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Jul 15 – Anime - Posted By Hisaishi
Anime News of the Week (7/8 - 7/14)
A Bit of Kickstarter Magic
Five hours is all it took for anime fans to demand a second Little Witch Academia special on July 8th. The Kickstarter for the Studio Trigger project went above and beyond its $150,000 goal, which added five more minutes to the run time. The opportunity to fund officially ends August 7th. Link
Update: Studio Trigger has called on fans to reach a stretch goal of $500,000. This will provide a documentary and audio commentary, along with other goodies. Little Witch Academia 2 has already reached $357,479, becoming the most expensive crowd sourced anime in history.
New VP Has Universal Appeal
Group 1200 Media, parent company of FUNimation Entertainment, has announced the hiring of former Universal Studios vice president Mike DuBoise. DuBoise will lead several departments as an overseer and strategist. According to CEO Gen Fukunaga, quote “We are thrilled to have someone with Mike's breadth of knowledge, expertise, and proven track record of success join our executive team.” Link
1st Princess Kaguya Trailer Revealed
On the variety program Oku Nin no Dai-Shitsumon, viewers were treated to the first look at Isao Takahata’s The Tale of Princess Kaguya. Unlike most Ghibli works, Takahata has opted to work with animator Kenichi Konishi (FLCL, Naruto Shippūden The Movie) to develop a unique animation style.
1st Lupin III vs. Detective Conan Trailer Revealed
Four years ago, two of anime’s biggest icons squared off in a TV special filled with murdered royals, rare gems, and endless action. On December 7th, the two will meet again, along with the rest of their crews. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s show time!
Michiko & Hatchin English Trailer Revealed
FUNimation has released the English trailer for Saya Yamamoto’s Michiko & Hatchin. The anime tells of two women, Michiko Malandro (Monica Rial) and Hana Morenos (Jad Saxton), who cross paths and scour the roads of Brazil to find the man who holds the key to their past. (Warning: mild language).
French Classic Adapted Into Manga
The August issue of Monthly Shonen Sunday has announced their newest manga title. Takahiro Arai, previously known for his manga adaptation of Cirque du Freak, presents Les Misérables, based on the Victor Hugo novel. Previous anime adaptations of the work included 2007’s Shoujo Cosette and 1979’s Jean Valjean’s Monogatari. LInk
Kickheart Jumps Into Academy Ring
The collaboration between Production I.G. and Masaaki Yuasa (Mind Game, The Tatami Galaxy) known as Kickheart made American landfall at Los Angeles’ historic Laemmle Royale Theatre on Friday. According to Academy rules, it must now appear in one more Los Angeles theatre before September 30th to be in the running for the 86th Academy Awards. Link
Manga Adaptation Shows Poster, Cast
Director Spike Lee has releases the first theatrical poster and cast of his latest project, Oldboy. Oldboy is based on a manga created by Nobuaki Minegashi and Garon Tsuchiya and tells the story of a man who was kidnapped and confined to solitary for twenty years, seeking vengeance after mysteriously given freedom. Link
Avatar Director Resurrects An Angel
James Cameron (Titanic, Avatar) is also cashing in on the adaptation game. In a recent interview with Alfonso Cuarón, he revealed looking into developing a movie script from Yukito Kishiro’s Battle Angel Alita series. The film will come after the completion of the Avatar trilogy, which is estimated to finish work in 2017. Link
Eat Like A King. Pirate King.
The district of Odaiba, Tokyo is now home to, arguably, anime’s finest chef. Inspired by the world of One Piece, Baratie is a luxury restaurant based on the restaurant which the character Sanji learned his trade. The establishment features dishes inspired by various arcs, as well as a bar with cocktails inspired by characters and events. Get your eats on the rooftop of the Fuji TV building. Link
Advertise in Style
Throughout Toyko’s Akihabara district, one might catch a glimpse of an advert unlike any other. Highlighted on a white limousine are Shinku and Suigintou, two characters from the new anime Rozen Maiden: Zurückspulen. Said vehicle drives around, displaying the release dates for the DVD/Blu-Ray editions. Link
Hatsune Mi-Cubed
Inspired by the Italian Cubism movement, Japanese illustrator 2g has created a live drawing of virtual idol Hatsune Miku unlike any other.
The Otakuism of Animal Crossing
In their most recent video, YouTube’s PBS Idea Channel argues that the video game Animal Crossing: New Leaf defines and promotes the ideas of the otaku culture through a non-narrative drive for total completion. This is what host Mike Rugnetta defines as a practical and original concept called "otaku citizenship."
Anime Premieres (Summer Season!)
- Blood Lad
- Chō Jigen Game Neptune
- Eccentric Family
- Futari Wa Milky Holmes
- Gatchaman Crowds
- Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East Season 2
- High School DxD Season 2
- Kimi no Iru Machi
- Makai Ōji: Devils and Realist
- Nyuru Nyuru!! Kakusen-kun
- Silver Spoon
- Teekyū Season 2
- The World God Only Knows: Goddesses Arc
- WATAMOTE
Anime Releases
- Blue Exorcist Box Set 1 Blu-Ray (English)
- Blue Exorcist Complete Season 1 DVD (English)
- Hetalia: Axis Powers The Complete Series DVD (English)
- Kimba The White Lion - The Complete Series DVD (English)
- The Irresponsible Captain Taylor - Complete TV Series [Litebox] DVD (English)
- The Rose of Versailles - Part 2 DVD (English)
- Black Magic M-66 DVD (Japanese)
- Gyo!: Tokyo Fish Attack DVD (Japanese)
Manga Releases
- Case Closed Volume 47
- Fullmetal Alchemist [Omnibus] Volume 5
- Loveless [Omnibus] Volume 4
- RIN-NE Volume 12
- The Flowers of Evil Volume 6
- Tiger & Bunny Volume 2
- Tokyo Babylon [Omnibus] Volume 2
