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news

Voice Actor Yasuo Muramatsu Dies at 91

Muramatsu voiced Tom in One Piece, Pisco in Detective Conan, Revil in Mobile Suit Gundam ― Office Kaoru revealed on Thursday that its founder and voice actor Yasuo Muramatsu (real name Tamehisa Muramatsu) died on April 11. He was 91. There was a wake and funeral for close relatives. Muramatsu was born on April 6, 1933. Muramatsu founded his own agency Office Kaoru in 1992. Muramatsu's roles include T...
news

Voice Actor Dave Underwood Dies at 57

Underwood voiced characters in You're Under Arrest, Crusher Joe, Kite ― Voice actor Dave Underwood (David Kent Underwood II) died on April 6. He was 57. His family will hold a wake for him on April 20. They have also set up at GoFundMe account for burial expenses. Underwood was born on December 28, 1966. He attended broadcasting school at Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts in Southfield, MI, and h...
news

Mangamura Pirate Site Owner Ordered to Pay 1.7 Billion Yen to Shueisha, Shogakukan, Kadokawa

3 publishers had sued owner of Japanese-language pirate site in 2022 ― The Tokyo District Court ordered on Thursday the former owner of the Japanese-language manga piracy site Mangamura must pay Japanese publishers Shogakukan, Shueisha, and Kadokawa 1.7 billion yen (about US$11.0 million). The publishers stated this is the largest amount of money a judge has ever ordered be paid regarding damages in ...
interest

Voice Actress Akari Uehara Announces Surprise Marriage & More

Voice of Peter Grill and the Philosopher's Time's Vegan Eldriel also announces pregnancy ― Akari Uehara, voice of Vegan Eldriel from Peter Grill and the Philosopher's Time, announced her marriage on X (formerly Twitter) on April 15. In the announcement, Tamura posted a surprise and heartfelt message to her fans and those she works with. 🌸ご報告です🌸 pic.twitter.com/YDdRMmLJ5r— 上原あかり (@akariuehara13) April...
news

4 Men Charged With Copying, Selling Strike Witches Anime Design Materials

Material copies sold through online auctions, generated estimated 10 million yen in sales ― The Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Wednesday that the Metropolitan Police Department sent documents to the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office regarding suspicion towards four men of copyright law violation, for illegally copying production materials of the Strike Witches anime. The material copies have been...
news

Studio Ghibli Earns Cannes' Honorary Palme d'Or; Time Magazine Names Hayao Miyazaki in Top 100 Most Influential People List

Ghibli's Honorary Palme d'Or marks 1st time Cannes Festival has given honor to entire group ― The 77th Cannes International Film Festival announced on Wednesday that it is awarding Studio Ghibli with the Honorary Palme d'Or. The prize honors those who have achieved notable work but had never won a competitive Palme d'Or, the festival's highest award. According to the festival's staff, this marks the ...
news

Seven Days War Novelist Osamu Sōda Dies at 95

Sōda's 1985 novel inspired live-action film in 1988, anime film in 2019 ― Novelist Osamu Sōda died on April 8 at a hospital in Nagoya due to pneumonia. He was 95. According to Sōda's family, his condition suddenly deteriorated after he was hospitalized due to a cold on April 4. Kadokawa, which published many of Sōda's works, also released a statement regarding his death on Tuesday. Kadokawa stated th...
interest

Lycopene the Tomatoy Poodle Manga Creator Kōji Ōishi Gets Married

His wife? None other than the melon idol herself, Melon Yamaguchi ― Like any country, Japan loves its big-name weddings. From actors and musicians to idols, voice actors, and a myriad of other celebrities, Japanese people love celebrating these joyous occasions. But, what about when a manga creator gets married? The latest notable manga marriage is between the Lycopene the Tomatoy Poodle creator Koji...
news

Trapped in a Dating Sim Novelist Yomu Mishima Launches New Project in Fall

Final volume shipped on March 29 ― The 13th and final volume of of Yomu Mishima's Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs (Otome Game Sekai wa Mob ni Kibishii Sekai Desu) light novel series revealed on March 29 the author will launch a new project in the fall. Mishima launched the novels on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō (Let's Be Novelists) website in 2017 and ended it there in ...
interest

Former Nogizaka46 Idol Nanase Nishino, Actor Yuki Yamada Announce Marriage

Couple shared their news with joint message ― If there's one thing Japanese mass media loves, it's idols and actors. And they love it even more when an idol and actor get married. The media was hit with a big idol and actor marriage announcement on March 31. The idol and actor, none other than former Nogizaka46 member Nanase Nishino and actor Yuki Yamada. 【ご報告】 pic.twitter.com/sC9itziTC2— 西野七瀬&STAFF...
news

Sci-fi Novelist Hiroshi Yamamoto Dies at 68

Yamamoto's works include Project Piano, The Stories of Ibis, MM9 novels ― The official website of publisher Tokyo Sogensha announced on Thursday that sci-fi novelist Hiroshi Yamamoto died on March 29 due to aspiration pneumonia. He was 68. Yamamoto's daughter also posted an announcement on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday. According to Yamamoto's daughter, a funeral was held with close re...
interest

Voice Actor Yukihiro Nozuyama Announces Birth of 1st Child

Voice of Record of Ragnarok's Heimdall announced birth with beautiful photo ― Yukihiro Nozuyama, voice of Heimdall from Record of Ragnarok, announced on April 2 on X (formerly Twitter) that his wife gave birth to their first child. Nozuyama gave a message to his fans with a photo of his child holding his brother-in-law's hand. 【ご報告】私事で大変恐縮ですが…。先日、我が家に第一子が産まれした!命懸けで産んでくれた妻と産まれてきてくれた我が子に感謝の気持ちでいっぱいです。今...
interest

Voice Actress Mutsumi Tamura Announces Marriage

Voice of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean's Ermes Costello gives heartfelt message ― Mutsumi Tamura, voice of Ermes Costello from Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean, announced her marriage on April 1 on X (formerly Twitter). 皆様へ 私事ではありますが田村睦心、結婚いたしました。ずっと1人で生きていくものと思っておりましたが、ありがたいご縁があり一生を共にしてくれるパートナーができました。自分らしく過ごせそうで大変ありがたい気持ちです。 きっと色々な経験をするでしょう。…— 田村睦心 (@623tmr) April 1, 2024 In her heartfe...
news

Kyoto Police Arrests Man in 20s for Nintendo Threat Messages Incident from 2023

Suspect allegedly sent threat messages through Nintendo website's inquiry form ― The Kyoto Prefectural Police's First Investigative Division has arrested on Wednesday a man in his 20s, a civil servant from Ibaraki Prefecture, on suspicion of forcibly obstructing business operations, after allegedly sending several threatening messages to Nintendo last year. According to investigators, the man is susp...
news

Voice Actor Bon Ishihara Dies at 68

Ishihara voiced Gold-Toothed Doctor in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood ― KeKKe Corporation announced in February that voice actor Bon Ishihara (real name Sumio Ishihara) died on February 8 at the age of 68. A funeral service was held for relatives. Ishihara voiced the Gold-Toothed Doctor in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Johnny the Matagi in Samurai Champloo, Sōichirō Shimogamo in The Eccentric F...

Apothecary Diaries Manga Creator Nekokurage Indicted for Alleged Tax Evasion

Nekokurage claims neglect of tax returns due to ignorance ― Nekokurage (real name Erika Ikeda), the creator of the manga adaptation of The Apothecary Diaries light novels, was indicted by The Fukuoka Regional Taxation Bureau on February 29 on suspicion of not declaring approximately 260 million yen (about US$1.7 million) in income and evading about 47 million yen (about US$310,000) in taxes from 2019...
news

Voice Actor William Samples Dies

Actor played roles in Master Keaton, Inuyasha, others ― Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail reported on March 9 that voice actor William Samples died on January 2. Samples voiced Tahei Hiraga in the Master Keaton anime as well as the OVA. He also provided voices for Project ARMS: The 2nd Chapter and Inuyasha. According to IMDb, he also voiced roles in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Sherlock ...

Apothecary Diaries Manga Creator Nekokurage Indicted on Suspicion of Tax Evasion

Nekokurage claims neglect of tax returns due to ignorance ― Nekokurage (real name Erika Ikeda), the creator of the manga adaptation of The Apothecary Diaries light novels, was indicted by The Fukuoka Regional Taxation Bureau on February 29 on suspicion of not declaring approximately 260 million yen (about US$1.7 million) in income and evading about 47 million yen (about US$310,000) in taxes from 2019...

Hideaki Anno Leads Space Battleship Yamato Anime 50th Anniversary Project

Project to include book publications, screening event, exhibition ― Studio Khara announced on Saturday that Hideaki Anno will be planning and producing a 50th anniversary project for Yoshinobu Nishizaki and Leiji Matsumoto's Space Battleship Yamato space opera anime franchise. The project will include several book publications, as well as a screening event on October 6, which would mark 50 years exa...
news

Satsudou Manga Creator Chicchi Yukinaga Dies

Satsudou will end serialization ― Kodansha's Young Magazine staff announced on Monday that manga creator Chicchi Yukinaga has died. No cause of death was given. The magazine editors gave recognition to Yukinaga for debuting in the magazine over two years ago with works imbued with passion and talent. Yukinaga's ongoing series Satsudou will end serialization, and the magazine's staff will announce fu...
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81 Produce Agency Ends Voice Actor Daiki Nakamura's Contract Over Reported Harassment at His School

Agency received complaints about power & sexual harassment, financial troubles in Nakamura's private school ― Voice talent company 81 Produce announced on Friday that it has canceled voice actor Daiki Nakamura's contract as of March 21, after the agency received complaints of power harassment, sexual harassment, and financial troubles at Yume Kōbō, a private training school that Nakamura personally f...
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Laputa - Castle in the Sky Voice Actor Minori Terada Dies

Terada voiced Muska in Ghibli classic ― The Yomiuri Shimbun paper reported on Saturday that actor Minori Terada died on March 14. He was 81. Terada had been battling lung cancer. His agency expressed their condolences and gratitude to fans for their support, and noted the actor's courage while pursuing treatment. Terada was best known internationally for his role as Muska in the Studio Ghibli film La...
interest

Voice Actor Yūto Uemura Announces Marriage

The voice of Bungo Stray Dogs' Atsushi Nakajima posts a handwritten message to his fans ― Yuto Uemura, the voice of Atsushi Nakajima from Bungo Stray Dogs, announced his marriage in a handwritten message posted on X (formerly Twitter) on March 16. ご報告です。 pic.twitter.com/XSWgLRGNlr— 上村祐翔(うえむらゆうと) (@U_Yutopan) March 16, 2024 I have an announcement. In his message, Uemura writes (roughly translated): T...
interest

Singer Sayuri Marries Misekai Musician Amaarashi

Singer of My Hero Academia's ending song announced her marriage to up-and-coming vocalist ― Sayuri — composer, lyricist, and singer of My Hero Academia's sixth ending theme song “Kokai no Uta” — announced her marriage with Amaarashi, the up-and-coming male vocalist of Misekai, on March 18 on X (formerly Twitter). In the announcement, Sayuri posted a photo of herself with Amaarashi along with a handw...

'Tales of' RPG Series Artist Mutsumi Inomata Dies

Artist also worked as animator, character designer for anime for Ashi Production, Kaname Production ― The official Twitter account for artist Mutsumi Inomata announced on Monday that Inomata died on March 10. Her family held a private funeral. The announcement added that Inomata's death was "sudden," and she still had the draft for a new illustration that she had only started drawing before she died....
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Anime Boston 2024 Hosts Yuya Hirose, Yuki Watanabe as Guests of Honor

Event takes place on March 29-31 ― The staff of Anime Boston announced on Friday that the 2024 event will host voice actor Yuya Hirose and Tsuburaya Productions' Yuki Watanabe as Guests of Honor in association with HIDIVE. Hirose portrays Yuki Wakura in Chained Soldier, Yuta Hibiki in SSSS.GRIDMAN, Alto Goldfield in Kinsō no Vermeil, and Isumi Haruka in IDOLiSH7. Watanabe has worked on the production...
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Manga Creator Yū Asai Dies, Manga Creator Husband Motoyuki Asai Hospitalized After Traffic Accident

Motoyuki Asai is in serious condition ― The Twitter account for manga creator Motoyuki Asai stated on Thursday Motoyuki and his wife, fellow manga creator duo Yū Asai, were in a traffic accident on March 2. Yū died on March 6 while Motoyuki is currently hospitalized with bone fractures and is in serious condition. A close relative, who made the announcement on Twitter, stated in another Twitter post ...
daily briefs

Former Crunchyroll Executive Miles Atherton Joins Anime Trending Site's Board

― The anime news and statistics website Anime Trending announced on Thursday that Miles Atherton (formerly Miles Thomas) has joined the site's board of directors as an advisor. Atherton joined Crunchyroll in 2013 as a sales consultant. He eventually became a content analyst, brand manager, and then the senior manager of social media and editorial programming before becoming the director of audience ...
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Kanako Takatsuki Announces Absence from Love Live! Koshien 2024 Due to Health

Voice actress returned from medical hiatus in November 2021 ― Kanako Takatsuki, voice actress for Hanamaru Kunikida in the Love Live! idol franchise, revealed to fans on Instagram on Tuesday that she will not be participating in the Love Live! Series Presents Unit Koshien 2024 event due to her health. Takatsuki wrote that anxiety regarding her adjustment disorder flaring up again caused symptoms to ...
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Actor Masaaki Maeda Dies at 91

Maeda voiced Carozzo "Iron Mask" Ronah in Mobile Suit Gundam F91 The Sankei Shimbun reported last Friday that actor Masaaki Maeda died on February 27 due to ischemic heart failure. He was 91. There was a funeral held for immediate family. Maeda was known for the Ken-chan and Jiken Kisha television series. Maeda played Carozzo "Iron Mask" Ronah in Mobile Suit Gundam F91. His other roles include Shog...
interest

The Anime/Manga World Offers Condolences After Dragon Ball Creator Akira Toriyama's Death II

Nothing but love and respect from around the world for the late manga creator ― People from around the world have paid their respects to the legendary manga creator Akira Toriyama, who tragically died on March 1. Following Toriyama's death, fans around the world have posted their condolences, respects, and tributes on social media. Many are by established creatives, but if you dig a little deeper, yo...
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The Anime/Manga World Offers Condolences After Dragon Ball Creator Akira Toriyama's Death

Creators all around the anime/manga worlds pay their respects to the manga legend ― The world learned on Friday that legendary manga author and illustrator Akira Toriyama died on March 1. Almost akin to Osamu Tezuka in his status, Toriyama left an indelible mark on manga and anime around the world. Creators are paying their respects to the legendary manga author. Both the official website and Twitter...
interest

Heavenly Delusion Wins 10th Anime Trending Awards

Oshi no Ko, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury season 2, more anime win awards ― The 10th annual Anime Trending Awards announced its winners on Saturday and Heavenly Delusion won Anime of the Year as well as four more awards. Other titles that dominated the awards this year were OSHI NO KO with seven awards as well as Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury season 2 with three awards, Juj...

Chibi Maruko-chan Anime's Lead Voice Actress TARAKO Dies at 63

TARAKO voiced Maruko in ongoing anime for 35 years ― The Sponichi Annex news website reported on Saturday that voice actress TARAKO (Maruko in Chibi Maruko-chan) died at the age of 63. The cause of death was not revealed. There will be a funeral for family. TARAKO is best known for her starring role as Maruko in the long-running and ongoing Chibi Maruko-chan. She played the character for 35 years, an...

Dragon Ball Creator Akira Toriyama Dies at 68

Creator's long-running Dragon Ball franchise has inspired anime, sequels, spinoffs ― Famed manga creator Akira Toriyama died on March 1 due to acute subdural hematoma. He was 68. His family held a private funeral. Toriyama's family is not accepting gifts, visits, or offerings, and is also not accepting interviews. Bird Studio, Toriyama's design and production studio, are planning to hold a comemmorat...
news

Staff of 'Biggest' Pirated Anime Site Aimed at Japanese Viewers Found Guilty

"B9GOOD" piracy site's operator, 3 staff arrested in 2023 ― Japan's Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA), an organization that aims to reduce worldwide piracy and actively promote the international distribution of Japanese content, reported on Monday that the four people arrested in 2023 in suspicion of being associated with "B9GOOD," one of the "largest" anime piracy sites aimed at Japan...
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Manga Creators Takehiko Inoue, Yumi Tamura, Animator Atsushi Wada Win Agency for Cultural Affairs' Media Arts Awards

Awards ceremony takes place on March 12 in Tokyo ― The Japanese government's Agency for Cultural Affairs announced the winners of the 74th "Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Fine Arts Recommendation Awards" on Wednesday. Manga creators Takehiko Inoue (Slam Dunk) and Yumi Tamura (7SEEDS, Don't Call It Mystery) won in the Media Arts category, and animator Atsushi Wada (Ikim...

Anime Producer Kouichirou Itou Faces New Accusations of Obscene Acts With a Minor for Money

Itou was previously arrested for a separate charge for allegedly soliciting nude photos from a minor ― The below article contains references to child sexual assault. 52-year-old anime producer Kouichirou Itou, who was arrested in late February for allegedly soliciting a 15-year-old high school girl for nude photos, faces new accusations from Wakayama Prefectural Police. The authorities charged Itou o...
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NHK Airs Gosho Aoyama Documentary on April 28

Professional Shigoto no Ryūgi Mangaka Gosho Aoyama SP ― Gosho Aoyama is the newest subject of NHK's Professional Shigoto no Ryūgi (style of professional work) documentary series. The episode will go behind-the-scenes with the manga artist and airs on NHK BS Premium 4K on April 28, as well as NHK General on May 2. The 72-minute episode follows Aoyama over the course of seven months from May 2023 and f...
interest

Makoto Shinkai Comments on Anime Producer Kouichirou Itou's Arrest

Kouichirou Itou arrested on February 21 ― Wakayama Prefectural Police arrested anime producer Kouichirou Itou for allegedly soliciting a minor for nude photos on February 21. While the story is developing, Itou's contemporary and oft collaborator, Makoto Shinkai (your name., Suzume), released a statement regarding his arrest on Twitter. 作品関係者逮捕の報道を目にし、とても大きなショックを受けています。まずなによりも被害者の方へ、心よりお見舞い申し上げます。また、...
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Voice Actress Yui Ninomiya Goes on Hiatus Due to Health

Aikatsu Friends! voice actress, Classroom of the Elite performer to concentrate on resting ― The staff of voice actress Yui Ninomiya announced on her official X (formerly Twitter) account that her activities will be suspended as of Tuesday due to poor health, and she will concentrate on resting. The announcement did not state Ninomiya's illness or a possible date of her return. Ninomiya is best known...
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2 Men Face New Accusations After Arrest for Posting Shonen Jump Images Early

Suspect Samir Musa allegedly admitted to also posting Weekly Shōnen Magazine images ― The two foreign nationals who were arrested earlier this month for allegedly posting images of manga from Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine faced new accusations on Sunday by the Kumamoto and Niigata prefectural police's joint investigation unit. This time, the suspects are also accused of posting images of man...
interest

Afternoon Magazine Editors, Skip and Loafer Creator Donate 10 Million Yen After January 1 Quake

The author of Skip and Loafer, Misaki Takamatsu, with the Afternoon editorial team and the Skip and Loafer anime team send their support to the relief efforts of the New Year's quake in their own unique ways. ― On New Year's Day the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture was devastated by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake. While it's been nearly two months since the quake, people all over Japan are still se...
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Leiji Matsumoto, Yuki Hijiri Honored With Contribution Award at Japan Nihon SF Taishō

Both manga creators awarded posthumously ― The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of Japan (SFWJ) on Friday posthumously awarded late science-fiction manga creators Leiji Matsumoto and Yuki Hijiri with the Contribution Award in its 44th Nihon SF Taishō Awards. Matsumoto died in February 2023, and Hijiri died in October 2022. Matsumoto's notable works include Space Pirate Captain Harlock, Galaxy Expres...
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Voice Actress Reina Kondo Goes on Hiatus Due to Health

Kondo cancels events to prioritize treatment ― Voice actress Reina Kondo and her agency Hirata Office announced on Twitter on Friday that she is going on hiatus because she has not been feeling well. After consulting with her doctor, she has decided to prioritize treatment. She is taking a break and will then continue to work with restrictions. Kondo will not appear at the "Seiyū Grand Prix presents ...
news

C/FO Co-Founder Mark Merlino Dies

Co-founder of 1st anime club in North America was also one of the founders of Furry fandom ― The Prancing Skiltaire announced on Twitter on February 20 that Cartoon/Fantasy Organization co-founder Mark Merlino has died. Earlier this month, a GoFundMe campaign was launched for Merlino to help fund his hospice care. While the GoFundMe was originally launched to help pay for Merlino's medical bills afte...

Police Arrest your name. Producer Kouichirou Itou on Suspicion of Soliciting Minor for Nude Photos (Updated)

Itou allegedly solicited girl in 2021; police investigating for other victims ― Wakayama Prefectural Police arrested 52-year-old anime producer Kouichirou Itou for allegedly soliciting a 15-year-old high school girl living in Nagano for nude pictures of herself. Itou admitted to the charge, though according to authorities he claimed that he had "done it with other people, so [he couldn't] tell if it ...
news

Godzilla Minus One Live-Action Film, Kitarō Tanjō: Gegege no Nazo Anime Film Producers Win Fujimoto Award

Godzilla Minus One producers win general award, Kitarō Tanjō: Gegege no Nazo producer Keisuke Naitō wins rookie award ― Japan's Eiga Engeki Bunka Kyōkai (Film Theater Culture Association) announced the winners of its 43rd annual Fujimoto Awards on Monday. Godzilla Minus One live-action film producers Hisashi Usui, the late Shuji Abe, Kenji Yamada, Kazuaki Kishida, Gō Abe, and Keiichiro Moriya receive...
news

The Boy and the Heron Anime Film Wins 2 Awards at Annie Awards

Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 also wins 2 awards; Suzume shut out ― The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, announced the winners of its 51st Annual Annie Awards on Saturday, and Hayao Miyazaki's latest feature film The Boy and the Heron (Kimi-tachi wa Dō Ikiru ka) won two awards. Hayao Miyazaki won the award for Best Storyboarding for a feature film, and animation director Takeshi Ho...
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Niigata Int'l Animation Film Festival Honors Kazuki Higashiji, Takeshi Honda, Others

maboroshi art director, The Boy and the Heron animation director, Lonely Castle in the Mirror scriptwriter win Kōji Fukiya award ― The Niigata International Animation Film Festival announced on February 16 the winners of the Kōji Fukiya and Hiroshi Okawa awards, which include maboroshi (Alice to Therese no Maboroshi Kōjō, pictured at right) film art director Kazuki Higashiji and The Boy and the Her...

NTV Apologizes After Sexy Tanaka-san Creator Hinako Ashihara's Death

NTV conducts investigation into Ashihara's apparent suicide ― Warning: this article contains statements about a possible suicide. If you or anyone you know is suicidal or having suicidal thoughts, please reach out to a suicide prevention organization in your country. In the United States, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available by calling 988. In Japan, the TELL LifeLine service is avai...
interest

Voice Actress Naomi Ōzora Gives Birth

Voice of Hana Uzaki from Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out announces her child's birth with heartfelt message ― Naomi Ozora, voice of Hana Uzaki from Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out, announced on January 27 on Twitter that she had given birth to her child. In her tweet, Ozora posted a heartfelt message to her fans and those she works with: みなさまへ先月末に、無事赤ちゃんを出産いたしました。母子共に体調も落ち着いてまいりましたので、ご報告させていただきます🌼温かく応援してくだ...
news

GoFundMe Campaign Launched for C/FO Co-Founder Mark Merlino

Campaign is raising money to support Merlino's hospice care ― A GoFundMe campaign was launched on Wednesday for Cartoon/Fantasy Organization co-founder Mark Merlino to help fund his hospice care. While the GoFundMe was originally launched to help pay for Merlino's medical bills after he was hospitalized on December 23 after suffering three micro strokes, the campaign updated on Friday to announce tha...
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Yoko Shimomura Honored With Game Developers Choice's Lifetime Achievement Award

Shimomura has composed for Kingdom Hearts, Street Fighter franchises, more ― The organizers of the 24th annual Game Developers Choice Awards (GDCA) revealed on Friday that composer Yoko Shimomura will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. Shimomura began her career at Capcom in 1988, and she is perhaps best known in the West for composing the score for the Kingdom Hearts series, and she has also cont...
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Voice Actor Sean Letourneau Starts GoFundMe Campaign After Cancer Diagnosis

Dub voice actor revealed testicular cancer diagnosis on Wednesday ― Voice actor Sean Letourneau (24) started a GoFundMe campaign on Wednesday to help pay for medical bills. Letourneau was diagnosed earlier this year with testicular cancer. Letourneau wrote that the "ultrasounds, specialist visits, CT scans, surgery fees, and general toll of the entire event has left me financially devastated and over...
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Man Sentenced to Year in Prison for Threatening Voice Actress Yui Ishikawa

Tokyo court: Fukuta Kishimoto had been punished for similar offense before ― The Tokyo District Court sentenced 25-year-old Fukuta Kishimoto to one year in prison for threatening to kill voice actress Yui Ishikawa (Mikasa in Attack on Titan, Kyururu in Kemono Friends 2). In its decision, the court noted that Kishimoto had already served time for a similar offense, but still made death threats again. ...
news

The World of Narue Manga Creator Tomohiro Marukawa Dies at 53

Manga creator had been planning new work ― Kadokawa's Monthly Shonen Ace magazine revealed on Friday that manga creator Tomohiro Marukawa died of ischemic heart disease on January 25. He was 53. Marukawa launched The World of Narue in Monthly Shonen Ace in 1999, and ended the series in December 2012 at 13 volumes. The manga won a Seiun Award in 2014. The manga inspired a 12-episode television anime s...
interest

Gundam Seed Lead Character Designer Draws Art of T.M.Revolution

Takanori Nishikawa makes his return to Gundam Seed franchise as a character ― The new Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom film is setting the franchise's box office record, and it's safe to say the Gundam Seed franchise is still as popular as ever. One of the catalysts to its popularity can potentially be attributed to the first opening theme song of Mobile Suit Gundam Seed, “Invoke” by T.M.Revolution. T...
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Oshi no Ko, The First Slam Dunk Win TAAF's Top Awards

Takehiko Inoue, Takeshi Honda, Daiki Nakazawa, YOASOBI also honored ― The Tokyo Anime Award Festival (TAAF) announced the winners of its Animation of the Year awards for works and individuals on Thursday. Oshi no Ko won the television category and The First Slam Dunk won the animated film category. The winners of the individual awards are as follows: Original Work/Screenplay Category: Takehiko Inoue ...
news

Transformers Comic Book Artist José Delbo Dies

San Diego Comic-Con International awarded Delbo its Inkpot Award in 2013 ― Argentinian comic book artist José Delbo died on February 5. He was aged 90. He was known for his work on Transformers comic books for Marvel Comics amongst many other works. His family made an announcement regarding his passing. Some of Delbo's earliest work in the United States include The Spectre and Wonder Woman with DC Co...
news

Robotech Voice Actor, Writer, Director Greg Finley Dies at 76

Finley played Captain Gloval, Anatole Leonard in Robotech franchise ― Voice actor Tony Oliver posted on Facebook on Friday that actor, writer, and director Greg Finley died on February 1. He was 76. Finley voiced Captain Gloval and Anatole Leonard in the Robotech franchise, as well as Victor Kyōfu Densetsu: Kaiki! Frankenstein. He also served as a staff writer on the series. Finley provided numerous ...
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Takayuki Kondō, Daisuke Ono to Stop Performing as TRD Duo on June 26

Duo formed in 2021 as a musical unit ― TRD — Takayuki Kondō and Daisuke Ono's "technologic vocal unit" — announced in a new YouTube video on Friday that the duo will end their activities after the release of their album What's Going On?. The album will ship on June 26. The duo expressed their gratitude to their fans for their support through the years. The album will contain 10 tracks and a special e...
news

Man Pleads Guilty on Trial for Threatening Voice Actress Yui Ishikawa

Defendant also threatened Ishikawa, director TATSUKI in 2020 ― Fuji News Network reported on Friday that 25-year-old male Fukuta Kishimoto pleaded guilty in trial for threatening voice actress Yui Ishikawa (Mikasa in Attack on Titan, Kyururu in Kemono Friends 2). After being arrested in December, he admitted in court to posting on a message board that he would stab Ishikawa with a knife and kill her....
interest

Trading Card Game Shop Catches Pokémon Card Thieves on Security Camera

Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again! ― A group of Pokémon card thieves prepared for trouble and made it double. According to a report from ABC7 News last Friday, Tofu's Trading, a store in San Jose, California, shared camera footage of what appear to be a trio of robbers breaking into the store on January 24 at 2:00 a.m. The robbers took over 35,000 Pokémon cards, with many of them worth hund...

Sexy Tanaka-san, Sand Chronicles Manga Creator Hinako Ashihara Dies in Apparent Suicide (Updated)

Manga creator had been reported missing on Sunday ― Warning: this article contains statements about a possible suicide. If you or anyone you know is suicidal or having suicidal thoughts, please reach out to a suicide prevention organization in your country. In the United States, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available by calling 988. In Japan, the TELL LifeLine service is available at 0...
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The Sasaki and Peeps Anime Cast a Bunch of Sasaki Voice Actors in the 1st Episode

They even got a celebrity Sasaki couple! ― The Sasaki and Peeps anime is already on its fourth episode, but you may want to go back to the one-hour special first episode and watch it again more attentively, because we all have been tricked! Admittedly, not all of us sit through the credits of any series or movies that we watch, or if we do, we really don't pay much attention to it. That's where Sasak...
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Shinya Komatsu's Afternoon Yawns, Henry Yoshitaka Kiyama's The Four Immigrants Manga, Moto Hagio Win Angoulême Awards

Festival held Master Classes, exhibitions by Moto Hagio, Hiroaki Samura ― The 51st Angoulême International Comics Festival has announced its winners as of Saturday. Henry Yoshitaka Kiyama's Four Japanese in San Francisco 1904-1924 (The Four Immigrants Manga) won the Heritage Selection category. Additionally, Shinya Komatsu's Afternoon Yawns (Gogo no Akubi, pictured right) volume 1 won a Special Jury ...
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Final Fantasy XIV: Dad of Light Project's Real-Life Father Dies

"Indy" inspired live-action series about father/son bonding over Final Fantasy XIV game ― The live-action Final Fantasy XIV Dad of Light (Final Fantasy XIV: Hikari no Otōsan) series' director Kiyoshi Yamamoto revealed on Twitter on Wednesday that the real-life father who inspired the series has died. Known as "Indy Jones" in the blog and in the series' representation of Square Enix's Final Fantasy XI...

Kyoto Court Sentences Man to Death in Kyoto Animation Arson Case (Updated)

Suspect found guilty for arson that killed 36 people, wounded 32 others at Kyoto Animation on July 18, 2019 ― The Kyoto District Court handed down a guilty verdict on Thursday to Shinji Aoba, the suspect of the arson murder case that killed 36 people and wounded 32 others at Kyoto Animation, sentencing him to death. The prosecutors for the case announced their intent to seek the death penalty for Aob...
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Exclusive: Shūzō Oshimi Contributes Variant Cover for U.S. Comic Somna #3; Signals Start of Kodansha & U.S. Publisher DSTLRY Partnership

The two publishers will exchange artists from Western comics and manga to do cover arts for upcoming releases. Probably one of the coolest cultural exchanges ever. ― The Eastern and Western art of manga and comics have merged with a new partnership between Japanese publisher Kodansha, and U.S. publisher DSTLRY, where they will regularly exchange cover artists for upcoming releases, to show their tale...
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Koji Kondo Enters Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame

27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards ceremony to be held on February 15 ― The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) announced on Wednesday that they will honor Nintendo composer and sound director Koji Kondo as a Hall of Fame inductee at the 27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards ceremony at the Aria Resort in Las Vegas on February 15. The ceremony will be livestreamed. Kondo began working for Nintendo in 1984. ...
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Sound! Euphonium Voice Actress Konomi Fujimura Announces Marriage

Voice actor of Natsuki Nakagawa from Sound! Euphonium announces her marriage with heartfelt message. ― Konomi Fujimura, voice of Natsuki Nakagawa from Sound! Euphonium, announced her marriage on November 20 on Twitter. In the announcement, Fujimura posted a heartfelt message to her fans and those she works with. いつも応援して下さっている大切な皆様へ pic.twitter.com/hMVisUyLVy— 藤村鼓乃美 (@Necono3) November 20, 2023 To all...
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Kakegurui Voice Actress Minami Tanaka Announces Marriage

Voice actor of Meari Saotome from Kakegurui announces her marriage ― Minami Tanaka, voice of Meari Saotome from Kakegurui, announced her marriage on November 22 on Twitter. In the announcement, Tanaka posted a beautiful landscape photo taken by her father with a handwritten message to her fans. ご報告です。 pic.twitter.com/nAE0Wmih0Z— 田中美海 (@minazou_373) November 22, 2023 I have an announcement. In the mes...
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Singer Akira Kushida Hospitalized for Acute Pancreatitis

'THE KING 2024' concert with other artists on January 28 has been postponed ― The staff of Japanese singer Akira Kushida announced on Tuesday that he was recently diagnosed with acute pancreatitis and has since been hospitalized. Because of his current condition, "THE KING 2024" concert scheduled for January 28 will be postponed. 事務所より串田アキラの体調に関しましてご報告先日、串田が体調不良を訴え、医師による診断の結果、「急性すい炎」との診断を受け、入院を致しました。...
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X Japan Member Yoshiki Auctions Crystal Piano for Quake Charity

Rock legend auctions piano to help survivors of New Year's quake with heartfelt message ― A joyous day turned to anguish when a magnitude-7.6 earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula on the western coast of Japan on New Year's Day. The quake and subsequent tsunami devastated many homes and left 232 people dead according to NHK as of Monday. The relief efforts have been quick to follow and thousands have...
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KinKi Kids' Tsuyoshi Domoto, Momoiro Clover Z's Kanako Momota Get Married

2 major Japanese idols had a special message for fans ― It's always big news in Japan when prominent idols get married. But what happens when two idols marry each other? That's exactly happened when Momoiro Clover Z (popularly known as Momoclo) member Kanako Momota and KinKi Kids member Tsuyoshi Domoto released a joint statement announcing their marriage on January 11. 堂本剛&百田夏菜子が結婚発表💐連名の書面で報告【全文掲載】h...
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Maboroshi, The Boy and the Heron, Godzilla Minus One Win at Mainichi Film Awards

Toshio Suzuki also wins Special Award ― The 78th Mainichi Film Awards announced its winners on Friday. Mari Okada and MAPPA's original anime film Alice to Therese no Maboroshi Kōjō (Maboroshi) won the Animation Film Award, and Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli's The Boy and the Heron won the Noburou Oofuji Award, which honors animated works that offer new forms of creative expression. Additionally, St...
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Manga Creator/Animator Haruo Takahashi Dies at 76

Storyboard artist of 1971 Tensai Bakabon, Lupin the 3rd television anime ― Japanese news agency Kyodo News reported on Monday that manga creator and animator Haruo Takahashi has died on January 12 at a hospital in Sagamihara, Kanagawa. The cause of Takahashi's death was not disclosed. He was 76. A funeral will be held by his family, with Haruka Takahashi, his eldest son, serving as chief mourner. Man...
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Osamu Tezuka's The Shinsen-gumi Manga Gets Live-Action Show

Live-action Kaguya-sama: Love is War film's Hayato Kawai directs, Hugtto! Precure's Fumi Tsubota pens scripts ― TV Asahi announced on Tuesday that it is producing a live-action series adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's The Shinsen-gumi manga with the title Kimi to Yukite Saku ~ Shinsen-gumi Seishun Roku~ (With You I Bloom ~The Shinsen-gumi Youth Chronicle~). The series will air within TV Asahi's "Super Bar...
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Voice Actress Hibiku Yamamura Marries Musician Yuyoyuppe

Voice actor of Arpeggio of Blue Steel's Haruna announced her marriage to prolific music producer ― Voice actress Hibiku Yamamura (Haruna from Arpeggio of Blue Steel), announced her marriage to DJ, songwriter, producer, and singer Yuyoyuppe on November 3 on Twitter. In the announcement, Yamamura posted photos of herself in a wedding dress and with Yuyoyuppe, along with a handwritten message to her fan...
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Voice Actor Junichi Suwabe Discharged From Hospital After Surgery

Suwabe will return to work after recovering at home ― Voice actor Junichi Suwabe revealed on Twitter on Thursday that he has been discharged from the hospital following his surgery after a week. He stated that his progress post-surgery is going well, and that everything is going as planned. After recovering for a week at home, he will return to work when he is ready. Suwaba announced on December 8 t...
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Voice Actor Kōtarō Nakamura Goes on Hiatus Due to Ill Health

Actor not returning to Dr. Eggman role in Sonic Prime season 3 ― The official Japanese Twitter account for the Sonic Prime animated series announced on Wednesday that Kōtarō Nakamura will not be able to voice the characters of Dr. Eggman, Mr. Dr. Eggman, and Dr. Done It in the show for its third season due to Nakamura's ill health leading to him going on a temporary hiatus. Mitsuaki Kanuka will voice...
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Enka Singer Aki Yashiro Dies at 73

Yashiro performed theme songs for The Gokusen, Tottemo! Luckyman anime ― The Million Plan agency announced on Tuesday that Japanese enka singer Aki Yashiro has died on December 30, due to a type of collagen disease. She was 73. A private funeral was held on Monday, with only her staff attending, in accordance to Yashiro's wishes. Yashiro's agency plans to hold a farewell party, and will announce more...
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Idolm@ster Cinderella Girls Voice Actress Yuko Hara Gets Married

Voice of Takumi Mukai announced her marriage with handwritten message to her fans ― On October 4, Yuko Hara, the voice actress of Takumi Mukai from the popular anime franchise Idolm@ster, announced her marriage on Twitter. While her tweet was short, saying she had an announcement for her fans, she attached a handwritten message. いつも応援してくださる皆様へご報告です。 pic.twitter.com/JlyBagE4eb— 原優子 (@krs2kn) October 4...
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Manga Creator Tarō Nami Dies at 79

Tetsuya Chiba's youngest brother died on December 30 ― The editorial staff of Kodansha's Monthly Shōnen Magazine announced on Tuesday that it had received word that manga creator Tarō Nami (real name Shigeyuki Chiba) died. Nami's oldest brother and fellow manga creator Tetsuya Chiba confirmed on his blog that Nami died on December 30 at 6:30 p.m. at home, surrounded by his family including many grand...
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Hideaki Anno Feels Sorry for Those Who Won't Change Their Minds After Rejecting Something When They're Young

Anno enjoyed Ultraman Taro series though peers rejected it when they were kids ― Director Hideaki Anno (Neon Genesis Evangelion, Shin Godzilla, Shin Kamen Rider, Shin Ultraman) attended an Ultraman Taro screening at the Tsuburaya Film Festival 2023 event last month. Anno selected episodes from the 1973 live-action series for the screening. Anno stated during the screening that he was a first year jun...
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Hayao Miyazaki Wins Best International Filmmaker at Astra Awards

Suzume loses to Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse for Best Animated Feature ― The film critics in the Hollywood Creative Alliance (formerly the Hollywood Critics Association) awarded Hayao Miyazaki the Astra Award for Best International Filmmaker at the awards show on Saturday night. Suzume (Suzume no Tojimari) was also nominated at the show in the Best Animated Feature category, but lost to Sony'...
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Actor Christian Oliver Dies in Plane Crash

Oliver played Snake Oiler in 2008 live-action Speed Racer film ― Actor Christian Oliver (real name Christian Klepser) and his two daughters Madita Klepser (age 10) and Annik Klepser (age 12) died on Thursday due to a plane crash. They were in a small plane that crashed into the sea off a Caribbean island. The pilot and plane owner Robert Sachs also passed away. Oliver was 51. The Royal St. Vincent an...
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Voice Actress Aya Hirano, Actor Masashi Taniguchi Announce Their Marriage

Voice of Haruhi Suzumiya, Kamen Rider Amazons actor co-starred in Chainsaw Man stage play ― Voice actress Aya Hirano and actor Masashi Taniguchi both announced on Wednesday that they have gotten married. The pair recently co-starred in the stage play of the Chainsaw Man manga, with Hirano as Makima and Taniguchi as Kishibe. Hirano is perhaps best known for voicing the titular Haruhi Suzumiya in the v...

In Memoriam

To those who left us in 2023 ― Shuji Abe Producer Robot founder, producer for Godzilla Minus One, Stand By Me Doraemon Frank Agrama Harmony Gold founder Yasunori Arai Drummer for rock band BAAD Slam Dunk Naoto Asahara Novelist Kanojo ga Suki na Mono wa Homo de Atte Boku de wa Nai Yusuke Chiba The Birthday band's singer, guitarist, and songwriter The First Slam Dunk, Zombie-Loan theme songs Keijiro C...

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