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Manga Creators Kenichi Sonoda, Hitoshi Ariga Receive Comic-Con International's Inkpot Award
Both artists participated in art demonstration panel at SDCC on Thursday
― Comic-Con International in San Diego awarded its Inkpot Award to manga creators Kenichi Sonoda and Hitoshi Ariga on Thursday. Sonoda and Ariga both attended the event in person as part of an art demonstration panel alongside Udon Entertainment artists Edwin Huang and Jeffrey Cruz. Sonoda is best known for being the creator of ...
Singer Akira Kushida Discharged From Hospital After Half-Year Acute Pancreatitis
Singer initially hospitalized in January
― The staff of Japanese singer Akira Kushida announced on Tuesday that he has been discharged from the hospital after being hospitalized for his acute pancreatitis since January. While Kushida will continue to seek treatment at the hospital, he will slowly be recovering and hoping to return to performing soon. いつも応援とご心配くださる皆様串田アキラが先週末退院いたしましたのでご報告させて頂きますこの後も通院...
Dan Doh!! Manga Creator Nobuhiro Sakata Dies at 76
Sakata also wrote Kaze no Daichi, Hikari no Sora, Daichi no Ko Series golf manga
― The official X (formerly Twitter) account of Shogakukan's Big Comic Original magazine announced on Thursday that manga creator Nobuhiro Sakata had died on Monday. He was 76. A private funeral was held only for relatives. According to the magazine's announcement, the day Sakata died is the day this year's British Open e...
The Apothecary Diaries Manga Artist Nekokurage Handed Suspended Sentence for Tax Evasion
Nekokurage failed to declare 260 million yen in income from 2019 to 2021
― The Fukuoka District Court handed Nekokurage (real name Erika Ikeda), the artist for one of the manga adaptations of The Apothecary Diaries light novels, a suspended sentence of 10 months in prison and a fine of 11 million yen (about US$70,600) for the crime of tax evasion on Wednesday. However, since the prison sentence is su...
Former Kodansha Editor Jung Hyun Park Loses Appeal in Murder Conviction
Former manga magazine editor sentenced to 11 years in prison for wife's murder
― 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 LifeL...
Voice Actress Noriko Ohara Dies at 88
Ohara voiced Doraemon's Nobita, Future Boy Conan's title role
― The official website of 81 Produce announced on Tuesday that voice actress Noriko Ohara had died on July 12, after an unsuccessful treatment for an illness. She was 88. Her family held a private funeral. Ohara was born in Tokyo on October 2, 1935. She became famous for voicing Nobita in many of the Doraemon franchise's television series ...
San Diego Comic-Con Hosts Live-Action Like a Dragon: Yakuza Series Star, Rick and Morty: The Anime Production Team, Others
Also attending: Gou Tanabe, Hitoshi Ariga, Katsuya Terada, former Studio Ghibli production coordinator Hirokatsu Kihara
― Comic-Con International San Diego's programming schedule reveals manga creator Gou Tanabe, manga creator Katsuya Terada, Adult Swim's creative team for the Rick and Morty: The Anime, live-action Like A Dragon: Yakuza series star Ryoma Takeuchi and others from the production, and ...
Voice Actor Tom Wyner Dies at 77
Wyner's roles include Digimon Adventure, Wolf's Rain, Ghost in the Shell
― Voice actor Tom Wyner's agency Mobile Monicker announced on July 10 that the actor had died. He was 77. Wyner's iconic rules include Devimon in Digimon Adventure, Omnimon in Digimon Adventure tri.: Coexistence, Quent Yaiden in Wolf's Rain, Project 2501/The Puppet Master in Ghost in the Shell, and M. Bison in Street Fighter II...
Goro Taniguchi, Hidetaka Tenjin to Attend San Diego's Comic Con for Dark Machine Web3 Game, Anime Project
Taniguchi serves as creative producer, Tenjin as chief mechanical designer for game project featuring blockchain technology, NFTs
― Comic-Con International San Diego's programming schedule is listing a "Dark Machine: The Game and Anime" panel for Saturday, July 27. Code Geass director Goro Taniguchi, Macross artist Hidetaka Tenjin, and Dark Machine creator Keiichi Yano will be at the panel to "discus...
Otakon Hosts Voice Actors Shinnosuke Tachibana, Koki Uchiyama
Blue Lock voice actors attend August 2-4 convention
― The staff for Otakon 2024 announced on Monday that it will host voice actors Shinnosuke Tachibana (pictured at right) and Koki Uchiyama. Tachibana has voiced characters such as Aoshi Tokimitsu in Blue Lock, Yuki in the Idolish7 series,
Morisuke Yaku in Haikyu!!, Mey Mey in Wonderful Precure!, and Nils Nielsen in Gundam Build Fighters. Uchiyama has...
Girls Band Cry Cast Members Mirei, Natsu Go on Hiatus Due to Health
Remaining 3 main cast members will continue performing
― The official website for Toei Animation's original anime Girls Band Cry announced on Friday that cast members Mirei and Natsu are going on a temporary hiatus due to health reasons. The remaining three main cast members — Rina, Yuri, and Syuri — will continue performing. The website explained that Mirei and Natsu, who perform as Subaru Awa and T...
Kunihiko Ikuhara Directs 'Reading in the Dark' Play with Main Illustration by Asumiko Nakamura
Play runs at Rikkoukai Hall from October 31-November 3
― Revolutionary Girl Utena director Kunihiko Ikuhara announced on X/Twitter on Thursday that he will write and direct a Rodoku-geki (Reading Theater) play titled "Ikuni Produce Reading in the Dark Shunkin no Sasuke" with the main illustration by Classmates artist Asumiko Nakamura. The play will run at the Rikkoukai Hall from October 31-November 3...
Live-Action Alita: Battle Angel Producer Jon Landau Dies at 63
Landau produced director James Cameron's films, including Titanic, Avatar
― Film producer Jon Landau died on July 5 due to cancer. He was 63. Landau is best known as a producer for some of director James Cameron's best known and most successful films, including Titanic and Avatar. He and Cameron co-produced Alita: Battle Angel, Robert Rodriguez's 2019 live-action Hollywood film adaptation of Yukito K...
Shoji Kawamori Directs New Animated Film for 2025
Macross 'vision creator' also collaborates with AVIOT electronics maker, teases World Expo attraction
― Self-described "vision creator" Shoji Kawamori confirmed at his Q&A panel at Anime Expo on Thursday that he is directing a new animation film that is slated for a 2025 opening. He added that this film has not yet been announced in Japan. The planned 2025 opening is for Japan, but he hopes that peo...
Voice Actress Katsue Miwa Dies at 80 Due to Pulmonary Embolism
Miwa voiced Perman No. 1 in Perman anime, Unico in The Fantastic Adventures of Unico
― Voice actress Katsue Miwa died on June 19 due to pulmonary embolism. She was 80. Her family held a private funeral. Miwa voiced protagonist Mitsuo/Perman No. 1 in the 1967 television anime adaptation of Fujiko Fujio's Perman manga, and continued to voice the character in later subsequent anime adaptations. She voic...
The File of Young Kindaichi, Inuyasha Voice Actor Taiki Matsuno Dies at 56
Actor starred as Hajime Kindaichi in many entries in The File of Young Kindaichi anime franchise
― Talent agency Aoni Production announced on Thursday that voice actor Taiki Matsuno died on Wednesday from a right cerebral hemorrhage. He was 56. Matsuno's family plan to hold a private funeral ceremony. Matsuno was born in Tokyo. He is perhaps best known for his role as Hajime Kindaichi in many entries...
Atsuko Ishizuka, Mari Okada, Masaaki Yuasa, Kōji Yakusho, More Invited to Oscars' Academy
Godzilla Minus One's Takashi Yamazaki, Tatsuji Nojima, Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi also included among invited
― The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced its list of membership invitations on Monday. The list includes 487 invitations with 44% extended to women, 41% extended to "underrepresented ethnic/racial communities," and 56% from 56 countries and territories outside the Uni...
Voice Actor Tōru Furuya Steps Down From Detective Conan, One Piece Roles
Voice actor admitted to 4-year affair with acknowledged abuse last month
― The talent agency Aoni Production and voice actor Toru Furuya jointly announced on Saturday that Furuya has stepped down from the roles of Tōru Amuro in the Detective Conan franchise and Sabo in the One Piece franchise. Aoni Production added that it had asked Furuya to step down, and Furuya obliged. Furuya himself added that h...
Anime Expo to Host Producer Takatoshi Chino
Platinum End, F/GO: Camelot producer attends LA event on July 4-7
― Anime Expo announced on Thursday that Signal.MD producer Takatoshi Chino will attend this year's event. 📣 Announcing Takatoshi Chino to appear at #AX2024. Takatoshi is the President of https://t.co/QvwJNInLSZ and formerly served as a Producer at XEBEC. He has produced works such as "Platinum End" at https://t.co/QvwJNInLSZ. 🎬 pic.twi...
Udon Ent. to Release Bubblegum Crisis: Complete Archive Artbook; Kenichi Sonoda Attends San Diego Comic-Con
Sonoda, Udon debut new Bubblegum Crisis: Complete Archive artbook at July event
― Udon Entertainment announced on Friday that manga creator and illustrator Kenichi Sonoda will attend this year's Comic-Con International San Diego, which will take place on July 25 to 28 at the San Diego Convention Center. Sonoda and Udon Entertainment will debut the previously unannounced Bubblegum Crisis: Complete Arc...
Actor Donald Sutherland Dies at 88
Sutherland voiced roles in Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, 2009 Astro Boy film
― Actor Donald Sutherland died on Thursday, June 20. He was 88. His son and fellow actor Kiefer Sutherland announced the news of his father's death. With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away. I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never daunted...
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Anime Producer Hiroyuki Omori Dies
Omori joined Warner Bros. Japan in 2011
― Warner Bros. Japan revealed to ANN in an email on Sunday that executive producer Hiroyuki Omori has died. The company did not provide any other details. Omori joined Warner Bros. Japan in 2011 and had been a producer for the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure anime, as well as a music producer for the franchise. He was also a producer for When They Cry - Higurashi, Ter...
Otakon 2024 Hosts Staff, Cast, Author of The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic; Studio Trigger Staff
Trigger president Masahiko Otsuka; animators Aoi Abe, Sae Otani to attend August event
― The staff of Otakon 2024 announced on Saturday the event will host Studio Trigger president Masahiko Otsuka, and animators Aoi Abe and Sae Otani. Otakon 2024 staff also announced on Sunday the event will host Frontier Works producer Norihiro Kurosawa, anime director Takahide Ogata, light novel author Kurokata, an...
Otakon 2024 Hosts Voice Actor, Singer Diana Garnet
American singer, bilingual voice actor attends August 2-4 event in Washington, D.C.
― The staff of Otakon 2024 announced on Thursday that it will host American singer and bilingual voice actor Diana Garnet. Garnet performed the theme song for the anime Tantei Team KZ Jiken Note and an ending theme for Naruto Shippuden. Garnet has voiced characters in anime and video games such as Little Goody Two Sho...
Voice Actor Keisuke Yamashita Dies at 83
Yamashita voiced roles in such anime as Reideen the Brave, Tico and Friends, UFO Senshi Daiapolon, more
― Theater Echo announced on Friday that voice actor and actor Keisuke Yamashita died on June 8. He was 83. Yamashita was born in 1941 and is from Tokyo. He joined Theater Echo in 1967, and acted in many of the troupe's works from 1969 through 2015. He also appeared in television shows such as Suzur...
Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! Manga Goes on Hiatus Due to Author's COVID-19 Recovery
Take contracted COVID-19 last month, still does not have energy to resume drawing
― The official X (formerly Twitter) account of Take's Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! (Uzaki-chan wa Asobitai!) manga stated on Thursday that while the manga was originally planned to have a new chapter this month, the manga is now on hiatus due to the author's health. Take was diagnosed with COVID-19 last month. Take sta...
Late Manga Creator Nami Sano Gets Memorial Project Featuring Exhibition, Collection of Uncompiled Works
Exhibition to be held in Tokyo this summer, Sano's hometown of Nishinomiya this fall
― The 115th issue of Kadokawa's harta magazine announced on Friday a memoir project for late manga creator Nami Sano for this summer. The project will have three parts. The first part is an art exhibition of Sano's works that will be held in Tokyo this summer and in Sano's hometown of Nishinomiya in Hyōgo prefecture ...
Otakon 2024 Hosts Director Hiroshi Nagahama, Voice Actress Uki Satake
Director of Mushishi, voice actress for QT in Space Dandy attend August 2-4 event in Washington, D.C.
― The staff of Otakon revealed on Friday that it will host director Hiroshi Nagahama and voice actress Uki Satake (pictured at right) at this year's event. Nagahama served as director on Mushishi, Detroit Metal City, The Flowers of Evil, and 2017's The Reflection, which he also co-created with Stan ...
Yuya Hirose Stars in Übel Blatt Anime; Hirose, Original Manga Creator Etorouji Shiono Attend Anime Expo
Hirose, Shiono, original manga's editor to host panel on July 5 at AX
― Pony Canyon announced on Thursday that Yuya Hirose will star as Köinzell in the television anime of Etorouji Shiono's Übel Blatt dark fantasy manga. Pony Canyon also announced that Hirose and Shiono will both attend Anime Expo and will be panelists along with the original manga's editor at the "A live drawing session with the ori...
Comix Wave Films Announces New President
Managing director Tomohiro Tokunaga promoted to president
―
CoMix Wave Films announced on Friday that Noritaka Kawaguchi, the company's current president, has been transferred to representative director and chairman, and managing director Tomohiro Tokunaga has been promoted to representative director and president. The change of officers is effective as of May 28. Aside from Kawaguchi and Tokunaga, ...
Voice Actor Kappei Yamaguchi Hospitalized for Surgery After Exercise Injury
Yamaguchi hospitalized due to torn shoulder
― Voice actor Kappei Yamaguchi revealed in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday that he is hospitalized due to a torn shoulder, and was scheduled for a surgery on Friday. In a follow-up post, Yamaguchi explained that he overexerted himself in weight training and tore his shoulder, and since it's an area of the shoulder that doesn't heal na...
Lupin III's 1st Fujiko Voice Actress Eiko Masuyama Dies at 89
Masuyama also originated Cutie Honey role
― Aoni Production announced on Monday that voice actress Eiko Masuyama died on May 20 due to pneumonia. She was 89. Her close relatives held a private service. Masuyama was born in Tokyo on April 22, 1936. She began her career alongside the roots of Japanese animated television with the first Astroboy (Tetsuwan Atom) series. She then originated the role of Fu...
NTV Reveals Results of Investigation Into Sexy Tanaka-san Live-Action Series After Hinako Ashihara's Death
Investigation concludes Ashihara's conditions about adaptation were not properly conveyed to production staff
― Warning: this article contains statements about a 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. I...
The Apothecary Diaries Manga Artist Nekokurage Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion
Author pleads guilty to evading about 47 million yen in taxes from 2019-2021
― Nekokurage (real name Erika Ikeda), the artist of one of the manga adaptations of The Apothecary Diaries light novels, pleaded guilty to tax evasion charges on Friday, during the case's first hearing at the Fukuoka District Court. During the hearing, Nekokurage admitted to the charges and stated they had "no intention of e...
Actor Akira Nakao Dies at 81
Nakao had roles in Sega's Judgement games, live-action GTO, Godzilla films
― Actor Akira Nakao died of heart failure on May 16. He was 81. The actor's health was fluctuating in the last years of his life. A close funeral was held by his wife, actress Shino Ikenami, for close relatives. Nakao was born on August 11, 1942 in Chiba prefecture. Nakao played Ryuzo Genda in Sega's Judgement games, which ar...
Gundam Voice Actor Tōru Furuya Admits to 4-Year Affair With Fan
Furuya acknowledged threatening to hurt fan in argument, causing her to have abortion
― On his X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, voice actor Tōru Furuya acknowledged a recent report by the Weekly Bunshun magazine regarding an affair he had with a fan. Weekly Bunshun interviewed him for the article. Furuya admitted that he had been in a relationship with a female fan for four and a half years...
Comic Girls, I'dol Be Back! Creator Kaori Hanzawa Takes 3-Month Hiatus for Maternity Leave
Hanzawa launched I'dol Be Back! in July 2023
― Manga creator Kaori Hanzawa announced on Thursday that she will take a three-month hiatus starting this month for maternity leave. Hanzawa added however that Houbunsha will still publish bonus manga shorts for I'dol Be Back! in June and July. The manga did not appear in the June issue of Manga Time Kirara Max, which shipped on Friday. Hanzawa launched th...
GoFundMe Campaign Launched for Pokémon Voice Actress Rachael Lillis
Campaign to fund home care nurse as Lillis fights cancer
― A GoFundMe campaign launched on Monday for voice actress Rachael Lillis to help fund a home care nurse. The campaign revealed that Lillis has been diagnosed with breast cancer that has spread to her spine, thus leaving her barely able to walk. The campaign noted that Lillis has been in a nursing home in Los Angeles since late January to recei...
NHK World Streams Documentary About Masao Maruyama in English
28-minute documentary streams on NHK World Japan until April 28, 2025
― NHK World Japan is streaming its documentary about producer Masao Maruyama as part of its Anime Manga Explosion program in English. The 28-minute documentary is free to watch and takes viewers inside Studio M2 and features several industry personalities. The documentary was broadcast on April 28 and will be available to watch unt...
Manga Creator Kia Asamiya States Eye Cataract Surgeries Were a Success
Manga creator will be able to attend Steam Detectives anime screening on Saturday with goggles
― Manga creator Kia Asamiya said on Twitter on Wednesday that his planned surgeries for his eye cataracts were successful, and that his visual acuity has been restored to 1.0 (equivalent to 20/20 vision in American distance acuity), but that he would let himself stabilize and observe the aftermath of the su...
Illustrator Acky Bright, Macross Creator Shōji Kawamori, More Attend Anime Expo
Voice actress Sayaka Ōhara, scenario writer Ryukishi07 also to attend
― The staff of Anime Expo started announcing more Japanese guests on May 1 for this year's convention. The convention will host manga creator and illustrator Acky Bright, and director and mechanical designer Shōji Kawamori. MangaGamer will bring voice actress Sayaka Ōhara and scenario writer Ryukishi07 (Higurashi: When They Cry, Um...
Gold House Names Hayao Miyazaki, Eiichiro Oda, More as Part of 100 'Most Impactful Asians' List for 2024
Chan-wook Park, Takashi Yamazaki, Mackenyu, more make list
― Asia-Pacific non-profit organization Gold House named Studio Ghibli co-founder and The Boy and the Heron director Hayao Miyazaki part of its Most Impactful Asians A100 list for 2024. The list also includes One Piece manga creator Eiichiro Oda, live-action One Piece actor Mackenyu (Zoro), and the show's executive producer Steven Maeda. Godzi...
Singer, Voice Actress Suzuko Mimori Moves to the U.S.
Mimori intends to continue voice roles, singing career
― Voice actress and singer Suzuko Mimori announced on her Twitter account on Thursday that she is moving to the United States this summer. She acknowledges that the move will mean that her voice work will not necessarily stay the same as before, but that she will strive to continue performing her roles to the best off her ability. She also added ...
Manga Creator Kia Asamiya's Eye Cataract Surgeries Slated Over Next 2 Weeks
Asamiya may be able to attend events in May if surgeries go well
― Manga creator Kia Asamiya gave an update on Monday regarding his planned surgeries for his eye cataracts. He said that the surgery for his right eye will happen this week, followed by the surgery for his left eye next week. If the surgeries go well, he will likely be able to attend his planned events in mid-May. Asamiya also added tha...
Viz Media's VP of Publishing Sales Kevin Hamric Leaves Company After Viz Eliminates Position
Hamric joined Viz Media in 2011 as director of sales and marketing
― ICv2 reported on Tuesday that Viz Media's Vice President - Publishing Sales Kevin Hamric has left the company, after Viz eliminated the position. His last day at Viz Media was on Friday. Hamric joined Viz Media as the director of sales and marketing in 2011. He was later promoted to senior director of sales and marketing in 2013, an...
Voice Actor Takaaki Seki Dies at 54
Seki voiced Shutaro Kiba in Mōryō no Hako, Zhang Fei in Sōten Kōro
― Talent agency En-kikaku announced on Tuesday that voice actor Takaaki Seki died on April 15 due to esophageal cancer. He had been undergoing medical treatment. He was 54. There was a funeral held for close relatives. Seki was born in Osaka, Japan on November 5, 1969. He entered the En Theater Institute in 1995 and joined Engeki Shūd...
Man in 20s Indicted for Nintendo Threat Messages Incident from 2023
Civil servant from Ibaraki was arrested on April 3
― The Kyoto Prefectural Police have indicted the 27-year-old man from Ibaraki Prefecture, who was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of forcibly obstructing business operations, after allegedly sending several threatening messages to Nintendo last year. According to investigators, the man had sent 39 messages threatening to kill people in Nint...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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 ...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
'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....
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...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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. ...
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...
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 ...
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...
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 ...
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...
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