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The List - 7 Notorious Animation Meltdowns
Sometimes scheduling problems lead to recap episodes or unplanned hiatuses, and sometimes they result in an entire show's artwork slipping into insanity. Here are seven of the most memorable animation meltdowns.
― There's a lot of variables that can cause an anime television production to go off schedule and affect the quality of a show. Poor animation quality is not always, or even usually a reflec...
Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter GN 1
When a traffic accident lands an office worker in the body of an otome game villainess, is there anything she can do to change her fate? Rebecca Silverman finds out.
― If the male-oriented isekai story tends to land our reborn boy protagonist in a position where he becomes the king of his own personal harem, then the female-oriented version is that she gets plopped down in the middle of her favorite ...
ANNCast Live at Otakon 2018
ANNCast is back with the audio from our panel at Otakon 2018, featuring special guest Mike Toole! Zac and Mike take a quick tour of 20 years of ANN history, followed by a Q&A session with the audience.
― ANNCast Live at Otakon 2018 ANNCast is back with the audio from our panel at Otakon 2018, featuring special guest Mike Toole! Zac and Mike take a quick tour of 20 years of ANN history, followed by a...
Tokyo Alice GN 1
Romance and leisure butt heads for the heroine of this grounded and relatable dramedy for adult women. Rebecca Silverman has the details.
― At first blush, Tokyo Alice looks like a manga version of the stereotype that women just love to shop more than anything else in the world. And that is part of what's going on here – Fu Arisugawa is a shopaholic, specifically addicted to brand names and expensive...
The Best and Worst of Summer 2018, Aug 5-11
Revue Starlight jumps 14 PLACES on the chart to challenge Attack on Titan for the throne! Find out how your favorite shows performed in our weekly user rankings.
― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Summer 2018 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season. Keep in mind tha...
This Week in Games - What's up with Sekai Project?
There's some unsettling news coming out of visual novel publisher Sekai Project right now - Heidi files some editorial commentary on what we might expect. PLUS: Zelda-flavored Diablo on Switch, Fist of the North Star and more!
― Hey, you know what makes any day more exciting? A whole lot of exploding Fist of the North Star heads. Thanks, Sega! Now that we've had our dose of Kenshiro, let's move on to...
That Blue Sky Feeling GN 1
In the growing catalogue of LGBTQ+ manga, That Blue Sky Feeling's thoughtful tone and respect for its characters makes it a must-read. Rebecca Silverman has the details.
― Rumors are the lifeblood of many a school or workplace. Sometimes there's nothing malicious behind them, but other times the rumors can be socially or emotionally devastating to their subjects. That's what Dai Noshiro is convinced ...
The Promised Neverland GN 3
The Promised Neverland runs through a dazzling series of twists and betrayals in its pulse-pounding third volume. Nick Creamer has the details.
― The Promised Neverland hits the ground running in its third volume, opening with new allies Gilda and Don staging a daring and likely ill-advised break-in of Isabella's secret room. Their extremely rash choice leads to both discord within the main group and...
Saturday, August 18
Fellow Voice Actors Respond to Unshō Ishizuka's Passing
Voice actor Unshō Ishizuka passed away due to esophageal cancer at the age of 67 on Monday. The veteran voice actor earned the respect of his colleagues through the decades, and some of them took to Twitter on Friday to offer their thoughts and condolences in light of his passing. Macross mechanical designer and artist Hidetaka Tenjin posted a tribute illustration of Ishizuka's Macross Plus charac...
Maquia Film Earns US$161,000 at U.S. Box Office
Film opened on July 20, screened in 221 theaters
― Box Office Mojo is reporting that P.A. Works and Mari Okada's Maquia - When the Promised Flower Blooms anime film earned US$160,988 during its two-week English subtitled run in United States theaters. The film was screening in 221 theaters during its widest release. Eleven Arts Anime Studio began screening the film in theaters in the U.S. and Canada ...
The List - 7 Notorious Animation Meltdowns
Sometimes scheduling problems lead to recap episodes or unplanned hiatuses, and sometimes they result in an entire show's artwork slipping into insanity. Here are seven of the most memorable animation meltdowns.
― There's a lot of variables that can cause an anime television production to go off schedule and affect the quality of a show. Poor animation quality is not always, or even usually a reflec...
The Seven Deadly Sins Manga to Bundle Original Anime DVD
Bundle ships on November 14 as film opens on Saturday, creator plans manga's ending
― Amazon and other retailers are listing Nakaba Suzuki's 34th The Seven Deadly Sins manga volume with a limited edition that bundles an original anime DVD. The bundle will ship on November 14. Suzuki launched the original manga in Kodansha's Weekly Shonen Magazine in 2012, and Kodansha published 33rd volume on August ...
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 69
"Although Cho-Cho walks away from the story with a valuable lesson, it isn't necessarily a lesson this character needed to learn in the first place."
Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter GN 1
When a traffic accident lands an office worker in the body of an otome game villainess, is there anything she can do to change her fate? Rebecca Silverman finds out.
― If the male-oriented isekai story tends to land our reborn boy protagonist in a position where he becomes the king of his own personal harem, then the female-oriented version is that she gets plopped down in the middle of her favorite ...
Square Enix, Dempagumi.inc's Dearstage Unveil Virtual Idol Group 'Gems Company'
11 members profiled, with auditions being held for new addition
― Square Enix producer Yōsuke Saitō (Dragon Quest X, NieR) confirmed during the live-streamed "[Squa-Eni Shin PJ] Saitō-P no Game Dewanai Nanika o Hirō-me Suru Hōsō." program on Saturday that his company is collaborating with the talent agency Dearstage (Dempagumi.inc) on a virtual idol group named Gems Company. Saturday program introduc...
Escaflowne's Kazuki Akane Directs 8-Bit's Hoshiai no Sora Tennis TV Anime for 2019
Natsuki Hanae, Tasuku Hatanaka star as middle-school tennis team on verge of shutting down
― The TBS Anime Festa 2018 event confirmed on Saturday that Kazuki Akane (Escaflowne series and film, Code Geass: Akito the Exiled, Birdy the Mighty: Decode, Noein - to your other self) is directing the original television anime Hoshiai no Sora (Star-Crossing Skies). The anime will premiere next year on the TBS...
Bushiroad Makes Original Mermaid TV Anime Colorful Pastrale ~from Bermuda Triangle~
January anime from Dog Days/ViVid Strike! director Junji Nishimura, Seven Arcs Pictures
― The live-streamed "Cardfight! Vanguard Bermuda Triangle Cup 2018 Final Stage & Announcement Special" revealed on Saturday that Bushiroad is making an original television anime titled Colorful Pastrale ~from Bermuda △~ (Triangle) for a January 2019 premiere. Junji Nishimura (Dog Days, ViVid Strike!, Basilisk: Ōka...
DEVIL NO ID Performs New Baki Anime's 2nd Ending Theme
Series premieres on Netflix outside Japan this fall
― The official website for the new anime of Keisuke Itagaki's Baki (New Grappler Baki: In Search of Our Strongest Hero) manga revealed on Friday that musical group DEVIL NO ID is performing the anime's second ending theme song "BEAUTIFUL BEAST." The new ending theme will appear in the show's 14th episode, and its CD single will ship on October 10. N...
Star Wars: Resistance Animated Series' Trailer Reveals October 7 Premiere
Polygon Pictures animates The Force Awakens prequel
― Disney began streaming a trailer for Lucasfilm's Star Wars: Resistance animated series. The trailer reveals the series' premiere date of October 7 at 10:00 p.m. It also introduces the lead character, the young Resistance pilot Kazuda Xiono (played by Days of Our Lives Christopher Sean, an American actor of half-Japanese heritage). Polygon Pictures...
Saint Seiya Episode Zero Mini-Series Manga Gets 2nd Season in December
Saint Seiya prequel to center on conspiracy brewing under the shadow of Saga, Kanon
― The October issue of Akita Shoten's Monthly Champion RED magazine announced on Saturday that Masami Kurumada will launch a second mini-series "season" for his Saint Seiya Episode Zero manga in the magazine's February issue on December 19. The magazine teases the story as a prequel to Saint Seiya, with a conspiracy b...
Osamu Tezuka's Dororo Manga Gets Remake in October
Attack on Titan: Before the Fall manga's Satoshi Shiki draws new manga
― The October issue of Akita Shoten's Monthly Champion RED magazine revealed on Saturday that Osamu Tezuka's Dororo manga will get a remake manga titled Dororo to Hyakkimaru-den (The Legend of Dororo and Hyakkimaru) that will launch in the magazine's December issue on October 19. Satoshi Shiki is drawing the manga. The current iss...
Friday, August 17
Mecha Animator Kunihiro Abe Passes Away at 50
Animator on numerous Gundam series, AIC projects
― Animator Kunihiro Abe passed away on Wednesday. He was 50. His wife, Misao Abe, and his daughter, Ayumi Abe, both announced his passing on their respective Twitter accounts on Saturday. Ayumi Abe shared the illustration by Kunihiro Abe seen right, and said that his father "could not live except as an animator." She further shared that while her fathe...
Saint Seiya: Saintia Shō Anime Reveals Cast, December Debut
Aina Suzuki, M.A.O, Inori Minase, Megumi Nakajima star in anime
― The official website for Toei Animation's anime of Chimaki Kuori's Saint Seiya: Saintia Shō manga revealed the anime's cast, new visual, and December debut on Saturday. The anime will debut streaming on the Animax on PlayStation app in December. The cast includes Aina Suzuki as Shōko, M.A.O as Kyōko, Inori Minase as Saori, Megumi Nakaj...
Kakuriyo -Bed & Breakfast for Spirits- Stage Play's Visual Unveiled
Play runs in Tokyo, Fukuoka in September
― The official Twitter account for the stage play adaptation of writer Midori Yūma and illustrator Laruha's Kakuriyo Yadomeshi (Kakuriyo -Bed & Breakfast for Spirits-) light novel series revealed a visual for the stage play on Wednesday. The play's cast includes: Hiroki Nakada as Ōdanna (Master) Shunya Ōhira as Ginji Sōichirō Sorihashi as Akatsuki Hotaru Nomot...
Sex Toy Tenga's Robot Variations Come to Life
A few years back, dōjin circle Kuramochi Zukan took their niche of drawing anthropomorphisized objects into new territory by publishing a collection of art based on Tenga, the popular men's sex toy. Each drawing imagined the red and white toy as a different kind of transforming robot. Fast forward three years later and the idea is now a reality. Popular figure maker Good Smile Company is collabora...
Live-Action Gintama 2 Films Stills Feature Masaki Okada as Kotarō Katsura
Film opens in Japan on Friday
― The staff of Gintama 2: Okite wa Yaburu Tame ni Koso Aru (The Law is Surely There to be Broken), the second live-action film based on Hideaki Sorachi's Gintama manga, showed stills from the film featuring Masaki Okada as his character Kotarō Katsura. The film opens in Japan on Friday. The story will cover both the "Shinsengumi Crisis" and the "Shogun Reception" arcs, t...
JoJo's Bruno Bucciarati Poses in Balenciaga for Magazine Cover
The Italian boys of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind aren't afraid of risky fashion choices. Giorno wears a bright pink pantsuit with a heart cut out, Pannacotta's green suit is laced with large holes, and Bruno's outfit has more nonsensical zippers than a pair of Tripp pants. However, only one is the cover model for the October issue of Shueisha's UOMO magazine. Bruno was drawn by manga crea...
Banana Fish ‒ Episode 7
"It feels like the world of Banana Fish is opening up, and yet our characters continue to run in circles around the mob. The only sure thing is that this show hasn't begun to slow down."
How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord ‒ Episode 7
"This episode snuck in some genuinely affecting character work and plot twists, with fanservice seemingly sprinkled in just to make sure the horndogs tuning in didn't nod off. "
Report: Anime Production Industry Reaches Record High Income With 200 Billion Yen
Study of 2017 industry looks at 255 production companies in Japan
― The financial research firm Teikoku Databank published an investigation of the anime production industry on August 10, and reported that the industry saw a record high income of 203.721 billion yen (about US$1.8 billion) in 2017. The total income rose 39.6% year-on-year, continuing a three-year positive trend. The actual profit saw a...
Dirty Old Man Tanaka Joins Ranks of Virtual YouTubers in Japan
As a middle-aged man in a tank top and boxers, Tanaka no Ossan is a far cry from the typical appearance of a virtual YouTuber. Most virtual YouTubers in Japan are young, cute female characters. However, that did not stop 55-year-old Yoshio Tanaka from starting his own channel. In the video below, Tanaka introduces himself and his new YouTube channel. Tanaka also launched an official website and Tw...
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure's Super-Deformed Character Project Gets Mobile Game This Fall
JoJo's Pitter-Patter Pop! game features super-deformed characters
― This year's September issue of Shueisha's Ultra Jump magazine revealed on Saturday that Hirohiko Araki's JoJo's Bizarre Adventure series is getting a mobile game titled JoJo's Pitter-Patter Pop! this fall. The "JoJo's Pitter-Patter Pop! Chiramise" (JoJo's Pitter-Patter Pop! Peek) teaser app for the game will launch soon. The teaser a...
Black Clover ‒ Episode 45
"Within a single arc, this show can range from exciting and incoherent to bland but functional. This week is bland but functional."
Manga Answerman - Why is Summer the Season for Spooky Stories in Manga?
In North America we usually bust out the skeletons and draculas in October, but in manga, it seems like summertime is a much spookier season. Deb is ready to explain why!
― Why is Summer considered the season for spooky stories in manga, not Autumn / October like it is in North America? Much as Halloween at the end of October is the holiday that anchors the season for spooks and ghouls in North Amer...
Cutie Honey, Gatchaman, Yatterman Characters Inspire Themed Wine
Cutie Honey's title character, Gatchaman's Jun the Swan, and Yatterman's Doronjo are appearing on their own special bottles of nihonshu (Japanese rice wine). The themed wine was unveiled earlier this month. The release is part of the Ultra J ~Ultra Alliance Japan~ project. Tokushima's Miyoshikiku Sake Brewery and sake shop Mirai Nihonshu Ten are collaborating on the wine inspired by classic femal...
Rei Hiroe's Black Lagoon Manga Goes on Hiatus
11th compiled book volume ships in November
― This year's September issue of Shogakukan's Monthly Sunday GX revealed on Saturday that Rei Hiroe's Black Lagoon manga is going on hiatus so that the author can work on a compiled book volume. Shogakukan will ship the manga's 11th compiled volume in November. The company also plans to release a limited special edition of the volume simultaneously. The Bla...
Food Wars! The Third Plate's Megumi Preps Goosefish as Nendoroid Figure
A Nendoroid figure of Food Wars! The Third Plate's Megumi Tadakoro is set for release in March 2019. For the figure, Megumi wears her food prep uniform. The set features a goosefish that Megumi makes into goosefish dobu-jiru curry during the 43rd Annual Tōtsuki Autumn Election's preliminary round. In addition, the figure has regular, serious, and impatient faces for Megumi. The figure costs 4,500...
ANNCast Live at Otakon 2018
ANNCast is back with the audio from our panel at Otakon 2018, featuring special guest Mike Toole! Zac and Mike take a quick tour of 20 years of ANN history, followed by a Q&A session with the audience.
― ANNCast Live at Otakon 2018 ANNCast is back with the audio from our panel at Otakon 2018, featuring special guest Mike Toole! Zac and Mike take a quick tour of 20 years of ANN history, followed by a...
Coda Performs JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind Anime's Opening Song
Anime begins airing on October 5
― The official website for the JoJo no Kimyō na Bōken: Ōgon no Kaze (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind or Vento Aureo) anime revealed on Friday that Coda will perform the anime's opening theme song "Fighting Gold." Neko Oikawa is writing the lyrics, and Toshiyuki Omori is in charge of composition and arrangement. Coda, whose real name is Kazusou Oda, performed "Bl...
Boarding School Juliet TV Anime Casts Yoshimasa Hosoya
Series premieres in October
― The official website for the television anime of Yōsuke Kaneda's school romantic comedy manga series Kishuku Gakkō no Juliet (Boarding School Juliet) revealed on Friday that Yoshimasa Hosoya will play Kento Tosa. Yoshimasa Hosoya as Kento Tosa The series will premiere in October on the MBS, TBS, and BS-TBS in the Animeism programming block. It will also stream exclusivel...
Late Voice Actor Unshō Ishizuka Remains in Pokémon Anime Until October
Successor for Professor Oak role is not yet decided
― TV Tokyo revealed on Friday that late voice actor Unshō Ishizuka had already recorded before his death his parts for the Pokémon Sun & Moon television anime through the episode that will premiere in the first week of October. The broadcaster plans to air the recorded episodes as planned. Ishizuka narrates Pokémon Sun & Moon and voices the characte...
Project Anima Announces Results of Science-Fiction/Robot Anime Contest
Satelight to produce anime of Nekotarō Inui's Sakugan Labyrinth Marker novel for 2020 broadcast
― The official website for Project Anima announced on Friday that Nekotarō Inui's Sakugan Labyrinth Marker (Drilling Labyrinth Marker) novel is the runner-up for the "Science-Fiction/Robot" category of the competition. Satelight (Macross, Aquarion, Symphogear) will produce an anime adaptation of the work t...
Tokyo Alice GN 1
Romance and leisure butt heads for the heroine of this grounded and relatable dramedy for adult women. Rebecca Silverman has the details.
― At first blush, Tokyo Alice looks like a manga version of the stereotype that women just love to shop more than anything else in the world. And that is part of what's going on here – Fu Arisugawa is a shopaholic, specifically addicted to brand names and expensive...
Voice Actor Unshō Ishizuka Passes Away at 67
Voice of Cowboy Bebop's Jet Black, Pokémon's Professor Oak, old Joseph Joestar in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
― The official website of talent management agency Aoni Production revealed on Friday that voice actor Unshō Ishizuka passed away on Monday due to esophageal cancer. He was 67 by modern age reckoning, and 68 by traditional Japanese age reckoning. Aoni Production noted that Ishizuka had been rece...
The Irregular at Magic High School: Raihōsha-hen Manga Ends in 7th Volume
Manga's 6th & 7th volumes both slated for summer 2019
― The fifth compiled volume of Majiko's Mahōka Kōkō no Rettōsei: Raihōsha-hen (The Irregular at Magic High School: Visitor Arc) manga announced on August 10 that the manga will end with its sixth and seventh volumes in summer 2019. The manga adapts volumes 9-11 of Tsutomu Satou's original The Irregular at Magic High School light novel series. Maji...
Alice in Murderland Manga Ends Serialization Next Month
Angel Sanctuary's Kaori Yuki launched manga in 2014
― Manga artist Kaori Yuki (Angel Sanctuary, Godchild) announced on Thursday that her Alice in Murderland manga has one chapter remaining. If the manga does not take a break, it will end in the October issue of Kodansha's Shonen Magazine Edge on September 15. Yuki already promised that the manga will end with the 11th compiled book volume. Yen Press ...
Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Game's Video Shows 'Ultimate Madoka'
Video marks game's 1-year anniversary, promotes August 21 event for 'Ultimate Madoka'
― Aniplex began streaming a new anime promotional video for the Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Gaiden smartphone role-playing game on Friday. The video shows main character Madoka Kaname's "Ultimate Madoka" form, as seen in the television anime's last episode. The video celebrates the game's one-year annive...
Thursday, August 16
Japan's Animation TV Ranking, August 6-12
Howl's Moving Castle film airs
― Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki's Howl's Moving Castle film aired on NTV on Friday, August 10 and earned a 14.5% rating. The Gibo to Musume no Blues live-action series adaptation aired on TBS on Tuesday, August 7 at 10:00 p.m. an earned an 13.1% rating. Title Station Date Time Length Average Household Rating Sazae-san Fuji TV August 12 (Sun) 18:30 30 min. 9.3 Detecti...
Crunchyroll Adds The Slayers, Shakugan no Shana Movie, More
Strike Witches season 1 & 2, Trigun movie, Murder Princess also added
― Crunchyroll announced on Wednesday that it has added The Slayers, Shakugan no Shana: The Movie, Strike Witches, Strike Witches 2, Trigun: Badlands Rumble, and Murder Princess to its catalog from Funimation. The Slayers is available in the United States and Canada. The 26-episode series premiered in 1995, based on Hajime Kanzaka's...
Live-Action Tonde Saitama Film Reveals Video, Visual, February 22 Opening
Saitama "Romeo and Juliet" story stars Fumi Nikaido, Gackt
― Toei revealed a teaser video, visual, and the February 22 opening date for the live-action film adaptation of Mineo Maya's Tonde Saitama manga on Friday. Shooting for the film ran about two months and concluded on May 31. The film stars: Fumi Nikaido as Momomi Dannoura GACKT as Rei Asami Hideki Takeuchi (live-action Nodame Cantabile, Therma...
Saga Prefecture's Gintama Collaboration Kicks Off With Video, Statue Unveiling
The Sagaharu Project, a collaboration between Saga Prefecture and the Gintama franchise, launched on Friday and continues until September 17. A special version of the trailer for the second live-action Gintama film recently debuted for the project. In the video, Saga's trademark seaweed and balloon festival appear. The video's subtitles change the characters' words into Saga dialect. The unveiling...
Crunchyroll Expo Hosts Dragon Quest Creator Yuji Horii, Dragon Ball Z Voice Actor Ryo Horikawa
Even takes place in San Jose, California on September 1-3
― Crunchyroll announced this week that it will host Dragon Quest series creator Yuji Horii and Dragon Ball Z voice actor Ryo Horikawa at its Crunchyroll Expo event this year. Horii will have a dedicated panel and autograph sessions, and he will also serve as a guest judge for the Dragon Quest category of the event's Cosplay Masquerade. Horii w...
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Anime Gets 88-Hour 'Endless Eight' Streaming Event
Is Yuki Nagato your favorite character from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya? Ever want to relive her experience of repeating a certain summer thousands of times? No? Well, a livestream project is letting fans get about one 9,077th of that experience anyway. The "Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu/Endless Eight 88-Jikan Nama Hōsō ~Oyoso 1/9077 Nagato Yuki Taiken~" (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya / Endl...
Free! -Dive to the Future- ‒ Episode 6
"This show is going to be better as a marathon, but watching it week to week, it's too packed with exposition to be anything but sluggish."
Super Neptunia RPG Ships in the West Next Spring
Opening movie streamed for PS4/Switch game
― Idea Factory International announced on Thursday that it will release Super Neptunia RPG (Yūsha Neptune: Sekai yo Uchū yo Katsumoku se yo!! Ultimate RPG Sengen!!) for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in Spring 2019. The company began streaming the opening movie to accompany the announcement. The game will have English and Japanese audio and the option for...
Tell Your Family You Eloped with Kenjirou Hata's Newest Manga Bonuses
Kenjirou Hata's latest manga series is Tonikaku Cawaii (Fly Me to the Moon/'Generally Cute') and it runs in Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday. Since it launched in February, the manga has since accumulated into two volumes, the second released on Friday with some unique bonus goods. The first is a digest video summing up the manga's first volume with voice over by unit "Earphones;" Rie Takahashi, ...
Steins;Gate 0 ‒ Episode 18
"I've never been so frustrated and disappointed by an episode of Steins;Gate."
UPPERS Brawler Game Gets Western Release for PC, PS4
Game from Senran Kagura producer slated for this year
― Marvelous Europe announced on Thursday that it will release the brawler action game UPPERS for PlayStation 4 and PC this year. The game will have text localized in English, French, Japanese, Korean, and Traditional and Simplified Chinese. The Western version of the game will be fully remastered in 1080p and 60fps, with native support for higher ...
Australian Hotel Caught Off Guard By Free! Pilgrims
In the popular anime series Free!, Rin Matsuoka's pursuit to become a world-class swimmer takes him to Australia. He first went to the country prior to the events of the first season and he returns with the rest of cast in Free! Eternal Summer for the high school swimming finals. The crew check into a hotel, which turns out is based on a real-life Aussie location and its experiencing quite a surge...
Maquia Anime Film's English Dub Cast Revealed Ahead of September 21 U.S. Premiere
Eleven Arts streams dubbed trailer
― Eleven Arts Anime Studio announced the English dub cast and began streaming a trailer for P.A. Works and Mari Okada's Maquia - When the Promised Flower Blooms anime film on Thursday. The dub will premiere in United States theaters on September 21. The cast includes: Xanthe Huynh as Maquia Eddy Lee as Ariel Ryan Shanahan as Teen Ariel Barnaby Lafayette as Child Ari...
The Best and Worst of Summer 2018, Aug 5-11
Revue Starlight jumps 14 PLACES on the chart to challenge Attack on Titan for the throne! Find out how your favorite shows performed in our weekly user rankings.
― Our team of reviewers are following 27 anime series of the Summer 2018 season and readers are rating each episode as the reviews go up. So let's have a look at what ANN readers consider the best (and worst) of the season. Keep in mind tha...
HIDIVE to Stream Armed Girl's Machiavellism English Dub
New episodes to stream on Saturdays
― HIDIVE announced on Thursday that it will begin streaming the English dub of Armed Girl's Machiavellism beginning on Saturday, August 18 at 12:00 p.m. EDT. New episodes will debut on Saturdays in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and other territories. Sentai Filmworks will release the series on Blu-ray Disc as both a...
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Exhibit's Survey Reveals Fan Demographics
A special project for "Hirohiko Araki JoJo Exhibition: Ripples of Adventure," an exhibition celebrating the 30th anniversary of Hirohiko Araki's JoJo's Bizarre Adventure manga, recently conducted a fan survey to reveal the "ultimate JoJo fan image." The "JoJo Sapiens" project revealed the results on Tuesday. The project's website revealed an image of the ultimate JoJo fan based on the results of t...
Viz Media Licenses Fullmetal Alchemist: The Complete Four-Panel Comics
Book slated for spring 2019
― Viz Media announced on Thursday that it will release Hiromu Arakawa's Fullmetal Alchemist: The Complete Four-Panel Comics in spring 2019. The book compiles Arakawa's Fullmetal Alchemist four-panel comic strips from the graphic novels, Japanese home video releases of the anime, and other sources. The 127-page book shipped in Japan in November. Arakawa's original Fullmetal...
Asuna and Dengeki Bunkō Pals Promote Veggies for Limited Campaign
Vegeta might be the Prince of All Refrigerators but the Sword Art Online's Asuna is taking the crown in the vegetable department along with her fellow Dengeki Bunkō light novel friends. Asuna, Spice and Wolf's Holo, Accel World's Kuroyukihime, The irregular at magic high school's Miyuki, Kino's Journey's Kino, and more are teaming up with Japan Railway East's New Days, New Days Kiosk, and KIOSK ma...
This Week in Games - What's up with Sekai Project?
There's some unsettling news coming out of visual novel publisher Sekai Project right now - Heidi files some editorial commentary on what we might expect. PLUS: Zelda-flavored Diablo on Switch, Fist of the North Star and more!
― Hey, you know what makes any day more exciting? A whole lot of exploding Fist of the North Star heads. Thanks, Sega! Now that we've had our dose of Kenshiro, let's move on to...
Crunchyroll Confirms Haikyuu!! The Movie: Battle of Concepts U.S. Screenings for September
Theatrical screenings to be held on September 19, 22, 23
― Crunchyroll confirmed on Thursday that it will screen the Haikyuu!! The Movie: Battle of Concepts (Haikyu!! Concept no Tatakai) compilation film in the United States as part of its Crunchyroll Movie Night series. Screenings will be held on September 19, 22, and 23. Tickets will be on sale on the Crunchyroll Movie Night website. Cruncyroll des...
Live-Action Waiting for Spring Film Casts Rika Izumi, Yuki Sasō, Tamaki Ogawa
Film opens in Japan on December 14
― The official website for the live-action film of Anashin's Waiting for Spring (Harumatsu Bokura) manga revealed the cast for three female characters around Mitsuki on Thursday. Rika Izumi will play Nanase Kashiwagi, Yuki Sasō will play Reina Yamada, and Tamaki Ogawa will play Yūko. (Note: characters' full name readings are not confirmed.) Rika Izumi as Nanase Kash...
This Week in Anime - Hanebado! Has No Chill
Hanebado! came on strong as the world's most melodramatic badminton anime, but has it taken those heights of angst too far? Micchy and Steve hang on for dear life through this series' wild mood swings.
― Hanebado! came on strong as the world's most melodramatic badminton anime, but has it taken those heights of angst too far? This week, Micchy and Steve hang on for dear life through this series' wild...
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind Anime Reveals Video, Visual, October 5 Premiere
Kensho Ono stars as Giorno Giovanna in adaptation of manga's 5th part
― The official website for the JoJo no Kimyō na Bōken: Ōgon no Kaze (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind or Vento Aureo) anime revealed a character promotional video, key visual, and the October 5 premiere for the series on Friday. The video previews main character Giorno Giovanna and his Stand Gold Experience. The anime will pre...
LiSA, Eir Aoi Perform Sword Art Online: Alicization Anime's Theme Songs
Hour-long 1st episode premieres on September 15
― The official website for the Sword Art Online: Alicization anime revealed on Thursday that LiSA will perform the series' opening theme song "Adamas," and Eir Aoi will perform the ending theme song "Iris." The single CD for "Iris" will ship on October 24. Both singers have previously performed theme songs for various anime in the franchise. The anime's...
PS VR Sells 3 Million Systems Worldwide
Sony Interactive Entertainment announced on Thursday that it has sold more than 3 million PlayStation VR systems worldwide. The company also announced that it has sold 21.9 million PS VR games and experiences. To mark the milestone, the company announced that the Creed: Rise to Glory game will launch on September 25, and the Evasion game will launch on October 9. The PlayStation VR had sold more t...
That Blue Sky Feeling GN 1
In the growing catalogue of LGBTQ+ manga, That Blue Sky Feeling's thoughtful tone and respect for its characters makes it a must-read. Rebecca Silverman has the details.
― Rumors are the lifeblood of many a school or workplace. Sometimes there's nothing malicious behind them, but other times the rumors can be socially or emotionally devastating to their subjects. That's what Dai Noshiro is convinced ...
100 Sleeping Princes and the Kingdom of Dreams Anime Reveals 2nd Key Visual
The official website for 100 Sleeping Princes and the Kingdom of Dreams: The Animation, the television anime of GCREST's Yume Ōkoku to Nemureru 100-Nin no Ōji-sama smartphone puzzle role-playing game, revealed the anime's second key visual on Thursday. The series premiered first on the AT-X channel on July 5 at 10:30 p.m., and it is also running on Tokyo MX, Sun TV, and BS11. Sentai Filmworks has ...
Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story Stage Play's Main Visual Revealed
The official Twitter account for the stage play adaptation of the Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Gaiden smartphone role-playing game revealed the main visual on Thursday. The visual features the 10 main cast members in costume. The cast members are all members of the Keyakizaka46 idol group. The play is the Puella Magi Madoka Magica franchise's first stage play adaptation. The play will r...
Alim, tri-Ace, Shueisha Launch Mist Gears Project With Game, Manga, Novel
iOS/Android game with 4-player co-op slated for fall
― Mobile gaming company Alim, tri-Ace, and Shueisha announced a new collaborative project titled Mist Gears on Wednesday. The project will include a smartphone game for iOS and Android, a manga, and a novel. The project's new YouTube channel is streaming an announcement video. The video lists the title of the manga as Mist Gears Blast and the title...
Seizei Gambare Mahō Shōjo Kurumi Net Comedy Anime Gets 2nd Season
Nozomi Yamamoto, Lynn cast as new Prima Angels in magical girl comedy
― The first standalone event for the Seizei Gambare Mahō Shōjo Kurumi (Do Your Best Magical Girl Kurumi) short anime announced in Tokyo on Sunday that a second season will starting streaming on Abema TV and other services this fall. According to Sunday's "Mechakucha Gambare! Mahō Shōjo Kurumi no Naka no Hito Chō-Shucchō-Ban 2018" e...
My Hero Academia: One's Justice Game's 4 Videos Preview Game Modes
Game launches on October 26 in the West
― The official YouTube channel of Shueisha's V Jump magazine began streaming four videos for the My Hero One's Justice (My Hero Academia: One's Justice) game on Wednesday. The videos preview the game's Story Mode, Mission Mode, Character Customization, and Free Battle game modes. Story Mode (Iida vs. Stain) Mission Mode Character Customization Free Battle (All ...
A Polar Bear in Love Anime Casts Ryōhei Ōtani as Killer Whale
Cathy the penguin, Killer Whale debut in new short this fall
― The official website for the "petit anime" of Koromo's A Polar Bear in Love (Koisuru Shirokuma) manga revealed a new visual for the anime on Thursday. The visual shows the new character Killer Whale (Ryōhei Ōtani), as well as a penguin named Catherine. Catherine, nicknamed "Cathy," supports the romance between Polar Bear and Seal. Killer ...
Amo Subcontracting Anime Studio Files for Bankruptcy
Most recently worked on 4 Black Clover episodes
― Credit research company Tokyo Shoko Research (TSR) reported on Wednesday that the anime studio amo filed for bankruptcy in the Tokyo district court on August 8. TSR reported that amo was founded in 1993, and had 3 million yen (about US$27,000) in capital. The studio is credited for production assistance and subcontracting work on various anime project...
2nd Live-Action Gintama Show Casts Rie Kugimiya
Kugimiya plays Kagura in Gintama anime
― The official Twitter account for the tie-in live-action Gintama 2: Yo ni mo Kimyō na Gintama-chan show revealed on Thursday that voice actress Rie Kugimiya will appear in the show in a voice role. The announcement did not reveal what role she will play. Kugimiya plays the character Kagura in the Gintama television anime, but Kanna Hashimoto plays the character...
Gundam NT Anime's Teaser Reveals Cast, November 30 Opening
Junya Enoki, Tomo Muranaka, Ayu Matsuura cast in new story 1 year after Unicorn
― Sunrise's Gundam.info YouTube channel began streaming a teaser video on Thursday for Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative (Kidō Senshi Gundam NT), the new anime project for the Gundam franchise. The video reveals the cast, more staff, and the anime's November 30 theatrical opening in 90 theaters in Japan. The anime's cast and c...
Wednesday, August 15
Good Smile Company Offers Re:Zero's Rem, Emilia Figures
Re:Zero's Rem has already inspired her fair share of figures. Still, she's preparing to get another, which is in turn inspired by a previous piece of art. The new Rem figure is based on the character's image from an ukiyo-e print that shipped in June. Instead of her usual maid outfit, Rem wears a kimono for the figure. The figure costs 17,064 yen (about US$150), and it is slated to ship in Februa...
Live-Action Kyō Kara Ore wa!! Reveals Adult Cast in Costume
Live-action series adapts Hiroyuki Nishimori's high school comedy manga
― The official website for the live-action television series of Hiroyuki Nishimori's Kyou Kara Ore Wa!! gag comedy manga revealed new cast visuals for the show's teachers and parents on Wednesday. (Note: Name romanizations not confirmed.) Tsuyoshi Muro as Mukunoki-sensei, an original character Jirō of the comedy duo Sissone as Sa...
Aikatsu Friends! Holds Auditions for New Voice Actor Singer to Debut in Anime
The Aikatsu! franchise is aiming to uncover the next generation of voice actor singers with its second annual "Miracle Seiyū Audition" contest. The auditions are again a collaboration between Bandai Namco Arts, Bandai Namco Pictures, Sunrise Music Publishing, and the newly established HoriPro International. Similar to the first competition, the winner of the new auditions will make her debut in th...
Otoko-Zaka Manga Begins Next Arc on August 18
Saint Seiya's Kurumuda to relaunch series on Shonen Jump+
― The official website of manga creator Masami Kurumada announced on Tuesday that Kurumuda will begin the seven-chapter "Tenkataihei-hen" (Peace and Tranquility Arc) of his Otoko-Zaka manga on the Shonen Jump+ app on August 18. Otoko-Zaka's initial eight-chapter revival began in Shū Play News, the official website of Shueisha's Weekly Playboy ...
Leiji Matsumoto's 80th Birthday Celebrated With New Art Exhibition
Manga creator giant Leiji Matsumoto is showing a collection of his artwork this month at the Daimaru Tokyo department store. The exhibition opens on August 28 and will run until September 4. The event celebrates Matsumoto's 80th birthday and includes autographed watercolor, ink paintings, prints, animation cells, and other drawings for sale. Visitors will be able to browse first edition books and ...
LA-AFF to Host Awards Ceremony for English Dub Actors in Anime Films
Event to be livestreamed on September 21
― The Los Angeles Anime Film Festival (LA-AFF) announced on Wednesday that it will host the first "Anime Films Voice Actors Awards" to recognize English dub voice actors in anime films. An awards gala will be held on the Festival's opening night on September 21. LA-AFF is working with Fan Connect Inc.'s "Unlocked" app, which streams shows and video chat with v...
Hirohiko Araki Goes on a 'Bizarre Adventure' at Tokyo's Museum of Western Art
Hirohiko Araki is following in his manga self-insert's footsteps and heading to the museum this month. The JoJo's Bizarre Adventure creator will appear in an episode of Tanken Bakumon: Deep Inside, a live-action program on NHK that goes behind the scenes of different places and topics. Araki will appear in the episode slated to air on August 29 where he and the hosts will explore the National Muse...
Japanese Comic Ranking, August 6-12
Attack on Titan, Detective Conan: Zero's Tea Time, Haikyu!!, One-Punch Man, The Promised Neverland in top 5
― Rank Title Est. Weekly Copies Est. Total Copies Release Date Publisher Author Highest Rank Weeks on List 1 Attack on Titan 26 590,383 590,383 2018/08 Kodansha Hajime Isayama 1 1 2 Detective Conan: Zero's Tea Time 1 250,825 250,825 2018/08 Shogakukan Art: Takahiro Arai / Original Plan: Gosho ...
New Site Configuration Options
Noticed the new little gear icon above the articles?
― We've added a new gear icon on ANN's mainfeed as well as in article pages. This new icon brings up a quick configuration menu that allows you to modify how ANN's articles are displayed to you. When we introduced the infinite scroll (auto loading of next articles) to our site, some readers didn't like it, so we promised a way to turn it off. The c...
Overlord III ‒ Episode 6
"This episode is all setup, but it's setup done well."
Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise Trailer Previews Combat
PS4 game ships on October 2 in the West
― Sega of America began streaming a trailer for Yakuza Studios' Fist of the North Star PlayStation 4 game, Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise, on Wednesday. The video highlights the combat and Kenshirō's fighting techniques. (Note: Video may be not safe for work.) Sega of America will release the game physically and digitally in North America and Europe on O...
Angolmois: Record of Mongol Invasion ‒ Episode 6
"Even if it doesn't hit the loftiest heights of wartime drama, the story has enough going on to keep me engaged."
GeGeGe no Kitarō ‒ Episode 20
"Whether you know it as World War Two or the Pacific War, GeGeGe no Kitaro's message is to never allow it to be forgotten."
Japan's Video Game Rankings, August 6-12
Yakuza 3, Fire Pro Wrestling World, Bullet Girls Fantasia games ship
― Japan's Game Ranking: August 6-12 Rank System Title Maker Release Date Weekly Copies Total Copies 4Gamer Reader Review 1PS4Yakuza 3 Sega Games August 9 26,047 26,047 2NSwSplatoon 2 (Including Bundled Editions) Nintendo July 21, 2017 21,630 2,532,658 73 3NSwTaiko no Tatsujin Nintendo Switch Version! Bandai Namco Entertainment July ...
Manga Artists Moriko Mori, Cota Tomimura Announce Marriage
Manga artists Moriko Mori (30) and Cota Tomimura (28) announced their marriage on Wednesday. Mori posted an image of his marriage registration form on Twitter stating that he became a couple with Tomimura. Tomimura also announced the news and wrote that it is her second marriage. Tomimura (pictured right) is the creator of several manga series including the four-panel essay manga Bokutachi LGBT (W...
Etrian Odyssey Nexus 3DS Game Heads West
Final Etrian Odyssey game for 3DS ships on February 5
― Atlus USA announced on Wednesday that it will release Etrian Odyssey X in North America and Europe under the title Etrian Odyssey Nexus. The Nintendo 3DS game is slated for February 5. img IMG eon.jpg_large.jpeg IMG unnamed-2-.png IMG unnamed-3-.png IMG unnamed-4-.png IMG unnamed-5-.png IMG unnamed-6-.png IMG unnamed-7-.png The game introduces a...
AOKANA: Four Rhythm Across the Blue Game Will Have Overseas Version
Smartphone version launched on Sunday, ahead of company ceasing operations in November
― Game company sprite announced in English on Wednesday that there will be an overseas version of its AOKANA: Four Rhythm Across the Blue game "soon." The company did not reveal platforms for the release. sprite/fairys released AOKANA: Four Rhythm Across the Blue on PC in November 2014, for PlayStation Vita in Febr...
Final Fantasy XIV Game's Companion App Launches for iOS, Android
Free version available now with premium service to launch soon
― The official website for the Final Fantasy XIV game revealed on Wednesday that the game's Companion app has launched for iOS and Android. The app's free version is available now, and the premium service plan is slated to launch for US$5.00 per month soon. The app was originally slated for release in late July. After launching the app, p...
Answerman - What Will Become Of Takahata's Legacy?
Shocking revelations about Isao Takahata's treatment of his staff in Toshio Suzuki's recent book have some fans asking: what are we supposed to think of his films and his legacy now? Justin considers the angles.
― Fartball asked: Isao Takahata was one of my favorite anime directors, and I was heartbroken when he died a few months ago. Now Ghibli's producer Toshio Suzuki is saying Takahata was an awf...
Vestaria Saga RPG Heads West for PC in 2019
Dangen Entertainment to release demo on August 16
― Japanese game publisher Dangen Entertainment announced on Wednesday that the Vestaria Saga game will launch for PC via Steam in the West in 2019. A playable demo will be available on August 16. The company also began streaming an announcement trailer for the release. Dangen Entertainment describes the game's story: Vestaria Saga tells the story of i...
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas Novel Gets Sequel Novel as Theater Bonus
Chichi to Tsuioku no Dareka ni novel debuts with September 1 film
― The official website for the anime film of Yoru Sumino's I Want to Eat Your Pancreas (Kimi no Suizō o Tabetai) novel revealed on Tuesday that Sumino wrote a new novel that participating theaters will give out to the film's theatergoers. The novel, titled Chichi to Tsuioku no Dareka ni (To My Father and to Someone in My Memories), wil...
'Boku-Ben' Domain, Anime Twitter Account Registered (Updated)
GMO Internet, Inc. registered the domain name "boku-ben.com" through the Onamae.com website on Friday. In addition, the "@bokuben_anime" Twitter account was recently opened this month. The domain is currently inaccessible, and the Twitter account has made no tweets. Taishi Tsutsui launched the Boku-tachi wa Benkyō ga Dekinai (We Never Learn) manga in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Febru...
The Promised Neverland GN 3
The Promised Neverland runs through a dazzling series of twists and betrayals in its pulse-pounding third volume. Nick Creamer has the details.
― The Promised Neverland hits the ground running in its third volume, opening with new allies Gilda and Don staging a daring and likely ill-advised break-in of Isabella's secret room. Their extremely rash choice leads to both discord within the main group and...
Boarding School Juliet TV Anime Casts Tomokazu Sugita
Series premieres in October
― The official website for the television anime of Yōsuke Kaneda's school romantic comedy manga series Kishuku Gakkō no Juliet (Boarding School Juliet) revealed on Wednesday that Tomokazu Sugita will play Chizuru Maru. Tomokazu Sugita as Chizuru Maru The series will premiere in October on the MBS, TBS, and BS-TBS in the Animeism programming block. It will also stream exclu...
Madoka Magica's Magia Record Game Ad Features Skating Gold-Medalist Alina Zagitova
Zagitova transforms into Madoka costume in ad marking game's 1-year anniversary
― The official Twitter account for the Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Gaiden smartphone role-playing game began streaming a new commercial to celebrate the game's one-year anniversary. The commercial, titled "Zagitova Transforms," features Russian Olympic skater Alina Zagitova skating a program where she transfor...
Inio Asano Resumes Yūsha-tachi Manga for Limited Run
Asano published 2 chapters of manga in Hibana in 2015, 2016
― Inio Asano launched a Yūsha-tachi (Heroes) manga mini-series in Shogakukan's Manga ONE app on Wednesday. The app will first publish the two chapters of the manga that already appeared in Shogakukan's Hibana magazine, and will afterward publish a new chapter weekly until the manga ends. Asano noted on Twitter that the run will include one v...
Atelier Arland Trilogy Games' Trailer Streamed
Atelier Rorona, Atelier Totori, Atelier Meruru games launch in Japan on September 20
― Gust began streaming a trailer on Thursday for its upcoming release of the Atelier ~ Alchemist of Arland 1•2•3 DX game trilogy for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. The trilogy includes Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland DX, Atelier Totori: The Adventurer of Arland DX, and Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Ar...
Cheburashka Creator Eduard Uspensky Passes Away at 80
Children's book author's Cheburashka character inspired 2009 TV anime, 2010 film
― Russian news agency TASS reported on Tuesday that Russian writer Eduard Uspensky passed away on Tuesday, August 14. He was 80 years old. TASS reported that Uspensky had been diagnosed with cancer, and was receiving medical attention as of August 9 after falling unconscious in his home. Uspensky is best known for creati...
Live-Action Bungaku Shojo Show Adds 6 Cast Members, New Visual
Masaki Nakao, Rika Izumi, Masahiko Kawahara, more join September series
― The official website for the live-action series adaptation of Mayaka Nakano's Bungaku Shojo (Literature Virgin) manga revealed six new cast members and a new poster visual for the show on Wednesday. The new cast includes (Note: Character name romanizations are not confirmed.): Masaki Nakao as Chihiro Mochizuki, Kanoko's colleag...
Pokémon Quest Smartphone Game Reaches $8 Million Revenue in 1st Month
Free-to-start game launched on iOS, Android on June 27
― Mobile app data analysis organization Sensor Tower reported that Nintendo's Pokémon Quest smartphone game has reached US$8 million in revenue since the game launched on iOS and Android devices on June 27. Japanese players have contributed 34% of the total revenue, United States players have contributed 24%, and South Korean players have contrib...
Tuesday, August 14
China Suspends Sales of Monster Hunter: World Game
Tencent suspended game due to noncompliance to government regulations
― Chinese company Tencent's game streaming platform WeGame announced on Monday that it would suspend sales of Capcom's Monster Hunter: World PC game on its WeGame Platform in China as of Monday. The company reported that the Chinese government ordered the suspension because the game did not comply to unspecified regulations. Nikke...
One-Punch Man Ranks #2 on U.S. Monthly Bookscan July List
Dragon Ball Super, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, My Hero Academia, Attack on Titan, Berserk, Tokyo Ghoul:re, Tokyo Ghoul also rank
― ONE and Yuusuke Murata's One Punch Man manga volume 14 ranked at #2 on NPD BookScan's Top 20 adult graphic novels list for July. This month's list featured 14 manga volumes including: #3 — Toyotarō and Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball Super volume 3 #5 —Hideyuki Furuhashi a...
Producer Reveals Sunrise, Production I.G Animated April's Azur Lane Commercial
Team that animated commercial also handled Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin
― In an interview with Sisilala TV news website on Monday, Sunrise producer Osamu Taniguchi revealed that the animation studio produced a commercial for the Chinese smartphone game Azur Lane that debuted earlier this year in April. Taniguchi explained that the same team that handled the Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin anime hand...
Nintendo Files Trademarks for 'Endless Ocean,' 'Another Code'
Nintendo filed trademarks for "Endless Ocean" and "Another Code" on July 13. The trademarks were made public on July 31. Arika developed the Endless Ocean (known in Japan as Forever Blue) Wii game, and it shipped in Japan and the West in 2007 and 2008. In the game, players become scuba divers to observe and photograph animals and undersea sights. Arika also released a sequel titled Endless Ocean 2...
180 Attendees Treated in Comic Market's 1st 3 Hours Due to Heat Wave
The swarms of eager otaku that head to Comic Market, Japan's largest event for selling self-published dōjinshi works, twice per year create jam-packed chaos. Unfortunately for those attending in summer, Japan is known for its heat and humidity in the middle of the year. Japan has recently had a severe heat wave leading to at least 80 deaths, so attendees at this summer's Comiket had to be particul...
Lupin the Third: Part 5 ‒ Episode 19
"There's a lot around the edges of this episode that's just weird if you start to think about it too hard."
Asobi Asobase Director Shows Off His New Buff Bod
Director Seiji Kishi is well known for his impressive resume. He's helmed anime favorites like Angel Beats!, Yuki Yuna Is a Hero, Persona 4 the Animation, Danganronpa The Animation, Tsukigakirei, and most recently the crass comedy Asobi Asobase -workshop of fun-. Recently, Kishi has taken to Twitter to share more personal matters, namely his recent physical transformation. Kishi has started muscle...
Revue Starlight ‒ Episode 5
"This was my favorite episode of Revue Starlight yet, both humorous and heartfelt in all the right ways."
My Hero Academia: Two Heroes Anime Film's Trailer Previews English Dub
Film Opens in U.S., Canada on September 25
― Funimation began streaming on Tuesday a new English-dubbed trailer for the My Hero Academia: Two Heroes anime film. The new English cast includes: Erica Mendez as Melissa Shield Ray Chase as David Shield Keith Silverstein as Wolfram Funimation and TOHO hosted a world premiere of the film with English subtitles at Anime Expo on July 5. The film opened in Ja...
Prince of Tennis Summer Valentine Event Gets Official Day
Event also revealed the results of its 400,000 chocolate poll
― After receiving nearly half a million Valentine chocolates this year, The annual Prince of Tennis summer Valentine event is officially recognized by the Japan Anniversary Association. The association designated August 14 as "Happy Summer Valentine Day" on Tuesday and awarded Prince of Tennis creator Takeshi Konomi with a certificate to a...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, August 12-18
Eureka Seven Hi-Evolution 1, Planetarian anime; That Blue Sky Feeling manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date Assassination Classroom Season 1 BDPlease Funimation Entertainment US$69.98 August 14 Classroom of the Elite Season 1 BDCite Funimation Entertainment US$64.98 August 14 Ergo Proxy Complete Series Classics BDAnimeNewsNetwork Funimation Entertainment US$69.98 Aug...
Cells at Work! ‒ Episode 6
"It does add to the appeal of what's basically an educational show to throw in a romantic subplot."
This Week in Anime - What the Hell is Happening in Planet With?
Planet With is the first original anime project written by beloved manga author Satoshi Mizukami, and it's been absurd and exciting from the start to its shocking halfway point cliffhanger. Nick and Jacob try to make sense of this mecha action rollercoaster.
― Planet With is the first original anime project written by beloved manga author Satoshi Mizukami, and it's been absurd and exciting from the s...
My Hero Academia's Denki Credited for Unleashing Lightning in Tokyo
Tokyo experienced a sudden downpour on Monday, which some are attributing to My Hero Academia's Denki Kaminari. For a sense of the scope of the storm, look at the picture below that the website tenki.jp posted. The photo shows the view from the Sunshine 60 skyscraper in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. 東京、池袋のサンシャイン60からの雨雲の様子です。大雨や落雷に十分に注意してください。 pic.twitter.com/8yRCVuaeL3— tenki.jp (@tenkijp) August 13, 2018 The...
Seven Heavenly Virtues Anime's English Dub Trailer Streamed
Kira Vincent-Davis, Rachael Messer, Brittney Karbowski, Maggie Flecknoe, Avery Smithhart star
― Sentai Filmworks began streaming a video for The Seven Heavenly Virtues on Tuesday previewing the English dub cast. The company also posted an extended cast list. The cast, under director John Swasey, includes: Kucky Long as Michael Kira Vincent-Davis as Uriel Courtney Lamelo as Raphael Rachael Messer as S...
KADO - The Right Answer Anime Wins MPTE Animation Award
Original CG anime series premiered in April 2017
― The Motion Picture and Television Engineering Society of Japan (MPTE) announced last week that Toei Animation's Kado: The Right Answer television anime series has won the Animation category of its 71st MPTE Awards. The award ceremony will be held at Academy Hills in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo on October 30. The anime series premiered in Japan in April 201...
Dark Souls: Remastered Game Launches for Switch in October
Bandai Namco Entertainment America revealed on Tuesday that the Nintendo Switch version of the Dark Souls: Remastered game will launch on October 19 in North America and Europe. The game will launch in Japan on October 18. The Solaire of Astora amiibo will launch the same day. The company will hold an online network test for the game before the release, and information about the test will be avail...
SNK 40th Anniversary Collection Switch Game Previews Ikari Warriors Series
Game launches on November 13 in N. America, November 16 in Europe
― Nintendo began streaming a trailer on August 8 for the SNK 40th Anniversary Collection game for the Nintendo Switch. The video previews all three Ikari Warriors games in the collection. The first two games in the Ikari Warriors series, Ikari Warriors and Ikari Warriors II: Victory Road, debuted in 1986. The third game, Ikari Warriors...
DIVE!! Stage Play's Visual, Videos Show Cast in Costume
Stage play debuts in September
― The official website for the stage play adaptation of Eto Mori's youth novel series DIVE!! began streaming two videos for the stage play on August 3. The site also revealed a visual for the stage play earlier this month. The first video below shows the photography for the key visual, while the second video shows the cast offering their comments on the stage play. The ...
Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, August 6-12
Mazinger Z: Infinity sells 3,232, followed by 2018 Doraemon film, Mr. Osomatsu, Tetsuya Kakihara, Uchū Sentai Kyūranger Vs. Space Squad
― The live-action American film Transformers: The Last Knight rose from #17 to #4 in its sixth week on the overall DVD chart. It added 4,009 copies to its total of 12,824 copies. Mr. Osomatsu on Stage ~Six Men's Festival Blu-ray Disc sold 1,581 copies to debut at #10...
Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, August 6-12
[email protected] Cinderella Girls sells 12,424, followed by Mazinger Z: Infinity, new Legend of the Galactic Heroes, Uchū Sentai Kyūranger Vs. Space Squad, Mr. Osomatsu
― The [email protected] Cinderella Girls 5th Live Tour Serendipity Parade!!! @ Fukuoka sold 12,424 to debut at #3 on the overall Blu-ray Disc chart. The "Ultra Complete Edition" of the Uchū Sentai Kyūranger Vs. Space Squad film landed at #12 with ...
Those Who Hunt Elves' Yu Yagami Launches Manga of Orphen's Comedy Spinoff Novels
Majutsushi Orphen: Mubō-hen manga adapts 13-novel comedy spinoff
― TO Books announced on Monday that Yu Yagami (Those Who Hunt Elves) launched a manga adaptation of Yoshinobu Akita's Majutsushi Orphen: Mubō-hen (Sorcerous Stabber Orphen: Reckless Arc) novels on Monday and on the Nico Nico Seiga website on the same day. The Majutsushi Orphen: Mubō-hen novels are comedy spinoff stories of Akita's main ...
Seishun Buta Yarō Anime Premieres on October 3
The official website for Seishun Buta Yarō wa Bunny Girl-senpai no Yume wo Minai (The Young Pig-Rascal Isn't Dreaming of a Bunny Girl Upperclassman), the television anime of Hajime Kamoshida's Seishun Buta Yarō light novel series, revealed last Friday that the anime will premiere on ABC TV on October 3 at 26:15 (effectively October 4 morning at 2:15 a.m.). It will then air on Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, T...
Natsume's Book of Friends Film Adds Comedy Duo 'Viking' to Guest Cast
Duo plays yōkai who have business with Natsume in September 29 film
― The official website for Gekijōban Natsume Yūjinchō ~Utsusemi ni Musubu~ (Natsume's Book of Friends the Movie: Tied to the Temporal World), the anime film of Yuki Midorikawa's Natsume's Book of Friends (Natsume Yūjin-Chō) manga, revealed on Tuesday that the film has cast Viking comedy duo members Eiji Kotōge and Mizuki Nishimura as...
Monday, August 13
Mirai Climbs to #6, My Hero Academia Film Drops to #7
Kamen Rider/Sentai double feature drops to #8, Pokémon to #9
― Mamoru Hosoda and Studio Chizu's new Mirai no Mirai (Mirai) anime film rose from #7 to #6 in its fourth weekend. The film earned 154,220,000 yen (about US$1.39 million) from Friday to Sunday. The film has now earned a cumulative total of 2,010,528,300 yen (about US$18.15 million). The film opened in 456 theaters on July 20 in Japan. It so...
One Piece ‒ Episode 849
"This really feels like the anime staff going above and beyond to make something that feels just a little bigger than the source material, and I believe they have succeeded wonderfully."
Newton and the Apple Tree Visual Novel Debuts on Wednesday
Sol Press announced on August 7 that it will release Laplacian's bishōjo visual novel Newton and the Apple Tree (Newton to Ringo no Ki) on Steam on Wednesday, August 15. MiKandi Japan and Sol Press ran a successful Kickstarter campaign for the game from December to January. The campaign raised US$88,095 out of its initial goal of US$31,200. Newton and the Apple Tree debuted for Windows in Japan in...
In New Book, Ghibli's Suzuki Reveals Isao Takahata as Notoriously Difficult Director
Claims character designer and animation director Yoshifumi Kondō death was due to Takahata's work expectations
― Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki revealed another side of his long-time work partner and director Isao Takahata. The book, The Ghibli Textbook #19: The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (Ghibli no Kyōkasho 19 Kaguya-hime no Monogatari), delves into the production of Takahata's last film and ...
Sekai Project Lays Off Marketing Staff
CEO Christopher Ling comments that layoffs are due to restructuring
― Sekai Project brand manager Frances Delgado revealed on social media that her "entire office" at Sekai project was laid off on Monday. Studio Élan lead Josh Kaplan also tweeted to say he is no longer employed at Sekai Project. Sekai Project CEO Christopher Ling posted an official statement on the company's website on Monday, confir...
Holmes of Kyoto ‒ Episode 6
"Even as light mysteries go, this episode of Holmes of Kyoto feels like it was just phoning it in."
Sankarea's Mitsuru Hattori to Launch New Manga
Kaijū-iro no Shima to debut in September
― The September issue of Shueisha's Monthly Dragon Age magazine revealed on August 9 that Mitsuru Hattori will launch a new manga in the fifth volume of sister magazine Bessatsu Dragon Age on September 25. The manga is tentatively titled Kaijū-iro no Shima ("Monster-Colored Island or "Scheelite-Colored Island"). The manga will feature in the issue's front cove...
Hanebado! ‒ Episode 7
"The ‘sports’ part of this sports anime is finally getting to shine, which helps the show's strong points stand out against all the other content that could be charitably described as less enjoyable."
Idol Group Nogizaka46's Animated Computer Ad Streams
Evangelion's Yoshiyuki Sadamoto designed characters
― The Mouse computer store's anime ad starring the Nogizaka46 idol group with character design's by Evangelion's Yoshiyuki Sadamoto began streaming on August 8. LIDEN FILMS animated the ad and it first appeared during the Mirai Seiki Jipang documentary on TV Tokyo the same day. The ad is based on a previous live-action commercial. Sadamoto previousl...
Future GPX Cyber Formula Gets New 'Official, Authorized' Dōjin Game
Project YNP released racing game supporting VR on Friday
― The dōjin group Project YNP released on Friday at Comic Market 94 an "official, authorized" dōjin game for PC titled Shin Seiki GPX Cyber Formula SIN VIER (Future GPX Cyber Formula SIN VIER) based on the Future GPX Cyber Formula anime, specifically the Future GPX Cyber Formula Sin OVA. The game supports VR on HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. Each ve...
Planet With ‒ Episode 6
"This showdown between Soya and Takashi would have felt worthy of a season finale if it didn't come at the story's halfway point."
First Nation Teen Keeps Language Alive by Dubbing Sailor Moon
Westin Sutherland is hoping to inspire youngsters to learn indigenous languages by creating dubs of some of his favorite animated series, including Spongebob Square Pants, The Proud Family, and Sailor Moon. Sutherland is from Peguis First Nation in Manitoba and began learning the Anishinaabemowin and Cree languages four years ago. While studying, Sutherland noticed the lack of television programmi...
My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 56
"What this arc lacks in scope, it aims to make up for in small character moments and an affirmation of 1-A's growth and companionship."
Everyone's Getting Married Creator Izumi Miyazono Launches New Series
Ai ni Nante Oborenai centers on new hire with sleazy but talented boss
― The September issue of Shogakukan's Petit Comic magazine revealed last Wednesday that Izumi Miyazono will launch a new manga titled Ai ni Nante Oborenai (I Will Not Succumb to Love) in the magazine's next issue on September 7. The manga will feature in the issue's front cover, and will have a color opening page, with a 40-page f...
Asobi Asobase -workshop of fun- ‒ Episode 6
"Asobi Asobase continues to be one of the funniest anime comedies I've ever seen, but its attempt to push every boundary can occasionally leave you squirming."
Lucky Star Shrine's Iconic Torii Gate Collapses
Washinomiya Shrine, the Tokyo area's oldest shrine and a real-life backdrop for the Lucky Star anime series, faced an unfortunate loss on Sunday. The shrine's torii gate collapsed at around 10:40 a.m. on Sunday, crushing the trunk of a car passing underneath it. The gate was about six meters tall (about 19.5ft) and included a wooden piece that ran along the top. The wood was protected by a rainpro...
Hiroshi Takahashi's Jank Runk Family Manga Resumes on August 28
Manga ended 1st part, began hiatus in February
― This year's 17th issue of Akita Shoten's Young Champion magazine announced on Friday that Hiroshi Takashi's Jank Runk Family manga will return in the magazine's next issue on August 28. Takashi ended the manga's "first part" on February 27, and it went on hiatus immediately afterward. The manga is a crossover with the OREN'S manga, which artist Yanse K...
Angels of Death ‒ Episode 6
"This is the bloodiest and most grim episode of Angels of Death yet."
Attack on Titan ‒ Episode 41
"This episode offers little victories to balance out the plot's increasingly dire stakes, as the show's world becomes more clouded with political strife."
Grand Blue Dreaming's Camera App Filter Lets Fans Become Cakey
The Grand Blue Dreaming anime is collaborating with the BeautyPlus camera app. The app is now letting users transform themselves into Aina "Cakey" Yoshiwara as she appeared in the anime's fourth episode. The episode features a beauty pageant, and Cakey becomes a key character as she wears a blond wig and extremely heavy makeup. Voice actress Kana Asumi, who plays Aina in the anime, already experim...
Otakon's Attendance Rises by More Than 4,000 in 2018
Otakorp Inc. announced on Monday that the total number of attendees for this year's Otakon event was 29,293. The number includes those who purchased badges as well as staff, dealers, artists, industry, contractors, guests, and press. The total number of paid registrants was 26,590. The total attendance was up over 4,000 from last year's total of 24,894. Otakon 2018 took place from August 10-12 at ...
Gintama ‒ Episode 359
"This arc has consistently brought out the best in each character and forced them to set aside personal differences to discover new strength."
New Manga Publishing Company Denpa Launches, Licenses Kaiji, Inside Mari, More
Works by Hiroyuki Asada, panpanya, Asumiko Nakamura, Range Murata also licensed
― Ed Chavez, former Vertical marketing director and most recently vice president of FAKKU, announced a new North American manga publishing company named Denpa at Otakon on Saturday. The company plans to release manga from a variety of genres beginning with the following titles: Nobuyuki Fukumoto's Gambling Apocalypse Kaij...
Tokyo One Piece Tower Theme Park Gets Immersive Theater Experience
The Tokyo One Piece Tower theme park is getting an immersive theater experience titled "Toki no Hako ga Aku Toki" (When the Time Box Opens). A special website will open to reveal more details about the experience on August 17. In immersive theater, audience members occupy the same performance space as the show's cast and actively participate in the performance. Performers interact with audience me...
Chimamire Sukeban Chainsaw Manga Gets 2nd Series in September
Rei Mikamoto's original manga ran from 2009-2017, inspired live-action film
― The September issue of Kadokawa's Comic Beam magazine revealed on Friday that Rei Mikamoto will launch a second Chimamire Sukeban Chainsaw manga series titled Chimamire Sukeban Chainsaw refresh (seen left in image below) in the magazine's next issue on September 12. The original manga centers around Geeko Nokomura, who is i...
Answerman - Are Dub Crew Members Taking Over Voice Actors' Jobs?
Oftentimes in the credits of an English dub, you'll see the same name in a couple different slots - maybe director, producer, and also the lead actor. Is the crew invading the booth? Justin explains.
― Tess asked: Looking at the dub credits on various anime, I noticed that a voice actor (who is often a lead) may also be credited as a producer. Because they're a producer on a series' (or an episode's...
Holmes of Kyoto Anime Casts Sayaka Ohara as Yoshie Takiyama
Ohara debuts as Rikyū's young-looking mother on Monday
― The official Twitter account for Holmes of Kyoto, the television anime of Mai Mochizuki's Holmes at Kyoto Teramachi Sanjō (Kyōto Teramachi Sanjō no Holmes) mystery novel series, announced on Monday that Sayaka Ohara will play Yoshie Takiyama, Rikyū's mother and a friend of Seiji. Though young-looking, she is actually 40 years old. Seiji's love ...
Asobi Asobase Anime Casts Toshiyuki Morikawa as Olivia's Brother
TV series premiered on July 8
― The official website of the television anime of Rin Suzukawa's Asobi Asobase (Play and Let Play) manga revealed on Friday that Toshiyuki Morikawa is playing Olivia's older brother. The site did not reveal an episode for the character's debut. The anime premiered on July 8. Crunchyroll is streaming the anime as it airs in Japan. The manga's seventh compiled book volume ...
Angolmois Anime Casts Akira Ishida as Antokutei
Character designs for Tatsu, Sana also revealed
― The official website for Angolmois: Record of Mongol Invasion, the television anime of Nanahiko Takagi's Angolmois: Genkō Kassen-ki manga, revealed on Monday that Akira Ishida will play Antokutei. The character will debut in the anime's sixth episode on Tuesday. Akira Ishida as Antokutei The website also revealed designs for the characters Tatsu and S...
Boarding School Juliet TV Anime Casts Hiroshi Kamiya
Series premieres in October
― The official website for the television anime of Yōsuke Kaneda's school romantic comedy manga series Kishuku Gakkō no Juliet (Boarding School Juliet) revealed on Monday that Hiroshi Kamiya will play Scott Fold. Hiroshi Kamiya as Scott Fold The series will premiere in October on the MBS, TBS, and BS-TBS in the Animeism programming block. It will also stream exclusively on...
New Rurouni Kenshin Stage Play Unveils Visual
The official website for the new stage play of Nobuhiro Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin manga revealed a new visual for the play's handbills on Saturday. The play will run in Tokyo from October 11 to November 7, and then in Osaka from November 15 to 24. Watsuki first launched his 28-volume Rurouni Kenshin manga in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in 1994. The manga has more than 60 million copies ...
My Hero Academia: Two Heroes Anime Film Previews Action Scenes in Clips
Previewed with both original key frames, finished cut
― The official Twitter account for the My Hero Academia: Two Heroes film posted four clips from the film on Sunday. The clips show short segments of action scenes from the film with both the raw key frames and the finished cut. <ボンズ発! 劇場版 #ヒロアカ 線撮×本編ムービー①が来た!>絶賛公開中『僕のヒーローアカデミア THE MOVIE 〜2人の英雄(ヒーロー)〜』バトルアクションシーンから、ヤングオールマイト変身!!更なる興奮が待つ完成版の迫力は映画館で体...
Nana Mizuki Returns to Sing Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Detonation Film's Theme Song
2nd film in 2-part project opens in Japan on October 19
― The official Twitter account of the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Detonation anime film announced on Saturday that Nana Mizuki will perform the film's theme song "NEVER SURRENDER." The song's CD single will ship on October 24 as the singer's 38th single. Mizuki also performed the insert song "Invisible Heat" and the ending theme song "Destiny's ...
Kaiji Kawaguchi, Shinji Makari Launch New Manga
Yugo, Zipang creators collaborate for Sagara ~S no Dōsotai~ manga
― This year's combined 36th and 37th issue of Kodansha's Morning magazine launched a new manga titled Sagara ~S no Dōsotai~ (Sagara ~The S Allotrope~) by manga creators Kaiji Kawaguchi and Shinji Makari on August 9. Makari is credited for the original work, and Kawaguchi is drawing the art. Makari is the author of the Yugo manga series...
Trinity Seven's Kenji Saito, Chako Abeno Launch Witch Order Modern Fantasy Manga in September
Saito, Abeno previously collaborated on Trinity Seven: Liese Chronicle spinoff manga
― The September issue of Kadokawa's Monthly Dragon Age magazine revealed on Thursday that Kenji Saito and Chako Abeno will launch a new manga titled Witch Order in the magazine's next issue on September 7. The magazine teases the story as a modern fantasy centering on a "master who pierces through justice, and an ill...
Comic Market Ties All-Time One-Day Attendee Record
210,000 attendees on 3rd day of event
― The Comic Market 94 (Comiket 94) event, Japan's largest event for selling self-published dōjinshi works, drew about 210,000 attendees on its third day at Tokyo Big Sight on Sunday. It tied the all-time one-day attendee record, last reached on Comic Market 93's third day. Across all three days of the Comiket 94 event, there were about 530,000 attendees. Comiket ...
Meiji Tokyo Renka TV Anime Reveals January 2019 Premiere, Visual
Akitaro Daichi directs anime based on romance visual novel at TMS Entertainment
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Broccoli's Meiji Tokyo Renka romance visual novel revealed the anime's January 2019 premiere and teaser visual on Monday. Akitarō Daichi (Kamisama Kiss, Ninja Girl & Samurai Master) is directing the television anime at TMS Entertainment, and Junko Yamanaka (Kam...
Sword Art Online Re: Hollow Fragment Gets Standalone PC Release on August 21
Game originally launched on Steam as pre-order bonus
― Bandai Namco announced on Sunday during a livestream on Dengeki Online's YouTube channel that its Sword Art Online Re: Hollow Fragment game will launch on PC via Steam as a standalone release on August 21. Bandai Namco offered a Steam copy of Sword Art Online Re: Hollow Fragment on March 23 to those who pre-ordered Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet ...
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