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Apr 15 – Site Update - Posted By Hisaishi
Anime News of the Week (4/7 - 4/13)
The RX-78 Turns 35
On April 7, members of the anime industry and fans worldwide came together on Twitter, Pixiv, and other social sites to honor the 35th anniversary of the Gundam franchise. Since premiering in 1979, Gundam, created by industry legend Yoshiyuki Tomino, has had 35 anime and 38 manga incarnations, and is credited with revolutionizing the mecha genre. Link
The Titans Are Coming
Programming block Toonami has announced their newest acquisition and boy, it's a big one. Attack on Titan will premiere on May 3rd at 12:00 AM EST. This will mark the first U.S. run of 2013’s smash-hit series.
From Chaos Comes Beauty
Composer Katsuhiko Yamamoto has announced the release of a ballad based on a work of the late manga-ka Keiji Nakazawa. “Hiroshima, River of Love” uses verse from a poem that was written in memory of the victims of the Hiroshima. Nakazawa is best known for the manga Barefoot Gen, also about Hiroshima in WWII. Link
The Evolution of Art
After twenty-five in the video game industry, Nintendo artist Ken Sugimori will release his very first artbook on May 27th. Sugimori is best known for creating the art for nearly every Pokémon game since Red/Blue in 1996. Each generation will be represented, showing how the artist’s style changed over time. Also included will be his work on the games Quinty and Jerry Boy. Link
Wanted: All Ninja
Studio Trigger (Kill la Kill) has announced their newest project. Ninja Slayer is the adaptation of Honda Yu and Sugi Leika’s original light novel, written under two American pseudonyms. The story follows Kenji Fujikido, a salaryman whose family is caught in the crossfire of a ninja territory war. In vengeance, he seeks to destroy the ninja code by way of a demonic spirit. The anime has no premiere date as of now. More information to come in the following months.
The Diamond Standard
The official Pokémon has released the English trailer for Pokémon The Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction. The first film of the X/Y Generation, it tells of the Carbinks and Diancie, diamond like creatures that balance the forces of Xerneas and Yveltal. When criminals seek to own the diamond deposits that dot the landscape, the creatures of life and destruction awaken. The film premieres in Japan on July 19th.
Aniplex Unveils Persona3
Aniplex US has announced the retail of the first Persona3 film Spring of Birth. The film will be released with English subtitles on Blu-Ray and have both a Standard and Collector’s Edition. Expect a May 20th release.
Digging a Grave In a Good Way
Takeshi Koike unveiled two images from his upcoming film Lupin the III: Daisuke Jigen’s Gravestone. Based on Sayo Yamamoto’s 2012 series Lupin the III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine, the film offers a look into how Lupin and Jigen became partners in crime. Additionally, producer Yu Kiyozono expects for this film to reinvigorate the Lupin film series. Link
Thief Produces Live-Action Images
In other Lupin III news, the upcoming live-action film staring Shun Oguri released the first character visuals for the film, as well as the plot. The film follows Lupin’s gang as they plan to steal the Crimson Heart of Cleopatra, a gem with powers to unite the world under the ruler. This will be the first return to live action in forty years for the Lupin III franchise. Link
Jellyfish Invade The Big Screen
Magazine Tsukuru has announced a film adaptation of Akiko Higashimura’s manga Princess Jellyfish. The series told of Tsukimi Kurashita and her anti-social circle of friends. When a cross-dressing fashion designer intrudes upon their humble boarding house, she sees a chance to better her life and the lives of those around her. The manga, which has been running since 2000, spawned a 2010 anime directed by Takahiro Omori (Baccano!, Durarara!!). Link
The Joys of Music
Animator Mirai Mizue unveiled a new trailer for his crowd-sourced surreal short film Wonder for the Annecy Film Festival. The film is a visual representation of music, provided by the band Pascals. The 3 minute 56 seconds represent each day in Mizue’s life for an entire year.
Actress Lists Live-Action Wishlist
Megan Fox sure knows how to dream. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles actress said she would love to see live-action Gundam Wing and Sailor Moon films in the near future. Fox professed admiration to 80’s animation in general, which she says was a staple of her childhood. Link
The Blues of Adolescence
Baka and Test light novel creator Kenji Inoue, along with artist Kimitake Yoshioka, launched a new manga series in the magazine Good! Afternoon this week. Grand Blue follows a college freshman’s life in a coastal city. In trying to make new friends, he comes across an upperclassman with a penchant for scuba diving in the local waters. This is Inoue’s first manga. Link
From Russia With Love
Shojo manga-ka Erica Sakurazawa has announced a new series to begin in May. Based on a concept from Alice in the Country of…. creator Shinsu Ichikawa, Ballet Russes follows a Russian dancer who finds inspiration after moving to Paris for employment. Link
Magazine Announces End of Four Manga
Magazine Comic Blade has announced that four of their ongoing series will end with their June issue. These include a Super Danganronpa 2 spin-off, Kaili Sorano’s Mother Keeper, Makoto Sakurai’s Berry’s, and Yogenme’s Kimi no Shitai to Boku no Kaitō. The reason appears to be all the manga listed coincidentally choosing the month. Link
The Drill That Will Pierce The Spotlight!
Zenrōsai Hall Space Zero Theater has announced a stage adaptation of the anime classic Gurren Lagann. The show, entitled "Tenga Toppa Gurren Lagann – Engeki-hen", will be based on material that was cut from the original show. Open audtions are currently going on. Link
Moyashimon Creator Continues Public Artistry
Manga-ka Masayuki Ishikawa, known as the creator of Moyashimon, closed a recent exhibition dedicated to the series by drawing a wall mural in five hours. All the while, he donned his trademark costumes and even wore cosplay of main character Kei Yuki. Ishikawa is known for his public exhibitions, which have boosted his exposure in the art world. This included graffiti exhibitions in several Tokyo bookstores last year.
Gen I and Gen VI To Settle The Score
In a recent announcement by Nintendo, two new characters will enter the fray in the upcoming Super Smash Bros. 4. Charizard and Greninja, two starters from the Pokémon series, look to answer a simple question. Who is better: old or new? They join returning Pokémon character Lucario of Gen IV, who appeared in the last Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
Behold Your God Doraemon
The lovable mascot Doraemon is the official mascot of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. The 1988 film Akira predicted that Tokyo would win the bid to host the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Put them together and the result is both inspired and horrifying.
Remembering Noboru Yamaguchi
On April 10th, the manga industry marked the first anniversary of the death of Noboru Yamaguchi, creator of the The Familiar of Zero franchise. Tributes came from illustrator Eiji Usatsuka, and novelists Satoru Akahori and Chūgaku Akamatsu, who all worked with Yamaguchi at some point in his career. Yamaguchi died after a two-year battle with cancer, which he chronicled via Twitter posts. Link
Anime Premieres (Spring Season Part 2!)
NOTE: All anime will be listed with primary available streaming services
- Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky
- Black Bullet (Crunchyroll, Peppermint Anime, Wakanim.tv)
- Chiaki - The Coffin Princess (Crunchyroll, Nipponart)
- Dai Shogun - Great Revolution (Crunchyroll, Nipponart)
- Date a Live II (FUNimation)
- Dragon Collection (Crunchyroll)
- Hero Bank (Crunchyroll)
- Knights of Sidonia (Netflix)
- Inugami-san and Nekoyama-san (Crunchyroll)
- Is the order a rabbit? (Crunchyroll)
- Magica Wars (Crunchyroll)
- Mekakucity Actors (Crunchyroll)
- Nanana's Buried Treasure (Crunchyroll, Pepprmint Anime, Wakanim.tv)
- No Game, No Life (Crunchyroll)
- Oreca Battle (Crunchyroll)
- Ping Pong (FUNimation, Wakanim.tv)
- Soul Eater Not! (Crunchyroll)
- The Comic Artist and Assistants (Crunchyroll)
Anime Releases
- Angel Blade - Complete Collection DVD (English)
- Dragon Ball Z - Season Three Blu-Ray (English)
- Familiar of Zero - Season 1 DVD/Blu-Ray (English)
- Naruto Shippūden - Box 18 DVD (English)
- Princess Nine - Complete Collection DVD (English)
- Third: The Girl With The Blue Eye - Complete Collection [Litebox Edition] DVD (English)
- Ebiten: Ebisugawa Public High School's Tenmonbu - Complete Collection DVD/Blu-Ray (Japanese)
- Happiness! - Complete Collection DVD (Japanese)
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Part 3: Rebellion - Film [Import Edition] DVD/Blu-Ray (English)
- Smuggler - Film DVD (Japanese)
Manga Releases
- Alice in the Country of Clover: Nightmare Volume 1
- Case Closed Volume 50
- Crimson Spell Volume 3
- Dance in the Vampire Bund [Omnibus] Volume 5
- Dawn of the Arcana Volume 12
- Deadman Wonderland Volume 2
- False Memories Volume 2
- Itsuwaribito Volume 11
- Knights of Sidonia Volume 8
- Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic Volume 5
Video Game Releases
- Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (PS4) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Football Manager 2014 (VITA) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Kinect Sports Rivals (ONE) (USA/EU/AUS)
- LEGO The Hobbit Video Game (PS4/PS3/ONE/360/WIIU/VITA/3DS/PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Max: The Curse of Brotherhood (360) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Strike Suit Zero: Director's Cut Release (PS4/ONE) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Terraria (360) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Titanfall (360) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Warlock 2: The Exiled (PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
