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Answerman - Why Are Teen Sex Comedies Only Acceptable When They're Live Action?
Some folks find lurid anime sex comedies featuring teenagers like High School DxD deeply offensive, but won't bat an eye at an American live-action sex comedy set in high school. What gives? Justin gets into it.
― Dave asked: Recently an anime company was on facebook promoting an upcoming release of a fanservice heavy show set at a Highschool. The comment section got pretty toxic pretty quickly with...
Shelf Life - No Game, No Life Zero
Paul takes a look at this prequel film that might be better than its source series, along with a breakdown of all this week's new anime releases!
― This week, I learned that those generic plastic Blu-Ray cases are surprisingly resilient. My review copy of No Game, No Life Zero got absolutely pulverized in the mail, to the point where the case now looks like somebody tried really hard to karate chop ...
Tales of Zestiria the X Season 2 BD+DVD
Beautiful visuals and heartening character work butt up against cheesy dialogue and rushed plotting in the conclusion to ufotable's ambitious JRPG adaptation.
― It's sad to say it, but the second half of the anime adaptation of Tales of Zestiria the X is still suffering from the pacing issues brought about by the inclusion of the Tales of Berseria episodes back in its first cour. What's particularly ...
The Mike Toole Show - Canada's Anime Legacy
Mike embarks on a voyage to the Great White North to discover Canada's history of English anime dubs both great and terrible!
― One of the best things about anime being a fairly hot ticket in global entertainment is the multitude of ways it just suddenly shows up, be it in theaters, on TV, or online. Once upon a time, you could keep track of pretty much everything that was being aired and screened in...
Defeating the Demon Lord's a Cinch (If You've Got a Ringer) Novel 1
We get stories about hapless teens getting spirited away to another world all the time, but what do the native citizens of those fantasy kingdoms think of these interlopers? This quirky light novel series offers their perspective.
― Oh look, another novel about a regular Japanese teenager summoned to a game-like fantasy world as a hero in order to defeat one of those apparently ubiquitous demon lords...
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...
Monday, August 20
GeGeGe no Kitarō ‒ Episode 21
"This episode handles one of the staples of kids' shows with aplomb, proving that even without something big to say, GeGeGe no Kitaro is an underrated gem."
My Hero One's Justice Trailer Showcases All Playable Characters
Game to debut in October with 20 playable characters
― Bandai Namco Entertainment began streaming a trailer for the the My Hero One's Justice (My Hero Academia: One's Justice) game on Monday. The video previews all 20 starting playable characters, not including the DLC character Endeavor. Bandai Namco Entertainment also posted a new 15-second ad focusing on All Might and All For One. The playable cha...
One Piece ‒ Episode 850
"For how slow the anime adaptation can be, this is one of those episodes that feels like it's over within five minutes."
Manga Anthology Gets to the 'Meat' of It, Literally
A new manga anthology should appeal to the carnivores among us. Publisher Tokuma Shoten released the Manga Niku (Manga Meat) anthology on Monday. The comic collection pairs well with last year's Manga Sake compilation. Manga Niku features individual stories drawn by manga creators from Tokuma Shoten's Monthly Comic Zenon magazine. The volume collects stories from 23 contributors, including Tsukasa...
Asobi Asobase -workshop of fun- ‒ Episode 7
"Asobi Asobase makes it clear that even its most outrageous jokes continue to have consequences in its world, and it's funnier for that commitment."
Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker Game's Trailer Previews Barrier Battles
Game launches August 30 in Japan, August 31 in Americas, Europe, Southeast Asia
― Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe began streaming a trailer for its Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker game on Monday. The video previews the game's "barrier battles," in which players split up into offense and defensive teams to defeat and protect a boss, respectively. The game will launch in Japan for PlayStation 4 on ...
Cells at Work! ‒ Episode 7
"A sympathetic depiction of cancer cells makes much of this episode pretty uncomfortable."
Answerman - Why Are Teen Sex Comedies Only Acceptable When They're Live Action?
Some folks find lurid anime sex comedies featuring teenagers like High School DxD deeply offensive, but won't bat an eye at an American live-action sex comedy set in high school. What gives? Justin gets into it.
― Dave asked: Recently an anime company was on facebook promoting an upcoming release of a fanservice heavy show set at a Highschool. The comment section got pretty toxic pretty quickly with...
Yuuna and the Haunted Hot Springs ‒ Episode 6
"Unless the series gets around to having an actual plotline, the split-story structure works fine, as these vignettes would wear out their welcome if stretched to full episode length."
Jump Force Adds Gon, Hisoka, Sanji, Blackbeard as Playable Characters
Hunter x Hunter, more One Piece characters added
― The October issue of Shueisha's V-Jump magazine revealed on Tuesday that Gon Freecss and Hisoka Morow from Hunter x Hunter, as well as Sanji and Blackbeard from One Piece, will join the Jump Force crossover game as playable characters. Other confirmed characters include: Naruto, Goku, Luffy, Frieza, Roronoa Zoro, Sasuke Uchiha, Ichigo, Rukia, and Aiz...
Revue Starlight ‒ Episode 6
"The show's been settling into a pattern of resolving relationship drama, which it's been doing well, but I hope we'll start to see some more progress toward its larger thematic ambitions."
PERSONA 5 the Animation ‒ Episode 20
"A more character-based focus probably makes more sense at this point, but it does rob the series of some of its distinctive thematic edge."
Tokyo Ghoul:re Call to Exist Adds Amon, Arima, Tōka, Shū as Playable Characters
Game ships in winter for PS4 in Japan; for PS4, PC in the West
― The October issue of Shueisha's V Jump magazine revealed on Tuesday that Bandai Namco Entertainment's Tokyo Ghoul:re Call to Exist game will add Kōtarō Amon, Shō Arima, Tōka Kirishima, and Shū Tsukiyama as playable characters. The new third-person survival action game is slated for release for PlayStation 4 in Japan in winter. Bandai Na...
Attack on Titan ‒ Episode 42
"I think it speaks to Attack on Titan's growing thematic complexity that this coup is only treated as another step in a much more complicated path to victory."
Shelf Life - No Game, No Life Zero
Paul takes a look at this prequel film that might be better than its source series, along with a breakdown of all this week's new anime releases!
― This week, I learned that those generic plastic Blu-Ray cases are surprisingly resilient. My review copy of No Game, No Life Zero got absolutely pulverized in the mail, to the point where the case now looks like somebody tried really hard to karate chop ...
The [email protected] SideM Wake Atte Mini! Manga Gets TV Anime in October
Sumeragi launches new super-deformed manga series before shorts' debut
― A Niconico Live streaming program for the fourth anniversary of The [email protected] SideM game revealed on Monday that a television anime adaptation of Sumeragi and Bandai Namco Entertainment's The [email protected] SideM Wake Atte Mini! spinoff manga will premiere on October 9. The anime shorts will air on Tokyo MX and BS11 in Japan on Tue...
Tales of Zestiria the X Season 2 BD+DVD
Beautiful visuals and heartening character work butt up against cheesy dialogue and rushed plotting in the conclusion to ufotable's ambitious JRPG adaptation.
― It's sad to say it, but the second half of the anime adaptation of Tales of Zestiria the X is still suffering from the pacing issues brought about by the inclusion of the Tales of Berseria episodes back in its first cour. What's particularly ...
Tokyo Chronos VR Visual Novel's Kickstarter Campaign Reaches Goal
Sekai Project, MyDearest's crowdfunding campaign ends on Tuesday
― Sekai Project's Kickstarter campaign for MyDearest's Tokyo Chronos VR visual novel project reached its US$75,000 funding goal last Friday. The campaign launched on July 10 and ends on Tuesday. As of press time, the campaign has raised US$88,193 from 936 backers. The funding goal of US$75,000 will cover the costs of development, as wel...
Boarding School Juliet TV Anime Casts Hiro Shimono
School romantic comedy 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 a new cast member on Monday: Hiro Shimono as Eigo Kohitsuji, a first-year student and a member of the notorious Maru (3-Baka) in the "Black Doggy House" dormitory The story follows two students from...
'As Miss Beelzebub Likes' Anime's New Video Reveals Satoshi Hino as Azazel
Hino joins Rikuya Yasuda, Saori Ōnishi, Misaki Kuno in October TV show
― The official website for the television anime of matoba's As Miss Beelzebub Likes (Beelzebub-jō no Okinimesu Mama. or As Miss Beelzebub Likes It) manga began streaming another new character mini-promotional video for the anime on Monday. The video highlights the intense yet reliable, brotherly figure Azazel, and reveals that Sat...
Vinland Saga Anime Unveils Main Staff, Visual
Inuyashiki's Shuhei Yabuta directs at Wit Studio with Banana Fish/Saga of Tanya the Evil writers
― The official website for the television anime of Makoto Yukimura's Vinland Saga manga unveiled the anime's main staff and first visual on Monday. Shuhei Yabuta (Inuyashiki Last Hero director, Attack on Titan 3D director) is directing the anime at Wit Studio (Attack on Titan, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortres...
Kinoshita Acquires Fukushima Gainax, Moves Studio to Tokyo Under New Name
Separate new company takes over Fukushima museum, Fukushima events
― Animation studio Fukushima Gainax and Kinoshita Group Holdings announced on Monday that Kinoshita Group Holdings acquired 100% of Fukushima Gainax's stock on July 26 — thus making Fukushima Gainax a wholly owned subsidiary under Kinoshita Group Holdings. Fukushima Gainax changed its name to Gaina on August 9, and relocated its headq...
Han-Gyaku-Sei Million Arthur Anime Announces Theme Song Artists
Ayaka Ohashi sings opening, voice cast sings ending for October anime
― The official website for the television anime of Square Enix's Operation Han-Gyaku-Sei Million Arthur (Han-Gyaku-Sei Million Arthur) massively multi-player online role-playing game revealed the theme song artists for the anime on Sunday. Ayaka Ohashi will perform the opening theme song "Highlight." Himika Akaneya, Rie Takahashi, ...
X Japan to Perform 1st Large-Scale Concert in 8 Years
3-day concert run in Chiba, September 28-30
― YOSHIKI, leader of rock band X Japan, revealed during a Nico Nico live stream on Sunday that the band will hold a three-day concert run in Chiba's Makuhari Messe venue from September 28 to 30. The concert will be the band's first large-scale concert since the 2010 concert at Nissan Stadium in 2010, which drew an audience of 130,000, although the group has...
Power Rangers Beast Morphers Show Unveils Cast, Teaser
Rorrie D. Travis, Jacqueline Scislowski, Jasmeet Baduwalia star in new show
― The Power Morphicon convention revealed the cast of Power Rangers Beast Morphers, the upcoming 26th season of Power Rangers, on Saturday. The cast includes Rorrie D. Travis as the Red Beast Morpher, Jacqueline Scislowski as the Yellow Beast Morpher, and Jasmeet Baduwalia as the Blue Beast Morpher. The panel also showed a te...
Haruto Ikezawa's Noah's Notes Manga Ends
Manga launched in Weekly Shonen Jump on March 12
― This year's 38th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine published the last chapter of Haruto Ikezawa's Noah's Notes manga on Monday. Shueisha will publish the second volume on September 4 and the third volume in October. Viz Media published the first three chapters of the manga in English in March and April as part of its "Jump Start" initia...
As Miss Beelzebub Likes Anime's Video Reveals Misaki Kuno as Belphegol
Kuno joins Rikuya Yasuda, Saori Ōnishi in October anime
― The official website for the television anime of matoba's As Miss Beelzebub Likes (Beelzebub-jō no Okinimesu Mama.) manga began streaming a new mini-promotional video for the anime on Monday. The video highlights the character Belphegol, and reveals that Misaki Kuno (Dragon Pilot: Hisone and Masotan's Hisone Amakasu) voices the character. (Not...
Sunday, August 19
'We Never Learn' Manga to Have Important Announcement Next Week
This year's 38th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed on Monday that Taishi Tsutsui's We Never Learn (Boku-tachi wa Benkyō ga Dekinai) manga will have an important announcement in the magazine's next issue on August 27. GMO Internet, Inc. registered the domain name "boku-ben.com" on August 10. In addition, the "@bokuben_anime" Twitter account was recently opened this month. The...
Pokémon GO Adds Special Research for Celebi
Special Research tasks available beginning on August 20
― Niantic announced on Thursday that it will add Special Research tasks for Celebi for its Pokémon GO smartphone game on August 20 worldwide. Finishing the tasks allow the player to acquire the Celebi. The Special Research for Celebi will be available for anyone who has finished the third group of tasks for the Special Research for Mew. Celebi w...
Pokémon 1st Edition Booster Box Sells for $56,000
The hope of holographic Charizard lives on in the hands of one big spender. Someone just closed out an auction for a first edition, unopened box of Pokemon Trading Card game booster packs to the tune of US$56,000. Huggins & Scott Auctions handled the auction, first pricing the box at US$20,000. A previous auction for an unopened booster box has sold for US$54,200 while individual cards from the pa...
The Mike Toole Show - Canada's Anime Legacy
Mike embarks on a voyage to the Great White North to discover Canada's history of English anime dubs both great and terrible!
― One of the best things about anime being a fairly hot ticket in global entertainment is the multitude of ways it just suddenly shows up, be it in theaters, on TV, or online. Once upon a time, you could keep track of pretty much everything that was being aired and screened in...
GKIDS Streams New Clip From 'Night is Short, Walk On Girl' Anime Film
Film screens with English subtitles in U.S. on August 21-22
― GKIDS began streaming a clip from The Night is Short, Walk On Girl anime film on Wednesday. GKIDS and Fathom Events will screen the film with English subtitles on August 21 and 22. GKIDS will also host a limited theatrical release independent of Fathom Events starting on August 22. All screenings will be in Japanese with English subtitles....
Fate/Extella Spinoff Manga Goes on Hiatus
Fate/Ikustella manga spinoff launched on March 6
― The official page for Rōto Usagi's Fate/Ikustella manga in Kadokawa's Young Ace Up manga website announced on Wednesday that the manga will go on hiatus. The manga did not announce a date for its return. The manga is a spinoff based on Marvelous and Type-Moon's Fate/EXTELLA: The Umbral Star game, and is set in a parallel world where the Masters are b...
Magazine Manga Contest Participants Get 'Jump SQ. Master Bible' by Popular Creators
Participants in Jump SQ.'s monthly Jump SQ. RISE Shinjin Manga Shō (Jump SQ. RISE Newcomer Manga Prize) contest will receive the "Jump SQ. Master Bible." The magazine's manga creators are contributing to the guide. The booklet will feature a prologue, five regular chapters, and an epilogue with manga-writing advice from 14 manga creators. In the prologue, Prince of Tennis manga creator Takeshi Kon...
My Hero Academia ‒ Episode 57
"The stakes are still low, but this new round is a massive step-up as a playground for character writing. Between the humor, action, and theming, the show offers a lot more to chew on at once."
Grand Blue Dreaming ‒ Episode 6
"Even just six episodes into its twelve-week run, Grand Blue Dreaming has fallen into the familiar groove that most silly hangout comedies will eventually hit."
Takuya Eguchi Voices Ikemen Character for Smart Speaker Personal Trainer App
Stoic Gym is offering a new in-home ikemen personal trainer targeted at women. The PhysiKare smart speaker app will debut on August 30. The app's name is a portmanteau of the English word "physical" and the Japanese word for "boyfriend." The app is compatible with smart speakers that use Google Assistant, such as the Google Home. Smartphones with the Google Assistant app can also use the new train...
Happy Sugar Life ‒ Episode 6
"Shoko works up the courage to do what a true friend should, but is that going to wind up getting her killed?"
Producer: Ghibli's Isao Takahata Would Have Made Modest Heroes Anime Short
Yoshiaki Nishimura: There was a plan before Takahata passed away this year
― Former Ghibli producer Yoshiaki Nishimura reported on Sunday that there was a plan for the late Ghibli director Isao Takahata to direct a short in the new Modest Heroes anime anthology film. Nishimura, director Hiromasa Yonebayashi (When Marnie Was There), and other Ghibli veterans spoke at the premiere of Studio Ponoc's ant...
Live-Action Wakako-zake Show About Sake-Loving Woman Gets 4th Season
Chie Shinkyū's original manga also inspired 2015 TV anime
― The wraparound jacket band on Chie Shinkyū's 11th Wakako-zake manga volume announced on Monday that the manga is inspiring a fourth live-action television season. Wakako-zake Season 4 series will premiere next year with Rina Takeda reprising her role as Wakako. The cuisine manga follows 26-year old Wakako, who drinks different kinds of alcoh...
Chio's School Road ‒ Episode 7
"Chio's School Road is still struggling to recapture the hilarity of its early episodes, but at least the series appears to be trying some new things."
Harukana Receive ‒ Episode 7
"As usual, this is an episode about character building more than about building up beach volleyball skills."
Gintama Manga Ends in 5 Chapters
Hideaki Sorachi's long-running action-comedy began in 2004, inspired anime, films
― This year's 38th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump revealed on Monday that Hideaki Sorachi's Gintama manga will end in five more chapters. If there are no delays, the manga will end on September 15. Sorachi began the manga in 2004 and it continues to be ranked among the top-selling manga in Japan. The manga has m...
Angels of Death ‒ Episode 7
"What this episode lacks in banter, it makes up for with a hallucinogenic trip into Rachel's psyche."
Defeating the Demon Lord's a Cinch (If You've Got a Ringer) Novel 1
We get stories about hapless teens getting spirited away to another world all the time, but what do the native citizens of those fantasy kingdoms think of these interlopers? This quirky light novel series offers their perspective.
― Oh look, another novel about a regular Japanese teenager summoned to a game-like fantasy world as a hero in order to defeat one of those apparently ubiquitous demon lords...
Ghostlight to Begin Porting Japanese Games to the Switch
Developer already working on Japanese RPG title as first game for Switch
― United Kingdom publisher Ghostlight announced on Thursday that it has begun work on porting a Japanese RPG to the Nintendo Switch as its first project as an official developer for the Nintendo Switch. The company will begin working to bring Japanese games to the Switch. Recently, Ghostlight has been known for its ports of Japa...
Live-Action Kakegurui Series Season 2 Casts Sayuri Matsumura as Yumemi
2nd live-action season, film debut in spring 2019
― The official Twitter account for the live-action Kakegurui series announced on Friday that Nogizaka46 idol group member Sayuri Matsumura will play the character Yumemi Yumemite in the show's second season. The second season will premiere on MBS and TBS' Dramaism time slot in spring 2019. The franchise is also getting a second live-action that film w...
Mr. Osomatsu Anime Gets New Film Next Spring
Main staff, cast return for high school reunion story
― A new film in the Mr. Osomatsu franchise, Osomatsu-san The Movie (Eiga Osomatsu-san), will open throughout Japan next spring. The film's website teases a new story about the sextuplets going to a high school class reunion. The returning staff members include director Yoichi Fujita, scriptwriter Shū Matsubara, character designer Naoyuki Asano, an...
Mob Psycho 100 Sequel Stage Play Reveals New Visual
Marina Inoue to play Tome Kurata in video appearance
― The official website for the sequel stage play adaptation of ONE's Mob Psycho 100 manga revealed a new visual on Friday. The website also announced that Marina Inoue would reprise her role as the character Tome Kurata in a video appearance. Marvelous recently opened an English-language ticketing website for the play. The cast also includes: Setsu...
Madoka Magica's Magia Record Stage Play Presents Character Visuals
Keyakizaka46 members star in play debuting in Tokyo on August 24
― The official website for the stage play adaptation of the Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Gaiden smartphone role-playing game revealed the individual character visuals for the cast on Friday. Mirei Sasaki as Yachiyo Nanami Suzuka Tomita as Tsuruno Yui Sarina Ushio as Sana Futaba Miho Watanabe as Felicia Mitsuki Hina Kawata as ...
Fafner The Beyond Anime's Teaser Reveals angela's Return, 12-Episode Theatrical Run
Anime to first play in Japanese theaters starting in 2019
― The "Sōkyū no Fafner THE BEYOND Special Event ~Shinjitsu~" debuted a teaser trailer for the brand-new Sōkyū no Fafner THE BEYOND anime on Saturday. The teaser reveals that the anime will be 12 episodes long, and will first play in theaters starting next year. The event also confirmed that the group angela is returning to perform the theme so...
Saturday, August 18
Augmented-Reality Ikemen Dance Vocal Group ARP Gets Anime
Avex AR quartet produced by LovePlus/Tokimemo Girl's Side's Akari Uchida
― The ARP Artist Convention announced at Tokyo's Belle Salle Takadanobaba venue on Saturday that an anime adaptation of the augmented-reality "ikemen dance vocal group" ARP has been green-lit. ARP (nominally an abbreviation for Artists Republic Production) is a dance vocal group which holds live performances — featuring singing,...
Drive Head Anime Film Reveals Actor Kentarō's Role as Tera
Kentarō, Maaya Uchida both voice same character in August 24 film
― The official website for Eiga Drive Head: Tomika Hyper Rescue Kidō Kyūkyū Keisatsu (Drive Head the Movie: Tomika Hyper Rescue Mobile Emergency Police), the upcoming film in the Tomica Hyper Rescue Drive Head Kidō Kyūkyū Keisatsu (Tomica Hyper Rescue Drive Head Mobile Emergency Police) anime franchise, revealed on Friday that actor Ke...
Live-Action Real Girl Film's Stills Show Ayami Nakajō, Yuri Tsunematsu
Film opens on September 14 in Japan
― The staff of the live-action film adaptation of Mao Nanami's Real Girl (3D Kanojo) manga revealed a new still for the film on Thursday. The image show Ayami Nakajō and Yuri Tsunematsu as their respective characters Iroha and Arisa, respectively. The staff also revealed a behind-the-scenes image. The film will open in Japan on September 14. Tsutomu Hanabusa is dir...
Tiger & Bunny's Katsura, Sakakibara Design Fictional Manga for Live-Action Show
Tiger & Bunny anime character designer Masakazu Katsura and Tiger & Bunny manga artist Mizuki Sakakibara are creating a fictitious manga for the Plastic Smile live-action television series. Katsura is providing the character designs, and Sakakibara is drawing the in-story Liaison Diavlo manga. Plastic Smile is set in Shizuoka, and it is the first regional live-action series that NHK's Shizuoka bra...
Shout! Factory Lists Fireworks Home Video Release for November
GKIDS screened film in U.S. in July
― Shout! Factory is listing Blu-ray/DVD combo pack and DVD releases for the Fireworks (Fireworks, Should We See it from the Side or the Bottom?) anime film. The film will ship in the United States and Canada on November 20. Like Napping Princess, the release is listed under Shout! Factory's GKIDS collection. The Fireworks anime film adapts director Shunji Iwai's 19...
Castle in the Sky, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time Anime Art Director Offers Art Book, Signed Prints
Art director Nizo Yamamoto has lent his talents to many anime such as Castle in the Sky, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and Magnetic Rose. The upcoming Yamamoto Nizo Hyakkei (100 Views of Nizo Yamamoto) are collection will offer an overview of his background art and other contributions to anime when it ships this fall. The book highlights background art for films Yamamoto served as art director ...
Chikara Sakuma's Megalobox Manga Ends
Manga adaptation of April anime series launched in February
― The September issue of Kodansha's Shonen Magazine Edge magazine published the last chapter of Chikara Sakuma's Megalobox - Shukumei no Sōken (Megalobox - The Twin Fists of Fate) manga on Friday. The manga is based on Megalobox, the spinoff television anime based on Ikki Kajiwara (pen name Asao Takamori) and Tetsuya Chiba's Ashita no Joe ma...
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's program introd...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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