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ANNCast - Bursting the Bubble with Lance Heiskell
Industry veteran and former Funimation Director of Marketing Lance Heiskell takes a magical and occasionally terrifying journey through his storied career during the American anime DVD bubble of the mid-2000s. Strap in!
― ANNCast 349 - Bursting the Bubble with Lance Heiskell Industry veteran and former Funimation Director of Marketing Lance Heiskell takes a magical and occasionally terrifying journe...
Eighty-Six
This wartime fantasy light novel explores issues of racial prejudice and government conspiracy in surprisingly engrossing ways. Theron Martin has the details.
― This novel is probably going to be most commonly classified as a military science fiction story, but it should be considered at least as much a horror story. While a few true horror elements do creep into the picture in the middle, when a phe...
Space Battleship Yamato: The Classic Collection GN
Leiji Matsumoto's classic manga that eventually reached the English-speaking world as "Star Blazers" is now available in this hardcover collector's edition. Rebecca Silverman has the details.
― Three years before Captain Harlock set sail, manga master Leiji Matsumoto chronicled the adventures of a different space-faring band, the crew of the Yamato. Drawing from Japan's military history, the story is...
Japan's Animation TV Ranking, April 8-14
Natsuzora earns 23.1% rating, The Wind Rises earns 10.1% rating
― The latest episode of the Natsuzora live-action series about the early Japanese animation industry aired on NHK on Wednesday, April 10 at 8:00 a.m. and earned a 23.1% rating. Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli's The Wind Rises anime film aired on NTV on Friday, April 12 at 9:00 p.m. and earned a 10.1% rating. Additionally, the Eiga Crayo...
Right Stuf's License for Cat's Eye Anime Expires
Company released series in 2 season DVD sets in 2014
― Anime retailer and distributor Right Stuf announced on Tuesday that its license to the Cat's Eye anime has expired. The anime's home video release is going out of print, and Right Stuf is offering the anime at 60% off, although the complete collection set featuring both seasons is no longer available. The Cat's Eye television anime series is base...
Tooru Nara Joins Mix Anime as Takumi Nishimura
Character is son of Isami Nishimura
― The Twitter account for the television anime adaptation of Mitsuru Adachi's Mix baseball manga revealed on Saturday that Tooru Nara will play the character Takumi Nishimura, who is the son of Isami Nishimura. The character will debut in the fourth episode next Saturday. Funimation and Crunchyroll are both streaming the anime as it airs with subtitles. Funimation ...
Crunchyroll Streams English-Subtitled Trailer for Saga of Tanya the Evil Anime Film
Crunchyroll streams film on May 16 in more than 500 theaters
― Crunchyroll began streaming an English-subtitled trailer on Friday for its screening of the Saga of Tanya the Evil (Yōjo Senki) anime film. Crunchyroll will screen the film in more than 500 theaters in the United States on May 16 at 7:30 p.m. local time. The English-subtitled screening through Fathom Events will be part of Crunchyroll's C...
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 Game Adds Super Saiyan God Vegeta as DLC
Character joins game in June
― The June issue of Shueisha's V Jump magazine revealed on Saturday that Super Saiyan God Vegeta will join Bandai Namco Entertainment's Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 game as a DLC character in June. Bandai Namco Entertainment released Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC in North America and Europe in October 2016, and for the PS4 in Japan in November 2016. The com...
Goku From Dragon Ball GT Joins Dragon Ball Fighterz Game as DLC in May
― The June issue of Shueisha's V-Jump magazine revealed on Saturday that the character Goku from the Dragon Ball GT anime will join Bandai Namco Entertainment's Dragon Ball FighterZ game as a DLC character in May. The new character is part of the game's new "FighterZ Pass 2" season. As with the previous FighterZ Pass, players can purchase the characters individually, or purchase FighterZ Pass 2 for ...
J-Novel Club Licenses Faraway Paladin, Unwanted Undead Adventurer, Sweet Reincarnation, Marginal Operation, Discommunication Manga
4 manga of light novels, Mysterious Girlfriend X creator's early manga offered digitally
― J-Novel Club announced on Friday that it has licensed the following five manga: Mutsumi Okuhashi and Kanata Yanagino's The Faraway Paladin (Saihate no Paladin), Haiji Nakasone and Yū Okano's The Unwanted Undead Adventurer (Nozomanu Fushi no Bōkensha), Nozomu Koryū and Seriko Iida's Sweet Reincarnation (Okashi n...
Konami Reveals Lineup, May 16 Release for Castlevania Anniversary Collection Game
Collection launches on PS4 with 8 classic games
― The official U.S. PlayStation Blog announced on Thursday that Konami's Castlevania Anniversary Collection game collection will launch on the PlayStation 4 digitally on May 16. Konami additionally revealed the full lineup that will be included in the collection: Castlevania Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge Super Castle...
MangaGamer to Release Ciconia When They Cry Game
Latest in Ryukishi07, 07th Expansion's When They Cry series launches in Japan this summer
― Ryukishi07 and MangaGamer announced at Sakura Con on Friday that MangaGamer has licensed 07th Expansion's Ciconia When They Cry (Ciconia no Naku koro ni) visual novel. MangaGamer describes the game's story: In Ciconia When They Cry, World War 3 has come and gone, with nuclear winter only narrowly avoided by ne...
Sunrise Announces New Anime Project in Gundam Build Franchise
Latest entry, Gundam Build Divers, premiered in April 2018
― Sunrise announced at its panel at Sakura-Con on Friday that a new anime project in the Gundam Build franchise after Gundam Build Divers is already in the works. The latest anime in the Gundam Build franchise, Gundam Build Divers, premiered in April 2018, and Crunchyroll and Gundam.info both streamed the series. Funimation then added the ani...
Discotek Licenses Entire City Hunter Anime Franchise Including City Hunter: Shinjuku Private Eyes Film (Updated)
New film opened in Japan on February 8
― Sunrise announced at its panel at Sakura-Con on Friday that Discotek Media has licensed the original City Hunter anime projects as well as the recent City Hunter: Shinjuku Private Eyes anime film. ANN confirmed with Discotek Media that the company has the license to the following installments in the franchise: City Hunter TV series (51 episodes) City Hunter 2 ...
Another Racehorse That Inspired Uma Musume Pretty Derby Character Passes Away
The horse girls of Uma Musume Pretty Derby are said to possess the spirits of (and share names with) famed racehorses. Unfortunately, many of those racehorses are advanced in age or have suffered injuries leading to their deaths. Since the anime's premiere last year, Special Week, King Halo, and Vodka have past. This week, another horse was laid to rest. The three-time Japanese champion horse Hish...
Rita Ora Dances in Rime City in Detective Pikachu Music Video
Singer and actress Rita Ora (Fifty Shades Freed) is not only appearing in the live-action film adaptation of Detective Pikachu but she's also performing the film's theme "Carry On." The music video for the theme song dropped on Thursday and shows Ora in the Rime City Police offices interspersed with scenes of Tim and Pikachu from the film. Other Pokemon heavyhitters also make appearances in the mu...
Aniplex USA Releases Monogatari Series Second Season Anime on Blu-ray in June
Aniplex of America announced on Friday that it will release the Monogatari Series Second Season anime on Blu-ray Disc for the first time on June 25. The release will include all 28 English-subtitled episodes that include the Nekomonogatari (White), Hanamonogatari, Onimonogatari, Kabukimonogatari, Otorimonogatari, and Koimonogatari anime. The box set will retail for US$269.98. Aniplex of America al...
The Helpful Fox Senko-san Gets Its Own Cup Udon Campaign
The helpful fox girl Senko-san is being rewarded with her own instant udon cups to celebrate the premiere of The Helpful Fox Senko-san television anime. The staff are holding a Twitter contest and will give away Maruchan Red Kitsune Udon (Azuma) cups and Senko-san chopsticks to lucky participants. In order to win, participants must follow the official Senko-san Twitter account, agree to the terms ...
Yen Press Adds Fruits Basket: The Three Musketeers Arc Manga Simulpub
1st chapter debuts in English on Tuesday
― Yen Press announced on Friday that it will release Natsuki Takaya's Fruits Basket: The Three Musketeers Arc manga as a digital simulpub. The first chapter will debut on April 23. The first chapter shipped in the magazine's combined 10th and 11th issues on Saturday, the second chapter will ship in the 13th issue on June 5, and the third chapter will ship in t...
Aniplex USA Releases Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story Game This Summer
English-subtitled videos preview release in N. America
― Aniplex of America announced at its industry panel at Sakura-Con on Friday that it will release f4samurai's Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story (Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Gaiden) smartphone role-playing game in English in the United States and Canada this summer. The company also opened an English website for the ga...
Black Clover ‒ Episode 79
"You know the tournament has truly begun when a fight takes more than a single episode."
ANNCast - Bursting the Bubble with Lance Heiskell
Industry veteran and former Funimation Director of Marketing Lance Heiskell takes a magical and occasionally terrifying journey through his storied career during the American anime DVD bubble of the mid-2000s. Strap in!
― ANNCast 349 - Bursting the Bubble with Lance Heiskell Industry veteran and former Funimation Director of Marketing Lance Heiskell takes a magical and occasionally terrifying journe...
Crunchyroll Adds Mobile Suit Gundam the Origin: Advent of the Red Comet TV Recompilation Anime
13-episode series launches on April 28
― Crunchyroll announced on Friday that it will simulcast Mobile Suit Gundam the Origin: Advent of the Red Comet (Kidō Senshi Gundam: The Origin Zenya - Akai Suisei), the 13-episode television series recompilation of the Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin anime. The series will launch on April 28. Crunchyroll describes the story: The tragic story of Char Aznable, the...
Series Premiere: Wise Man's Grandchild—Episodes 1-2
"I'm concerned that what feels like isekai comfort food right now could just become dull and trope-laden down the line."
One Piece: World Seeker Game's Video Previews 1st DLC
Zoro DLC debuts in early summer
― Bandai Namco Entertainment revealed the first DLC episode for the One Piece: World Seeker game on Saturday. The episode, "The Void Mirror Prototype," features Zoro as he investigates a mysterious robotics factory. The episode will be available digitally for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam for US$9.99 or as part of the Season Pass in early summer. Bandai Nam...
Manga Artist Daisuke Igarashi Shares Inspirations Behind Children of the Sea
Children of the Sea manga artist Daisuke Igarashi attended a talk show at Ueno's National Museum of Nature and Science on Wednesday along with film adaptation director Ayumu Watanabe and marine mammal researcher Yū Tajima. At the talk, Igarashi shared some of his inspirations behind drawing Children of the Sea. Igarashi said that he initially came up with the title for Children of the Sea because ...
Sega Reveals 10 More Games for 'Sega Genesis Mini' Console
Games include Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Contra: Hard Corps, Streets of Rage 2
― Sega revealed 10 more games for its Sega Genesis Mini console on Thursday. The newly announced games for the United States version of the console are: Earthworm Jim Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck Contra: Hard Corps Streets of Rage 2 Thunder...
Series Premiere: The Helpful Fox Senko-san—Episodes 1-2
"This iyashikei series has the potential to be the spring season's gentle balm for a harsh world, combating the scourge of overwork with a soft mantra of self-care."
Manga Answerman - Does Manga Need An Anime Adaptation To Hit In The West?
Is there any truth to the perception that a manga series "needs" an anime adaptation in order to seriously catch on in the west? Deb digs in deep.
― A friend of mine and I had an argument about this and I was hoping you had an opinion on it. Do you think it's true that outside of a few cases, most manga needs an anime adaptation in order to really catch on in the west? Hm. Let me preface my thoughts...
Yu-Gi-Oh! Animation Director Confirms 'Joey Chin' is Inspired By Wrestler Antonio Inoki
There are times in the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime when Joey Wheeler sports an unusually pointy chin and a "creepy" smile. This became a meme that even inspired anime fans around the world to Photoshop pointy chins onto other anime characters. One anime fan has recently claimed to receive confirmation from Yu-Gi-Oh! animator and animation director Takahiro Kagami that Joey's chin is inspired by former Japanes...
The Rising of The Shield Hero ‒ Episode 15
"Despite some underlying problems, the show's execution was handled well enough to make for an engaging episode, but the underlying story definitely has some room for improvement."
Series Premiere: YU-NO—Episodes 1-3
"Maybe like so many of its visual-novel brethren, YU-NO will take off later in its run after everything is finally set up, but a show like this shouldn't make me wish I could time-travel past all that to get to the good stuff."
Eighty-Six
This wartime fantasy light novel explores issues of racial prejudice and government conspiracy in surprisingly engrossing ways. Theron Martin has the details.
― This novel is probably going to be most commonly classified as a military science fiction story, but it should be considered at least as much a horror story. While a few true horror elements do creep into the picture in the middle, when a phe...
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Anime to Have 26 Episodes
― The official Twitter account for the television anime of Koyoharu Gotouge's Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga revealed on Friday that the series will air for two cours (quarters of a year) and have 26 episodes. The series premiered on April 6, and Aniplex of America has licensed the anime. The show is streaming on Hulu, Crunchyroll, and FunimationNow. Aniplex of America describes the story: It ...
Sentai Filmworks Announces Dubs for Cutie Honey Universe, Mysteria Friends
Mysteria Friends dub debuts on Sunday
― Sentai Filmworks announced at its panel at Anime Boston on Friday that the Cutie Honey Universe and Mysteria Friends anime are receiving English dubs. Jessica Calvello is reprising her role as Cutie Honey in Cutie Honey Universe, most recent anime project based on Go Nagai's Cutie Honey manga. David Wald is directing the dub. An uncensored, limited-edition rele...
Samurai Shodown Game Previews New Character Darli Dagger in Character Trailer
Fighting game launches for PS4, Xbox One in the West in June
― SNK began streaming a character video on Thursday for the new character Darli Dagger for its new Samurai Shodown (Samurai Spirits) game. The game will launch for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in Japan on June 27, and in the West in June. The Nintendo Switch and PC versions will follow in winter 2019. The arcade version of the game will debut...
Tokunana TV Anime Casts Yuko Kaida, Ari Ozawa
Original anime premieres this fall
― The official website for the original television anime Keishichō Tokumu-bu Tokushu Kyōaku-han Taisaku-Shitsu Dai-Nana-ka -Tokunana- (Special Crime Investigation Unit Special 7 or literally, Metropolitan Police Department Special Division Heinous Crime Investigation Unit Special 7: Tokunana) revealed two more cast members on Friday. Yuko Kaida as Akane "Samurai" Sh...
CHiCO with HoneyWorks, Momo Asakura Perform Theme Songs for O Maidens in Your Savage Season Anime
Series premieres in July
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Mari Okada and Nao Emoto's O Maidens in Your Savage Season (Araburu Kisetsu no Otome-domo yo) manga revealed on Friday that CHiCO with HoneyWorks will perform the show's opening theme song, and Momo Asakura will perform the ending theme song. The anime will premiere in July. The show stars: Tomoyo Kurosawa as Hitoh...
2nd Girls und Panzer das Finale Film's New Trailer Streamed
Film depicting conclusion of battle between Ooarai, BC Freedom opens on June 15
― Bandai Namco Arts began streaming a new trailer on Friday for the second film in the six-part Girls und Panzer das Finale film series. The film will open in Japan on June 15. The film will depict the finale of the battle between Ooarai Girls Academy and BC Freedom High School, and will also show the battles for Kuromori...
'If It's for My Daughter, I'd Even Defeat a Demon Lord' Anime Reveals Promo Video, July Premiere, More Cast
New visual, opening theme song information also revealed
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of CHIROLU's If It's for My Daughter, I'd Even Defeat a Demon Lord (Uchi no Ko no Tame Naraba, Ore wa Moshikashitara Maō mo Taoseru Kamoshirenai.) light novel series began streaming the first promotional video for the anime on Friday. The site also revealed a new key visual, seven new c...
Shinnosuke Tachibana, Junya Enoki Join Cast of Kochoki: Wakaki Nobunaga Original Anime
Original anime by Studio DEEN premieres in July
― The official website for Studio DEEN's original television anime series Kochoki: Wakaki Nobunaga announced two more cast members on Friday: Shinnosuke Tachibana as Takugen Sōon Junya Enoki as Takigawa Kazumasu The anime will give a "bold interpretation" on historical figure Oda Nobunaga starting with his youth as an early teen. The series will follow ...
Crunchyroll, Funimation Stream English Dub of Mob Psycho 100 Reigen OVA
Crunchyroll, Funimation to both stream English dub for Mob Psycho 100 both seasons
― Funimation also announced on Twitter on Thursday that it has re-added the first season of Mob Psycho 100 with an English dub, and it has added the Mob Psycho 100 REIGEN: The Miraculous Unknown Psychic OVA with an English dub. Additionally, Funimation said it plans to stream the English dub of Mob Psycho 100 II starti...
Seven Seas Licenses Honokage's Cosmo Familia Manga
1st volume set for release in March 2020
― Seven Seas Entertainment announced on Thursday that it has licensed Hanokage's Cosmo Familia manga. The company plans to release the series digitally and in print. The company will release the first volume on March 24, 2020 for US$12.99. The company describes the manga: It's been six years since Amakawa Alice's family disappeared, and the cute but destructiv...
Virtua Racing Game Releases on Switch in Japan Through Sega Ages Project on April 25
― Sega announced on Friday that it will release the Virtua Racing game for the Nintendo Switch as part of its Sega Ages project on April 25. Sega is reviving its Sega Ages project for Nintendo Switch in Japan, North America, and Europe. The company has already released Sonic the Hedgehog, Thunder Force IV/Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar, Phantasy Star, Out Run, Gain Ground, Puyo Puyo, and A...
Young Black Jack Manga Ends in 16th Volume
Prequel to Osamu Tezuka's manga inspired anime in 2015
― The 15th volume of Yū-Go Ōkuma and Yoshiaki Tabata's Young Black Jack manga announced on Friday that hte manga will end in its 16th volume when it ships this summer. The manga went on hiatus in March 2017 so that the creators could prepare for the manga's next arc, and resumed in February 2018. Akita Shoten's Young Champion magazine teased in F...
Miru Tights Web Anime's Promo Video Reveals English-subtitled Streaming on YouTube
Series premieres on May 11
― The official website for the Miru Tights web anime began streaming a promotional video for the show on Friday. The video reveals that the anime will stream on YouTube worldwide outside of Japan with English and Chinese subtitles. The cast (from left to right in image below) stars Yōko Hikasa as Yua Nakabeni, who likes 30 denier tights (sheer); Haruka Tomatsu as Ren Aikawa...
Vic Mignogna Sues Funimation, Jamie Marchi, Monica Rial, Ronald Toye
Voice actor claims defamation, interference in business, civil conspiracy over sexual harassment investigation
― Voice actor Vic Mignogna filed a lawsuit against the anime distributor Funimation, voice actresses Jamie Marchi and Monica Rial, and Rial's fiancé Ronald Toye (whom the lawsuit alleges is "either a Funimation agent or employee") on Thursday in Tarrant County, Texas. Mignogna claims defamat...
Violet Evergarden Gets Side Story Anime in September Before January 10 Film
Haruka Fujita directs side-story anime, Taichi Ishidate directs film
― Kyoto Animation announced on Friday that Violet Evergarden the Movie, its film project for the Violet Evergarden anime, will open in Japan on January 10. The studio also revealed a new key visual and teaser trailer for the film. The above video also reveals that a new Violet Evergarden Gaiden: Eien to Jidō Shuki Ningyō (Violet Eve...
Lone Wolf & Cub Manga Creator Kazuo Koike Passes Away
82-year-old prolific storywriter passed away on Wednesday due to pneumonia
― The Twitter account for prolific manga creator Kazuo Koike announced on Friday that he passed away from pneumonia on Wednesday. He was 82. The Twitter post stated that he had already been hospitalized and was under medical care when he passed away. The post thanked everyone who loved Koike and his works throughout his life, ...
Seven Seas Licenses Dumbbell Nan Kilo Moteru? & My Father is a Unicorn Manga, SCP Foundation: Iris of the Mirror World Novel
All in print, with the latter two on digital platforms also
― Seven Seas Entertainment announced on Thursday that it has licensed Yabako Sandrovich and MAAM's body-building comedy manga Dumbbell Nan Kilo Moteru? (How much heavy dumbbells can you lift?), Monaka Suzuki's comedy manga My Father is a Unicorn (Unicorn Otōsan), and Akira and Sidu's paranormal light novel series SCP Foundation: Iris of the ...
Statue Sites Picked for One Piece Charity Statues in Kumamoto
Last year, Kumamoto native and One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda gifted the earthquake stricken Kumamoto prefecture 800 million yen (US$8 million). Kumamoto governor Ikuo Kabashima announced in June that the government will commemorate Eiichiro Oda's outreach by placing bronze statues of the Straw Hat Pirates throughout in sightseeing locations. Some of the funding Oda donated went towards creating t...
My Hero Academia, Bang Dream Promote Shrine's Kanda Festival
The Kanda Myōjin Shrine is an otaku hot spot. The Akihabara-area shrine was recently designated as a pilgrimage site due to its relationship to Steins;Gate and the staff have incorporated anime characters into its promotional materials and merchandise. Both Sword Art Online and Love Live have appeared on artwork to promote the annual Kanda Festival. This year the kids of UA and the rockers of Bang...
North American Anime, Manga Releases, April 14-20
Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Please Teacher! anime; A Midsummer Night's Dream, Go With the Clouds North by Northwest manga ship
― Anime Releases Title Publisher Suggested Retail Price Date The Ancient Magus' Bride Part 2 BD/DVDPlease Funimation Entertainment US$64.98 April 16 Dragon Ball Super: Broly BD/DVDCite Funimation Entertainment US$34.98 April 16 Dragon Ball Super: Broly DVDAnimeNewsNetwork Funim...
Live-Action Natsuzora Show's Anime Opening by Animator Hitomi Kariya, Ghibli Alumni Streamed
The Natsuzora live-action series' animated opening sequence by studio Ghibli alumni Hitomi Tateno and 23-year-old animator Hitomi Kariya began streaming on Tuesday. The 90-second opening includes 2,100 animation frames (sakuga) and depicts the heroine Natsu-san embarking on a "small adventure" with animals. The opening features the song "Yasashii Anoko" (Gentle Girl) by four-person rock band Spitz...
DeNA Releases Attack on Titan TACTICS Smartphone Game in English (Update)
DeNA launched tactical tower defense game in Japan on Thursday
― Crunchyroll announced on Thursday that DeNA will release KAYAC's Attack on Titan TACTICS tactical role-playing smartphone game for iOS and Android devices in English this summer. Pre-registration is available in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Crunchyroll Games is partnering with DeNA to market the game in the three countries....
Otaku Thrifts: California CraigsList Ad Lists 20ft Tall Zaku Gundam
I hope you have high ceilings because you're going to need them to get this Gundam mecha in the house. A Craigslist ad in Santa Ana, California is offering a 20-foot tall fiberglass Zaku statue for US$6,000. The listing went up approximately a week ago. According to the ad, the statue used to be displayed Bandai Namco's offices. BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America has a headquarters in Santa Clara,...
This Week in Anime - What's So Great About Fruits Basket?
Almost 20 years after it was first adapted to anime, this shojo classic got a fresh start with a reboot that's set to recount the entire story. Nick and Micchy share their own perspectives as a newbie and a prior fan respectively.
― Almost 20 years after it was first adapted to anime, the shojo classic Fruits Basket gets a fresh start with a reboot that's set to recount the entire story. This week, ...
Crunchyroll Adds Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 2 Anime (Update)
Toonami also debuts series on May 25
― Crunchyroll announced on Thursday that it will stream the second part of the Attack on Titan Season 3 television anime as part of its spring streaming lineup. The series will be available in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Central America, South America, the Caribbean; and in the Nordics and the Nethe...
Jump Force Game Reveals Full DLC Character Lineup
Hunter x Hunter, Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, One Piece, Bleach, My Hero Academia characters join game
― Bandai Namco Entertainment America announced the full DLC character lineup for the Jump Force crossover fighting game on Thursday. The newly announced characters are Hunter x Hunter's Biscuit Krueger, Dragon Ball Z's Majin Buu, Naruto's Madara Uchiha, One Piece's Trafalgar D. Water Law, Bleach's Hitsuga...
Tencent Gets Approval to Sell Nintendo Switch in China
Government approved release of Switch with trial version of New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe game
― The Reuters news agency and The Wallstreet Journal newspaper reported on Thursday that China's Tencent conglomerate has earned key approval to begin selling the Nintendo Switch console in China. The Chinese province of Guangdong, where Tencent is registered, gave approval to the company on Thursday to re...
Tubi TV Streams One-Punch Man Anime, 3 Naruto Films in Canada
Site to also simulcast One-Punch Man season 2 in Canada
― Viz Media announced on Tuesday that it has entered a content deal with the Tubi TV streaming service. As part of the deal, Tubi TV is now streaming the Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow, Naruto the Movie: Legend of the Stone of Gelel, and Naruto the Movie: Guardians of the Crescent Moon Kingdom anime films. Tubi TV is also stre...
Cop Craft Anime Casts Fumiko Orikasa, Kenji Hamada, Ryousuke Takahashi
Mai Nakahara, Marina Inoue, Satoshi Tsuruoka also cast in summer series
― The official website for Cop Craft, the television anime of Shoji Gatoh's Cop Craft Dragnet Mirage Reloaded light novel series, revealed additional cast members and character visuals on Thursday. The newly announced cast members are: Fumiko Orikasa as Cecil Epps Kenji Hamada as Jack Roth Ryousuke Takahashi as Tony Mcbee Mai Nak...
Hakata Mentai! Pirikarako-chan TV Anime Shorts Previewed in Video
Anime based on Fukuoka's Hakata ward premieres in July
― The official website for Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting's Hakata Mentai! Pirikarako-chan anime shorts began streaming a short video for the show on Thursday. The anime will debut on Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting in July. The anime is inspired by the products of Fukuoka city's historic Hakata ward. The anime will center on a walleye pollock roe (mentaiko...
Funimation Reveals Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection Anime Film's English Dub Cast
Film screens in U.S., Canada in May
― Funimation Films is currently listing the English dub cast for the Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection (Code Geass: Fukkatsu no Lelouch) sequel anime film: Johnny Yong Bosch as Lelouch vi Britannia Kate Higgins as C.C. Yuri Lowenthal as Suzaku Kururugi Christopher R. Sabat as Bitool Elizabeth Maxwell as Shamna Gabe Kunda as Qujappat Jared GIlmore as Shalio K...
Death End Re;quest Game Launches for Steam on May 16
― Idea Factory International announced on Tuesday that Compile Heart's Death end re;Quest game will launch for PC via Steam on May 16. The release will include all of the original content from the Japanese version of the game, as well as English, Japanese, and traditional Chinese subtitles. The Steam release will allow players to obtain the free and paid DLC from the PlayStation 4 version, except fo...
Dragon Star Varnir Game's Battle System Trailer Reveals June Release in N. America, Europe
Game launches on PS4 in N. America on June 11, in Europe on June 14
― Idea Factory International began streaming a battle system trailer on Wednesday for Compile Heart's Dragon Star Varnir (Ryūsei no Varnir) PlayStation 4 game. The video reveals the game's North American release on June 11. The company will release the game in Europe on June 14. Idea Factory International previously noted that it has...
XFlag, Tatsunoko's Pandora to Akubi Crossover Anime Film's 1st 6 Minutes Streamed
Film opened in Japan on April 5
― XFLAG began streaming the first six minutes of it and Tatsunoko Production's new anime crossover film Pandora to Akubi (Pandora and Yawn) on Thursday. The film opened at the EJ Anime Theater Shinjuku in Tokyo on April 5, and then opened in four other theaters in Japan on April 12. The film stars Yui Ogura as Pandora and Sally Amaki as Akubi. The cast for the first ha...
Tsuburaya Productions Reveals Ultraman Taiga Series Premiering on July 6
Show's protagonist is son of Ultraman Taro who can transform into 3 heroes
― Tsuburaya Productions announced on Thursday that its new series in the Ultraman franchise is titled Ultraman Taiga. The series will premiere on TV Tokyo on July 6 at 9:00 a.m. The new show is the seventh consecutive "New Generation Heroes" series in the Ultraman franchise. Tsuburaya Productions describes the new series: Alie...
Caravan Stories Game's PS4 Version Gets N. American Release in July (Update)
Free-to-play exploration game previously launched for smartphones, PC
― Game developer Aiming announced on Thursday that its PlayStation 4 version of its Caravan Stories game will launch in North America in July. A teaser website for the North American release will open within the next few days. The game officially launched in Japan and Asia on Thursday. The official PlayStation YouTube channel also ...
Ingress Anime Gets New Composer for Global Release
Anime debuts on Netflix outside of Japan on April 30
― The White Bear public relations agency confirmed with ANN on April 10 that American composer Jacob Yoffee (LeBron James' Best Shot series, Disney Channel's Andi Mack series, MTV's Finding Carter series) has composed a new soundtrack for the global release of the Ingress anime based on Niantic's AR game. Hidehiro Kawai (The Relative Worlds, Phanto...
Crunchyroll, VRV Re-add 1st Seasons of My Hero Academia, Attack on Titan, Overlord Anime
Sites had removed 1st seasons of My Hero Academia, Attack on Titan in February
― The Crunchyroll and VRV streaming services have re-added the first seasons of the My Hero Academia, Attack on Titan, and Overlord anime to their catalogs. Crunchyroll had stopped streaming the first seasons of the Attack on Titan and My Hero Academia anime in February, but the shows' respective second and third seasons w...
2nd Live-Action Saint Young Men Season's Teaser Video Reveals June 1 Premiere
New poster visual also revealed
― The official website for the live-action series adaptations of Hikaru Nakamura's Saint Young Men (Saint Oniisan) manga began streaming a teaser trailer on Thursday for the show's second season. The staff also revealed a poster for the second season. Similar to the release of the first season, the second season will stream online and will also screen in theaters. The ...
Cardfight!! Vanguard: High School Arc Cont. Anime's Promo Video Reveals May 11 Premiere
Another new season to premiere around April 2020
― Bushiroad revealed a new promotional video for the Cardfight!! Vanguard: High School Arc Cont. anime in a livestreamed presentation on Thursday. The video features the opening theme song "Invincible Fighter" by Raise A Suilen. Raise A Suilen are the third live band from Bushiroad's BanG Dream! franchise, and they will perform the opening and ending t...
BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle Game's Arcade Version Launches on April 25
― Arc System Works announced on Thursday that the arcade version of the BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle crossover fighting game will launch on April 25. The original PlayStation 4 and Switch game shipped in Japan and Asia in May 2018. Arc System Works America released the game with an English dub in North America in June 2018, and PQube released the game in Europe later that same month. The game also lau...
Seven Seas Licenses World's End Harem: Fantasia, Destiny Lovers, Saki the Succubus Hungers Tonight Manga
Under Ghost Ship imprint for mature readers
― Seven Seas Entertainment announced on Wednesday that it has licensed LINK and SAVAN's fantasy spinoff manga World's End Harem: Fantasia (Shūmatsu no Harem: Fantasia), Kazutaka and Kai Tomohiro's thriller manga Destiny Lovers (Desu-Raba), and Mikokuni Homare and studioHIP-CATs' romance manga Saki the Succubus Hungers Tonight (Saki-chan wa Konya mo Peko Pek...
Gundam Gets Caffeine Fix for Latest Anniversary Collab
Mobile Suit Gundam's 40th anniversary includes collaborations both big and small. The newest announced partnership will pair the mecha franchise with Georgia Emerald Mountain Blend coffee and will include specially designed cans and vending machines starting on April 22. The collaboration not only celebrates Gundam but the coffee brand too. The Emerald Mountain Blend flavor first hit shelves 25 ye...
Suit Up to Become a Gang-Star with JoJo's Fashion Line
The characters of Hirohiko Araki's JoJo's Bizarre Adventure manga and anime are always on the forefront of avant garde fashion. They've appeared on fashion magazine covers, on the runway, and in editorial photo shoots. The boys of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind are no exception as Giorno Giovanna and Bruno Bucciarati are inspiring a new fashion collection from X-girl. The fashion line inclu...
Series Premiere: Fruits Basket—Episodes 1-2
"This shojo classic is one of the most emotionally rewarding stories I've ever experienced, and I hope many more new fans can open their heart to Tohru and her animal friends this season."
High-End Yuri on Ice's Victor Doll in the Works
The doll brand Ring Doll showed off images of its upcoming Victor Nikiforov collaboration model on Twitter on April 10. The ice skater looks lithe in his skating costume from his medal-winning Free Skate program. The doll's design is currently in progress and Ring Doll will update prospective customers as changes are made. Currently there is no price point for the Victor doll but Ring Doll's adult...
Season Premiere: One Punch Man Season 2—Episodes 1-2
"OPM is back, but it no longer possesses the pugnacious power to blow its audience away with the force of Saitama's fist."
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Voice Actors Look Back on Favorite Anime Moments
The voice actors of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime attended a screening of the television anime's 24th episode “Black and the Mask” on March 17. The event was attended by Rimuru's voice actress Miho Okasaki, Shizu's actress Yumiri Hanamori, Shuna's actress Sayaka Senbongi, and Milim's actress Rina Hidaka. Episode 24 tells an anime-original story about Shizu's exploits before she met Rimur...
Rilakkuma and Kaoru Stop-Motion Anime's Golden Week Video Streamed
Video highlights holiday week activities
― Netflix began streaming a "Golden Week" promotional video for Rilakkuma and Kaoru (Rilakkuma to Kaoru-san), the anime series of San-X's "Rilakkuma" character, on Tuesday. The video highlights activities for Japan's Golden Week holidays, which take place from late April to early May. The character's story begins when the titular Rilakkuma suddenly appears in ...
Crunchyroll Adds YU-NO: A girl who chants love at the bound of this world., Million Arthur 2nd Season, Mix Anime
YU-NO, Million Arthur stream this week
― Crunchyroll announced on Wednesday that it has added the YU-NO: A girl who chants love at the bound of this world., Million Arthur Season 2, and Mix anime to its spring streaming lineup. Funimation previously announced that it is also streaming all three series. Crunchyroll will debut new episodes of the television anime of Hiroyuki Kanno's Kono Yo no Hate de ...
Viz Media Licenses Persona 5 Manga
Hisato Murasaki's manga debuts in English in winter 2020
― Viz Media announced on Wednesday that it has licensed Hisato Murasaki's Persona 5 manga and will release the first volume in winter 2020. The manga adapts Atlus' Persona 5 game. Murasaki launched the manga on Shogakukan's Manga ONE app and Ura Sunday website in September 2016. Shogakukan published the manga's fourth compiled book volume on Se...
Collegues, Creatives, Fans Remember Lupin the Third Creator Monkey Punch
One of manga's most iconic creators, Monkey Punch (real name: Kazuhiko Katō) , passed away on April 11 due to pneumonia at the age of 81. The Lupin the Third creator's death was formally announced yesterday, and colleagues, voice actors, and fans across the world remembered how Katō and Lupin the Third touched their life. The official Twitter account for the Lupin the Third anime franchise express...
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa Of Dana Game Gets iOS, Android Release Worldwide
Beijing-based Linekong Entertainment Technology to release new version of RPG
― Nihon Falcom announced on Wednesday that the Beijing-based company Linekong Entertainment Technology Co., Ltd. will release its Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA action role-playing game as an app for iOS and Android smartphones worldwide. NIS America describes the story for the previous release: Ys returns with a brand new adve...
Series Premiere: Isekai Quartet—Episodes 1-2
"This show is clearly targeted at genre superfans who are fully familiar with all four contributing anime series: Saga of Tanya the Evil, Konosuba, Re: Zero, and Overlord."
TV Tokyo Issues Formal Apology For Kemono Friends 2 Producer's 'Unprofessional Conduct'
Nobuyuki Hosoya is believed to have created a Tatsuki bashing Twitter account.
― TV Tokyo issued an apology on Monday for a Kemono Friends 2 producer's unprofessional conduct. On TV Tokyo's Kemono Friends 2 website, the notice states: "An employee of TV Tokyo has made statements on social media regarding the broadcast of Kemono Friends 2. Some of these statements have included unpleasant and unprofes...
Comixology, Kodansha Comics Release Complete Initial D Manga in English
April 17 digital release marks 1st time volumes 34-38 are available in English
― Comixology and Kodansha Comics announced on Wednesday that they have released volume 1 to 38 of Shuuichi Shigeno's Initial D manga digitally in English. The release marks the first time that volumes 34 to 38 have been released in English. The volumes are available for purchase through Comixology and Kindle, and Amazon Pr...
Dororo ‒ Episode 14
"This episode introduces a strange new family structure made up of humans and monsters alike."
Answerman - Why Do Funimation's Dragon Ball Z Re-Releases Look Like That?
Funimation announced a new 30th anniversary bluray box for Dragon Ball Z and the internet exploded over the picture quality - Justin explains why it looks the way it does.
― Several people asked: I've seen promo material for Funimation's upcoming Dragon Ball Z 30th Anniversary Collector's Edition Blu-ray boxed set, and it looks terrible! All of the film grain (and some detail) has been smeared away,...
Bungo Stray Dogs Anime's 3rd Season Casts Masaaki Mizunaka, Yuuna Mimura
Characters Shirase, Yuan debut in episode 27 on April 19
― The official Twitter account for the anime adaptations of Kafka Asagiri and Sango Harukawa's Bungō Stray Dogs manga revealed two more cast members for the Sheep group for the television anime's third season on Wednesday. Masaaki Mizunaka will play Shirase, and Yuuna Mimura will play Yuan. The characters will debut in episode 27 on April 19. M...
Judgment Game's Trailer Reveals New Character Model for Kyohei Hamura
New model replaces previous model based on Pierre Taki
― Ryu ga Gotoku Studio began streaming a new trailer for it and Sega's Judgment (Judge Eyes: Shinigami no Yuigon) PlayStation 4 game on Tuesday. The trailer shows the new character model for Kyohei Hamura. The character was previously based on the appearance of Denki Groove member and actor Pierre Taki (real name Masanori Taki), who also voiced t...
Attack on Titan 2: Final Battle Game's Videos Highlights Thunder Spears
Game launches in Japan for PS4, Switch on July 4; in West for PS4, Switch, Xbox One, PC on July 5
― Koei Tecmo Games began streaming the third action introduction video for Omega Force's Attack on Titan 2: Final Battle game on Wednesday. The video highlights the Thunder Spears weapons. The game will launch for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in Japan on July 4. It will then launch for PS4, Switch, ...
Midori Days' Kazurou Inoue Launches New Manga in May
Aho Genome manga centers on girl who has power of god
― Manga creator Kazurou Inoue announced on his Twitter account on Tuesday that he will launch a new manga titled Aho Genome ~Samuzaka Satanic Hair~ (seen right in image below) in the July issue of Shonegahosha's Young King Ours magazine on May 16. The magazine teases the manga's story: The demons in the sky are Apsaras. Axis falls from the sky. Th...
Shaman King The Super Star Manga Delays Return by 2 More Months to June
Hiroyuki Takei's health cited as Red Crimson spinoff's return is also delayed
― The May issue of Kodansha's Shonen Magazine Edge revealed on Wednesday that Shaman King: The Super Star, Hiroyuki Takei's new arc for his Shaman King manga, did not return from its hiatus as planned. It will instead extend the hiatus by two more months, with a planned return on June 17. The magazine noted that Takei is st...
Spice & Wolf VR Anime Slated for June 3 on Oculus Rift & Go, HTC VIVE
The official Twitter account for the virtual reality anime based on Isuna Hasekura's Spice & Wolf novels announced on Tuesday that the anime will debut on June 3 for Oculus Rift, HTC VIVE, and Oculus Go Edition. The announcement did not specify when the project will be available for PlayStation VR and Oculus Quest. The independent development circle Spicy Tails had previously planned to release th...
Microsoft to Launch Xbox One S 'All-Digital Edition' in May
Version without optical disc drive retails for US$249.99
― Microsoft announced a new "All-Digital Edition" for its Xbox One S console that will launch on May 7 for US$249.99 (US$50 cheaper than the regular Xbox One S). The game will have no optical disc drive, but will have a one-terabyte hard drive, and will ship with the Minecraft, Forza Horizon 3 and Sea of Thieves games. Microsoft reports that th...
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Video Reveals Debut of Persona 5's Joker Tomorrow
Joker debuts with new stage, music, accessories in game update
― Nintendo began streaming a new video for its Super Smash Bros. Ultimate crossover fighting game on Tuesday. The video previews the gameplay and new content for Joker, the protagonist character from Persona 5. The character and new content will be available on Wednesday in North America, and Thursday in Japan. English Version Japanese Ve...
Seven Seas Licenses Dirty Pair Manga, My Room Is a Dungeon Rest Stop Manga
Dirty Pair slated for December 17, My Room Is a Dungeon Rest Stop in January 2020
― Seven Seas Entertainment announced on Tuesday that it has licensed Haruka Takachiho and Hisao Tamaki's science-fiction comedy manga Dirty Pair (Dirty Pair no Daibōken) , as well as Tōgoku Hudō and Takoyakiyoshi's alternate-world fantasy manga My Room Is a Dungeon Rest Stop (Boku no Heya ga Dungeon no Kyūkeijo ni Natte...
Daisuke Higuchi's Whistle! W Soccer Manga Goes on Hiatus
Manga launched in 2016 as "new story" in Whistle! series
― Manga creator Daisuke Higuchi announced in Shogakukan's Ura Sunday magazine and MangaONE app on Monday that she is putting her Whistle! W (pronounced "Whistle Double") manga on hiatus due to health issues. She noted that she is taking some time off to recover and "recharge." The manga centers on two boys. Kōga Tenjō is blessed with an affluen...
Liquor & Cigarette, Blue Morning, Banana Fish Top 2019 BL Awards
The boys-love website Chil Chil announced the winners of its 10th annual BL Awards on April 12. The awards honor manga, novels, drama CDs, voice actors, characters, cover design, and anime in the boys-love genre. The winning works are decided via popular vote on the website. Several of the best series winners are available in English. Shoko Hidaka's Blue Morning, Ranmaru Zariya's Coyote, Ogeretsu ...
Bakutsuri Bar Hunter Anime Adds 3 More Cast Members
Rie Kugimiya, Hideyuki Tanaka, Masuo Amada join cast
― The official website for the Bakutsuri Bar Hunter television anime series revealed three additional cast members on Monday. The new cast members are: (Note: character name romanizations not official) Rie Kugimiya as Ugo Geri Hideyuki Tanaka as Umberto Geri Masuo Amada as Shinkaigyo Poseidon Kenji Seto (The Asterisk War: The Academy City on the Wa...
Date a Live: Rio Reincarnation Game's Trailer Highlights Heroines
Game launches for PS4, PC via Steam in June
― Idea Factory International began streaming a trailer for Compile Heart's Date A Live Rio Reincarnation game on Monday. The trailer highlights some of the game's heroines. Idea Factory International will release the game in June in North America and Europe for the PlayStation 4 and PC via Steam. The PS4 release in the West will be available in both physica...
2019 Crayon Shin-chan Film's Video Previews Aimyon Song
Aimyon also makes guest appearance as herself in April 19 film
― The official website for the Crayon Shin-chan anime films began streaming a special promotional video on Tuesday for Eiga Crayon Shin-chan Shinkon Ryokō Hurricane ~Ushinawareta Hiroshi~ (Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Honeymoon Hurricane, Lost Hiroshi), the series' 27th film. The video previews Aimyon's theme song "Haru no Hi" (Spring Day)...
Kyoto Animation & Animation Do's Fan Event Returns with 2 Events in Fall
After a one-year break, the KyoAni & Do Fan Days event returns for its fourth year with the subtitle "We're Here Now!!: It's the First Festival in Two Years." The last Kyoto Animation and Animation Do fan event was held in 2017. This time the event will be split into two weekends. The first event is titled "Presenting! Various Aspects of KyoAni & Do" and is set for November 3-4 at Miyakomesse in K...
Seven Seas Entertainment Licenses Scarlet Yuri Manga
Series about vampire girl, wolf-like Red Riding Hood launches in English in February 2020
― Seven Seas Entertainment announced on Tuesday that it has licensed Chiri Yuino's Scarlet yuri manga. The company will release the series physically and digitally, and the first compiled book volume will ship on February 11, 2020. Seven Seas Entertainment describes the manga: After ingesting an illegal drug tha...
Capcom Unveils Capcom Home Arcade Device for October Release
Plug-and-play system's 16 game's include cite>Super Puzzle Fighter II: Turbo, Ghouls 'n Ghosts, Progear
― Capcom opened an official website on Tuesday to announce that it will release the Capcom Home Arcade system on October 25. Capcom UK began streaming a trailer for the "uniquely designed plug and play home arcade machine." The device is available to pre-order in Europe for 229.99 euros (about US$2...
Ranma ½ Fans Celebrate Anime's 30th Anniversary
The anime adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi's classic martial arts comedy manga Ranma ½'s first aired in Japan on April 15, 1989. To celebrate the anime's 30th anniversary, fans on Twitter posted fanart, cosplay, and heartfelt messages. #らんま½ debuted on Fuji TV on April 15, 1989. Happy 30th Anniversary! ❤️Ranma & Akane Wedding Illustration~by SAOTOME NANDA Based on Manga Cover Nº38 #らんまアニメ化30周年https:...
This Week in Anime - Demon Slayer is the Breakout Spectacle of the Season
Kimetsu no Yaiba offers a gory take on the Shonen Jump formula with a gorgeous production effort from famed studio ufotable. Andy and Steve discuss their favorite parts of the premiere and their hopes for the story's future.
― Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba offers a gory take on the Shonen Jump formula with a gorgeous production effort from famed studio ufotable. This week, Andy and Steve discuss th...
Lupin III Creator Monkey Punch Passes Away
81-year-old manga creator passed away on April 11 due to pneumonia
― Lupin III manga creator Monkey Punch (real name: Kazuhiko Katō) passed away on April 11 due to pneumonia. He was 81. Monkey Punch was born in Hamanaka, Hokkaido in 1937. He made his major debut with Playboy Nyūmon in Futabasha's Manga Story magazine in 1965. Lupin III then launched in Futabasha's Manga Action magazine in 1967. Due t...
Anime Boston Attendees Remember to BYOB: Bring Your Own Bags (UPDATE)
If you're heading out to the Anime Boston convention this weekend with the intention of picking up merchandise and art prints from the Dealer's Hall and Artist Alley, you could run into some trouble if you don't have reusable bags handy. Artist Alley and Dealer's Hall merchants were caught off guard on Monday after convention staff alerted them that the only permissible types of bags must be reusa...
Anime Central Hosts U.S. Premiere of 2nd Made in Abyss Compilation Film
Director Masayuki Kojima, music producer Hiromitsu Iijina, composer Kevin Penkin attend Q&A session
― Sentai Filmworks announced on Tuesday that its release of Made in Abyss: Wandering Twilight (Made in Abyss: Hōrō Suru Tasogare), the second Made in Abyss compilation anime film, will premiere at this year's Anime Central event on May 17 at 8:30 p.m. The premiere will include a red-carpet event, and d...
Space Battleship Yamato: The Classic Collection GN
Leiji Matsumoto's classic manga that eventually reached the English-speaking world as "Star Blazers" is now available in this hardcover collector's edition. Rebecca Silverman has the details.
― Three years before Captain Harlock set sail, manga master Leiji Matsumoto chronicled the adventures of a different space-faring band, the crew of the Yamato. Drawing from Japan's military history, the story is...
LINE Novel Service Gets Lavishly Animated Ads By loundraw, CloverWorks
LINE Bunko Edge light novel imprint also launched, featuring new series by A Certain Magical Index's Kazuma Kamachi.
― The LINE Novel online service where users can publish novels online through the LINE app launched on Tuesday. Two animated ads were released simultaneously with the launch. loundraw (Tsukigakirei, I want to eat your pancreas character designer) served as supervisor, director, script ...
Sony Details Next-Generation PlayStation Console
SIE's Mark Cerny confirms console will not launch in 2019
― Sony Interactive Entertainment's Mark Cerny, PlayStation 4 lead system architect and game designer, spoke with Wired magazine about the "next-gen console" that will be the successor to the PS4. The unnamed console has been in development for four years, and Cerny is again serving as the lead system architect. Cerny stated that the console wi...
Rumiko Takahashi Launches MAO Manga Series in May
Story centers on boy, girl at intersection of two worlds
― This year's 20th issue of Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine revealed on Wednesday that Rumiko Takahashi (Urusei Yatsura, Maison Ikkoku, Ranma 1/2, Inuyasha, RIN-NE) will launch the tentatively titled MAO manga series in the 23rd issue on May 8. The story is set in a "land where two worlds intersect," and it centers on "a strange roma...
Octopath Traveler Game Gets PC Release in June
Game debuted worldwide on Nintendo Switch in July 2018
― Square Enix announced on Monday that it will release its Octopath Traveler game on the PC via Steam on June 7. The company also began streaming a trailer for the release. The game shipped worldwide in July 2018 for the Nintendo Switch. At the beginning of the game, players choose one of the characters to follow, but can meet the others along th...
Fire Force TV Anime Casts Kengo Kawanishi as Tōru Kishiri
1st title in "Super Animeism" block premieres on July 5
― The official website for the television anime of Atsushi Ohkubo's Fire Force (En En no Shōbōtai) manga revealed on Tuesday that Kengo Kawanishi will play Tōru Kishiri. He is a thoughtless and rude new member of Company 5. He has the powerful ability to create explosions with the bubblegum he always chews. The previously revealed cast includes:...
Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, April 8-14
Live-action Bukatsu, Suki Janakya Dame Desu ka? show sells 4,426, followed by Kemono Friends stage play, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, Yu-Gi-Oh!, live-action Perfect World film
― The live-action television series of Katsuki Izumi's Bukatsu, Suki Janakya Dame Desu ka? (Club Activities, Is It No Good If You Don't Like Them?) manga sold 4,426 copies to rank #2 on the overall DVD chart. The stag...
Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, April 8-14
Live-action Bukatsu, Suki Janakya Dame Desu ka? show sells 5,634, followed by JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind, Kemurikusa, I want to eat your pancreas, Zoku Owarimonogatari
― The live-action television series of Katsuki Izumi's Bukatsu, Suki Janakya Dame Desu ka? (Club Activities, Is It No Good If You Don't Like Them?) manga sold 5,634 copies to rank #2 on the overall Blu-ray Disc chart. The li...
Rilakkuma and Kaoru Stop-Motion Anime's Special Video Reveals 'Costume'
Clip shows Rilakkuma getting out of costume
― Netflix began streaming a "special video" for Rilakkuma and Kaoru (Rilakkuma to Kaoru-san), the anime series of San-X's "Rilakkuma" character, on Tuesday. The video shows the titular character Rilakkuma as actually being a kigurumi costume that can be taken off, even if what is actually inside remains mysterious and unseen. The character's story begins wh...
Ride Your Wave, Relative Worlds, Wonderland, Children of the Sea Films Compete at Annecy
Weathering with You, Eden also screen as works in progress
― The Annecy International Animation Film Festival announced on Monday the official selection of films that will be screened in competition during the event. In addition to the traditional Features category, this year's event will have a new Contrechamp category, which replaces the Out-of-Competition section. Films in the Contrechamp category...
Kyoto Animation Makes New Anime Based on Baja Mascot Character
New anime offered in BD with tickets to November KyoAni, Animation Do event
― Kyoto Animation announced on Saturday that it is making a new anime project based on its mascot character Baja. The new animation will be included in a Blu-ray Disc that the studio is offering to those who pre-order tickets for its upcoming "We're Here Now!!: It's the First Festival in Two Years" fan event with Animation Do...
Children of the Sea Film Recasts Sora, Adds 2 More Cast Members
Seishū Uragami replaces Airu Kubozuka due to puberty voice change; Min Tanaka, Win Morisaki join cast
― The official website for Studio 4°C's anime film of Daisuke Igarashi's Children of the Sea (Kaijū no Kodomo) manga revealed three additional cast members for the film on Tuesday. The new cast members include (left to right in image above): Min Tanaka as Jim, a former friend of Anglade and a marine ...
Fairy Tail Characters Merge With Mameshiba In Anime Short
I've seen all kinds of initiatives to try convince veggie-adverse folk to eat more greens, but Mameshiba might be the cutest. Dentsu's Mameshiba brand characters (literally, "bean-shiba") are mysterious creatures that are not quite beans nor Shiba dogs, but something in between. The veggie dogs got brand-new powers on Friday when the characters collaborated with the ongoing anime series Fairy Tail...
Series Premiere: Fairy gone—Episodes 1-2
"In order to realize its potential fully, the story will need to dial back on its exposition and perfunctory plotting, and instead take the necessary time to ensure that its world and characters have emotional stakes worth getting invested in."
Series Premiere: Kono Oto Tomare! Sounds of Life—Episodes 1-2
"Even though this anime is about one of Japan's oldest traditional instruments, its distinctly modern characters keep it fresh and vibrant, never stuffy or dry."
Gley Lancer Scrolling Shooter Game Gets Reprint for Sega Mega Drive Console After 27 Years
Reprint scheduled for June 6 release in Japan.
― Retro game console and novelty goods seller Colombus Circle announced on April 10 that the 1992 scrolling shooter game Gley Lancer (also known as Advanced Busterhawk Gley Lancer, will get a reprint for the Sega Mega Drive on June 6, 2019. It has been 27 years since the game was first released in Japan. Colombus Circle posted a trailer for the re-releas...
One Piece ‒ Episode 880
"We're introduced to four new captains of the Revolutionaries this week as they show up in a port town being ransacked by pirates."
Girls und Panzer: Senshadō no Susume Manga Reaches 'Climax'
Spinoff comedy series launched in 2016
― The May issue of Kadokawa's Monthly Comic Flapper magazine revealed on April 5 that Midori Hagi's Girls und Panzer: Senshadō no Susume manga is reaching its climax in the next issue on May 2. Hagi launched the series in 2016, and the fourth compiled book volume shipped in November. The comedy spinoff explains the history, development, and technical details of ...
Take a Guided Tour of Karakuri Circus French Locales With Anime Voice Cast
Karakuri Circus is getting a guided tour with the anime's voice acting cast in August. Kazuhiro Fujita's high-octane manga series about circus tricks and alchemy gone wrong is partly set in France, which is where the five-day tour will take place. The journey will start in Paris and take participants to Mont St. Michel in Normandy. Fans will be guided around the area and participate in "special fa...
Series Premiere: We Never Learn - BOKUBEN—Episodes 1-2
"The biggest detraction to this cozy harem romcom thus far is how lightly it treads in both its romance and comedy."
100% Pascal-sensei's Yūji Nagai Launches New Manga
A Penguin's Troubles creator's new series centers on alien who crash lands in peaceful town
― Yūji Nagai (A Penguin's Troubles, 100% Pascal-sensei) launched the Armageddon ni Damasareru!! (Tricked by Armageddon!!) manga in the May issue of Shogakukan's Monthly Coro Coro Comic magazine on Monday. A spaceship suddenly makes an emergency landing in the manga protagonist's peaceful town. A slapstick ever...
GeGeGe no Kitarō ‒ Episodes 50-51
Our coverage of this delightfully ooky-spooky family show ends as a new arc begins. Rebecca Silverman sums up her thoughts on this underrated series.
Jouji Nakata's Seiyū Red and White Contest Crowns 1st Winners
Jouji Nakata's inaugural Seiyū Red and White Singing Contest crowned its first ever winners on April 14. The White (Men's) Team landed a victory. The program drew enough interest that it will return next year. The White Team included Natsume's Book of Friends' Kazuhiko Inoue, Yo-kai Watch: Shadowside's Takaya Kuroda Free's Daisuke Hirakawa, Death Note's Naoya Uchida, Black Jack himself Akio Ohtsuk...
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations ‒ Episode 102
"This episode ratchets up the tension in what's been a relatively relaxed arc."
Voice Actress Suzuko Mimori, Wrestler Kazuchika Okada Get Married
Voice actress Suzuko Mimori and professional wrestler Kazuchika Okada announced on their social media accounts on Friday that they have gotten married. Mimori had confirmed that they were in a relationship last year and thanked fans for the support. 私事ですが以前よりお付き合いさせて頂いていた三森すずこさんと入籍したことをご報告させて頂きます。レインメーカーとして”幸せの雨”を家庭に降らせることができるようお互いに協力し合いながら、プロレス界にも変わらずに”カネの雨”を降らせ続けていきますので、今後とも宜しくお願い致します。— オカダ・カズチカ...
Series Premiere: Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba—Episodes 1-2
"Beyond its entertaining injections of humor and pathos, I really appreciate Demon Slayer's economy of storytelling."
Fairy Tail: Final Season ‒ Episode 304
"I don't normally advocate for making characters sad, but at this point, Zeref could certainly use a jolt of regret, even if he can't truly stop what he started."
Yasuyuki Kosaka's Hōkago Teibō Nisshi Fishing Manga Gets TV Anime
The Dragon Dentist character designer's story centers on high school girls who fish in the sea
― This year's fifth issue of Akita Shoten's Young Champion Retsu magazine revealed on Tuesday that Yasuyuki Kosaka's Hōkago Teibō Nisshi (Afterschool Embankment Journal) manga is getting a television anime adaptation. A teaser website that features an anime visual and illustration with message from Kosaka a...
29-Year-Old Mie Man Arrested for Distributing World Trigger, More Anime via BitTorrent
Suspect allegedly used BDs to upload, release World Trigger in September
― Police arrested a 29-year-old man under suspicion of violating Japan's copyright laws by using file-sharing software to illegally distribute anime. Osaka Prefectural Police arrested the company employee and Korean national living in Yokkaichi, Mie. According to police, the suspect allegedly used BitTorrent to illegally distrib...
Himote House Anime Gets Unaired OVA Episode Through Crowdfunding
3-Part "Episode 10.5" planned for DVD/BD
― The staff of the Himote House anime launched a crowdfunding campaign for an unaired original video anime (OVA) episode on Saturday, and the campaign already met its goal on Sunday. As of Monday, the campaign surpassed the 3,500,000-yen (about US$31,000) goal for "episode 10.5 at the same level of quality as the previous ones" on DVD, plus the 5,250,000-yen (...
My Hero Academia Takes 9 of Top 20 Spots on U.S. Monthly Bookscan March List
Berserk, Tokyo Ghoul, Boruto, The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up also on list
― Kōhei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia manga volume 18 ranked at #2 on NPD BookScan's Top 20 adult graphic novels list for March. This month's list featured 13 manga volumes, including: #2 — Kōhei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia volume 18 #4 — Kōhei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia volume 1 #6 — Kōhei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia...
City Hunter: Shinjuku Private Eyes Anime Film Earns 1.5 Billion Yen
Film sells more than 1 million tickets
― The official website for City Hunter: Shinjuku Private Eyes, the new anime film adaptation of Tsukasa Hojo's City Hunter manga, revealed on Monday that the film has sold 1,058,102 tickets to earn 1,502,665,440 yen (about US$13.4 million) as of Sunday. The film opened in Japan on February 8 in 251 theaters. The film sold 180,000 tickets to earn 257 million yen ...
Tokunana Original Anime Gets Manga by Magia the Ninth's Misa Sazanami
2nd manga to also launch in Monthly Comic Garden magazine
― Kadokawa's Monthly Comic Gene magazine revealed on Monday that Misa Sazanami (Black Bard, Magia the Ninth) will pen a manga adaptation of the original television anime project Keishichō Tokumu-bu Tokushu Kyōaku-han Taisaku-Shitsu Dai-Nana-ka -Tokunana- (Special Crime Investigation Unit Special 7). Nanae Chrono (Peace Maker, Peace Maker Kurog...
Detective Conan: Fist of Blue Sapphire Anime Film Earns Nearly 1.9 Billion Yen in 1st 3 Days
1st 3 days earnings surpass last year's film
― Meitantei Conan: Konjō no Fist (Detective Conan: Fist of Blue Sapphire), the 23rd Detective Conan anime film, sold 1,458,263 tickets to earn 1,886,292,700 yen (about US$16.85 million) in its first three days from Friday through Sunday. The film also debuted at #1 at the Japanese box office for the weekend of April 13-14. The opening weekend earnings surp...
IG Port Revises Earnings Forecast Downward, Reports Earnings
Earnings generally down year-on-year
― IG Port — the parent company of animation studios Production I.G, Wit Studio, XEBEC, Signal.MD, and publisher Mag Garden — revealed on Friday both its new earnings forecasts through the end of its current fiscal year (which ends on May 31, 2019), and its earnings report through the third quarter of the fiscal year (which ended on February 28, 2019). The company ...
Bunshun Magazine: ufotable Owes 400 Million Yen in Taxes
Studio also allegedly misappropriated funds from charity auction for 2011 earthquake
― Bungeishunju's Weekly Bunshun Digital magazine reported last Friday that animation studio ufotable allegedly owes 400 million yen (about US$3.57 million) in taxes, citing a source from the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau. The report also noted that ufotable is suspected of supposedly misappropriating funds raised fr...
Wolf & Parchment: New Theory Spice & Wolf Light Novels Get Manga
Hidori draws manga adaptation Spice & Wolf sequel novels for spring debut
― Manga creator Hidori announced on March 14 that they will draw a manga adaptation of Isuna Hasekura's Wolf & Parchment: New Theory Spice & Wolf light novels that will launch in Kadokawa's Dengeki Maoh magazine this spring. Hidori posted an illustration to announce the manga on their Twitter account. Yen Press is releasing the...
Fairy gone Anime Listed With 24 Episodes
― The official website for P.A. Works' original television anime Fairy gone revealed on Sunday that the anime will have eight Blu-ray Disc and DVD home video releases in Japan, for a total of 24 episodes. Each volume will also have "special video content." The volumes are slated to ship in Japan on July 17, August 21, September 18, October 16, December 18, January 22, February 19, and March 18. The ...
Minori Suzuki Performs Ending Theme for Magical Sempai TV Anime
Series premieres in July
― The official website for the television anime adaptation of AZU's Magical Sempai (Tejina Senpai) manga revealed on Monday that Minori Suzuki will perform the show's ending theme song. The anime stars: Kaede Hondo as Senpai Aoi Ichikawa as Assistant Eri Kitamura as Saki-chan Rie Takahashi as Madara-san Daisuke Namikawa as Ma-kun Himika Akaneya as Sister The anime will premi...
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind ‒ Episode 26
"I'm torn between wanting to admire the audacity of this episode and feeling frustrated that I've completely lost sight of the tracks."
Netflix Produces Eden Anime by FMA: Brotherhood Director Yasuhiro Irie
4-episode 2020 anime by Qubic Pictures, CGCG, Cowboy Bebop designer Toshihiro Kawamoto
― Netflix announced on Sunday that it is producing a new four-episode original anime titled Eden. The anime will premiere in 2020. Netflix describes the anime: The upcoming sci-fi fantasy series Eden is set thousands of years in the future, where a city known as “Eden 3” is inhabited solely by robots whose former m...
J.C. Staff Producer Yuji Matsukura Says Hi Score Girl Was Not Originally Intended to be 3D Anime
Game visuals were recorded from real software.
― In an interview with OTAQUEST published on April 5, J.C. Staff producer Yuji Matsukura said that the Hi Score Girl anime was not originally intended to be a 3D anime. The producers convinced the director Yoshiki Yamakawa and original manga creator Rensuke Oshikiri that 3D would be "best for the characters." In particular, Matsukura argued that only 3D ...
TV Anime Short Mayonaka no Boitore Danshi Enters 2nd Season
Anime about male voice actors in training first premiered in January
― The official website for AMG Music's Mayonaka no Boitore Danshi (Midnight Voice Training Boys) television and net anime short series announced on Tuesday that the anime is commencing its second season. The first episode of the second season, or episode 14, aired on TV Kanagawa on April 5, 24:55 (effectively April 6, 12:55 am). The...
Yoyogi Animation School Offers YouTuber Course in 2020
The Yoyogi Animation Academy, which has branches around Japan, will be starting 13 new courses from April 2020. One of those courses is the "YouTube Course," which will introduce students to the current state of YouTube and Virtual YouTubing. In the first year, students will learn how to film and edit programs, organize streams, and how to pitch ideas. In the second year, students will learn dance...
Super Robot Wars X-Ω Smartphone Game Adds Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Shōnen Ashibe GO! GO! Goma-chan Characters
Smartphone game launched in October 2015
― Bandai Namco Entertainment revealed on April 9 that characters from the Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet and Shōnen Ashibe GO! GO! Goma-chan anime will appear in the Super Robot Wars X-Ω smartphone game for a limited-time event. Bandai Namco Entertainment released the smartphone game on iOS and Android devices in October 2015. The robot action RPG features ...
Houston's Anime Matsuri Hosts Voice Actor Nobuhiko Okamoto, Voice Actress Aina Kusuda
Event to be held from June 13-16
― The Anime Matsuri event in Houston announced on Friday that it will host voice actress Aina Kusuda at this year's event. The staff also revealed on April 8 that the event will host voice actor Nobuhiko Okamoto. Kusuda is best known as the character Nozomi Tōjō in the Love Live! School idol project anime and game franchise. She has also voiced Rose in the Rilu Rilu F...
North Carolina's Animazement to Host Producer Masao Maruyama, A-1 Pictures President Masuo Ueda
Voice actors Katsuji Mori, Kotono Mitsuishi, Ryusei Nakao, Keiko Han, more attend May event
― The Animazement event announced on Friday that it will host producer Masao Maruyama and A-1 Pictures president Masuo Ueda at this year's event in North Carolina. Maruyama was involved in the establishment of MADHOUSE in 1972. Since then, he has nurtured talents such as Tetsuro Araki, Atsuko Ishizuka and the ...
High School Fleet Anime Film's Teaser Unveils Cast, Staff, Early Spring 2020 Debut
TV anime's main cast, director Yuu Nobuta return at A-1 Pictures
― The High School Fleet Broadcast's 3rd Anniversary Event debuted a new teaser trailer for the upcoming new High School Fleet anime film on Sunday. The teaser and the anime's website reveals the film's cast, staff, and premiere in early spring 2020. 【特報】劇場版「ハイスクール・フリート」2020年初春全国ロードショー!!✨ティザーPVも公開👏https://t.co/IoWTUTS6FB#はいふり pic.twitter...
I★CHU Idol Smartphone Game Gets TV Anime
Game featuring male idols in school setting launched in summer 2015
― Twin Engine announced on Sunday that Liber Entertainment Inc.'s I★CHU smartphone game is getting a television anime adaptation titled I★CHU Étoile Stage. Liber Entertainment Inc. is credited with the original work, Ailedore Public Relations Department is credited as manufacturer, and Twin Engine is producing the series. Liber Enter...
Touhou Project Tower Defense Game Gensokyō Defenders Gets Release on Steam
Neetpia released game on PS4, Switch in English on November 29
― Steam is currently listing that developer Neetpia and publisher Sony Music Entertainment will release the Gensokyo Defenders game and the Gensokyo Defenders Plus DLC on the platform on April 24. The DLC will include three new characters and harder traps. The dōjin tower defense game based on Touhou Project features more than 20 playable...
Disgaea RPG Smartphone App Will Not Return for At Least 3 Months, Will Reset Game Data
Smartphone game launched on March 19 with bugs hindering accessibility
― Nippon Ichi Software and ForwardWorks apologized in a post on Friday for the continued unplayability of their Makai Senki Disgaea RPG smartphone game. The two companies stated that the game needs major repairs and estimate that the repairs and testing will take more than three months. The companies explained that after they laun...
Io Sakisaka's 'Omoi, Omoware, Furi, Furare' Manga Ends on May 13
Manga to also have "big news" on same day
― The May issue of Shueisha's Bessatsu Margaret magazine revealed on Friday that Io Sakisaka's Omoi, Omoware, Furi, Furare manga will end in the magazine's June issue on May 13. The June issue will also feature "big news" for the manga. The manga will feature on the June issue's cover, and the final chapter will be 46 pages long with an opening color page. T...
Konami Reveals Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side 4 Game
New game in dating-sim series stars Yuuki Kaji, Jun Fukuyama, Takuya Satō, more
― The "Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side Days 2019 Habataki Watcher Zōkangō" event on Saturday revealed that Konami is developing the Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side 4 game. The event did not reveal the game's platform(s). Komatsubara is designing the characters. Cast members include: Yuuki Kaji as Ryōta Kazama Takuya Satō as N...
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