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Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Voice Actors Try Their Hand at Making Candy
Masaaki Mizunaka, Tomoaki Maeno make whipped cream treat for White Day
― The story of Sugar Apple Fairy Tale follows the story of Anne Halford, a candy crafter determined to become a Silver Sugar Master. Because of the anime's focus on confectionery making, it's perhaps only logical that the publicity campaigns would also focus on the craft. Last month for Valentine's Day, Anne voice actress Yuka Nuk...
Evangelion Stage Play Actor Nijirō Murakami Steps Down From Role
Mizuki Itagaki replaces Murakami for Tan Hasumi role
― The staff for Evangelion Beyond, the stage play for the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise, announced on Wednesday that actor Nijirō Murakami will step down from his role as Tan Hasumi, due to physical and mental health issues. Actor Mizuki Itagaki (live-action Hot Gimmick film) will replace Murakami for the role. The staff also announced that tic...
Anime/Game Music Composer Hidekazu Tanaka Admits to Obscenity Charges in Court
Tanaka also admitted to voyeurism for "thrill," "stress relief"
― At a Tokyo District Court on Wednesday, 35-year-old game and anime composer Hidekazu Tanaka admitted to using obscene language to a 15-year-old girl in an attempt to commit acts of obscenity towards her. Tanaka allegedly said "I'll give you money so won't you do it?" to a teenage girl and forcibly took her hand at a train station's bic...
Official HiGE DANdism Vocalist Satoshi Fujihara Goes on Hiatus Due to Vocal Cord Polyp
Band cancels 3 concerts in April, August
― The website for the Official HiGE DANdism band announced on Saturday that a polyp requiring medical treatment was discovered on the vocal cords of the band's vocalist and pianist Satoshi Fujihara. As a result, the band is canceling its performances at the following concerts: April 13: UVERworld VS Series 2 days - Day 2 - UVERworld vs. Official HiGE DANdism A...
Spanish Soccer Athlete Andrés Iniesta Endorses Aoashi Manga
The manga series is a sponsor of Iniesta's soccer academy in Japan
― Manga often receive endorsements by fellow creators on their wraparound covers, but a surprising individual reached out for Aoashi's 31st volume: Spanish soccer athlete Andrés Iniesta, captain of the J1 League club Vissel Kobe and one of the greatest midfielders of all time. He commented: "Alongside Aoashi, I am pouring my efforts t...
Code Geass, GaoGaiGar Character Designer Takahiro Kimura Passes Away
Animator was dealing with amyloidosis
―
The official website for the Code Geass franchise announced on Thursday that character designer and animator Takahiro Kimura passed away on March 5, after battling amyloidosis. Kimura designed the characters or adapted the original character designs for such anime as the Code Geass franchise, GaoGaiGar: King of the Braves, Betterman, Dirty Pair Flash, Brigadoo...
Kyoto Animation Arson Prosecutors: Trial to End This Year
Suspect indicted in December 2020
― Prosecutors for the arson murder case that killed 36 people and wounded 33 others at Kyoto Animation informed the involved parties that they anticipate that the trial will end in the Kyoto District Court this year. On July 18, 2019, a devastating fire broke out at Kyoto Animation's Studio 1 building. A total of 70 people were inside the building at the time. In add...
Tokyopop Confirms Founder, CEO Stu Levy Has 'Stepped Back' From U.S. Operations
Levy tells ANN he will "focus on overall group strategy ... instead of day to day operations"
― Tokyopop marketing associate Kae Winters confirmed in an interview with ICv2 on Thursday that founder and CEO Stu Levy is stepping back from the company's operations in the United States. Winters told ICv2: Stu's been a major part of Tokyopop for so long, but with his own family now – and his move to Germa...
Rock Band sumika Cancels Concerts, Delays 10th Anniversary Documentary After Guitarist's Death
Band's mini-album releases on March 15 as scheduled
― The official website for the rock band sumika announced on Tuesday the cancellation of the band's upcoming concerts and scheduled performances, and the delay of the screening of the band's 10th anniversary film documentary. The band's sumika [camp session] 『Sugar Salt Pepper Green』Release Party at Billboard Live concerts — which are scheduled on M...
Daruma Matsuura Works on New Project About Kaijū
Matsuura's Taiyō to Tsuki no Hagane manga also "about 30% done"
― Manga creator Daruma Matsuura revealed on Yomiuri TV's Kawashima Yamauchi no Manga Numa program on Saturday that she is working on a new project focused on kaijū (monsters). She did not specify a medium for the new work. She also noted that her Taiyō to Tsuki no Hagane (The Steel of Sun and Moon) manga is "about 30% done." Matsuura lau...
Anime Boston 2023 Hosts Hybrid Thoughts Members Paranom, Aztech
Event takes place at Hynes Convention Center in Boston on April 7-9
― The organizers of the Anime Boston convention announced on Saturday that the convention's 2023 event will host musicians Paranom and Aztech from the musical group Hybrid Thoughts. The members of the Boston-based hip-hop group Hybrid Thoughts have worked on tracks for the background scores of anime such as Jujutsu Kaisen, Dr. Stone,...
Voice Actress Hikaru Akao Marries Music Industry Professional
Actress is best known for her roles on Assault Lily Bouquet, Gekidol, Lapis Re:LiGHTs
― Voice actress Hikaru Akao posted a handwritten message on her Twitter account on Wednesday announcing that she has married a person related to the music industry. She thanked her fans for their support and said she plans to continue "pouring love" into the characters she voices. It is common for voice actors to fi...
Happy Science Founder, Anime Producer Ryuho Okawa Passes Away
Founder of controversial organization, creator of several anime films was 66
― The Mainichi news outlet reported on Thursday that Ryuho Okawa, the founder of the Happy Science religious organization, passed away on Thursday. He was 66. Okawa was born in 1956 in Tokushima prefecture, and founded Happy Science in 1986. He served as the controversial organization's CEO until his death. The organization ...
Yuji Naka Admits to Insider Trading Charges in Tokyo Court
Game programmer, director was arrested twice last year
― NHK reported on Thursday that game programmer and director Yuji Naka admitted to the charges against him of violating the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act in his first trial hearing in a Tokyo district court on Thursday. The prosecution said in an opening statement that Naka allegedly bought 130,000 shares and made 20 million yen (about U...
Singer Maon Kurosaki Passes Away
Singer passed away on February 16 after chronic illness became worse
― Agency Art One Entertainment announced on Tuesday that singer Maon Kurosaki passed away suddenly on February 16 after a worsening of her chronic illness. Kurosaki underwent emergency surgery for epidural hematoma (bleeding between the skull and the membrane surrounding the brain) in September 2021, after collapsing during the midd...
Voice Actor Shōzō Iizuka Passes Away
Dragon Ball Z, Gundam, Millennium Actress voice actor was 89
― Talent agency Sigma7 announced on Tuesday that voice actor Shōzō Iizuka passed away on February 15 of acute heart failure. He was 89. Iizuka was born in May 1933 in Tokyo. Iizuka was known for such roles as Zenda-gorilla in Zendarman, Yoshio Marui in Mister Ajikko, Ryu Jose in Mobile Suit Gundam, Happosai Hieta in Nintama Rantaro, Kasumi ...
Rie Takahashi Tells Fans to Bathe Before Her Concert
Anime conventions and concerts have been known to be smelly...
― Voice actress and singer Rie Takahashi (Mash Kyrielight in Fate/Grand Order, Emilia in Re:Zero, Megumin in Konosuba) held her first concert last Sunday—an exciting occasion, to be sure. To prepare her fans for the event, she drew a charming infographic filled with tips on what to do. Amusingly, her guide was filled with very obvious tip...
Voice Actor Mitsuo Senda Passes Away
Kingdom, Gon, Golgo 13 voice actor was 82
― Talent agency 81 Produce announced on Tuesday that voice actor Mitsuo Senda passed away on February 25 of ischemic heart failure. He was 82. Senda was born in Tokyo in March 1940. Some of Senda's notable roles include Yoneo Yamada in Ojamanga Yamada-kun, Jeff in Giant Gorg, Elder Squirrel in Gon, Dave McCartney in Golgo 13, Smiley in Sherlock Hound, Gorou K...
Prince of Tennis Creator Takeshi Konomi Reveals He Uses Wheelchair
Konomi had missed Jump Festa '23 event in December due to poor health
― The Prince of Tennis manga creator Takeshi Konomi revealed on Twitter on Sunday that he is currently unable to walk and is using a wheelchair. He stated he could not attend the latest The Prince of Tennis musical production, but he received a video of encouragement from the staff and cast of the musical. In December, Konomi did n...
sumika Rock Band's Guitarist Junnosuke Kuroda Passes Away at 34
4-member rock band has performed themes for Wotakoi, Mix, My Hero Academia
― The official website for the rock band sumika announced on Friday that the band's guitarist Junnosuke Kuroda (pictured far right) passed away on Thursday. He was 34. sumika did not reveal a cause of death. Kuroda had posted on Twitter on Wednesday about the group's new collection of music videos that went on sale that day. T...
PlayStation Logo Sound Effect Creator/Musician Tohru Okada Passes Away
Rock band Moonriders keyboardist/founder passed away at 73 due to heart failure
― Japanese rock band Moonriders revealed on Wednesday that member Tohru Okada, also known for creating the iconic sound effect of the PlayStation logo, has passed away due to heart failure. He passed away on February 14 at 73 years old. Okada was hospitalized due to a compression fracture in early 2022. He was born on Apr...
New Live-Action Ōoku: The Inner Chambers Show Gets 2nd Season This Fall
Season focuses on Cure, Bakumatsu Arcs
― The official Twitter account for the new live-action series of Fumi Yoshinaga's Ōoku: The Inner Chambers manga revealed on Wednesday that the series will have a second season that will premiere on NHK this fall. The new season will center on the manga's "Cure Arc" and "Bakumatsu Arc" — the first screen adaptation of this part of the story. Yoshiko Morishita (l...
Voice Actor Kyousei Tsukui Loses Voice After Tracheotomy Due to ALS
Tsukui was diagnosed with ALS in October 2019
― Voice actor Kyousei Tsukui revealed on his blog on Friday that he was given a tracheotomy and has now lost his voice. Tsukui posted a YouTube video featuring him in his hospital bed and using a digital voice software to speak. He stated in the video description that he lost his voice "sooner than he had expected," adding, "but as a person with ALS, this...
Yume Miyamoto Returns to Gundam: Witch from Mercury Anime as Nika for 2nd Half
Miyamoto went on brief hiatus due to poor health in November 2022
― The official Twitter account for the Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury anime announced on Tuesday that voice actress Yume Miyamoto will return in the role of Nika Nanaura in the anime's second part in April, as her physical condition recovers. Miyamoto's talent agency announced in November 2022 that Miyamoto was going on a b...
Some of 17th Seiyu Awards Winners Announced
Chikako Akimoto, Yūsaku Yara, Ikue Ōtani, Rica Matsumoto, Junichi Suwabe, Maria Kawamura honored
― The organizers of the 17th Annual Seiyū Awards announced the winners of the Merit Award, Kids/Family Award, Kei Tomiyama Award, and Kazue Takahashi Award on Tuesday. Merit Award
Award for the seiyū who have contributed to many genres, including foreign works, over the years 【第十七回声優アワード先行発表！】🏆功労賞長年に渡り外画も...
Legendary Manga Creator Leiji Matsumoto Passes Away at 85
Artist behind Space Battleship Yamato, Galaxy Express 999 suffered from heart failure
― Renowned manga creator, illustrator, and designer Leiji Matsumoto passed away on February 13 at 11:00 a.m. due to acute heart failure. He was 85. His immediate family already held a service with his manga creator wife Miyako Maki as the chief mourner. Matsumoto was born with the given name Akira in 1938 at Kurume ...
Anime, Manga Industry Members Honor Leiji Matsumoto's Memory
Yasuhiro Nightow, Miyako Maki, Masako Nozawa more respond to the passing of Galaxy Express 999 creator
― After news of the passing of Leiji Matsumoto became public, members of the anime and manga industries have been paying tribute to the renowned manga creator, illustrator, and designer. Matsumoto passed away on February 13 at 85 years old. 松本先生。先生の作品によって僕は漫画の世界に引きずり込まれました。僕の描くものの中に、先生から頂いた星の雫が幾許か混ぜ...
Mamoru Oshii Teaches 5+ Hour Video Course on Anime, Film Directing
Narō streams on-demand course with English subtitles
― The on-demand video course service Narō launched a video course with the acclaimed director Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell, Angel's Egg, Jin-Roh - The Wolf Brigade, Blood: The Last Vampire, The Fire Hunter) on Thursday. The 5+ hour course consists of 20 videos detailing Oshii's "creative formulas, development methods, and tales from his life as...
Toei President, CEO Osamu Tezuka Passes Away at 62
Tezuka joined company in 1983; became CEO, president in 2020
― Toei Company, Ltd. announced on Tuesday that its president and CEO Osamu Tezuka (no relation to the manga creator of the same name) has passed away. He was 62. Tezuka's funeral will be limited to close relatives, but a memorial ceremony will be held at a later date. Tezuka was born in March 1960. He joined Toei in April 1983, and was made...
CLAMP to Draw Picture Book About Figure Skater Yuzuru Hanyu
More information about tie-in picture book to be revealed at Hanyu's solo ice show on February 26
― Professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu's solo ice show "Gift" revealed on its website on Monday that the manga creator and artist circle CLAMP (Cardcaptor Sakura, xxxHOLiC) will draw a tie-in picture book under the same name. The website added that Hanyu was searching for ways to express his own stori...
Voice Actress Haruka Yamazaki Marries Drummer SHiN
Couple both work on THE [email protected] Million Live! Theater Days smartphone game
― Voice actress Haruka Yamazaki and drummer SHiN announced on their Twitter accounts on February 5 that they have gotten married. Yamazaki also posted a video on her YouTube channel showing the couple printing out a marriage registration form at a convenience store, filling out the paperwork, and preparing for their wedding...
Sazae-san, Danganronpa Voice Actress Takako Sasuga Passes Away
Voice actress played Tarao Fuguta in Sazae-san for 53 years
― Fuji TV and the staff of the Sazae-san anime announced on Friday that voice actress Takako Sasuga passed away on February 5. She was 87. Sasuga was born in February 1936 in Tokyo. She voiced the role of Tarao Fuguta in the Sazae-san anime for 53 years, starting with its initial broadcast in 1969. She voiced the role through the episode tha...
Dragon Quest Heroes Producer Ryota Aomi Leaves Square Enix
Aomi worked at Square Enix for 13 years
― Dragon Quest Heroes producer Ryota Aomi announced on Twitter on Friday that he has resigned from Square Enix. 皆様に、私事にてご報告です。この度スクウェア・エニックスを退職いたしました。突然のご報告となったことをお詫びいたします。スクエニでの13年間、ドラクエでの約16年間。ユーザーの皆様、関係者の皆様、スクエニのみんな、本当にありがとうございました！ pic.twitter.com/FadVuhZpYZ— 青海 亮太 / Ryota Aomi (@aomix) February 10, 2023 Aomi has been with Square Enix for 13 years, and has w...
This Anime Made Hikaru Utada Cry
Hikaru Utada performed the theme song for this tear-jerker
― A recent tweet from acclaimed Japanese-American singer Hikaru Utada is currently going a bit viral on the anime side of Japanese Twitter. In the tweet, they mention that a recent anime brought them to tears. グーグーーーーゔゔゔゔ😭😭😭😭 (「不滅のあなたへ」にハマった息子が風邪で学校休んでる日に一緒にアニメを観て涙腺崩壊)(私が)— 宇多田ヒカル (@utadahikaru) February 8, 2023 "::sniffle sniffle:: Waaaaaaah...
Genshin Impact Voice Actors Condemn Elliot Gindi Following Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Gindi has since come out and confirmed some of the allegations while denying others.
― This past Tuesday, a former moderator of Genshin Impact voice actor Elliot Gindi's Twitch and Discord shared a document (warning: explicit content) containing alleged screenshots of Gindi's sexual misconduct with several fans—some of whom were allegedly underage at the time. The document spread like wildfire across...
James Kaposztas, Veteran Otakon Staffer Who Made 1st Known Anime Music Video, Passes Away
Kaposztas created 1st known AMV in 1982 at age 21
― Anime.com Inc. publisher and co-founder Michael Pinto reported on Twitter on Sunday that James (Jim) Kaposztas, a longtime Otakon staffer who was recognized in the U.S. anime fandom as the first known person to create an anime music video (AMV), has passed away. In 1982 when he was a 21-year-old college student, Kaposztas hooked up two VCRs to each ...
Veteran Voice Actor Mamoru Miyano Talks About the Struggles He Faces Finding Work
“I have time to think about why I am still frustrated and what was missing in my performance. That's something I really enjoy about the voice acting profession.”
― Award-winning voice actor Mamoru Miyano appeared on the "A-Studio+" TV program last week and talked about his experiences as a veteran trying to find work in the anime industry. Miyano got his breakout role at the age of 19 in the anime Wo...
Storyboard Artist/Animation Director William Ruzicka Passes Away
Ruzicka worked on Crunchyroll Originals series High Guardian Spice, Onyx Equinox
― A GoFundMe campaign page revealed on Monday that storyboard artist and animation director William Ruzicka (High Guardian Spice, Onyx Equinox) passed away on February 1. He had been having breathing difficulties, and he passed out as he was getting into his car to take himself to urgent care. The campaign is raising mon...
Musician, Composer Masanori Takumi Wins Grammy Award
Takumi's Sakura album won Best Global Music Album
― Musician and composer Masanori Takumi won a Grammy for Best Global Music Album for his Sakura album at the 65th Grammy Awards ceremony on Sunday. Takumi released the album under the artist name Masa Takumi in September 2022. Takumi has composed music for such anime as Koi Kaze, Genshiken, Kujibiki Unbalance, Peach Girl, Suzuka, Witchblade, and Claym...
Grand Rapids Comic-Con Spring Fling Event Hosts Yuji Kaida, Mari Shimizu
Event takes place at Kalamazoo Expo Event Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan on April 14-16
― The staff of the "Grand Rapids Comic-Con Spring Fling Road Trip" event announced on Saturday that it will host Yuji Kaida and Mari Shimizu at its event on April 14 and April 16. The event will take place at Kalamazoo Expo Event Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Yuji Kaida is renowned as the "Kaiju Artist" for his wo...
Attack on Titan's Hajime Isayama Receives Angoulême's 'Special 50th Edition' Award
Ryoichi Ikegami, Junji Ito also honored
― The 50th Angoulême International Comics Festival announced on Sunday that Attack on Titan manga creator Hajime Isayama received the Fauve Spécial de la 50e édition award. In addition, Ryoichi Ikegami (Crying Freeman) and Junji Ito (Tomie, Gyo) both received the Fauves d'Honneur. Shūzō Oshimi's Blood on the Tracks (Chi no Wadachi) won the Prix de la série for ...
22/7 Project's Reina Miyase Graduates From Franchise
Voice of 22/7's Ayaka Tachikawa to graduate after group's 11th single release in April
― The official website for the 22/7 idol project announced on Wednesday that Reina Miyase, who plays Ayaka Tachikawa, is graduating from the franchise. Miyase will graduate from the franchise after the release of the group's 11th single on April 5. The franchise will then release the exact date of Miyase's graduati...
Shoko Nakagawa Goes on Hiatus for Surgery
Surgery to remove 'lump' slated for Tuesday
― Singer and voice actress Shoko Nakagawa posted a video on YouTube on Monday to reveal that she will go on hiatus, as she went into surgery on Tuesday to have a "lump" removed. (The term she used is commonly used to indicate breast lumps.) She noted that she would be going in for surgery on Tuesday at 8:45 a.m. JST. She did not specify when she would resum...
Voice Actress Nozomi Yamamoto Announces Pregnancy
The [email protected] Cinderella Girls voice actress is expecting to give birth in spring
― Voice actress Nozomi Yamamoto announced in a handwritten message on Twitter on Saturday that she is pregnant. She elaborated that she initially thought of announcing it after she had successfully given birth, but she decided it was better to announce it now due to the pregnancy's influence on her work. 皆様にご報告があります。ご一...
Tokyopop Appoints Marc Visnick as COO, Publisher
Visnick joined company in early 2022
― Tokyopop announced on Thursday that the company has appointed Marc Visnick as the COO and publisher. The company promoted Visnick internally from the post of vice president of publishing. In his role as COO and publisher, Visnick will manage all North American operations of the company including print, digital, editorial, marketing/PR, sales, and distribution. H...
Pokémon Voice Actress, Singer Rica Matsumoto to Attend Event in NYC (Updated)
Event takes place at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall on February 20 at 2:00 p.m. EST
― Update on February 20, 2023: Rica Matsumoto did not attend the event due to a COVID-19 exposure. ANN's original article below: Source: NEW & JAPAN event (Reuben Baron) Carnegie Hall's official website states that voice actress Rica Matsumoto will attend the "NEW & JAPAN": Japan-Foreign Culture Interexchange Even...
Bandai Namco Sues Former Worker for Allegedly Embezzling 600 Million Yen in Mobile Devices
Employee allegedly sold 4,400 company smartphones from 2015 to 2022
― Bandai Namco Holdings revealed on Wednesday that it is suing a former employee for 600 million yen (about US$4.65 million) in damages, claiming that the employee sold internal company smartphones without authorization for personal profit. According to Bandai Namco Holdings, its subsidiary company Bandai Namco Entertainment first no...
Singer Eir Aoi Goes on Hiatus Due to Poor Health
Announcement stated that hiatus will be mid- to long-term
― The official website for singer Eir Aoi announced on Thursday that the singer will go on a mid- to long-term hiatus due to her treatment and subsequent recovery for an ongoing health issue that began at the start of the year. All of her planned events from January to February have been canceled. The singer previously went on hiatus in Novemb...
Voice Actress Mikako Komatsu Gives Birth to 1st Child
Komatsu married fellow voice actor Tomoaki Maeno in 2020
― Voice actress Mikako Komatsu announced on her Instagram account on Sunday that she safely gave birth to her first child several days ago. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 小松未可子 (@mikako_komatsu) Komatsu remarked that she experienced many new things during her pregnancy, which made it a very momentous experience. The marvels of giv...
Kenta Shinohara Does Not Plan on Weekly Serialization After Finishing Witch Watch Manga
Sket Dance, Astra Lost in Space author says he will be 'physically unable' to serialize weekly
― Witch Watch manga creator Kenta Shinohara revealed on the official Witch Watch Twitter account on Sunday that he will not do a weekly manga serialization after he concludes Witch Watch, saying he is "physically unable" to do so, even if he wanted to. He also added he does not know when the manga will end ...
22/7's Nao Aikawa Goes on Hiatus to Focus on Studies
Aikawa joined idol group in February 2022
― The official website for the idol group 22/7 announced on Saturday that group member Nao Aikawa will take a hiatus from the group starting on January 19 so that she can focus on her studies. She will not attend the "52OSAKA ~Girls Castle~" event on February 19, but will attend the planned "Nana Niji Live 2023" events on January 16 and 18. The website will a...
YMO Drummer/Vocalist Yukihiro Takahashi Passes Away
Synthpop pioneer's music heard in Nadia, Only Yesterday, Appleseed: Ex Machina, Mr. Osomatsu, Sound! Euphonium
― Yukihiro Takahashi, the musician best known as the drummer and lead vocalist of the world-renowned group Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO), passed away on January 11 from aspiration pneumonia due to a brain tumor. He was 70. Takahashi announced in 2020 that he underwent surgery for a brain tumo...
Voice Actress Yuka Ōtsubo to Limit Workload Due to Health
[email protected] Cinderella Girls, Princess Connect! actress began feeling unwell at end of 2022
― Talent agency Early Wing announced on Friday that voice actress Yuka Ōtsubo began feeling unwell at the end of 2022, and after consultation, the agency has decided to partially restrict Ōtsubo's work activities. Ōtsubo voices Kanako Mimura in the The [email protected] Cinderella Girls anime. Other roles include: Ber...
Anime NYC Founder Peter Tatara Leaves LeftField Media to Join Japan Society
MK Goodwin will become new Event Director for Anime NYC
― Peter Tatara — vice president of events at LeftField Media and the founder of Anime NYC — announced on Monday that he is leaving LeftField Media and will be starting a new position at the New York-based Japan Society. Tatara will be the Japan Society's Director of Film, and will oversee JAPAN CUTS, the largest Japanese film festival in North A...
Jun Maeda Leaves Twitter Again After Apologizing For Heaven Burns Red Event Writing
Maeda deleted his first account in 2020 during broadcast of The Day I Became a God
― In 2020, Jun Maeda (Kanon, Air, Clannad, Angel Beats!) briefly disappeared from Twitter and public life during the broadcast of The Day I Became a God. He returned with a different account in May 2021 and started posting regularly about his work again after the release of his Heaven Burns Red smartphone game in Febru...
Manga Creator Gosaku Ota Passes Away
Mazinger Z, UFO Robo Grandizer, Mach SOS manga artist was 74
― Studio Nue co-founder Haruka Takachiho reported on Twitter on Sunday that manga creator Gosaku Ota passed away on December 12. He was 74. The Sponichi news website reported on Monday that Ota had contracted COVID-19 at the end of November, and was taken via emergency transport to the hospital. His condition had stabilized, but as his stre...
Voice Actresses Yuiko Tatsumi, Ari Ozawa Announce Childbirths
Congratulations to the new moms!
― 'Tis the season for fresh beginnings. Not only have there been a slew of celebrity marriages over the New Year, but voice actresses Yuiko Tatsumi and Ari Ozawa also announced over the weekend that they have each recently given birth to their first child. On Saturday, Tatsumi tweeted that she gave birth to her child last year and posted a photo. She apologized for no...
ANN's Most Read News and Interest Articles of 2022
We bid one last goodbye to 2022 with our top stories from the year.
― 2022 was a very different year compared to 2021 and 2020. The pandemic continued, but it no longer dominated the headlines, and its effects were much less apparent in most of our readers' countries. Although it didn't make the top ANN news itself, one of the biggest stories worldwide was, of course, the return to “life as usual,” o...
Happy New Year 2023 From the Anime World: Miscellaneous Edition (Updated)
Also check out our bunny girl and shrine art compilations!
― Happy New Year from the anime world! Here is ANN's annual New Year's greetings roundup from a number of popular anime and video game creators and companies! You've seen all the bunny girl and shrine art—here are all the rest! The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess The staff posted a visual along with handwritten messages by Ani...
In Memoriam
To those who left us in 2022
― Shinzo Abe Former Japanese Prime Minister Kirk Baily
Actor, Voice Actor
Trigun, Cowboy Bebop, Fushigi Yugi James Caan Actor
The Godfather, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya Pat Carroll Actress
My Neighbor Totoro, The Little Mermaid Shinsuke Chikaishi
Voice Actor
Sazae-san, Wonder Three Kevin Conroy
Voice Actor
Batman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures, Batma...
Happy New Year 2023 From the Anime World: Shrine Visit Edition
Here is a compilation of shrine visit and kimono-themed art from popular anime creators
― Happy New Year from the anime world! Here is ANN's annual New Year's greetings roundup from a number of popular anime and video game creators and companies! New Year's is the most important holiday in Japan, with families gathering to share big feasts and visit their local temple. Here is a compilation of shrine...
Smile Down the Runway Manga Creator Kotoba Inoya Marries Fumiyo Niinuma Voice Actress Ayaka Suwa
― Smile Down the Runway manga creator Kotoba Inoya announced on Twitter on Sunday that he has gotten married to voice actress Ayaka Suwa. Inoya posted an illustration on Twitter along with the announcement. 私事ではありますが、声優の諏訪彩花さんと結婚することとなりました。これからも面白い漫画を描けるよう、より一層努めてまいりますので今後とも応援よろしくお願いします！ pic.twitter.com/9XVjVatque— 猪ノ谷言葉 (@inoya5108) January 1, 2023 Inoya expressed his desire to continue to create m...
Happy New Year 2023 From the Anime World: Bunny Girl Edition
2023 will be the Year of the Rabbit according to the Chinese zodiac, so here is a compilation of the bunny girl (and some bunny boy) art
― Happy New Year from the anime world! Here is ANN's annual New Year's greetings roundup from a number of popular anime and video game creators and companies! The bulk of 2023 will be the Year of the Rabbit according to the Chinese zodiac, so here is a compilation o...
Voice Actor Nobunaga Shimazaki Announces Marriage
― The new year's rush of new marriage announcements continue! Voice actor Nobunaga Shimazaki announced on Sunday that he has gotten married. Shimazaki did not give any information about his new spouse. Shimazaki won the Best New Actor Award at the 7th Annual Seiyū Awards in 2013. He also voices roles in your name. (Tsukasa Fujii), Free! - Iwatobi Swim Club (Haruka Nanase), Black Clover (Yuno), Date ...
Singer Aimer Marries Musician Masahiro Tobinai
Couple worked together on theme songs for Demon Slayer, Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works, Fire Force, more
― The new year starts with a bang! The popular singer Aimer announced on her Twitter account on Sunday that she has married fellow musician Masahiro Tobinai. She vowed to continue producing music for as long as she is physically able to, and asked fans to accompany her on her "long musical...
Supreme Court of Texas Denies Petition to Review Vic Mignogna's Lawsuit
Voice actor, his lawyers filed petition for review on November 14
― Vic Mignogna at Phoenix Comicon
Credit: Gage SkidmoreThe Supreme Court of Texas denied a petition to review the decision in voice actor Vic Mignogna's defamation lawsuit on Friday. Mignogna and his lawyers had filed the petition on November 14, asking the higher court to review the decision in Mignogna's lawsuit against Funimation, ...
Hideo Kojima Wants to Stick Around As an AI After Death
"You need to be stimulated in lots of different ways if you want to keep creating new things, so I imagine I'll keep collaborating with others and taking in new things even if I'm an AI."
― IGN posted an in-depth interview with game developer Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear, Death Stranding) on December 22. In it, Kojima makes an amusing comment: In 50 or 100 years' time, he can see himself sticking around ...
Bocchi the Rock! Manga Creator's Loner Experience at Comiket
Aki Hamaji moved her booth to a place with no people around because she was too popular
― Bocchi the Rock! manga creator Aki Hamaji was very popular at Comiket 101's first day on Friday. She was releasing doujinshi and merch for the Blue Archive smartphone game, but the recent popularity of the Bocchi the Rock! anime prompted an unexpected number of fans to line up at her booth. On 10:31 a.m. JST, Ha...
Studio Pierrot Founder Yūji Nunokawa Passes Away
Animator, director worked on Urusei Yatsura, Creamy Mami, Yu Yu Hakusho, Naruto, Bleach
― Studio Pierrot announced on Monday that its founder, animator and anime director Yūji Nunokawa, passed away on December 25. He was 75. His close family will hold a service, followed by a memorial service by the studio. Nunokawa was born in Sakata city in Yamagata prefecture. After graduating from the Nihon Desig...
YOSHIKI Donates Another 10 Million Yen to Ukraine Relief
The musician has donated 20 million yen (about US$150,500) in total
― X Japan member YOSHIKI announced last Thursday that he is donating 10 million yen (about US$75,300) to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). In February, he donated 10 million yen to the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Emergency Assistance Fund, bringing the total amount he has donated to Ukraine relief to 20 million yen ...
Voice Actress Hitomi Suzuki Passes Away at 26
Voice actress had roles in Kimi no Koe o Todoketai, Usuzumizakura -Garo-, Resident Evil Resistance
― Talent agency Office PAC announced on Saturday that voice actress Hitomi Suzuki passed away on December 18 due to cancer. She was 26. Suzuki was from Chiba and her hobbies included drawing and playing instruments. Her anime roles include Otoha Biwakōji in the Kimi no Koe o Todoketai film. She also voi...
Pinocchio Star Finn Wolfhard, Director Guillermo del Toro Discuss Chainsaw Man Anime in Video
Finn Wolfhard states his favorite anime is Death Note
― Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard is voicing the role of Candlewick in the recently released Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio animated film, and Wolfhard and del Toro sat down together for a video that WIRED magazine posted on Thursday. In the video, the two ask each other questions based on common Internet searches using autocomplete suggestions...
Sumire Uesaka Becomes 1st Voice Actor to Inspire Figma
Uesaka announced the upcoming figure in her 31st birthday livestream
― The popular voice actress Sumire Uesaka (Lum in the new Urusei Yatsura anime, Nonna and Piyotan in Girls und Panzer) announced in her 31st birthday livestream on Monday that she is getting a figma action figure, a first for a voice actor. Max Factory also announced the figma on its YouTube channel and congratulated Uesaka for her ...
Voice Actress Aya Hirano Claims She Still Receives Death Threats From Fans
At the peak of her prime as an anime voice actress in 2010, the voice of Haruhi Suzumiya had a turbulent relationship with her fanbase
― At her peak as an anime voice actress in 2010, the popular singer and actress Aya Hirano (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Fairy Tail, Gatchaman Crowds) had a turbulent relationship with her fanbase. This resulted from a scandal around her relationships with her m...
'I'm a Terminal Cancer Patient, but I'm Fine.' Manga Creator Hilnama Passes Away
Hilnama passed away at her home on Monday
― Manga creator Hilnama's husband announced on her Twitter account on Friday that Hilnama passed away at her home on Monday. Hilnama published the I'm a Terminal Cancer Patient, but I'm Fine. (Mikkigan demo Genki desu, pictured right) manga in Flex Comix's Comic Polaris manga site in July 2020, and Flex Comix published the manga's compiled book volume in Febr...
Locke the Superman Manga Creator Yuki Hijiri Passes Away at 72
Hijiri passed away from pneumonia on October 30
― The official Twitter account for Shonengahosha's Young King Ours magazine announced on Friday that manga creator Yuki Hijiri (Locke the Superman) passed away from pneumonia on October 30. He was 72 years old. The funeral ceremony is for family, and there will also be a memorial event at a later date. Hijiri had announced in 2020 that he had Parkinson'...
Manga Creator Satomi Mikuriya Passes Away at 74
Mikuriya's works include Nora, Kentauros no Densetsu, Entaku no Kishi Monogatari: Moero Arthur
― Shueisha revealed on Friday that manga creator Satomi Mikuriya passed away on Wednesday at 5:01 p.m. JST. Mikuriya had been undergoing medical treatment. He was 74 years old. Mikuriya was born on May 20, 1948 in Nagasaki. He debuted in 1970 with the Kuroi Tsurugi manga. Mikuriya created the Nora no Hakobu...
Strawberry Prince Leader Nanamori Resumes Career
Singer went on hiatus in March after affair was exposed
― The official blog for internet musical unit Strawberry Prince (Sutopuri, or STPR) announced on Wednesday that the group's leader Nanamori. has resumed his career as an individual after coming to an agreement with the staff and other members. Nanamori reported that during his hiatus, he had been continuing to support the group behind the scenes...
Singer Ichiro Mizuki Passes Away at 74
"Emperor of Anime Songs" revealed lung cancer diagnosis in July
― The website for singer Ichiro Mizuki revealed on Monday that he passed away on December 6 due to lung cancer. He was 74. Mizuki revealed in July that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer with lymph node and brain metastasis, following his partial paralysis of the vocal cords in April 2021. Furthermore, a new lung cancer was found ear...
Voice Actress Asami Tano Gives Birth to 1st Child
Tano is best known for playing Saki Nikaidō in Zombie Land Saga, Ninny Spangcole in Burn The Witch
― Asami Tano, best known for playing Saki Nikaidō in Zombie Land Saga, Ninny Spangcole in Burn The Witch, and Akane Hino/Cure Sunny in Glitter Force (Smile Pretty Cure!), announced on her Twitter account on Monday that she gave birth to her first child at the end of last month. 【田野アサミからのご報告】 pic.twitter...
D4DJ Franchise Casts Kanon Nanaki as Ibuki Niijima
Nanaki replaces Ami Maeshima in role as Maeshima goes on hiatus
― The official website for Bushiroad's D4DJ franchise announced on Monday that Bushiroad has cast Kanon Nanaki as the character Ibuki Niijima (seen right), replacing Ami Maeshima, who went on hiatus from all entertainment activities for several months beginning on November 30. Nanaki's voice lines and singing will be gradually implemente...
Ichiro Mizuki's Last Recorded Performance to Air on January 3
BS TV Tokyo to air Mizuki's performance for Singers Association of Japan's 49th Song Festival
― BS TV Tokyo announced on Monday that it will air the last recorded performance of the late singer Ichiro Mizuki during its airing of The Singers Assocation of Japan's 49th Song Festival on January 3 at 12:00 p.m. Mizuki performed at the event, which took place on November 8-9. Mizuki passed away on Decembe...
Motomu Kiyokawa, Toru Hara, Kazutaka Miyatake, Yoshio Urasawa, More Win TAAF's Lifetime Achievement Awards
Akihiro Kanayama, Iwao Yamaki, Shizuo Kurahashi also honored
― The staff of the Tokyo Anime Award Festival (TAAF) event announced the winners of the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Awards on Thursday: Producer
Toru Hara (Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro) Scriptwriter
Yoshio Urasawa (Lupin III: Part II, Anmitsu Hime, Nintama Rantaro) Animator
Akihiro Kanayama (Ashita...
Game Director Yuji Naka Faces More Charges of Insider Trading
Naka suspected of purchasing shares of Ateam ahead of Final Fantasy VII The First Soldier game's announcement
― The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office arrested game programmer and director Yuji Naka again on Wednesday on suspicion of insider trading, or buying/selling stock on the basis of nonpublic information. While still at Square Enix, Naka allegedly invested in Ateam, developers of the com...
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