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The Ideal Sponger Life GN 2
This steamy isekai adventure continues detailing the thrills and perils of becoming a kept man to the queen in another world. Theron Martin has the details.
― The first volume of this manga adaptation established the story's unique angle on the standard isekai story, where the protagonist is transported to another world specifically to father a child by a queen rather than to perform heroics. As eye-...
Laid-Back Camp at Otakon 2019
Virtually the entire executive staff of beloved iyashikei series Laid-Back Camp - with an incoming second season - arrived at Otakon 2019 in Washington DC!
― The cold winter air that stings, the warmth of a fire after a long hike, the view of the sunrise in the early morning—The small joys of camping can be experienced anywhere a tent can be set up. Afro, a manga artist from Yamanashi prefecture, set...
This Week in Games - Planet Pokemon
Heidi's gonna catch 'em all this week with a small mountain of Pokemon game news.
― I had a feeling there wasn't going to be too much news this week. Right now, Japan's smack-dab in the middle of the Obon holiday period, so there's really not much happening there… though we have a few interesting retro-flavored announcements from overseas publishers, which we'll get to in a sec. For now, let's talk a...
Little Witch Academia: The Nonsensical Witch and the Country of the Fairies Novel
This extra adventure in Akko and friends' academic year is a charming addition to LWA's world, even if it skews a little young and lightweight. Rebecca Silverman has the details.
― For many viewers, Akko, the heroine of Little Witch Academia, is either the major draw or the major turn-off; there don't seem to be many opinions that don't lean towards one of these two extremes. Even if you're of the fo...
Interview: Laid-Back Camp Director Yoshiaki Kyogoku
The director behind the beloved, relaxing and meaningful series Laid-Back Camp discusses his experience making one of the most talked-about iyashikei anime in recent memory.
― Perhaps it was fitting that Yoshiaki Kyogoku would make his first American convention appearance in Washington, D.C. During his time at Production I.G, Kyogoku worked on Eden of the East and said he animated Akira Takizawa's in...
Cocoon Entwined GN 1
This eerie yuri manga is more focused on spooky atmosphere than romance, feeling like the prelude to a much darker story. Rebecca Silverman has the details.
― There's a very uneasy air about the first volume of Yuriko Hara's Cocoon Entwined yuri manga. It feels more like yuri-themed creeping horror than the Class S story it at first appears to be, and the combination of the two seemingly disparate ge...
Kakuriyo -Bed & Breakfast for Spirits- Blu-ray Part 1
If you enjoy lower-key dramas with an emphasis on character and cuisine, this may just be the series for you. Rebecca Silverman has the details.
― Kakuriyo -Bed & Breakfast for Spirits- is remarkable in a few ways. For one thing, it's an anime adapting a series of josei light novels, meaning that it has an adult female target audience, which is not something we see particularly often. For another, it...
Grandia, Grandia II HD Remasters Launch for PC in September
― GungHo Online Entertainment America announced on Friday that Grandia HD Remaster and Grandia II HD Remaster will launch for PC in September. The Grandia HD Collection Nintendo Switch game, which includes remasters of both Game Arts' Grandia and Grandia II games, launched on Friday. The collection was originally slated to launch for Switch last winter. Game Arts developed the original Grandia game ...
Oninaki Game's New Gameplay Video Highlights Aisha
PS4/Switch/PC game launches on August 22 in N. America, Europe, Japan
― Square Enix began streaming a new gameplay video on Friday for it and its Tokyo RPG Factory subsidiary's ONINAKI (Japanese title: Oni no Naku Kuni, or "country where the ogre cries") action role-playing game for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The video highlights the Daemon character Aisha (voiced by Naomi Ohzo...
Given ‒ Episode 6
"Given might feel too slow for some audiences, but for those on its same tempo, its melody is developing beautifully."
French Live-Action City Hunter Film to Open in Japan in November
Nicky Larson film to be titled City Hunter the Movie: Shijō Saikō no Mission in Japan
― Nicky Larson et le Parfum de Cupidon (Nicky Larson and the Cupid's Purfume), the French live-action film of Tsukasa Hojo's City Hunter manga, will open in Japan in November. A teaser trailer, featuring the City Hunter anime's theme song "Get Wild" by TM Network, debuted on Saturday to announce the release along wi...
Toonami Premieres Dr. Stone Anime on August 24
Anime debuted in Japan on July 5
― Adult Swim's Toonami programming block announced on Friday that the television anime of Riichirou Inagaki and Boichi's Dr. Stone manga will premiere on Toonami on August 24 at 12:00 a.m. EDT (effectively August 25). Toonami will have the following schedule on that day: 11:00 p.m. – Dragon Ball Super 11:30 p.m. – gen:Lock 12:00 a.m. – Dr. Stone 12:30 a.m. – Fire Forc...
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? II ‒ Episode 6
"This may be one of the more uncomfortable episodes for some viewers."
Raging Loop Visual Novel Launches for Switch, PS4 in West in October
― PQube announced on Friday that it will release Kemco's Raging Loop (Rei-Jin-G-Lu-P) psychological horror visual novel in Europe on October 18 and in North America on October 22. The game will launch physically and digitally for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. PQube will release a Day One Edition with a 100-page artbook with game illustrations and character information. The game's story begins w...
Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes Complete Edition PS4, PC Game Heads West on October 17
English trailer streamed
― XSEED Games and Marvelous Europe began streaming on Friday an English trailer for Grasshopper Manufacture's Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes Complete Edition game, which confirms that the game will launch for PlayStation 4 and PC via Steam in the West on October 17. XSEED Games is publishing the PS4 game in North America, and Marvelous Europe is publishing it in Europe....
Chibi Maruko-chan Anime's New Opening Music Video Features Momoiro Clover Z
Idol group Momoiro Clover Z appear as anime characters
― The official YouTube channel for idol group Momoiro Clover Z began streaming on Friday an animated music video for their new cover song "Odoru Ponpokorin," which is the new opening theme song for the long-running Chibi Maruko-chan anime series. The music video is a full version of the opening animation and features members of Momoiro Clover Z a...
Occult Magazine Mu to Run Feature on Director Makoto Shinkai
The monthly magazine Mu, which specializes in information about supernatural phenomena and the occult, will run a feature on Makoto Shinkai and his latest film Weathering With You in its October issue. Weathering With You tells the story of a girl who has the power to change the weather through her prayers. The film makes numerous references to the supernatural, with the male protagonist even gett...
Promare Anime Film's English-Subtitled Trailer Streamed
Film opened in Japan in May, opens in N. America in September
― GKIDS began streaming an English-subtitled trailer for Studio Trigger and XFlag's original anime film Promare on Friday. GKIDS and Fathom Events will screen the film in North America on September 17 and 19 at 7:00 p.m. local time. The screening on September 17 will have an English dub, and the screening on September 19 will have English ...
Crunchyroll Expo Hosts Zombie Land Saga Anime's Cast, Staff
Dragon Ball Z: Bardock - The Father of Goku, Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn also screen at California convention
― Crunchyroll Expo announced on Friday that it will host four cast and staff members from the Zombie Land Saga anime at this year's convention. Kaede Hondo (voice of Sakura Minamoto), Asami Tano (voice of Saki Nikaidō), composer Yasuharu Takanashi, and MAPPA's CEO and producer Manabu Ohtsuka...
Business Fish Motion-Capture Anime Series Streams Dance Music Video
Anime about human/fish office workers premiered on July 7
― TOHO began streaming a music video for the Business Fish motion-capture anime series on Friday. The music video features characters dancing to a remix of Hitoshi Ueki's song Sūdara Bushi. XLII remixed the original song, and DOTARA was in charge of the rap segments. Santa Yamagishi planned and organized the video, while dance performance grou...
Black Clover ‒ Episode 96
"With the elven threat looming large, the true nature of this arc begins to take shape."
Ryukishi07, Itaru Hinoue's Kaleidoscope of Phantasm Prison Game Reveals Story, November 28 Release
Game centers on 4 trapped girls in deadly test
― The official website for Ryukishi07 (Higurashi: When They Cry series creator) and Itaru Hinoue's (Clannad character designer) new Kaleidoscope of Phantasm Prison (Gensō Rōgoku no Kaleidoscope) game for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and Nintendo Switch revealed on Friday that the game will ship in Japan on November 28. The game will have standard...
The Ideal Sponger Life GN 2
This steamy isekai adventure continues detailing the thrills and perils of becoming a kept man to the queen in another world. Theron Martin has the details.
― The first volume of this manga adaptation established the story's unique angle on the standard isekai story, where the protagonist is transported to another world specifically to father a child by a queen rather than to perform heroics. As eye-...
Senzoku Erisawa, Shunsaku Yano's Try Knights Rugby Manga Ends
Sanga launched in June 2018, inspired anime that premiered in July
― The September issue of Kadokawa's Monthly Comic Gene magazine published the final chapter of Senzoku Erisawa and Shunsaku Yano's Try Knights manga on Friday. The manga's rugby story centers on high school students Akira Kariya and Riku Haruma. One day, the new rugby club member Akira gets advice on running from Riku, who used to be ...
Pokémon Sword/Shield Games' Video Previews New Battle Features
Games ship on November 15
― The Pokémon Company began streaming a new trailer for the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Nintendo Switch role-playing games on Friday. The video previews abilities for new Pokémon, new held items, and the new Dynamax battle feature. English Version Japanese Version The games' official website also revealed the Battle Stadium, which will let players around the world battl...
African Office Worker TV Anime Reveals Additional Cast, Ending Song
Eri Kitamura, Yui Ogura join cast of October series
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Gamu's African Office Worker (Africa no Salaryman) manga revealed additional cast and the ending theme song on Friday. Eri Kitamura will play Shishimura, and Yui Ogura will play Gorimi. Eri Kitamura as Shishimura Yui Ogura as Gorimi Akio Ohtsuka, who plays Lion, will perform the ending th...
TsukiPro's Live-Action SOARA Film Unveils Stills
Film based on ALIVE SOARA CD series opens on October 4
― The staff of Let it Be - Kimi ga Kimi Rashiku Yō ni, the live-action film adaptation of the Tsukino Talent Production (TsukiPro) franchise's ALIVE SOARA CD series, revealed stills from the film on Friday.(Note: Click on the images below for more stills from the Anime! Anime! site.) The film will open for a two-week limited screening on October ...
New Reborn! Stage Play Unveils Character Visuals
Next stage play runs in January 2020
― The official website for the next stage play adaptation of Akira Amano's Reborn! manga revealed photos of the cast in costume as their characters on Friday. Neeko (Reborn anime's lead voice actress) as Reborn Ryōhei Takenaka as Tsunayoshi Sawada Motohisa Harashima as Hayato Gokudera Ryōsuke Yamamoto as Takeshi Yamamoto Teru Uesugi as Ryōhei Sasagawa KIMERU as La...
A Destructive God Sits Next to Me Anime Reunites Drama CD Cast
Jun Fukuyama, Takahiro Sakurai, Ryohei Kimura, Tsubasa Yonaga, more return for 2020 TV anime
― The official website for A Destructive God Sits Next to Me, the television anime of Arata Aki's Boku no Tonari ni Ankoku Hakaishin ga Imasu. (There is a Dark God of Destruction Next to Me) manga, revealed on Friday that the anime's cast members are reprising their roles from the manga's 2016 drama CD. The c...
Kengan Ashura Anime's 2nd Part Debuts on Netflix on October 31
The official website for the anime adaptation of Yabako Sandrovich's Kengan Ashura manga revealed on Friday that the anime's second part, consisting of episodes 13 to 24, will debut on Netflix on October 31. The anime premiered on Netflix globally on July 31. The anime had its world premiere at Anime Expo in July 2018. The manga won a fan voting contest in 2015 to receive the adaptation. Seiji Kis...
Starwing Paradox Game's Tournaments Canceled After Death Threats
Staff had been receiving threats since last week; events were planned for August 17, 24
― The official website for Square Enix's Starwing Paradox arcade game announced on Thursday that the staff has canceled the game's tournament events that were scheduled for later this month, due to the staff receiving numerous death threats. The announcement noted that the game's management team had been receiving...
Astra Lost in Space ‒ Episode 7
"With the identity of the traitor still a mystery, the Astra heads to its next pit stop on planet Icriss, which is an anagram of “crisis,” a pretty good indicator of their ensuing experience."
Game Freak Files Trademark for 'Little Town Hero'
― Pokémon game developer Game Freak filed trademarks for "Little Town Hero" in English and Japanese on July 25. The trademarks were made public on Tuesday. Nintendo announced a new role-playing game from Game Freak during a Nintendo Direct presentation in September 2018. The game is tentatively titled "Town" (seen right), and it is slated for release in 2019 on Nintendo Switch. The entirety of the g...
Gun Gun Pixies Game Launches for Switch, PC on September 6
― PQube and developer Compile Heart announced on Thursday that they will release the Gun Gun Pixies game for Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam worldwide on September 6. The Switch version will have both a physical and a digital release. PQube describes the game: Gun Gun Pixies is an exhilarating mix between a third person shooter and 3D platformer where stealth is key! Sneak around the dorm and climb...
Drowning Love Manga Artist Draws Actor Timothée Chalamet for Hot Summer Nights
Manga artist George Asakura drew his version of Academy Award-nominated actor Timothée Chalamet for a bonus postcard given to attendees who purchase tickets to see the live-action film Hot Summer Nights. The 2017 crime drama opens in Japan on August 16 and the postcards will be handed out beginning on August 24. IMDb describes the film's story: In the summer of 1991, a sheltered teenage boy comes ...
High School Fleet Anime Film Unveils Key Visual
― The official Twitter account for the High School Fleet anime unveiled a new key visual for the film on Wednesday. The second wave of advance ticket sales will be available on August 31. The tickets will have the illustration from the first visual for the film, as well as an exclusive illustration. People who purchase the ticket will receive a clear file containing the same illustrations. The film ...
Kyoto Animation Exhibition Displays Art That Avoided Deadly Fire
Materials were housed in a location separate from Studio 1
― The Tawayamacho district of Matsue city in Shimane prefecture is hosting an exhibition of 70 pieces of original art by Kyoto Animation that avoided the deadly fire at Studio 1 last month. Entry to the exhibition is free and it will run at the Imai Shoten Group Center book store until August 31. The exhibition is located in the STUDIO WONDER...
How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift? ‒ Episode 7
"This week probably has the least ‘educational’ content yet, coming across like a more typical slice-of-life anime with slightly less of that distinctive Dumbbells flavor muscled in."
Laid-Back Camp at Otakon 2019
Virtually the entire executive staff of beloved iyashikei series Laid-Back Camp - with an incoming second season - arrived at Otakon 2019 in Washington DC!
― The cold winter air that stings, the warmth of a fire after a long hike, the view of the sunrise in the early morning—The small joys of camping can be experienced anywhere a tent can be set up. Afro, a manga artist from Yamanashi prefecture, set...
Code Vein Game's Weapon Video Previews Halberd
Game launches for PS4, Xbox One, PC on September 27
― Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe a promotional video for the Code Vein post-apocalyptic role-playing game on Thursday. The video previews the halberd weapon The game will launch in Japan on September 26, and in North America and Europe on September 27 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. Bandai Namco Entertainment announced in July 2018...
Oninaki Game's New Gameplay Video Highlights Gavod
PS4/Switch/PC game launches on August 22 in N. America, Europe, Japan
― Square Enix began streaming a new gameplay video on Wednesday for it and its Tokyo RPG Factory subsidiary's ONINAKI (Japanese title: Oni no Naku Kuni, or "country where the ogre cries") action role-playing game for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The video highlights the Daemon character Gavod (voiced by Ryotaro...
JIN's Kagerou Daze No.9 Project Screens in January 2020
Sayuki handles character design
― Kagerou Project creator JIN revealed on Twitter on Thursday that his new tentatively titled Kagerou Daze No.9 project will screen in January 2020. Sayuki is handling the character design. The account shared a new character visual. The spinoff work will tell a story from an angle never seen before. The story will be set three years later in the series' world. JIN reve...
Lupin III Documentary Will Air on August 20 in Japan
The documentary Soshite, Lupin Sanze ga Umareta: Inochi o Fukikonda Otokotachi (And So, Lupin the 3rd Was Born: The Men Who Breathed Life Into Him) will air on NHK BS Premium on August 20 as part of the broadcaster's Another Stories: Unmei no Bunkiten (Another Stories: Crossroads of Fate) program. The documentary will bring together interviews with staff and cast from the long-running anime thief'...
Monster Hunter: Iceborne Game's Videos Preview Glavenus, Seliana
Expansion launches for PS4, Xbox One on September 6
― Capcom began streaming on Wednesday two videos for Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, the new expansion for the Monster Hunter World game. The videos preview the monster Glavenus (Dinovaldo) and the new base Seliana as a Felyne dances around its multiple areas. Glavenus Seliana The expansion will launch for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on September 6 a...
Hakusensha Contest Seeks Manga Starring African Hero
The winner's work will be serialized on Manga Park, Manga Park W apps
― Japanese publisher Hakusensha's Manga Lab blog for aspiring manga creators is holding two contests for overseas artists. The publisher is accepting applications for “African Sci-Fi Hero Manga Creators” and “Shonen Manga Coliseum” contests. The African Sci-Fi Hero Manga Contest is recruiting artists for a story that will center on...
Singer Piko Announces Hiatus Due to End-Stage Kidney Disease
Live events cancelled as Piko focuses on treatment
― The official Twitter account for singer Piko announced on Thursday that he is going on hiatus due to end-stage renal disease (kidney failure). Piko had not been feeling well since late March. In May, he started to have abnormal fatigue. His condition did not improve, and after getting an opinion from a specialized hospital, he was hospitalized at t...
Ushijima the Loan Shark Spinoff Manga About Nikumamushi Resumes
Manga had been on hiatus since April 23
― Yu Hayato's Yamikin Ushijima-kun Nikumamushi Densetsu (Ushijima the Loan Shark: The Legend of Nikumamushi) spinoff manga resumed on Wednesday with its 51st chapter. The manga had been on hiatus since April 23. The manga launched on Shogakukan's online magazine Yawaraka Spirits in February 2017. The series is a spinoff of Shohei Manabe's Ushijima the Loan Shar...
This Week in Anime - What the Hell is Happening in Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest?
From its dubious tropes to its collapsing production, Arifureta is hardly the pinnacle of isekai entertainment. Nick and Steve explore what went wrong with this initially anticipated fantasy series.
― From its dubious tropes to its collapsing production, Arifureta - From Commonplace to World's Strongest is hardly the pinnacle of isekai entertainment. This week, Nick and Steve explore what went wrong...
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Game Streams Teaser Videos
Game ships for PS4, Xbox One, PC in early 2020
― Bandai Namco Entertainment Taiwan/Hong Kong began streaming on Thursday two teaser videos for the upcoming Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot action role-playing game for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. The videos preview story and battle gameplay. Story Teaser Battle Teaser The game will ship in early 2020. The game will include English and Japanese audio and su...
Neil Gaiman Comments on His Role in Princess Mononoke's English Adaptation
Confirms that he received the job upon Quentin Tarantino's recommendation
― American Gods and Sandman writer Neil Gaiman is credited with the English adaptation of Studio Ghibli's Princess Mononoke, but his name was never featured in advertising materials at the time. Gaiman commented on this issue on Twitter on Tuesday, where he describes his involvement in the film as his "biggest secret." My bigge...
Seitokai Yakuindomo Manga's 19th Volume to Bundle New Anime DVD
18th compiled book volume ships with OAD on Friday
― The Comic Buster bookstore in Hodogaya, Yokohama posted a picture on Twitter on Thursday that shows the 18th compiled book volume of Tozen Ujiie's Seitokai Yakuindomo manga and reveals that a limited edition of the 19th volume will bundle an original anime DVD. The volume will ship on September 17, 2020. Hiromitsu Kanazawa is once again directing t...
This Week in Games - Planet Pokemon
Heidi's gonna catch 'em all this week with a small mountain of Pokemon game news.
― I had a feeling there wasn't going to be too much news this week. Right now, Japan's smack-dab in the middle of the Obon holiday period, so there's really not much happening there… though we have a few interesting retro-flavored announcements from overseas publishers, which we'll get to in a sec. For now, let's talk a...
Little Witch Academia: The Nonsensical Witch and the Country of the Fairies Novel
This extra adventure in Akko and friends' academic year is a charming addition to LWA's world, even if it skews a little young and lightweight. Rebecca Silverman has the details.
― For many viewers, Akko, the heroine of Little Witch Academia, is either the major draw or the major turn-off; there don't seem to be many opinions that don't lean towards one of these two extremes. Even if you're of the fo...
Young Disease Outburst Boy Anime Reveals 1st Promo Video, Opening Song
Series based on Vocaloid song debuts in October
― The official website for Chūbyō Gekihatsu Boy, the television anime of Vocaloid producer rerulili's "Young disease outburst Boy" ("Chūbyō Gekihatsu Boy") song and Minato Tonami's slice-of-life comedy novel adaptation, revealed the first promotional video and opening theme song on Friday. The video introduces the anime's six main characters. The anime'...
EX-ARM TV Anime Premieres in Summer 2020
― Manga artist Shinya Komi posted on Twitter on Thursday an image of the cover of the 14th compiled book volume of his EX-ARM manga, which includes a wraparound jacket band that reveals the series' anime will premiere in summer 2020. The 14th volume of the manga will ship on August 19. The manga's crime battle story centers on high school student Akira Natsume. Only his brain is saved when he is inv...
'Didn't I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?!' Anime's Character Promo Video Highlights Mavis
Fumiko Uchimura plays aspiring swordswoman Mavis in October anime
― The official website for the anime of FUNA's Didn't I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! (Watashi, Nōryoku wa Heikinchi de tte Itta yo ne!) light novel series began streaming a character promotional video on Thursday that highlights the aspiring swordswoman Mavis. The anime will premiere this October, and stars: Azum...
Cooking Mama Listed With New Cooking Mama: CookStar PS4, Switch Game
― Online retailers Amazon Germany and Koch Media Shop are listing a new game for the Cooking Mama series titled Cooking Mama: CookStar. The game is listed with both PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions. Taito released the first Cooking Mama game on Nintendo DS in Japan in 2006. The franchise has since spawned several sequels and spinoff games, such as Babysitting Mama, Gardening Mama, and Camp...
New Bubble Bobble 4 Friends Switch Game to Launch in West
Game ships in Europe on November 19, in U.S. in 2020
― ININ Games announced on Wednesday that it will release Taito's Bubble Bobble 4 Friends, a new title in the Bubble Bobble game series, for the Nintendo Switch. The game will launch with both physical and digital versions in Europe on November 19, and it will then ship in the United States in the first quarter of 2020. ININ Games opened a website f...
'Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?' Anime's Video Previews 'Haruhime Arc'
Video also previews "Mangetsu no Shirabe" insert song by Haruka Chisuga
― The official website for the second season of the Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? anime began streaming a new promotional video for the anime on Thursday. The video previews the anime's new "Haruhime Arc," that will begin in the anime's sixth episode on Friday. It also previews the insert song "Mangetsu no Shi...
Live-Action Kaiji Final Game Film Streams New Teaser
Film based on gambling manga opens on January 10
― Toho began streaming a teaser trailer for Kaiji Final Game, the new live-action film inspired by Nobuyuki Fukumoto's Gambling Apocalypse Kaiji manga. Kaiji Final Game, will open in Japan on January 10, 2020. The film is billed as the "last chapter" of the series, with a completely original story by Fukumoto. The cast includes: (Note: some character n...
Ehime Prefecture Creates Pilgrimage Based on A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow Manga
The prefecture of Ehime has created a pilgrimage route based on Makoto Hagino's A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow yuri manga. Hagino hails from Ehime and the manga takes place in a seaside town set in the prefecture. The collaboration is specifically set in the Nagahama area of Ozu city. The collaboration launched on Tuesday and will run until August 19. Visitors can pick up a map of the route at th...
Oninaki Game's New Gameplay Video Highlights Lucica
PS4/Switch/PC game launches on August 22 in N. America, Europe, Japan
― Square Enix began streaming a new gameplay video on Wednesday for it and its Tokyo RPG Factory subsidiary's ONINAKI (Japanese title: Oni no Naku Kuni, or "country where the ogre cries") action role-playing game for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The video highlights the Daemon character Lucica (voiced by Houko ...
Steel Angel Kurumi Gets New Merch for 20th Anniversary
October will mark the 20th anniversary of the first anime adaptation of Kaishaku's Steel Angel Kurumi manga aired in Japan. The alternate history series takes place in Japan's Taishō era (1912–1926) where one scientist created an advanced humanoid weapon the Steel Angel. His creation falls into the hands of a priest in training and propels him into a dangerous face-off with the Imperial Army. Also...
Voice Actor Natsuki Hanae Hosts New Manga-Themed Variety Program
BS NTV's new variety program Anoko wa Manga o Yomanai (That Kid Doesn't Read Manga) starring voice actor Natsuki Hanae, TV announcer Misato Ugaki, and comedian Yuki Iwai will premiere on August 30 at 11:00 p.m. Despite the shows title, all three hosts are manga enthusiasts and will interview guests including manga editors. The first program will feature Bakemonogatar manga artist Oh! Great and wri...
Yuuki Kaji's Agency Vows Legal Measures Against Recent Net Rumors
Agency says rumors are "baseless and defamatory"
― Talent management agency VIMS announced on Saturday that it was prepared to take legal measures regarding rumors about voice actor Yuuki Kaji. The agency stated that the rumors regarding Kaji's past relationships are "baseless and defamatory," an invasion of his privacy, and a violation of his personal rights. The agency has tapped the Gladiator law ...
Ryotaro Okiayu Leaves Hospital After Successful Gallbladder Surgery
Toriko, Fate/Zero voice actor had surgery last Wednesday
― Voice actor Ryotaro Okiayu posted on his Twitter account on Saturday that he has left the hospital after a successful cholecystectomy (surgical removal of the gallbladder). His surgery took place on August 7. Okiayu added that he is still taking painkillers as of Saturday. Okiayu's many anime roles include the title character in Toriko, Berse...
Fate/Grand Order Introduces Limited Swimsuit Event with Anime Ad
The popular Fate/Grand Order mobile game launched its limited "Here We Come! Las Vegas Official Bout: Tournament of the Seven Swimsuit Blademasters! event on August 14 with a promotional anime commercial. Like previous ads, the animation was produced by A-1 Pictures. The ad was directed and storyboarded by Yūsuke Maruyama (Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works episode director). Yumi Kuroiwa (Hai...
Crunchyroll to Stream High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even in Another World, Ascendance of a Bookworm Anime
Both anime's 1st episodes to premiere at Crunchyroll Expo
― Crunchyroll announced on Wednesday that it will stream the High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even In Another World and Ascendance of a Bookworm television anime this fall as they air in Japan. Both series will be available worldwide except in Asia, and the first episodes of both series will premiere at Crunchyroll Expo this year. Crunchyrol...
Kabuki-chō Sherlock Anime Premieres on October 11
― The official website for Production I.G's original Kabukichō Sherlock television anime project revealed on Wednesday that the series will premiere on the "Animeism" programming block on TBS and MBS on October 11 late at night at 1:55 a.m. (effectively October 12). The anime will then debut on BS-TBS on October 12 late at night at 1:00 a.m. (effectively October 13). The show's website describes the...
Dr. Stone ‒ Episode 6
"Senku’s plan to secretly build up and oppose Tsukasa has a great starting point, and I’m looking forward to meeting whatever new characters and challenges it provides."
'Jо̄shi no Asoko wa XL Size!? Futoi Sakippo... Haitteru...!' Adult Romance Manga Gets TV Anime
ComicFesta's newest adult romance series premieres on October 6
― Itо̄ Kani's Jо̄shi no Asoko wa XL Size!? Futoi Sakippo... Haitteru...! manga is getting a television anime adaptation titled XL Jо̄shi (XL Boss). The anime will premiere on television on Tokyo MX and other networks and also begin streaming on October 6. The story centers on Saki Watase, a female office worker who is running out of mone...
Kyoto Animation Suspends Annual Awards
KyoAni, Animation DO also reconsider November fan event; online orders delayed
― Kyoto Animation announced on Wednesday that it has temporarily suspended its 11th Kyoto Animation Awards. Staff decided to suspend the awards after discussions in light of the fire at Kyoto Animation's 1st studio building on July 18. For the time being, the studio will no longer accept submissions or inquiries about the ...
Cop Craft ‒ Episode 5
"We’re now at a point where Tilarna and Kei have completed another battle, but are left with no ongoing leads, so I’m curious where we go from here."
Answerman - How Much Of The Doujinshi Scene Is Porn?
Over 700,000 attendees visited Comiket this year, the mecca of self-published comics. But how much of it is Adults Only?
― Jake asked: Comiket has become an institution of anime and manga nerd culture over the last several decades. But at a recent convention panel I attended, it was mentioned that is often overlooked or hidden in most media representations is the vast amount of 18+ erotic adult douj...
K-ON! Publisher Manga Time Kirara Releases Message in Support of Kyoto Animation
K-ON! publisher Manga Time Kirara released a message in support of Kyoto Animation on Twitter last Friday. It features an illustration by K-ON! manga artist Kakifly. 私たちはこれからも、京都アニメーションならびに同社の作品を変わらず応援して参ります。 pic.twitter.com/F3r8mP2qwq— まんがタイムきらら編集部 (@mangatimekirara) August 9, 2019 The message reads: "Regarding the arson incident that happened at Kyoto Animation, we pray for the souls of the depa...
Interview: Laid-Back Camp Director Yoshiaki Kyogoku
The director behind the beloved, relaxing and meaningful series Laid-Back Camp discusses his experience making one of the most talked-about iyashikei anime in recent memory.
― Perhaps it was fitting that Yoshiaki Kyogoku would make his first American convention appearance in Washington, D.C. During his time at Production I.G, Kyogoku worked on Eden of the East and said he animated Akira Takizawa's in...
Dr. Stone Anime's New Promo Video Previews Village Arc
New arc in anime starts on Friday
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Riichirou Inagaki and Boichi's Dr. Stone manga began streaming on Wednesday a promotional video that previews the "Village" Arc. The anime will enter the arc on Friday. The anime debuted on July 5. Crunchyroll is streaming the series as it airs, and Funimation is streaming a simuldub of the anime. Shinya I...
Cocoon Entwined GN 1
This eerie yuri manga is more focused on spooky atmosphere than romance, feeling like the prelude to a much darker story. Rebecca Silverman has the details.
― There's a very uneasy air about the first volume of Yuriko Hara's Cocoon Entwined yuri manga. It feels more like yuri-themed creeping horror than the Class S story it at first appears to be, and the combination of the two seemingly disparate ge...
JETRO Releases Report on Anime Content in U.K., France
U.K. focuses on children demographic, but 40% of adults in France are anime consumers
― The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) released its report on the Japanese content market in the United Kingdom and France in March. The report noted that anime-related content forms the majority of the Japanese screen content present in the market for both countries. The report highlighted the demographic ...
One Piece Stampede Opens at #1, Weathering With You Drops to #3
Dragon Quest: Your Story drops to #7, Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution to #9
― The One Piece Stampede anime film ranked at #1 in its opening weekend. The film sold 1,254,372 tickets from Friday to Monday, and earned 1,646,321,500 yen (about US$15.64 million) over the same period (Monday was a holiday in Japan). The film earned 8.4% more and sold 15.3% more tickets over its first four days than One Piece...
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Manga Ranks #4 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan July List
Berserk, My Hero Academia, Komi Can't Communicate, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes also rank
― Akira Himekawa's The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess manga volume 5 ranked at #4 on NPD BookScan's Top 20 adult graphic novels list for July. This month's list featured 14 manga volumes, including: #4 — Akira Himekawa's The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess volume 5 #5 — Kentarou Miura's Berserk Deluxe vol...
Bang! Dream Girls Reimagined by Pop Team Epic Creator
Bkub Okawa's Pop Team Epic is known for its outlandish humor and gags but its simple style also easily lends itself to character design redraws. Okawa drew the Transformers character Bumblebee after watching the live-action film, proving that even robots fit in the world of Popuko and Pipimi. The latest characters to get the Okawa makeover are the cast of Bushiroad's BanG Dream! franchise. The cas...
Psikyo Shooting Stars Alpha/Bravo Switch Games Ship in West in Early 2020
Game collections' trailer streamed
― NIS America announced on Tuesday that it will release City Connection's Psikyo Shooting Stars Alpha and Psikyo Shooting Stars Bravo game collections for the Nintendo Switch in the West in early 2020. The collections consist of six games each from developer Psikyo, and Psikyo Shooting Stars Alpha will launch first. NIS America also began streaming an announcement t...
Oninaki Game's New Gameplay Video Highlights Izana
PS4/Switch/PC game launches on August 22 in N. America, Europe, Japan
― Square Enix began streaming a new gameplay video on Tuesday for it and its Tokyo RPG Factory subsidiary's ONINAKI (Japanese title: Oni no Naku Kuni, or "country where the ogre cries") action role-playing game for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The video highlights the Daemon character Izana (voiced by Megumi To...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, August 11-17
All Out!, Hanebado! anime; Yuri Life, Star Blazers 2199 manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Akiba's Trip: The Animation Essentials BDPlease Funimation US$29.98 August 13 All Out! Complete Series BDCite Funimation US$69.98 August 13 Big Boob Babes 2 DVD (adult)AnimeNewsNetwork Adult Source Media US$24.99 August 13 Hanebado! BDPlease Funimation US$64.98 August 13 Hin...
Godzilla Gemstone Video Audition Project Winner Launches Web Series
The winner of Toho Co., LTD. and AlphaBoat's video audition project GEMSTONE's first audition call is a short titled Kaiju Ningyō Gojiban (Kaiju Doll Gojiban) by the puppet theater group Atelier Koganemushi. The audition call centered on "Godzilla" as a theme. The winning short has inspired a web series, which will stream on 5pm Fridays (JST) on Godzilla's official YouTube channel "Toho Tokusatsu ...
Spirit Hunter: NG Horror Game Launches on October 10
― Aksys Games announced on Tuesday that it will release Experience's Spirit Hunter: NG (Volume II) game in the West for the PlayStation 4, Switch, PlayStation Vita, and PC on October 10. The game will have a physical release on the PS4 and Switch, and digital downloads only for the PS Vita and PC versions. Aksys Games describes Spirit Hunter: NG (Volume II): NG is the second entry in the new Spirit ...
Kase-san and Morning Glories Anime Reveals English Dub Cast, Trailer
Morgan Berry, Bryn Apprill star in OVA's dub
― Sentai Filmworks revealed a trailer and cast for the English dub of the original video anime of Hiromi Takashima's Kase-san and Morning Glories (Asagao to Kase-san.) manga on Tuesday. The English dub cast includes: Morgan Berry as Tomoka Kase Bryn Apprill as Yui Yamada Apphia Yu as Mikawa Shelley Calene-Black as Yamada's Mother Luci Christian as Teacher ...
Doraemon: Story of Seasons Game Launches in West on October 11
― The official Twitter account for Bandai Namco Entertainment UK announced on Tuesday that the Doraemon: Story of Seasons (Doraemon: Nobita no Bokujō Monogatari) game will launch for Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam in the West on October 11. Doraemon: Story of Seasons will also launch in Southeast Asia this fall. The game launched in Japan on Nintendo Switch on June 13. Bandai Namco Entertainment, ...
Boruto Writer Ukyō Kodachi Shares Support For LGBTQ Representation in Fiction
'I decide whether my characters are straight or gay or so on even when that's not the main theme of the story.'
― Boruto writer Ukyō Kodachi shared his support for LGBTQ representation in fiction on Twitter on Saturday. He argued that LGBTQ characters ought to exist in fiction even when that aspect of their identities is not a plot point, and revealed that in his own stories he regularly decides on t...
Root Letter: Last Answer Game Streams English Gameplay Trailer
Switch/PS4 game ships in N. America on September 3, Europe on August 30
― PQube began streaming on Tuesday an English gameplay trailer for Kadokawa Games' Root Letter: Last Answer game for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. Root Letter: Last Answer will launch for the Switch and PS4 in Europe on August 30 and in North America on September 3. The Day-One Edition will include a 100-page artbook in ...
This Week in Anime - Given Unites Fans' Love of Music and Romance
Given's thoughtful and soulful take on boys-love has critics and fans alike cheering for an encore. Micchy and Andy discuss the characters and conflicts of this band-driven drama.
― Given's thoughtful and soulful take on boys-love has critics and fans alike cheering for an encore. This week, Micchy and Andy discuss the characters and conflicts of this band-driven drama. Disclaimer: The views and opi...
Chinese Kizuna Ai Fans Revolt Amid Rumors that the Original Voice Actress is Being Phased Out
Bilibili channel loses almost 100,000 subscribers in a week
― Virtual YouTuber Kizuna Ai's subscriber count on the Chinese streaming website Bilibili has been taking a dive since August 6, when two videos posted on Kizuna Ai's YouTube channel showed the character with an "ahegao", an expression of sexual arousal often depicted in pornographic manga. In the comments of these videos, fans have called t...
Promare Anime Film Tops 1 Billion Yen
Film opened in Japan in May, opens in N. America in September
― The official Twitter account for Studio Trigger and XFlag's original anime film Promare revealed on Tuesday that the film has earned more than 1 billion yen (about US$9.4 million). The staff is preparing a "thank you plan" to show gratitude to fans. The film opened in 200 theaters in Japan on May 24, and ranked at #8 in its opening weeke...
Happinet Trademarks 'Brigandine: Lunasia Senki'
― Entertainment product wholesaler Happinet filed a trademark for "Brigandine: Lunasia Senki" (Lunasian War Chronicles) on July 31. The trademark was made public on Tuesday. The original Brigandine turn-based strategy game debuted for the PlayStation in 1998. Hearty Robin developed the game. Atlus published the game in the United States. The game's Brigandine: Grand Edition remake debuted in 2000 bu...
Kakuriyo -Bed & Breakfast for Spirits- Blu-ray Part 1
If you enjoy lower-key dramas with an emphasis on character and cuisine, this may just be the series for you. Rebecca Silverman has the details.
― Kakuriyo -Bed & Breakfast for Spirits- is remarkable in a few ways. For one thing, it's an anime adapting a series of josei light novels, meaning that it has an adult female target audience, which is not something we see particularly often. For another, it...
Koei Tecmo Trademarks 5 'Musō' Titles
― Game developer Koei Tecmo Games filed trademarks for "Isekai Musō" (Other World Warriors), "Gakuen Musō" (Academy Warriors), "Tensei Musō" (Reincarnation Warriors), "Musō Play" (Warriors Play), and "Musō Mode" (Warriors Mode) on July 30. The trademarks were made public on Tuesday. Musō is the series title for Koei Tecmo Games' series of hack-and-slash action games, which is titled Warriors in the ...
ID: INVADED Anime Reveals 1st Trailer, Main Cast, Staff
Kenjiro Tsuda stars as Sakaido in 2020 anime project
― The official website for the original anime project ID: INVADED revealed the first trailer, main cast and staff, and a key visual on Tuesday. The video previews the character Sakaido investigating the death of a mysterious girl known as "Kaeru-chan." Kenjiro Tsuda (One Punch Man's Atomic Samurai, Attack on Titan's Hannes, Free! - Iwatobi Swim Clu...
Violet Evergarden Gaiden Side Story Anime's Trailer Reveals Cast
Minako Kotobuki, Aoi Yūki play new characters in September 6 theatrical anime
― The official website for Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memories Doll (Violet Evergarden Gaiden: Eien to Jidō Shuki Ningyō), a side story to the Violet Evergarden anime, began streaming a trailer for the anime on Tuesday. The video reveals the anime's cast and previews the anime's theme song "Amy" by Minori Chih...
'Didn't I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?!' Anime's Character Promo Video Highlights Reina
Sora Tokui plays E-rank hunter Reina in October anime
― The official website for the anime of FUNA's Didn't I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! (Watashi, Nōryoku wa Heikinchi de tte Itta yo ne!) light novel series began streaming a character promotional video on Tuesday that highlights the E-rank hunter Reina. The anime will premiere this October, and stars: Azumi Waki as Mile / Mis...
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba ‒ Episode 19
"A thrilling showstopper of an episode, showing off ufotable's considerable skills as producers of nearly unrivaled action spectacle."
Live-Action Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku Film Unveils New Teaser, Visual
Film starring Mitsuki Takahata, Kento Yamazaki, Nanao, Takumi Saitou opens on February 7
― The official website for the live-action film of Fujita's Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku (Otaku ni Koi wa Muzukashii) manga began streaming a teaser trailer for the film on Tuesday. The site also revealed a new teaser visual for the film. The film will open on February 7, 2020. Yūichi Fukuda (live-action Ginta...
One Piece ‒ Episode 897
"The story is still taking things pretty slow, but the series has been good at keeping itself busy in spite of that."
Vinland Saga ‒ Episode 6
"Despite this episode's flaws, the final shot of “The Journey Begins” is powerful enough to raise the bar overall."
Hinatazaka46 Idol Memi Kakizaki Announces Retirement from Entertainment
Sponichi Annex: Kakizawa was the victim of a stalker
― Hinatazaka46 idol Memi Kakizaki is graduating from the Nogizaka46 sister group following her final event on August 11 at at Fukiage Hall in Nagoya, Aichi. The handshake event hosted a number of the group's idols although Kakizaki did not participate in the handshake portion prior to her announcement that the event would be her last one with the g...
to the abandoned Sacred Beasts ‒ Episode 7
"As the most personal story yet for Schaal, this episode is probably going to be remembered as one of the series' best."
'Deep Anime' A.I. Creates Talking Animation Based on One Image, Voice Recording
A deep-learning engine can automatically generate talking animation based on a single image and a voice recording. AlgoAge Co., Ltd in Minato, Tokyo debuted the DeepAnime artificial intelligence engine on August 6. The company's press release states the engine creatures natural animation including mouth movement and blinking with only the two provided assets. AlgoAge stated that the program can be...
Fairy Tail: Final Season ‒ Episode 321
"Even in its darkest moments, Fairy Tail isn't afraid to crack a joke, even if my favorite moment this week was probably unintentionally funny."
Azur Line: Crosswave PS4 Game's Videos Preview Gameplay, Story
Game based on Azur Lane naval combat game ships in Japan on August 29
― The official YouTube channel for Felistella and Compile Heart's Azur Lane: Crosswave game began streaming a new promotional video on Thursday. The video shows "long battle" gameplay with non-rare equipment in Hard difficulty. The game's YouTube channel also began streaming videos that show story scenarios on Friday and Sunday. Th...
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 119
"Konohamaru's brush with unrequited love may not be the most memorable story Boruto has given us, but it's a decent character spotlight for someone who was desperately in need of one."
Comiket Clean-Up Volunteer Marvels at Less Litter, Even Compared to 5 Years Ago
Anime fan and voice actor Arata Ito has dedicated his time to picking up after otaku events for over five years. This includes Comiket, one of if not the world's largest comic book events. This year Comiket broke its summer record with 730,000 attendees over four days but, as Ito noticed, it was much cleaner than events in the past. Ito wrote on Twitter that he isn't sure he should continue pickin...
Ultraman Taiga Series Gets Worldwide Release
Also: Ultraman R/B to air in Malaysia
― Tsuburaya Productions announced at a press conference in Malaysia on Thursday that Ultraman Taiga, the new series in the Ultraman franchise, will get a worldwide release in 2020. The company also announced that Ultraman R/B, the previous Ultraman series, will debut on Malaysia's Astro TV starting on August 30. In April 2018, the district court in the central di...
Umihara Kawase Fresh! Game Gets PS4 Version
PS4 version to be playable at Tokyo Game Show 2019
― Game publisher Success revealed on Twitter on Friday that its Umihara Kawase Fresh! game will get a release for the PlayStation 4. The PS4 version will be playable at Tokyo Game Show 2019, which will run from September 12 to 15 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba. Umihara Kawase Fresh! shipped in Japan for the Nintendo Switch on April 25. Nicalis released t...
Char Aznable Tells You Which Mobile Suit You're Suited For Based on Your Horse Opinions
Mobile Suit Gundam's collaboration with the Japan Racing Association (JRA) continues with a quiz hosted by the Red Comet Char Aznable himself. The quiz, which takes the form of an intimate online chat conversation mirroring the LINE communication app, will diagnose which Mobile Suit you're suited to pilot based on your answers. Several questions are based around a horse racing theme. There are 32 ...
IDOLiSH7 Re:member Manga Reaches Climax
Arina Tanemura's manga launched in 2017
― The official website for Hakusensha's LaLa DX magazine revealed that Arina Tanemura's IDOLiSH7 Re:member manga will reach its "climax" in the magazine's next issue on October 10. Tanemura launched the manga in LaLa DX magazine in December 2017. Hakusensha published the manga's second compiled book volume on August 5. IDOLiSH7 Re:member is based on a novel by ...
Evangelion Character Designer Yoshiyuki Sadamoto Attracts Criticism Over 'Dismissive' Tweet about Korean Comfort Women Statue
Curators call the exhibition's premature cancellation due to external pressure "the worst censorship incident in Japan's postwar period.”
― Neon Genesis Evangelion and Summer Wars character designer Yoshiyuki Sadamoto attracted criticism from anime fans around the world over a series of tweets he posted on Friday concerning the “After ‘Freedom of Expression’?” historical art exhibition at the Aichi P...
Anime NYC to Host Gundam Creator Yoshiyuki Tomino
Gundam creator, director attends Manhattan convention in November
― The staff of the Anime NYC convention announced on Monday that the event will host Yoshiyuki Tomino, creator and director of the Mobile Suit Gundam television anime series. Tomino is commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the original Mobile Suit Gundam television anime, and Anime NYC will be his only U.S. appearance. Tomino will appe...
Comic Market 96 Sets New Summer Record with 730,000 Attendees Across All 4 Days
Event drew 200,000 attendees on 4th day on Monday
― The Comic Market (Comiket) 96 event in Tokyo drew about 200,000 people on its fourth day on Monday, August 12, bringing the total to 730,000 across all four days. The event broke the attendance record for the summer event, and it marked that first time that a Comiket has attracted more than 700,000 attendees. Comiket 84, the summer event in 2013, he...
Morishige Puts Oshikake Maid no Shirayuki-san Manga on Hiatus
Manga launched in May 2018
― The September issue of Akita Shoten's Bessatsu Shonen Champion magazine revealed on Saturday that Morishige's Oshikake Maid no Shirayuki-san (Stalker Maid Shirayuki) is on hiatus. The magazine will announce a return date for the manga once it has been decided. The manga centers on Yoichirō and his younger brother, who both live with their father and grew up without their ...
ACTORS: Songs Connection Anime's Videos Preview Sōsuke, Uta, Saku
TV anime premieres in October
― The official website for ACTORS: Songs Connection, the television anime based on Exit Tunes' ACTORS CD project, began streaming three character videos on Monday. The videos preview the characters Sōsuke Kagura, Uta Outa, and Saku Otonomiya and reveal their voices for the first time. The anime will premiere in October on Tokyo MX, BS NTV, and AT-X. Osamu Yamasaki (Hakuo...
Junji Ito's Travelogue of the Succubus Manga Ends
Manga launched in August 2018, begins with woman discovering mysterious golden thread
― The September issue of Asahi Shinbunsha's Nemuki Plus magazine published the final chapter of Junji Ito's Travelogue of the Succubus (Muma no Kikō) manga on Saturday. Ito launched the manga in Nemuki Plus in August 2018. The manga's first chapter, titled "Angel Hair," begins with a woman named Kyōko Byakuya coming...
Yukari Takinami's Motokare Mania Romance Manga Gets Live-Action Show
Yūko Araki, Kengo Kora, Kenta Hamano star in October series
― Fuji TV announced on July 18 that Yukari Takinami's Motokare Mania (Ex-Boyfriend Mania) manga is inspiring a television series adaptation that will premiere on Fuji TV in October. The cast includes Yūko Araki (center in picture below) as Yukari Nanba (character name romanizations not official), Kengo Kora (right) as Makoto "Makochi" Saitō,...
Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia Anime Posts Promo Video for 'Episode 0'
"Episode 0 Initium Iter" debuted within F/GO app on Sunday, on Japanese streaming services on Monday
― Aniplex posted a new promotional video for "Episode 0 Initium Iter" of Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia (Fate/Grand Order: Zettai Majū Sensen Babylonia), the television anime of the Fate/Grand Order smartphone game's "Dai Nana Tokuiten Zettai Majū Sensen Babylonia" (Order VII: The ...
Comic Market Posts Advisory After 3 Were Hospitalized for Heatstroke
8 more reported symptoms while others describe line mismanagement on Sunday
― The official website for the Comic Market (Comiket) event posted on Sunday an advisory on how to guard against heatstroke for attendees of the event's fourth and final day. The post comes in response to reports of multiple people suffering from heatstroke on Sunday, the event's third day. The post reminded attendees that th...
Fruits Basket ‒ Episode 19
"A humorous and heartfelt half-hour that's a significant improvement on its source material."
Tekkonkinkreet, Ping Pong Manga Artist Taiyo Matsumoto Draws Cover of One Piece Magazine
Illustration is part of ongoing 'Cover Comic Project'
― Tekkonkinkreet and Ping Pong manga artist Taiyo Matsumoto drew the cover of the seventh One Piece Magazine volume, which will shipped on Friday. His illustration is part of the ongoing One Piece "Cover Comic Project", where various famous artists offer their own stylistic take on Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga. The issue also has a 103-page feat...
Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks? ‒ Episodes 4-5
"Do You Love Your Mom continues to be an interesting premise with highly questionable execution adapted fairly competently."
One Piece Wedding Rings Are Unintentionally Hilarious
One Piece is not known for its romance, but if you want to use the series to express your commitment to your spouse, then more power to you. And you'll be able to purchase One Piece wedding rings just for the task. The rings, which went on sale on Monday, have famous lines from the series carved into them in English. You know, famous lines like "JUST SHUT UP AND COME WITH US!!!!!" and "BECAUSE I'M...
Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files: Rail Zeppelin Grace note ‒ Episode 6
"This episode, which focuses on Reines, Gray, and Luvia's activities at a lavish department store, becomes a test to see if the series can sustain itself when Waver is relegated to a minimal role."
Make Love to Iguana (And Other Animals) in Beastman Romance Smartphone Game
A new romance-themed smartphone game called "Kemono no Jūsha to Ōji no Hanayome" (The beast's followers and the prince's bride) released a trailer last Friday showing off its... distinctive male characters. The game features (among other things) a cat man, an eagle man, and an iguana man, all of whom vie for the player's heart. The game's Twitter account has also released some character designs to...
Chibi Maruko-chan's 30th Anniversary Exhibit Honors Momoko Sakura's Legacy
An exhibit celebrating the Chibi Maruko-chan anime's 30th anniversary opened in Tokyo's Matsuya Ginza store on Thursday, and will run until August 26. The exhibit celebrates not only the anime but the life of the late manga creator Momoko Sakura, who passed away last year. Comedian Miyuki Ōshima, who was on intimate terms with Sakura, commented at the exhibit's opening: "I'm sure that Sakura would...
Morning Manga Artists Thank Suntory as They Take Week-Long Break From Serialization
Dragon Zakura, Space Brothers, Giant Killing, Kounodori creators draw appreciation illustrations
― Morning magazine is collaborating with beverage maker Suntory to give its manga creators a much-needed break. Each weekly serializing manga artist will get a week-long break; instead of the usual chapter, the magazine will publish an illustration drawn by the artist showing one of the characters of anot...
Bamboo Blade's Masahiro Totsuka, Artist Akira Takahashi End Master Grape Manga
Manga about boy who learns about various weapons launched in 2016
― The September issue of Shogakukan's Monthly Shonen Sunday magazine published the final chapter on Saturday of Masahiro Totsuka (Bamboo Blade) and Akira Takahashi's Master Grape manga. Totsuka and Takahashi launched the manga in Monthly Shonen Sunday in October 2016. Totsuka was in charge of the story, and Takahashi drew the series. T...
Jank Runk Family Manga's '2nd Part' Reaches Climax This Month
Hiroshi Takahashi's crossover with OREN'S manga launched in 2016
― This year's 17th issue of Akita Shoten's Young Champion magazine revealed on Saturday that the "second part" of Hiroshi Takahashi's Jank Runk Family manga will reach its "climax" in the magazine's 18th issue on August 27. Takahashi had ended the manga's first part in March 2018. The manga is a crossover with the OREN'S manga, which ar...
Man Arrested on Suspicion of Uploading One Piece Manga to Mangamura Piracy Site
37-year-old man allegedly uploaded manga to site illegally in May 2017
― Police in Fukuoka arrested Wataru Adachi (37) on Saturday on suspicion of uploading unauthorized images from Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga to the Japanese manga piracy website Mangamura in May 2017. Police stated a man believed to be Adachi contacted Fukuoka police earlier in August stating he wanted to turn himself in. Police ...
Disgaea 4 Complete+ Game's Japanese Trailer Streamed
PS4, Switch game ships in N. America/Europe on October 29, Oceania on November 5
― Nippon Ichi Software began streaming a promotional video on Thursday for its release of the Makai Senki Disgaea 4 Return Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 game. The game will launch in Japan for both consoles on October 31. NIS America will release the game in North America and Europe with the title Disgaea 4 Complete+...
Comic Market 96 Attracts 200,000 Attendees on 3rd Day
3 people at Tokyo Big Sight taken to hospital due to apparent heatstroke
― The Comic Market (Comiket) 96 event in Tokyo drew about 200,000 attendees on its third day on Sunday, August 11. The total attendance across the first three days is now at about 530,000. The final day of the event will be on Monday. Comiket does not have unique passes for visitors, so a person who attends all four days would b...
Yumi Uchiyama Joins Cast of Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia TV Anime
Anime premieres on October 5
― The official website for Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia (Fate/Grand Order: Zettai Majū Sensen Babylonia), the television anime adaptation of the Fate/Grand Order smartphone game's "Dai Nana Tokuiten Zettai Majū Sensen Babylonia" (Order VII: The Absolute Frontline in the War Against the Demonic Beasts: Babylonia) story, revealed on Sunday that Yumi Uc...
'Didn't I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?!' Anime's Character Promo Video Highlights Mile
Azumi Waki stars in anime premiering in October
― The official website for the anime of FUNA's Didn't I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! (Watashi, Nōryoku wa Heikinchi de tte Itta yo ne!) light novel series began streaming a character promotional video on Sunday that highlights the character Mile. The anime will premiere this October, and stars: Azumi Waki as Mile / Misato Kurihara...
Kono Oto Tomare!: Sounds of Life Anime's 2nd Half Previewed in Teaser Video
Anime premieres on October 5
― The official website for the television anime of Amyū's Kono Oto Tomare! (Stop This Sound) manga began streaming a teaser video on Saturday for the show's second half. The anime's second half will premiere in Japan on Tokyo MX1 and BS11 on October 5 at 25:00 (effectively October 6 at 1:00 a.m.). The anime will then debut on AT-X and Tochigi TV on October 7, on WOWOW on ...
Given ‒ Episode 5
"Given continues to carefully balance cute and tender moments with serious ruminations on how love can overpower us, and it's fast shaping up to be one of the most compelling anime romances of the year."
A Certain Scientific Accelerator ‒ Episode 5
"For an episode that has at least a little of nearly everything that the franchise embodies, it doesn't actually accomplish much beyond setting up the protagonist to return to the fray."
Fire Force ‒ Episode 5
"Fire Force takes its sweet time doling out exposition, gags, and fanservice in what may be its jankiest script yet."
Rimuru Class Changes Into an Idol For That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Event
Rimuru and his friends from That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime have gotten new outfits to match the upcoming "That Time I Got Reincarnated as an Idol" event, which will run from August 22 to September 9 at the Shinjuku Marui Annex in Tokyo. As you can see from the event's key visual shown at the top right, the girls (plus Rimuru) bring out their cutest frilly idol outfits, while Benimaru spor...
Orange Manga Creator Ichigo Takano Details Not-So-Easy Life of a Manga Artist
Orange manga artist Ichigo Takano posted a short comic on her Twitter account depicting the trials and tribulations of being a manga artist. The manga explains her perpetually busy schedule, which only gives her one day a month off work (which she usually spends sleeping), and describes the negative impact this has on her social life and health. The reason the schedule is so grueling, she explains...
Eiichiro Oda Expresses Enthusiastic Endorsement of One Piece Stampede on Eve of Film's Release
Film opened in Japan on Friday
― One Piece Stampede opened in Japan on Friday, but on the day before the opening, manga creator Eiichiro Oda released a comment expressing his enthusiastic endorsement of the film. "People were shouting from the rooftops about how much they were looking forward to this film," he wrote jokingly, "but you know what? It really is worth looking forward to! It's awesome! It...
Fan Recreates Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba OP Using Irasutoya's Free Picture Database
Irasutoya is a free database which provides cute illustrations drawn by artist Takashi Mifune for non-commercial use. The database is quite robust, covering a wide range of themes, characters, and objects. One fan even managed to use the assets to recreate the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba OP to an amusing degree of accuracy. The original source video on YouTube and Nico Nico Douga, which were fi...
Granbelm ‒ Episode 6
"Coming off the knock-down, drag-out, episode-length battle from last week, this episode resolves to finally explore the deeper consequences of the Granbelm battles."
Light Novel Authors Team Up For 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Isekai' Doujin Novel For Comiket 96
Authors include The Saga of Tanya the Evil's Carlo Zen, Re:Zero's Tappei Nagatsuki
― Light novel authors Carlo Zen (The Saga of Tanya the Evil), Natsuya Semikawa (Isekai Izakaya "Nobu"), Hōkō Tsuda (Yaruki Nashi Eiyūtan), Tappei Nagatsuki (Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-), Katsuie Shibata (Hito Yoru no Nagai Yume), Natsu Hyūga (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto) are collaborating on a self-published li...
O Maidens in Your Savage Season ‒ Episode 6
"Momo has come to be my favorite character, and boy do I feel for her this week."
Ken Saito's Kawaii Hito Manga Ends Serialization in October
Romantic comedy manga launched in 2014
― The official website for Hakusensha's LaLa DX magazine is listing that Ken Saito's Kawaii Hito (Cute Person) manga will end in the magazine's November issue on October 10. The manga's sixth volume had stated in January that the manga will end in the seventh volume, which is slated to ship in winter 2019. Saito launched the manga in 2014, and the manga has run ...
Peach Girl NEXT Manga Ends in 8th Volume
Miwa Ueda launched sequel series in August 2016
― The seventh volume of Miwa Ueda's Peach Girl NEXT manga revealed on Friday that the manga will end with the eighth volume, which will ship in January 2020. Kodansha's Be-Love magazine teased earlier this month that the manga was "nearing its climax." Kodansha Comics is publishing the manga in English, and it describes the story: It's been ten long yea...
IOEA to Host 'Otaku Summit 2020' Event as Official Programme in Association with Tokyo Olympics
Event with exhibitions, academic conferences, seminars, to be held in Toshima on June 27-28
― The International Otaku Expo Association (IOEA) announced on Thursday that it is working with the Toshima ward of Tokyo to host the "Otaku Summit 2020" event on June 27-28, 2020 as an official Tokyo 2020 Programme event in association with the Tokyo Olympics. The IOEA describes the event as "a place for inte...
Comic Market 96 Attracts 170,000 Attendees on 2nd Day
The Comic Market (Comiket) 96 event in Tokyo drew about 170,000 attendees on its second day on Saturday, August 10. Attendance was up from Comiket 94's second-day attendance of 160,000 in August 2018, and was also up from Comiket 92's second-day attendance of 150,000 in August 2017. The event's first day saw about 160,000 attendees. Comiket 96 has expanded to a record four days, from August 9 to A...
One Piece Stampede Film Sees Biggest 1st-Day Attendance in Japan So Far in 2019
350,000+ tickets sold on opening day on Friday
― Toei announced at a stage greeting event on Saturday that the One Piece Stampede anime film earned the largest first-day attendance record at the Japanese box office so far in 2019. The film opened on Friday and 356,052 people attended screenings on Friday (the numbers include anyone who attended screenings more than once). The film marks the anime's 2...
Oninaki Game's New Gameplay Videos Highlight Treize, Zaav, Wil, Dia
PS4, Switch, PC game launches on August 22 in N. America, Europe, Japan
― Square Enix began streaming new gameplay videos this week for it and its Tokyo RPG Factory subsidiary's ONINAKI (Japanese title: Oni no Naku Kuni, or "country where the ogre cries") action role-playing game for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The videos highlight the Daemon characters Treize, Zaav, Wil, and Di...
Death Note Musical's New Run Reveals 5 More Cast Members in Costume
New run to debut in Tokyo in January
― The official website for the new run of Frank Wildhorn's Death Note the Musical revealed five more cast visuals for the musical on Thursday. Sakura Kiryu as Misa Amane Hirari Nishida as Sayu Yagami Hyena Park as Rem Eiji Yokota as Ryuk Kiyotaka Imai as Sōichirō Yagami The musical stars (from left to right): Shōma Kai as Light Yagami, Fū Takahashi as L, and Ryōta...
Disney Twisted-Wonderland Game App Previews Characters in Promo Video
Game with designs by Black Butler's Yana Toboso launches this winter
― Aniplex began streaming a new promotional video on Thursday for Disney Twisted-Wonderland, its collaboration smartphone game with Walt Disney Japan. 『ディズニー ツイステッドワンダーランド』は、新キービジュアルが解禁されたことを記念して、キービジュアル&テーマソング紹介PVを公開いたします。#ツイステ #ディズニー #twistedwonderland #ヴィランズ pic.twitter.com/Pf7DGo3Hvo— 【公式】ディズニー ツイステッドワンダーランド (@twst_jp) August 8,...
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