverman has the details.
― There's a fairly substantial gap between seasons one and two of Overlord (although nothing like the wait between seasons of Fullmetal Panic), but despite that it's pretty easy to get back into the adventur...
My Hero Academia GN 18
An abrupt conclusion to the yakuza invasion arc is followed by a variety of narrative odds and ends in this rambling collection of chapters. Nick Creamer has the details.
― Don't be fooled by the dramatic cover art of My Hero Academia's eighteenth volume. Though that cover promises a climactic battle between Midoriya and Chisaki, the tragic reality is that Midoriya actually cleans up this fight withi...
Shelf Life - June 10, 2019
It's the end of an era for Naruto collectors, as the final DVD set of Shippūden hits retailer shelves. Check out this week's full list of anime, manga, and video game releases!
― Welcome to Shelf Life! This week's list of new anime releases includes a pretty big milestone with the final DVD volume of Naruto Shippuden, and major completionist points go to anyone who's collected all 38 sets. On the ma...
For the Kid I Saw in My Dreams GN 2
The tight plotting and clear thought that goes into this series will make it an interesting read for mystery fans. Rebecca Silverman has our full review of this new manga from the author of ERASED.
― Even if there wasn't an interesting mystery and emotional narrative to go with it, the way that Kei Sanbe has planned out this volume of For the Kid I Saw in My Dreams is truly impressive. The book opens...
YU-NO: A girl who chants love at the bound of this world. ‒ Episode 11
"I sense that YU-NO wants to deal with some darker concepts, but I don't know that it intended to come off quite this nihilistic."
Isekai Quartet ‒ Episode 10
"The Field Day introduces a second class populated by a plethora of secondary characters from the four isekai series."
Shiropen is the Idol Scene's G.O.A.T. — Literally
I thought Japan's idol scene wouldn't be able to top Final Fantasy's monstrous SHINING BLESS trio or the Virtual Currency Girls promoting cryptocurrency. If there's anything I've learned working at Interest, it's that things can always get stranger. Enter Johnny's Entertainment's *ChocoLate Bomb! idol group. The group added a temporary member named Shiropen for their upcoming seventh single “LOVE ...
Rune Factory 4 Special Game's E3 Trailer Streamed
Switch remaster of Rune Factory 4 debuts in West in 2019
― XSEED Games began streaming an E3 trailer on Wednesday for Rune Factory 4 Special, a remastered Nintendo Switch version of Rune Factory 4. XSEED Games and Marvelous will release the game in the West this year. The game will launch in Japan on July 25. In addition to revealing the remaster, a Nintendo Direct presentation also confirmed in Febr...
5th Racehorse That Inspired Uma Musume Pretty Derby Character Passes Away
The horse girls of Uma Musume Pretty Derby are said to possess the spirits of (and share names with) famed racehorses. Unfortunately, many of those racehorses are advanced in age or have suffered injuries leading to their deaths. Since the anime's premiere last year, Special Week, King Halo, Vodka, and Hishi Amazon have passed on. This week, another horse was laid to rest. The 27-year-old Biko Peg...
Senran Kagura Peach Ball Switch Game's E3 Trailer Streamed
Game launches in N. America on July 9; in Europe, Australia in summer
― XSEED Games began streaming an E3 trailer for the Senran Kagura Peach Ball Nintendo Switch pinball game on Tuesday. XSEED Games will release the game in North America on July 9, and a PC via Steam release will follow this summer. The game will launch digitally in the Nintendo eShop and with a limited physical release in North Ame...
Funimation Files Response to Vic Mignogna's Lawsuit
Anime distributor denies voice actor's allegations
― Funimation filed an answer in Tarrant County, Texas on Monday to voice actor Vic Mignogna's lawsuit against Funimation, voice actresses Jamie Marchi and Monica Rial, and Rial's fiancé Ronald Toye. The anime distributor stated in the defense filing that it denies Mignogna's allegations in the lawsuit. Specifically, Funimation denies the allegations ...
Interview: The Cast and Crew of That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime
Assistant Director Atsushi Nakayama, Character Designer Ryouma Ebata, and Rimiru voice actress Miho Okasaki chat about their experiences working on the affectionately-nicknamed "Slime Time"!
― The anime adaptation of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime became quite popular during its run in the Fall 2018 and Winter 2019 TV seasons, enough so that Crunchyroll had part of its industry booth specif...
TCAF's Panel, Live Drawing with Horror Manga Visionary Junji Ito Streamed
If you couldn't make it to the Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) in May to see legendary horror manga creator Junji Ito, you're in luck. Publisher Viz Media is streaming Ito's panel and live drawing event from the convention on its YouTube channel. Ito's appearance was record-breaking for the convention; his live drawing panel drew the most attendees in TCAF history. Ito's Uzumaki and Tomie manga...
Answerman - Do Movies Experience "Production Crunch" Like TV Series Do?
A few missteps and a television anime production can implode under pressure, but does the same apply to films? Justin discusses when disasters make it to the big screen.
― Matt asked: We've all heard about the hellish work schedules, impossible deadlines, and cornucopia of problems that the TV anime industry is swamped in (thanks, Shirobako!), but I was wondering: is the anime movie landscape any di...
Even Square Enix Doesn't Know How Many Parts Final Fantasy VII Remake Will Have Yet
Development time will not be 'dramatically shorter' for further entries, says game's producer
― Final Fantasy VII Remake producer Yoshinori Kitase revealed at a closed-door meeting at E3 that the development team is currently planning out the scope for the second game, and that it has not yet been decided how many parts the game will consist of. Kotaku reports Kitase as saying: “When we started out p...
Akiba's Trip: Hellbound & Debriefed Game's Trailer Reveals Winter Launch in West
Akiba's Trip Plus remaster gets PS4, PC release
― XSEED Games began streaming an E3 trailer for the Akiba's Trip: Hellbound & Debriefed game for PlayStation 4 and PC on Wednesday. The video reveals that the company will release the game in the West this winter. The game is currently in development, and it will be a remaster of the Akiba's Trip Plus "Strip Action RPG" for PlayStation Portable. The Aki...
Granblue Fantasy: Versus Fighting Game's E3 Trailer Streamed
XSEED Games to release fighting game in N. America
― XSEED Games began streaming an E3 trailer for Arc System Works' Granblue Fantasy: Versus fighting game on Wednesday. XSEED Games will release the game for PlayStation 4 in North America. The game will launch in Japan in 2019. Cygames previously revealed that there will be a closed beta test for the game. The franchise's "Extra Fes" event in Sendai ...
One Piece ‒ Episode 888
"Kuma's great in both hero and villain roles, an astoundingly compelling figure from every angle."
Overlord II Limited Edition BD+DVD
Despite an anti-climactic stopping point before the third season, this arc of Overlord is sure to please fans of Ains, Sebas, and a host of other wicked heroes. Rebecca Silverman has the details.
― There's a fairly substantial gap between seasons one and two of Overlord (although nothing like the wait between seasons of Fullmetal Panic), but despite that it's pretty easy to get back into the adventur...
Dragon Quest's Hero Joins Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Game in Summer
New Fighters Pass DLC character joins crossover fighting game
― Nintendo announced during its Nintendo Direct E3 presentation that the Dragon Quest game series' Hero will join the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate crossover fighting game. The character will join the game as part of the Fighters Pass DLC content this summer. The presentation also revealed a promotional video for the character's appearance in...
War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius Game Gets Worldwide Release
English trailer previews smartphone tactical role-playing game
― Square Enix announced during its Square Enix Live E3 presentation on Monday that the War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius (Final Fantasy Brave Exvius: Genei Sensō) smartphone tactical role-playing game will get a worldwide release. The presentation also revealed an English trailer for the game. The game is slated to release th...
Mrs. GREEN APPLE Performs Fire Force Anime's Opening Song
1st title in "Super Animeism" block premieres on July 5
― The official website for the television anime of Atsushi Ohkubo's Fire Force (En En no Shōbōtai) manga revealed on Tuesday that the band Mrs. GREEN APPLE will perform the anime's theme song "Inferno." Kodansha Comics publishes the manga in English, and it describes the story: Terror has paralyzed the clockwork metropolis of Tokyo! Possessed by...
Helen McCarthy Lecture on Naoki Urasawa at Japan House London
Lecture on Wednesday June 19 at 6.30 p.m.
― Japan House London, which is running a free exhibition entitled This is Manga – the Art of Urasawa Naoki, has announced a lecture on Urasawa by Helen Mccarthy on Wednesday June 19. Urasawa's manga include 20th Century Boys, Monster, Pluto, Master Keaton and Yawara. Helen McCarthy's lecture is from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. and is free, but must be booked at th...
Devilman Crybaby Director Masaaki Yuasa Unveils Inu-Oh Anime Film for 2021
Ping Pong artist Taiyo Matsumoto, I Am a Hero writer Akiko Nogi adapt novel about Noh thespian
― Japanese production company Science SARU and production and distribution partner Asmik Ace announced on Wednesday that Masaaki Yuasa will direct Inu-Oh, a musical anime feature film adaptation of Hideo Furukawa's Heike Monogatari: Inu-Oh no Maki (Tales of the Heike: Inu-Oh) novel. Asmik Ace describes the ...
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Game for Switch Delayed to March 20, 2020
Deserted island setting, crafting highlighted in trailer
― Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the latest entry in the Animal Crossing game franchise and the first on the Nintendo Switch, has been delayed from this year to March 20, 2020. Nintendo debuted a trailer than showcases the game's deserted island setting as well as its crafting and farming features. The last main Animal Crossing game, Animal Cro...
Resident Evil 5 & 6 Games Head to Switch This Fall
Capcom ports more entries in the franchise
― Capcom will release the Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6 games on the Nintendo Switch this fall. Resident Evil 5 launched on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2009, followed by Resident Evil 6 on the same platforms in 2012. The Switch platforms already has ports for the remake of the first Resident Evil survival horror game, Resident Evil 4, Zero, Revel...
No More Heroes III Game Announced for Switch in 2020
"Travis Touchdown will return" with Suda51, Robin Atkin Downes, Paula Tiso
― Nintendo announced during its Nintendo Direct E3 presentation on Tuesday that Grasshopper Manufacture will release the No More Heroes III game exclusively on the Nintendo Switch next year. "Things got all funky real quick."No More Heroes 3. Coming to #NintendoSwitch in 2020. @Suda_51 @Grasshopper_EN #NintendoE3 pic.twitter.c...
Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 3DCG Anime's Characters Designed by Birthday Wonderland's Ilya Kuvshinov
Russian artist designed Keiichi Hara's latest film before 2020 Netflix series
― Netflix announced at France's 2019 Annecy International Animated Film Festival on Tuesday that Ilya Kuvshinov is designing the characters in Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045, the new 3D CG Ghost in the Shell anime premiering worldwide next year. The staff also presented a new image visual of Motoko Kusanagi from the series. K...
Ultraman Anime Gets 2nd Season With Returning Staff
Directors Kenji Kamiyama & Shinji Aramaki, studios Production I.G. & Sola Digital Arts return
― The official website for the 3D CG anime of Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi's Ultraman manga announced on Wednesday that production on a second season has been green-lit. The announcement was first made at the 2019 Annecy International Animated Film Festival in France. The directors Kenji Kamiyama a...
Konami Announces TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine mini Console
With Ys I & II, Dungeon Explorer, more in Americas, Europe, Japan
― Konami announced on Wednesday that it will release the TurboGrafx-16 mini, a compact console pre-loaded with games from the catalog of NEC's original TurboGrafx-16 console. Konami lists the following initial games for the version of the console that the company will sell in the Americas: R-Type New Adventure Island Ninja Spirit Ys Bo...
Osaka Gets Permanent Pokémon Cafe in September
After a few pop-ups over the years, The Pokémon Company opened the first permanent Pokémon Cafe at The Pokémon Center Tokyo DX & Pokémon Cafe in the Takashimaya Department Store Nihonbashi last year. The cafe was a huge success, bringing in 100,000 hungry trainers in six months. Fans on the western side of the country were out of luck unless they wanted to make a special day trip to Tokyo—until no...
Schoolgirl Strikers Mobile Game Awarded Guinness World Record for Most Unique 3D Costumes
Square Enix's Schoolgirl Strikerswas christened the world record for the most unique 3D costumes in a mobile game by Guinness World Records on June 11. Guinness verified that the game has 1,177 unique costumes as of November 8. 2018. ギネス世界記録™公式認定証の授与式をTOKYO MXさんに取材して頂いたモシュ!モーニングCROSSにて、明日6月11日(火)朝7時~8時の間で紹介されモシュから、お時間のある隊長さんはチェックして欲しいモシュよ!■番組サイトhttps://t.co/AdEH1yS8yl#ギネス世界記録 #モーニングクロス #スクスト2 pic....
Toho, AlphaBoat, Tokyo Otaku Mode Open International Contest for Original Character
Winner will receive cash prize of 1 million yen, chance to develop project
― Toho Co., Ltd. and AlphaBoat's video audition project GEMSTONE is teaming up with Tokyo Otaku Mode to open its doors to international creators for its second contest. This round's theme is “With Japan!” and participants are tasked with creating an original character that embodies this idea. "We are accepting applications fro...
Oninaki Game's Trailer Reveals August 22 Release Date
Game slated for N. America, Europe, Japan release on PS4, Switch, PC
― Square Enix revealed a new trailer for its Tokyo RPG Factory subsidiary's ONINAKI (Japanese title: Oni no Naku Kuni, or "country where the ogre cries") action role-playing game during its E3 press conference on Monday. The video reveals the game's August 22 release date in North America, Europe, and Japan on PlayStation 4, Nintend...
Dororo ‒ Episode 22
"This emotional episode demonstrates that it won't be Hyakki's physical strength, but the strength of his interpersonal relationships that saves the day."
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Remake Game Debuts on September 20
Switch game remakes 1993 Game Boy game
― Nintendo revealed a trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening remake game during its Nintendo Direct E3 presentation on Tuesday. The trailer reveals that the game will launch on September 20. The original game launched for Game Boy in Japan and the West in 1993. The game then received an updated Game Boy Color release in 1998. Sources: Nintendo Direct...
Fire Emblem: Three Houses Switch Game's E3 Trailer Streamed
Game launches on July 26 after delay
― Nintendo revealed a new trailer for Intelligent Systems and Koei Tecmo Games' Fire Emblem: Three Houses Nintendo Switch game on Tuesday. The game will launch on July 26 after a delay from spring. The Seasons of Warfare Edition of the game will bundle an artbook, sound selection CD, steelbook case, and calendar. Nintendo first announced in January 2017 that it wa...
As the Seiyū World Turns: Bouncing Babies Edition
Voice actresses Kumi Sakuma, Nami Miyahara, singer Haruka Shimotsuki expecting
― The irregular feature chronicling the persona lives of celebrities is back with a new installment. Today we have reports of two voice actresses and a singer who are expecting children. Tokyo Mew Mew voice actress Kumi Sakuma announced on social media on Sunday that she is expecting her second child this fall. She let her...
Astral Chain Switch Game's New Trailer Streamed
PlatinumGames develops title for August 30 release
― Nintendo revealed a new trailer for PlatinumGames' Astral Chain game during the Nintendo Direct E3 presentation on Tuesday. The game will launch for Nintendo Switch on August 30. Nintendo describes the game: "As part of a police special forces unit in a multi-cultural futuristic city, players work together with a humanoid special weapon, Legion, in...
Trials of Mana Game Revealed for PS4, Switch, PC in 2020
Collection of Mana game also launches in West
― Square Enix revealed on Tuesday that it will release the Trails of Mana game for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam in early 2020. The game will be a remake of the Seiken Densetsu 3. In addition, the Seiken Densetsu Collection for Switch, which includes the first three games in Square Enix's Seiken Densetsu (Mana) series, launched in the W...
Sarazanmai ‒ Episode 7
"Jealousy simmers in the hearts of our dysfunctional otter couple, and unbeknownst to Kazuki, these dangerous feelings may be hiding in the shirikodama of his friends as well."
This Week in Anime - What is Sarazanmai All About?
As Kunihiko Ikuhara's new series reaches its endgame, the shock and strangeness of its imagery has slowly given way to themes of connection and sacrifice. Micchy and Andy look past all this anime's butt humor to unravel its deeper symbolism.
― As Kunihiko Ikuhara's Sarazanmai reaches its endgame, the shock and strangeness of its imagery has slowly given way to themes of connection and sacrifice. Thi...
Publishers Weekly: NisiOisin is No. 2 Author with Most Translated Books in the U.S. in Last Decade
19 NisiOisin books were published in the U.S. from 2008 to 2018
― According to Publishers Weekly's Translation Database, 19 translations of NisiOisin novels have been published in the U.S. from 2008 to 2018. This puts the Monogatari and Zaregoto author as the writer with the second highest number of books with English translations in the U.S. in the last 10 years. It should be noted that light novels...
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Sequel Game Revealed With Trailer
Original game launched for Switch, Wii U in March 2017
― Nintendo announced during its Nintendo Direct E3 presentation on Tuesday that a sequel to its The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Switch game is in development. The company revealed a "first look" trailer for the game. The game launched for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Wii U in March 2017. The game has sold 12.77 million copies worldwide as...
Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age Game Launches for Switch on September 27
Video previews new version of Dragon Quest XI
― Nintendo revealed during its Nintendo Direct E3 presentation on Tuesday that Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition, the Switch version of the Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age (Dragon Quest XI: Sugisarishi Toki o Motomete) game, will launch on September 27. Square Enix describes the game: A young man, about to particip...
My Hero Academia GN 18
An abrupt conclusion to the yakuza invasion arc is followed by a variety of narrative odds and ends in this rambling collection of chapters. Nick Creamer has the details.
― Don't be fooled by the dramatic cover art of My Hero Academia's eighteenth volume. Though that cover promises a climactic battle between Midoriya and Chisaki, the tragic reality is that Midoriya actually cleans up this fight withi...
Disgaea 4 Complete+ Switch, PS4 Game Revealed With Trailer
New version of Disgaea 4 is slated for fall
― NIS America announced at E3 on Tuesday the Disgaea 4 Complete+ Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 game for fall release. The company also began streaming an announcement trailer. The release will include all the previously released characters, scenarios, and DLC for the title, plus new functionalities. The Standard Edition of the game will bundle a bookmar...
'How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift?' Anime's Promo Video Previews Opening Song
Narrator Tesshō Genda adds role of Harnold Dogegenchonegger
― The official website for the television anime of Yabako Sandrovich and MAAM's How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift? (Dumbbell Nan-Kilo Moteru? or How much heavy dumbbells can you lift?) manga revealed a promotional video on Tuesday. The video previews the cast's opening theme song "Onegai Muscle." The site also announced that Tesshō Genda,...
Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, June 3-9
Dragon Ball Super: Broly sells 17,319 + 9,808, followed by live-action Nisekoi film, Re:ZERO: Memory Snow, Gundam NT, live-action Blazing Transfer Student show
― The live-action film of the Nisekoi manga landed at #8 on the overall DVD chart with 3,188 copies. Honō no Tenkōsei Reborn, a live-action series of Kazuhiko Shimamoto's Blazing Transfer Student (Honō no Tenkōsei) manga, sold 986 more copies ...
Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, June 3-9
Dragon Ball Super: Broly sells 22,929 + 14,203, followed by Re:ZERO: Memory Snow, Sōma Saitō, live-action Nisekoi film, Gundam NT
― Sōma Saitō's Saitō Sōma 1st Live "quantum stranger(s)" sold 6,684 copies to rank #6 on the overall Blu-ray Disc chart. The Deluxe Edition Blu-ray for the live-action film of the Nisekoi manga landed at #7 with 3,527 copies. Love Live! Sunshine!! Aqours 4th Love Live! ~Sa...
Edko Films Streams Subtitled 2nd Teaser Video for Weathering With You Film
Makoto Shinkai's new anime film opens in Hong Kong on August 8
― Hong Kong film distributor Edko Films began streaming a Chinese- and English-subtitled teaser video for Makoto Shinkai's new anime film Weathering With You (Tenki no Ko) on Monday. The video is a subtitled version of the film's second teaser video, which debuted on May 29. Edko Films will open the film in Hong Kong on August 8. The film...
Children of the Sea Anime Film Opens at #5 in Japan
Godzilla, Ibuki, Kingdom, Detective Pikachu, Sadako, Conan stay in top 10
― Legendary Pictures' Godzilla sequel film Godzilla: King of the Monsters film dropped from #1 to #2 in its second weekend. It sold 245,000 tickets and earned 371,794,400 yen (about US$3.42 million) from Friday to Sunday, and has earned a cumulative total of 1,761,797,900 yen (about US$16.24 million). The film opened in 431 the...
Live-Action Flowers of Evil Film's Teaser Reveals September Opening
New visual also unveiled for film starring Kentaro Ito, Tina Tamashiro, Shiori Akita, Marie Iitoyo
― The official website for the live-action film of Shūzō Oshimi's manga The Flowers of Evil (Aku no Hana) unveiled a new teaser trailer and visual for the film on Tuesday. The teaser announces the film's September 27 opening date. The cast (from left to right in the photographs below) includes: Marie Ii...
Seven Days War Anime Film's Teaser Reveals Ajia-do Studio, December Opening
Visual also unveiled for film based on Osamu Sōda mystery/social satire novel
― The official website for the anime film of novelist Osamu Sōda's Bokura no Nanokakan Sensō (Seven Days War or Our Seven-Day War) novel unveiled a teaser trailer and visual for the film on Tuesday. The teaser reveals the film's December opening date, and that the studio Ajia-do is working on the film. The mystery story and...
Anohana Team Unveils Cast, Story for Original Anime Film Her Blue Sky
Time travel gives high schoolers with musical dreams a second chance at first love
― The official website for Her Blue Sky (Sora no Aosa o Shiru Hito yo), the original anime film by the Super Peace Busters creative team, revealed the film's cast and story on Tuesday. The cast includes (from left to right in image above, character name romanizations are not official): Shion Wakayama as Aoi Aioi Riho Y...
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remaster's Trailer Announces Winter Launch, iOS/Android Releases
Remaster of 2003 GameCube game also ships for PS4, Switch
― Square Enix debuted a new trailer for its remaster of the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles game during its E3 press conference on Monday. The trailer announces that the game will launch this winter for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, and will also have iOS and Android releases. Japanese English Square Enix released the game for the Ni...
Romancing SaGa 3, SaGa SCARLET GRACE: AMBITIONS Games Head West
Both slated for multiple platforms
― Square Enix announced during its E3 press conference on Monday that it will release the Romancing SaGa 3 and the SaGa SCARLET GRACE: AMBITIONS (SaGa Scarlet Grace: Hiiro no Yabō) games in the West. It will be the first time both games have been available in the West. Romancing SaGa 3 is slated for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC ...
Square Enix Reveals Final Fantasy VIII Remastered Game
Slated for PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC this year
― Square Enix revealed during its E3 press conference on Monday that it will release Final Fantasy VIII Remastered, a remastered version of its Final Fantasy VIII game, on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Steam this year. Final Fantasy VIII shipped for the original PlayStation console and Windows computers in 1999 and 2000, respectively. T...
Final Fantasy VII Remake Game's Trailer Unveils Tifa
Game demo video, special edition releases also unveiled
― Square Enix debuted a longer version of the recent trailer for its Final Fantasy VII Remake game at its E3 press conference event on Tuesday. The trailer reveals Tifa, as well as new gameplay footage. Japanese Version English Version Square Enix also revealed a gameplay demo video for the game. Square Enix revealed announced the game's Deluxe,...
The Last Remnant Remastered Game Gets Switch Release Today
Remastered version of 2008 game launched for PS4 in December
― Square Enix announced during its E3 press conference on Monday that it is releasing The Last Remnant Remastered game on the Nintendo Switch today. Square Enix is streaming a launch trailer as well as a behind-the-scenes video for the game. The game launched digitally for PlayStation 4 in Japan, Europe, and North America last December. The...
Cosplay Mania Hosts MYTH&ROID, Asaka as Musical Guests
Philippine convention scheduled for September 28-29
― Events organizer Cosplay.ph announced during its Anime and Cosplay Expo event on Sunday that MYTH&ROID and Asaka will attend the Cosplay Mania event as musical guests. MYTH&ROID (pictured at right) consist of vocalist KIHOW and producer [email protected] The group debuted in 2015, and vocalist Mayu graduated from the group to pursue a solo career in late ...
Eiga Sai Screens Mirai, Lu over the wall Films in the Philippines
Live-action Kakegurui, Laughing Under the Clouds, Perfect World also screen
― The Japan Foundation, Manila announced the films and screening schedules last Friday for this year's Eiga Sai Japanese Film Festival in the Philippines. The film festival will screen in various locations and dates in Metro Manila, Tacloban, Naga, Bacolod, Davao, Pangasinan, and Cebu. The full schedule is available on The Ja...
Yen Press Licenses Shadow Student Council Vice President Gives Her All, Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Side Story Manga
Omnibus edition of King of Eden also slated to ship in December
― Yen Press announced on Monday that it has licensed the Shadow Student Council Vice President Gives Her All and Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Side Story manga, and the omnibus edition of King of Eden. All three titles are slated for release in December. Yen Press describes Shadow Student Council Vice President Gives Her All (Fukukaic...
Rapping Zombie Live-Action TV Special Adds Kanta Satō, Singer Brother Tom
Actor Kanta Satō and singer Brother Tom to signed on to the live-action adaptation of Inka Teikoku's Rappā ni Kama Retara Rapper ni naru Manga (If You're Bitten By a Rapper You Become a Rapper) musical-horror-comedy manga. Satō will star as protagonist Minori's boyfriend Takuma Yamanōchi and Brother Tom will play her father Shigeru. Satō's character is a talented medical student who is "addicted" ...
Ni no Kuni Anime Film Casts Mackenyu, Mei Nagano
Film opens in Japan on August 23
― The official website for Warner Bros. Japan and Level 5's Ni no Kuni anime film revealed two additional cast members on Tuesday. Mackenyu will play Yū's friend Haru (first image below), and Mei Nagano will play princess of Ni no Kuni Asha (second image below). The roles will be the actors' first in an anime. The film will open in Japan on August 23. As previously re...
Attack on Titan ‒ Episode 56
"What the Scouts found in the Jaeger basement might not have been exactly what you were expecting, but it's definitely enough to shake the foundation of Attack on Titan to its core."
Former NGT48 Rena Hasegawa Will Continue Entertaining as Voice Actress
Former NGT46 idol Rena Hasegawa has signed with Shibuya-based talent agency Crocodile with plans to work as a voice actress and television personality. The talent agency announced Hasegawa joined its ranks on June 10. Hasegawa is currently undergoing voice actor training at sound company BloomZ to hone her voice acting abilities. Crocodile stated that Hasegawa will appear at anime events as an ani...
Persona 5 Royal Game's E3 Trailer Reveals English Cast
Laura Post, Billy Kametz join cast as new characters Kasumi, Takuto
― Atlus USA began streaming an E3 trailer for the Persona 5 Royal (Persona 5 The Royale in Japan) role-playing game on Monday. The video is an English-dubbed version of the game's first promotional video that debuted in April. The video reveals Laura Post as Kasumi Yoshizawa and Billy Kametz as Takuto Maruki. The game will launch for...
Fairy gone ‒ Episode 10
"This episode delivers even more exposition that will probably become relevant in an infodump some other character will drop three weeks from now."
Tokyo Ghoul, Kenshin Actress Yū Aoi Marries Comedian Ryōta Yamasato
After just two months of dating, actress Yū Aoi and comedian Ryōta Yamasato were married on June 4. The 33-year-old Tokyo Ghoul actress and 42-year-old Nankai Candies comedian submitted their marriage registration in Tokyo on June 3. The couple's reception date is still undecided. The relationship was kept out of the public eye and came as surprise. Aoi has not announced that she is pregnant and i...
Studio Ponoc Produces Anime Short for Tokyo 2020 Olympics
Short to debut in lead-up to upcoming Summer Olympic Games
― The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Monday that it has commissioned Studio Ponoc to produce an anime short inspired by the Olympic values. The short will debut in the lead-up to the 2020 Summer Olympics, which will be held in Tokyo from July 24 to August 9. The hand-drawn short will be part of the Olympic Foundation for C...
Magical Girls Collide in Magia Record Mobile Game Collab with Nanoha
The official Japanese Twitter account of f4samurai's Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story (Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Gaiden) smartphone role-playing game announced on June 7 that the game will have a collaboration event with the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Detonation film. Further details will be announced at a later date. 【コラボ決定!】劇場アニメ「魔法少女リリカルなのはDetonation」と「マギアレコード」の...
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind ‒ Episode 33
"The search for the boss's identity is over, but the fight to expose his weakness and ensure our friends' deaths weren't in vain continues to be as intense as ever."
Wise Man's Grandchild Anime Recycles the Same House Multiple Times
Drawing hundreds of backgrounds for an anime is tough, especially on a tight deadline. It's common practice in the industry nowadays for background artists to use reference photos and stock images to make the job quicker. Sometimes, however, viewers can't help but notice when shortcuts are being taken, especially when the same stock image is used multiple times in the same anime, or even in the sa...
Shelf Life - June 10, 2019
It's the end of an era for Naruto collectors, as the final DVD set of Shippūden hits retailer shelves. Check out this week's full list of anime, manga, and video game releases!
― Welcome to Shelf Life! This week's list of new anime releases includes a pretty big milestone with the final DVD volume of Naruto Shippuden, and major completionist points go to anyone who's collected all 38 sets. On the ma...
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 110
"While the episode's execution could stand to be better, this does feel like the organic end to Mirai's emotional arc, even if the character herself can't decide how to feel about it."
Sarazanmai ‒ Episode 6
"In an episode that's otherwise climactic, triumphant, and surprisingly optimistic about our misfit trio, Keppi's smiling red eyes have never seemed more sinister."
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III Game's Trailer Reveals September Release
Game ships on September 24 in N. America, on September 27 in Europe
― NIS America began streaming an E3 trailer for the The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III game for PlayStation 4 on Monday. The "old friends" video reveals that the game will ship on September 24 in North America, on September 27 in Europe, and on October 4 in Australia and New Zealand. The game will launch in North America ...
Fairy gone TV Anime's 'Climax' Promo Video Streamed
Series' 2nd half premieres in October
― Toho began streaming a "climax" promotional video for P.A. Works' original television anime Fairy gone on Monday. The anime premiered on April 7, and the second of the anime's two cours (quarters of the year) will premiere in October. The anime will have eight Blu-ray Disc and DVD home video releases in Japan, for a total of 24 episodes. Funimation is streaming...
Kono Oto Tomare!: Sounds of Life ‒ Episode 10
"Kono Oto Tomare! walks the line between club anime and sports anime this week for a training camp episode."
Anime Expo Screens Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution Film
Directors Kunihiko Yuyama, Motonori Sakakibara; voice actress Rica Matsumoto attend convention
― Anime Expo revealed to ANN on Monday that this year's convention will screen Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution (Mewtwo no Gyakushū Evolution), the 22nd film in the Pokémon franchise. The film will screen at 3:30 p.m. on July 4. In addition, Directors Kunihiko Yuyama and Motonori Sakakibara, as well a...
Cast Perform Opening, Ending Themes for Machikado Mazoku Comedy Anime
Series premieres on July 11
― The official website for the television anime of Izumo Ito's Machikado Mazoku (Street Corner Demon) manga revealed the opening and ending theme song artists on Monday. Konomi Kohara and Akari Kitō will perform the show's opening theme song "Machi Kado Tangent" under the unit name "shami momo." Kohara, Kitō, Minami Takahashi, and Tomoyo Takayanagi will perform the ending ...
To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Anime Reveals Shinnosuke Tachibana's Role
― The official website for the television anime of Maybe's To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts (Katsute Kami Datta Kemono-tachi e) manga revealed on Monday that Shinnosuke Tachibana will play Daniel (Spriggan). Tachibana was previously revealed to play one of Hank and Cain's Incarnate soldier comrades. The anime will premiere on Tokyo MX and BS11 on July 1 at 11:00 p.m., before airing on MBS on July 2. T...
Kenji Studio's Santa Company Anime Gets Extended Theatrical Version Opening in Japan in December
Kana Hanazawa replaces Ayumi Fujimura in Noel role; Coluboccoro anime screens alongside film
― Kenji Studio announced on Monday that Kenji Itoso's Santa Company short anime is getting a new extended film version titled Santa Company: Christmas no Himitsu (The Secret of Christmas) that will open in Japanese theaters in December. The new version is commemorating 100 years of diplomatic relations betwee...
Godzilla: King of the Monsters Drops to #4, Detective Pikachu to #9 in U.S.
Godzilla earns US$15.4 million in 2nd weekend
― Legendary Pictures' Godzilla sequel film Godzilla: King of the Monsters earned an estimated US$15.4 million to rank #4 in the in the United States box office in its second weekend, a 68% drop from its first weekend. The film has earned an estimated total of US$213.7 million in the foreign market, for an estimated total worldwide gross of US$292,297,097....
Oreimo Ayase Novel Spinoff Slated for August 10 Release
― The official Twitter account for the Oreimo franchise's Kirino Kōsaka character revealed on Sunday that the spinoff novel centering on Ayase is slated to ship on August 10. The novel is titled Ore no Imōto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai Ayase if Jō. While the announcement did not explicitly reveal how many volumes the new spinoff will have, the labeling of the title suggests two or three volumes fo...
BanG Dream! FILM LIVE Film Opens in Japan on September 13
― The official website for the BanG Dream! FILM LIVE anime film revealed on Saturday that the film will open in 56 theaters in Japan on September 13. Sanzigen is returning to animate the film, and Bushiroad will distribute it. The main BanG Dream! television anime's first 13-episode season premiered in January 2017, and Anime Network Online and Crunchyroll streamed the first season as it aired in Ja...
Fragtime Theatrical OVA Reveals November Debut, Staff, Visuals
Kase-san and Morning Glories staff reunite for yuri anime at Tear Studio
― The official website for the anime adaptation of Sato's Fragtime manga began streaming a teaser promotional video on Monday for the project. The video reveals that the project is a theatrical OVA project that will open in Japanese theaters in November as a limited screening. The site also revealed a teaser visual and character...
Keisuke Satō, Toshiyuki Toyonaga Join Cast of Hoshiai no Sora Anime
New "pair visual" revealed for series premiering in October
― The staff of the original television anime Hoshiai no Sora (Star-Crossing Skies) revealed two more cast members and a visual for the series on Monday. Toshiyuki Toyonaga will play Tsubasa Soga (left) and Keisuke Satō will play Shingo Takenouchi (right). The anime will premiere in October on TBS and BS-TBS. The previously revealed cast incl...
War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius Smartphone Game's New Video Streamed
Pre-registration is available now for tactical RPG
― Square Enix began streaming a new trailer on Monday for the War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius (Final Fantasy Brave Exvius: Genei Sensō) tactical role-playing game. The video outlines the game's story and characters, and confirms that the game will release for smartphones. The game is slated to release this year. Pre-registration is ava...
Wasteful Days of High School Girl Anime Reveals July 5 Premiere
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Bino's Wasteful Days of High School Girl (Joshi Kōsei no Mudazukai) manga announced on Monday that the anime will premiere on AT-X, Tokyo MX, TV Aichi, KBS Kyoto, Sun TV, and BS11 on July 5. Takeo Takahashi (Hinako Note, The Island of Giant Insects) is chief director, and Hijiri Sanpei (episode director for MAOYU, Magic Kaito: Kid the Pha...
Kawaikereba Hentai demo Suki ni Natte Kuremasuka? Anime's Video Reveals July 8 Premiere
Hiro Shimono, Ayana Taketatsu, Rina Hidaka, Iori Nomizu star in anime
― The official website for the television anime of Tomo Hanama's Kawaikereba Hentai demo Suki ni Natte Kuremasuka? light novel series began streaming a new promotional video for the anime on Monday. The video reveals the anime's July 8 premiere date. The anime will premiere on AT-X on July 8, on Tokyo MX and MBS on July 9, and on B...
Free! Road to the World Anime Compilation Film Posts Trailer
Compilation film for Free! anime franchise opens on July 5
― The official website for Kyoto Animation and Animation Do's Free! ~Road to the World~ Yume (Dream), the compilation film for their Free! anime franchise, began streaming a new trailer for the film on Monday. The film will open on July 5, and will have a returning cast and staff from the Free! Dive to the Future anime. The film will be a "re...
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Anime Casts Junichi Suwabe
Suwabe plays demon character Kyogai
― The official Twitter account for the television anime of Koyoharu Gotouge's Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga revealed on Sunday that Junichi Suwabe is joining the anime's cast as the character Kyogai. The Twitter account is streaming a video previewing the character. 【キャスト解禁‼︎】第11話より炭治郎たちの前に立ちはだかる鼓の鬼・響凱のキャストを解禁!響凱 cv:諏訪部順一ますます盛り上がる本作を引き続きお楽しみください!https://t.co...
Dr. Stone Anime's 1st Episode Gets Anime Expo Screening (Update)
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Riichirou Inagaki and Boichi's Dr. Stone manga revealed on Monday that the anime will have a world premiere screening of its first episode at this year's Anime Expo convention. Cruchyroll also revealed on Monday that the screening will be held on July 4 at 12:00 p.m. The anime's producer Shusuke Katagiri and Weekly Shonen Jump editor Hiro...
Bethesda Reveals Ghostwire: Tokyo Action-Adventure Game
New game by The Evil Within's Tango Gameworks
― Video game publisher Bethesda Softworks announced during its E3 press conference on Sunday that it is releasing a new action-adventure game titled Ghostwire: Tokyo by Tango Gameworks (The Evil Within). Bethesda did not reveal the platforms or release date for the game. Ikumi Nakamura, who has previously worked with Tango Gameworks founder and CEO Shinji...
Aimer Performs Vinland Saga Anime's Ending Theme Song
1st 3 episodes to debut together on NHK on July 7
― The official website for the television anime of Makoto Yukimura's Vinland Saga manga revealed on Sunday that Aimer will perform the anime's ending theme song "Torches." The song's CD single will ship on August 14 as Aimer's 17th single. The show will air with its first three episodes together. The series will premiere with the first three episodes ...
Final Fantasy VII Remake Game Releases on March 3, 2020 Worldwide (Updated)
New short trailer streamed, more announcements to come on Monday
― Game director Tetsuya Nomura announced on Sunday at the "Final Fantasy VII - A Symphonic Reunion" concert that Square Enix's Final Fantasy VII Remake game will launch worldwide on PlayStation 4 on March 3, 2020. Nomura showed a short trailer for the game at the event. The trailer did not confirm if the release is for the entire game o...
Magical Sempai Anime's Video Previews i☆Ris Opening Song
Anime premieres on July 2
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of AZU's Magical Sempai (Tejina Senpai) manga began streaming a new promotional video for the anime on Monday. The video previews i☆Ris' opening theme song "FANTASTIC ILLUSION." The anime will premiere on Tokyo MX on July 2 at 11:00 p.m., and each episode will be 15 minutes long. The show will also air on MBS and on ...
One Piece Anime Reveals Visual, New Staff for Wano Kuni Arc
Tatsuya Nagamine takes over as series director, Midori Matsuda takes over as character designer
― This year's 28th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed a new visual on Monday for the upcoming "Wano Kuni" arc of the One Piece anime. The arc will debut on July 7. The magazine also revealed that the anime is getting a new series director and character designer with the new arc. Tatsu...
Microsoft Reveals New 'Xbox Project Scarlett' Console for Holiday 2020 Launch
Halo Infinite to debut alongside console
― Microsoft revealed its planned new console, tentatively named 'Project Scarlett,' during its E3 press conference on Sunday. The console will have a new AMD processor, GDDR6 memory, and a "next-generation" solid state drive, and will also support 8K resolution, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and variable refresh rate. The console will debut in the 2020 hol...
Phantasy Star Online 2 Launches in N. America on Xbox One Next Spring
"Cross-play" teased, but not yet confirmed on other platforms in the West
― Microsoft revealed during its E3 press conference on Sunday that Sega will launch its Phantasy Star Online 2 game on Xbox One in North America in spring 2020. The game will be a free-to-play release with microtransactions. The trailer above reports that the release will feature "online action combat with cross-play," but Sega...
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Game's Trailer Teases Early 2020 Launch
Game offered on PS4, Xbox One, PC
― Microsoft revealed during its E3 press conference on Sunday that Bandai Namco Entertainment's Dragon Ball "Project Z" action role-playing game is now titled Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, and will ship for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in early 2020. The game will include English and Japanese voice-overs, and will support Neutral-Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese sub...
Bandai Namco Unveils Tales of Arise RPG for 2020
Latest Tales Of entry ships for PS4, Xbox One, PC
― Microsoft revealed during its E3 press conference on Sunday that Bandai Namco Entertainment is developing Tales of Arise, a new game in its Tales Of roleplaying game series. Yusuke Tomizawa (God Eater) has taken charge of the franchise's development team, and the game is slated to release for the Playstation 4, Xbox One, and PC in 2020. Bandai Namco...
Voice Actors Play Call of Cthulu Tabletop RPG to Promote Manga
Voice actors Hiroki Yasumoto (Hōzuki's Coolheadedness), Kana Motomiya (Kemono Friends), and Maya Yoshioka (Girls und Panzer) sat down to play the tactical role-playing game Call of Cthulhu. The game's scenario was written by Norimitsu Kaihō, the scriptwriter behind the School-Live!, Danganronpa 3, and Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka anime series. The campaign was planned to promote the first volume of...
FromSoftware Reveals Elden Ring Action RPG
Dark Souls' Hidetaka Miyazaki, Game of Thrones' George R.R. Martin collaborate on game's world
― Microsoft revealed during its E3 press conference on Sunday that FromSoftware is developing a new action RPG titled Elden Ring. The game will ship for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, but FromSoftware did not reveal a release date. Hidetaka Miyazaki (Dark Souls, Dark Souls III, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twi...
Fairy Tail: Final Season ‒ Episode 312
"It would be nice if an episode of Fairy Tail not dealing with the past could focus on one plotline at a time."
Downtown Comedy Duo Get Baki-Style Makeover
The comedy duo Downtown formed in Japan in 1982 and is considered one of the country's most influential comedy pairs. Their variety television show Downtown DX on Yomiuri TV is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Baki manga artist Keisuke Itagaki drew the pair for the anniversary as part of the "Entertainer Baki Project." Itagaki drew the Downtown DX performers in his signature Baki manga style: mus...
We Never Learn: BOKUBEN ‒ Episode 10
"As an extended character introduction, this episode contrasts Asumi well with the established cast to shake up their dynamic and add a new dimension to the story, even this late in the series' run."
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba ‒ Episode 10
"While it's still a good episode, this is a natural lull in the story that isn't exactly firing on all cylinders after all that prior momentum."
The Way of the Househusband Manga's 3rd Volume Gets Aerobics, Yoga Drama CD
Voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda plays barely-reformed yakuza husband
― Kousuke Oono's The Way of the Househusband manga's third volume hit store shelves in Japan with a special bonus on Saturday. The special edition volume bundles a drama CD starring voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda (Golden Kamuy's Hyakunosuke Ogata) as the story's titular yakuza-turned-househusband. Unlike the usual drama CD, Tsuda will coach li...
Rifle is Beautiful Voice Actors Become PR Ambassadors for National Rifle Association of Japan
The main cast of the upcoming Rifle is Beautiful anime announced on June 1 that they are taking up the role as PR ambassadors for the National Rifle Association of Japan (NRAJ). They spoke of how working on Rifle is Beautiful triggered their interest in rifle sports and also shared their experience with shooting. NRAJ President Kiichiro Matsumaru first explained that rifle sports are very niche in...
Director Goro Taniguchi on TV Anime Trends: 'I Wouldn't Be Allowed to Make Something Like Code Geass Nowadays'
Code Geass director Goro Taniguchi appeared as a guest on cultural critic Tsunehiro Uno's online program Hangout Plus on March 11. Taniguchi was asked what he thought about the current anime industry trends. He shared his perspective that the TV anime now leans more towards everyday slice-of-life content, and that a series with with "depressing" developments like Code Geass is much harder to green...
For the Kid I Saw in My Dreams GN 2
The tight plotting and clear thought that goes into this series will make it an interesting read for mystery fans. Rebecca Silverman has our full review of this new manga from the author of ERASED.
― Even if there wasn't an interesting mystery and emotional narrative to go with it, the way that Kei Sanbe has planned out this volume of For the Kid I Saw in My Dreams is truly impressive. The book opens...
Hana to Okutan Manga by Saikano's Shin Takahashi Ends
Manga about woman living in ruined city launched in 2007
― This year's 20th issue of Shogakukan's Weekly Big Comic Spirits magazine revealed on Monday that Shin Takahashi's Hana to Okutan manga will end in the magazine's 29th issue on June 17. The manga entered its final arc on June 3. The manga is set in the aftermath of a giant flower appearing in Tokyo, upending most of the functions of the city a...
Haruka Fukuhara to Perform New Ending Theme for Boruto Anime
New theme debuts in July
― This year's 28th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed on Monday that voice actress and singer Haruka Fukuhara (Kirakira ☆ Precure a la Mode's Himari Arisugawa/Cure Custard) will perform the new ending theme song for the Boruto: Naruto Next Generations anime. The Boruto: Naruto Next Generations television anime series premiered in Japan on TV Tokyo in Apr...
Boruto Manga Transfers to V Jump Magazine
Manga launched in May 2016, inspired ongoing anime in April 2017
― This year's 28th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed on Monday that Ukyō Kodachi and Mikio Ikemoto's Boruto manga is transferring to Shueisha's V Jump magazine. The next chapter will launch in V Jump's September issue on July 20. The 27th issue had teased that the 28th issue would have a "big announcement" for Bor...
JMPA Reveals Manga Magazine Circulation Numbers for January to March 2019
Weekly Shonen Jump drops below 1.7 million, Weekly Shonen Magazine drops to 715,000
― The Japan Magazine Publishers Association (JMPA) revealed on Tuesday the circulation numbers for January through March of most major manga magazines. Monthly Shonen Sirius (pictured at right) was the only magazine that saw an increase in circulation numbers compared to the previous quarter. Several other magazines k...
Hiroyuki Ohashi's On-Gaku: Our Sound Anime Film Reveals January Debut, Teaser Visual
Kenji Iwaisawa directs film about delinquents who start rock band
― The official website for the anime film adaptation of Hiroyuki Ohashi's "Ongaku" manga revealed on Sunday that the film will open in Japan in January 2020. The site also revealed a new teaser visual for the film, and several screenshots. The teaser visual features the film's title as On-Gaku: Our Sound. Ohashi had launched a crowdfun...
'Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks?' Anime's 5th Character Video Previews Mamako
Ai Kayano voices character in series premiering on July 12
― The official website for the television anime of writer Dachima Inaka and illustrator Pochi Iida's Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks? (Tsūjō Kōgeki ga Zentai Kōgeki de Ni-kai Kōgeki no Okā-san wa Suki desuka?) light novel series began streaming a character video on Sunday for Mamako Ōsuki. The site previously streame...
Kizumonogatari - Tekketsu Blu-ray Released Monday
Also, new standard editions of My Hero Academia and Princess Principal
― On Monday June 10, MVM will release Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu on Blu-ray. This is the first of a trilogy of films which comprises a prequel to Bakemonogatari. This edition will contain an art book and art cards. The original book Kizumonogatari is the third volume in NisiOisin's Monogatari book series and is a prequel to B...
Adult Swim's Jason DeMarco Comments on Quality of Recent Dragon Ball Super Episodes
DeMarco: episodes featured slowdown due to Harding Test issues
― Jason DeMarco, senior vice-president and creative director for Adult Swim, posted a thread on Twitter on Friday commenting on "slowdown" in last week's episode of the Dragon Ball Super anime on Adult Swim's Toonami programming block. According to DeMarco, this happened because of edits made to scenes that failed the Harding Test. The Ha...
Kingdom Hearts III Game's DLC Trailer Reveals Winter Launch
DLC to include new scenario, new boss fight, secret episode, new keyblade
― Game director Tetsuya Nomura announced at the "Kingdom Hearts Orchestra – World of Tres" concert in Los Angeles on Saturday that the planned DLC for the Kingdom Hearts III game will launch this winter. Nomura showed a trailer for the DLC at the event. Note: The below video contains spoilers for Kingdom Hearts III. The DLC is ...
Cherry Arai Launches 'Musunde, Tsunaide' Manga
New series by Three Leaves, Three Colors author centers on 2 friends with polar opposite personalities
― The July issue of Hobunsha's Manga Time Kirara magazine published the first chapter on Saturday of Cherry Arai's Musunde, Tsunaide. (Bind, Connect) manga. The manga centers on Kanoko and her friend Tsunagu. Their personalities are completely opposite of each other, but they are still very close. B...
CyberAgent's CAAnimation Label for Original Anime Reveals Details for 1st Project
CAAnimation partners with Avex Pictures, Elements Garden, Doga Kobo for multimedia project
― CyberAgent, the parent company of game developer Cygames and streaming service company AbemaTV, announced more details on Friday for the first project for its CAAnimation label. The company's first project will be a multimedia project that will include anime, video games, music, and several other forms of ent...
Catch Real Bugs with Pokéball Bug Cage
Satoshi Tajiri was first inspired to create the Pokémon series from his childhood days catching and collecting bugs. Kids today can follow in his footsteps by catching bugs with a Pokéball-inspired bug cage. The cage, which is designed by metalworking company Castem, can open and close through the same way as a typical Pokéball - by pressing the white button in the middle. It can also be opened fr...
Ryūji Harada Dropped From Sazae-san Stage Play After Apologizing For Adultery
Harada was initially slated to play Masuo
― The official Twitter account of the Sazae-san stage play announced on Wednesday that actor Ryūji Harada will be dropped from the cast. He will be replaced by Shingo Katsurayama. The announcement came one week after Weekly Bunshun reported that Harada had been having affairs with multiple women. Ryūji Harada held a press conference on May 31 to apologize for...
Toei Animation Representative Director Wants New Blood in the Anime Industry
Toei Animation recently started project soliciting anime pitches from amateurs outside the industry
― Toei Animation announced its "100-Year Anime Project" contest for original anime on Thursday. The project's name originates from its goal: to create an anime that will "continue for the next 100 years." The project allows participants to submit proposals for an anime project in one of four different ...
Gag Manga Biyori Collaborates with Shitennō-ji Temple in Osaka
Kousuke Masuda's Gag Manga Biyori has formed an unlikely combination with the Shitennō-ji Temple in Osaka. To commemorate the manga's 20th year of serialization and the 90th anniversary of the formation of the Shin-Saigaoku pilgrimage course from June 5 to 9, the temple will have a cardboard maze and panels showing art from Gag Manga Biyori. Masuda is also serializing a short gag strip for the tem...
Kagerou Daze's Jin, Eureka 7's Dai Sato Create Listeners Anime Project
pomodorosa designs "boy-meets-girl" anime with rock music motif
― A website and Twitter account opened on Sunday for Listeners, a new project that combines rock music and anime. Musician and Kagerou Project creator Jin (Kagerou Daze, Mekakucity Actors), anime writer Dai Sato (Eureka Seven, Wolf's Rain, Samurai Champloo, Cowboy Bebop), and Taichi Hashimoto (revisions) are credited with the original st...
Bungo Stray Dogs ‒ Episode 34
"Things are only going to get uglier from here, and we'll just have to hope that our heroes are up to dealing with Dostoevsky as their own numbers dwindle."
Girls und Panzer: Senshadō no Susume Manga Ends
Spinoff comedy series launched in 2016
― The July issue of Kadokawa's Monthly Comic Flapper magazine published the final chapter on Wednesday for Midori Hagi's Girls und Panzer: Senshadō no Susume manga. Monthly Comic Flapper had teased in April that the manga was approaching its climax. Hagi launched the series in 2016, and the fourth compiled book volume shipped in November. The fifth and final vol...
Odex to Screen Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection Film in Indonesia
Film opened in Japan on February 9
― Odex announced on Thursday that it will screen the Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection (Code Geass: Fukkatsu no Lelouch) sequel anime film in Indonesia. The company did not announce an opening date. The film opened on February 9 in 120 theaters in Japan, debuted at #5 at the Japanese box office, and earned 286.65 million yen (about US$2.59 million) in its ope...
Mononoke Manga Ends in 2 Chapters
Manga follows original anime's "Bakeneko" arc
― The July issue of Tokuma Shoten's Monthly Comic Zenon magazine announced on May 25 that Yaeko Ninagawa's Mononoke manga will end in two more chapters. If the manga does not take a break, it will end in the September issue in July. The manga began its final arc, titled Mononoke: Bakeneko, in March 2018. Tokuma Shoten published the manga's first of two pl...
Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns TV Anime Special Gets Manga Adaptation
Sequel to Pokemon: The First Movie originally aired in 2000
― Shogakukan announced on Friday that the Pokemon: Mewtwo Returns (Pocket Monster: Myuutsu! Ware wa Koko ni Ari) television anime special (pictured at right) will get a manga adaptation that will debut in the August issue of its Bessatsu Coro Coro Comics Special magazine on June 28. Machito Gomi, who is also drawing a manga adaptation of the...
Elliott Advisors Buys Barnes & Noble Bookstore Chain for About US$683 Million
Eilliot previously acquired U.K. bookstore chain Waterstones in June 2018
― U.S. bookstore chain Barnes & Noble announced on Friday that Elliott Advisors (UK) Limited (an affiliate of Elliot Management Corporation) has acquired the company for US$6.50 per share for an all-cash transaction valued at about US$683 million. Elliot has also assumed any debt by Barnes & Noble. Elliott previously acquired W...
Naka no Hito Genome [Jikkyōchū] TV Anime Premieres on July 7
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Osora's Naka no Hito Genome [Jikkyōchū] (Naka no Hito Genome [Now Streaming]) manga revealed on Saturday that the show will premiere on July 7. The show will air on AT-X on July 7 at 10:00 p.m., before airing later that evening on Tokyo MX, KBS Kyoto, Sun TV, and BS11. The show will also air on TV Aichi, and will stream in Japan on d Anim...
Aggretsuko Anime Season 2's Video Streamed with English Dub
New season premieres on June 14
― Netflix began streaming an English-dubbed trailer on Friday for the second season of the Aggretsuko anime. The video is the same as one Netflix Japan streamed in Japanese last month. The new season will debut on June 14. Retsuko is a 25-year old red panda who works in her dream company's accounting department. But it turns out that she is forced to keep doing more an...
Artists Countdown Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution With Weekly Illustrations
As a countdown to the release of the Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution film, artists are participating in a tribute illustration project for the next seven weeks.The first illustration was drawn by Spriggan manga artist Ryōji Minagawa on June 7. The drawing focuses on Mewtwo's recently revamped armor as the genetically-altered Pokémon faces off against Onix. The project's other participating artists i...
The Helpful Fox Senko-san ‒ Episode 9
"Senko-san is at its best when it indulges in pure comfort food for the viewer, and this week that translates to literally making comfort food."
Taste the 'Forbidden Menu' at Tokyo Ghoul Restaurant
Do you fancy yourself a Gourmet Ghoul? A restaurant in Tokyo's Ginza district will let you live out a devilish fantasy with a menu to match. The "Ghoul Restaurant" will open for one month only to commemorate the Tokyo Ghoul S live-action film. Visitors will be immersed in luxurious horror as they dine on dinner course of "blood and roses." The space will be surrounded by 40,000 blood red roses. Th...
Black Clover ‒ Episode 86
"I think this two-parter could have been more interesting if we had more than two characters to spend our time with."
Anime Expo Hosts Illustrator Range Murata
Director Junichi Yamamoto; voice actresses Aimi, Haruka Kudō also attend July convention
― Anime Expo announced on Thursday that ADK Emotions will host illustrator Range Murata at this year's convention. Staff also announced on Wednesday that director Junichi Yamamoto, as well as voice actresses Aimi and Haruka Kudō will attend the event. Murata provided the original characters designs for the upcomi...
Anime Expo 2019 Charity Auction to Benefit Terasaki Budokan Community Center
Anime Expo's Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) have chosen the Terasaki Budokan, a Project of Little Tokyo Service Center, as the AX 2019 Charity Auction recipient. The center is expected to open in spring of 2020 as to provide the Little Tokyo community with a unique gathering place. Dubbed a "Home Court for All," Terasaki Budokan will host sport and community events for loca...
Crunchyroll Stats: The Most Globally Streamed Anime for May 2019
Crunchyroll's streaming user base spans the globe with at least 50 million registered users (and more unregistered) tuning in to service's simulcasts and back catalog for their anime fix. Each month, Crunchyroll is sharing some of its streaming stats to shed light on what anime fans around the world are watching. Here's a look at the "most engaged" countries and a snapshot of the top shows. May's ...
Manga Answerman - Can Non-Japanese Comic Creators Call Themselves 'Mangaka'?
Deb weighs in on what it really means to be a "mangaka" and if referring to yourself as one is such a good idea.
― This week's Manga Answerman is slightly different this week – I saw an interesting conversationon Twitter from manga scholar and translator Rachel Thorn. Rachel is a professional translator (her latest translated work is The Poe Clan by Moto Hagio, which is due out in late August 2019 f...
Promare Director Hiroyuki Imaishi Discusses Galo's Resemblance to Gurren Lagann's Kamina
Resemblance is a complete coincidence, he says
― Gurren Lagann and Promare director Hiroyuki Imaishi addressed the uncanny resemblance between Promare's Galo and Gurren Lagann's Kamina in an interview posted on Anime! Anime! on February 17. He described Galo as having an "accidental resemblance" to Kamina. "When I draw protagonists for the pitch, they just always seem to end up with that kind of hair...
XSEED Games Releases Granblue Fantasy: Versus Fighting Game in N. America
PS4 game appears at E3 on June 11-13
― XSEED Games announced on Friday that it will release Arc System Works' Granblue Fantasy: Versus fighting game for PlayStation 4 in North America. The company confirmed that the game will launch in Japan in 2019 but stated that it will announce the North American release date later. XSEED Games will show the game at E3 in Los Angeles from June 11 to 13. Cygames p...
Vic Mignogna Listed as Guest at Comic Con Ireland
Dublin event takes place on June 22 and 23.
― Vic Mignogna is listed as a guest on the website for the upcoming Comic Con Ireland. The event will take place on Saturday June 22 and Sunday June 23 in Dublin, at the RDS (The Royal Dublin Society) Ballsbridge. Mignogna is due to appear on both days. Mignogna's voice roles include Edward Elric in Fullmetal Alchemist and Broly in Dragon Ball Super:Broly. ...
Ivy to Fraudulent Game Perform Ending Song for Try Knights Anime
Summer rugby anime is based on Senzoku Erisawa, Shunsaku Yano's manga
― The official website for the television anime of Senzoku Erisawa and Shunsaku Yano's Try Knights manga revealed on Friday that Ivy to Fraudulent Game will perform the series' ending theme song "Moyō" (Pattern). The anime's cast includes: Shōgo Sakamoto as Riku Haruma KENN as Akira Kariya Seiji Maeda as Tomomi Hōryū, who played vo...
Funimation Reveals Nichijou Anime's Full English Dub Cast
Dub launches on BD, digitally on July 23
― Funimation revealed the full cast and staff for its English dub of the Nichijou - My Ordinary Life anime. The cast includes: Jad Saxton as Hakase Shinonome Leah Clark as Mio Naganohara Brittany Lauda as Mai Minakami Monica Rial as Nano Shinonome Anthony Bowling as Sakamoto Morgan Garrett as Yuuko Aioi Seth Magill as Koujirou Sasahara Madeleine Morris as Misa...
LeftField Media Launches New 'Anime Frontier' Convention in Texas in May 2020
Fort Worth event announces 7 English voice actors as 1st guests
― Event company LeftField Media — which hosts the Anime NYC, Awesome Con, Rose City Comic Con, and Big Easy Con events in the United States — announced on Friday that it will launch a new anime convention in Fort Worth, Texas titled Anime Frontier. The first event will be held on May 8-10, 2020 at the Fort Worth Convention Center. The co...
Samurai Shodown Game's Video Highlights Tam Tam
Fighting game launches for PS4, Xbox One in West on June 25
― SNK began streaming a video for its new Samurai Shodown (Samurai Spirits) game on Thursday. The trailer highlights Tam Tam, returning from previous games in the series. The game will launch for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in Japan on June 27, and in the West on June 25. The Nintendo Switch and PC versions will follow in winter 2019. The arc...
Sakuna Game Slated for Release in Winter With Switch Version
Game ships this winter for PS4, PC, Switch
― The official website for game developer Edelweiss' side-scrolling action platformer Sakuna: Of Rice And Ruin (Tensui no Sakuna Hime) began streaming a new promotional video for the game on Thursday. The video reveals that the game will also have a Switch release in Japan in addition to the PlayStation 4 version, and it will ship this winter. XSEED Games al...
Jinrui no Minasama e Game's Character Video Previews Yuyuko
PS4, Switch game launches in Japan on June 27
― Nippon Ichi Software began streaming a character video on Friday for it and Acquire's Jinrui no Minasama e (To All of Mankind) survival adventure game for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. The video highlights the character Yuyuko Oura, voiced by Mina Nakazawa. The game will launch in Japan on June 27 after a delay from May 30. The game will retail for...
Virtua Racing, Wonder Boy: Monster Land Games Launch for Switch in the West on June 27
Both games part of Sega's Sega Ages project
― Sega announced on Thursday that it will release the Virtua Racing and Wonder Boy: Monster Land games in North America and Europe for the Nintendo Switch as part of its Sega Ages project on June 27. Virtua Racing launched on the Switch in Japan on April 25, and Wonder Boy: Monster Land launched in Japan for the Switch on May 30. Sega Europe is also streami...
To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Anime Reveals Daisuke Hirakawa's Role
― The official website for the television anime of Maybe's To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts (Katsute Kami Datta Kemono-tachi e) manga revealed on Wednesday that Daisuke Hirakawa will play William (Níðhöggr). Hirakawa was previously revealed to play one of Hank and Cain's Incarnate soldier comrades. The anime will premiere on Tokyo MX and BS11 on July 1 at 11:00 p.m., before airing on MBS on July 2. Th...
Senki Zesshō Symphogear XV TV Anime's Promo Video Reveals July 6 Premiere
3 more cast members, 9 more character visuals revealed
― The official website for Senki Zesshō Symphogear XV, the upcoming fifth season of the Symphogear anime, began streaming a promotional video for the series on Friday. The video previews Nana Mizuki's opening theme song "Metanoia." The video also reveals that the show will premiere on Tokyo MX and BS11 on July 6 late at night (effectively July 7 ...
Dragon Quest: Your Story CG Anime Film Reveals 3 More Character Roles
Bjørn, Mildrath, Gema to appear in August 2 film
― The official website for Dragon Quest Your Story, the Dragon Quest game franchise's first 3D CG anime film, revealed which characters three previously announced cast members will play in the film on Friday. The website announced the cast members in April, but did not specify their roles then. The newly announced roles include: Arata Furuta (upper lef...
Granbelm Original Anime's 2nd Promo Video Previews Eir Aoi's Opening Theme
New visual also revealed for series premiering on July 5
― The official website for the Granbelm original anime series began streaming a second promotional video on Friday. The video previews Eir Aoi's opening theme song "Tsuki o Ou Mayonaka" (Following the Moon in the Middle of the Night). The site also revealed a new visual. The show's first 10 minutes streamed in April with the announcement of the...
Human Lost Anime Film's Clip Reveals Takahiro Sakurai as Cast Member (Updated)
3D CG anime film premieres this year
― The official website for the Human Lost 3D CG anime film began streaming a new clip from the film on Friday. The clip reveals that Takahiro Sakurai will play Masao Horiki, a mysterious man who spreads rumors about drugs in Ichi Roku. Funimation is also streaming the video with English subtitles. The film stars: Mamoru Miyano as protagonist Yozo Oba Kana Hanazawa...
Hanebado! Badminton Manga Approaches 'Climax'
― Media news website Natalie revealed in an interview with Hanebado! manga author Kosuke Hamada on Friday that the Hanebado! manga is approaching its climax. The manga's story begins with Kentarō Tachibana, the coach of Kitakomachi High School's badminton team. He is worried because the team has so few members that it cannot even enter competitions, but then he spots a student named Ayano Hanesaki e...
Pastel Memories Smartphone Game Ends Service on August 6
Game launched in October 2017, inspired TV anime in January
― The official Twitter account for FuRyu's Pastel Memories smartphone game announced on Friday that the game will end service on August 6 at 3:00 p.m. JST (2:00 a.m. EDT). FuRyu released the game in October 2017. The "otaku girls" role-playing game takes place "a little bit in the future in 20XX." Akihabara, which was once called "the otaku ...
Brothers Conflict: Precious Baby Switch Game's Video Highlights Characters
Switch port of PS Vita game ships on August 29
― Idea Factory began streaming a promotional video for its Brothers Conflict: Precious Baby Nintendo Switch game on Thursday. The video highlights the game's main characters, and reveals the game's August 29 release date. The original PlayStation Vita game is part of Idea Factory's Otomate brand of games for female players, and it shipped in 2016. The "s...
'Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?' Season 2 Anime Reveals Visual, July 12 Premiere, AX Screening with Novel Author
Sentai Filmworks licenses 2nd season for streaming; will screen Arrow of the Orion film at AX
― Warner Bros. Japan revealed a new visual and the July 12 premiere for the second season of the Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? anime on Friday, and it also announced that the anime's original light novel author Fujino Ōmori will attend this year's Anime Expo as a guest alongside the anime...
Super Neptunia RPG Game's Trailer Introduces Godesses
Game releases on PS4, Switch in N. America on June 25, in Europe on June 28; on Steam on June 20
― Idea Factory International began streaming a new trailer for Compile Heart's Super Neptunia RPG (Yūsha Neptune: Sekai yo Uchū yo Katsumoku se yo!! Ultimate RPG Sengen!!) game on Thursday. The video introduces the game's main characters, the Gamindustri goddesses. Idea Factory International will release ...
Dragon Star Varnir Game Gets Steam Release This Year
― Idea Factory International revealed on Wednesday that it will also release Compile Heart's Dragon Star Varnir (Ryūsei no Varnir) PlayStation 4 game on the PC via Steam this year. The game will support English, Japanese, and Traditional Chinese subtitles. Idea Factory International will release the game for the PlayStation 4 in North America on June 11, and in Europe on June 14. Idea Factory Intern...
Anime Expo Hosts Sailor Moon Editor Fumio Osano, Actress Kanae Yumemiya
Yumemiya played Sailor Moon/Usagi Tsukino in Sailor Moon The Super Live stage show
― The official website for the Sailor Moon franchise announced on Friday that Sailor Moon manga editor Fumio Osano and Sailor Moon The Super Live Sailor Moon/Usagi Tsukino actress Kanae Yumemiya will attend this year's Anime Expo convention as guests. The two guests will be present at the Kodansha Comics/Vertical booth...
Funimation to Stream My Hero Academia Anime's 4th Season
4th season premieres in October
― The official English Twitter account for the My Hero Academia television anime series confirmed on Thursday that Funimation will stream the upcoming fourth season of the anime. The new season will premiere in October. The 25-episode third season premiered in April 2018, and Funimation streamed the English dub of the third season. Crunchyroll and Hulu streamed the ser...
Google's Stadia Launches With Final Fantasy XV, No Japan Support
Samurai Shodown, Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid also coming to Stadia
― Google announced on Thursday that its upcoming Stadia game platform will feature Square Enix's Final Fantasy XV game when it launches in November. Google also revealed that the platform will not launch in Japan in November, but stated it will add more supported regions in 2020. The platform will launch in 14 countries in Nort...
Mob Psycho 100 OVA Reveals Title, Visual, September Release
OVA is titled Mob Psycho 100 Dai Ikkai Rei to ka Sōdansho Ianryokō ~Kokoro Mitasu Iyashi no Tabi~
― The official website for the anime adaptations of ONE's Mob Psycho 100 manga revealed the title, visual, and September 25 release date of the upcoming all-new original OVA for the franchise on Friday. The OVA's title is Mob Psycho 100 Dai Ikkai Rei to ka Sōdansho Ianryokō ~Kokoro Mitasu Iyashi no Tabi~...
The Rising of The Shield Hero ‒ Episode 22
"This episode acts as equal parts arc epilogue and an exploration of the Cardinal Heroes' dysfunctions, some of which becomes a little surprising."
YU-NO: A girl who chants love at the bound of this world. ‒ Episode 10
"This arc continues to be a frustrating low for YU-NO after the previous one at least gave us an idea of the (however momentary) highs it could hit when it just cut loose."
Wise Man's Grandchild ‒ Episode 9
"It's great that Sizilien's parents want her to be loved and happy, but removing any other obstacle this couple might face just feels sloppy."
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