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Apr 21 – Site Update - Posted By Hisaishi
Anime News of the Week (4/14 - 4/20)
Marnie and Anna Cast for Ghibli Film
Studio Ghbli’s latest film, When Marnie Was Here, arrives this summer. While the news surrounding it has been limited, the main characters have been revealed. Sara Takatsuki and Kasumi Arimura will voice the roles of Anna and Marnie. Based on Joan G. Robinson’s novel of the same name, the story follows two girls living in the English countryside and the unique friendship they foster. Link
Pop Star, Meet Pop Idol
Lady Gaga’s ARTPOP tour is returning to America after a lengthy stay in Asia. According to her official Twitter, she’s not alone. Virtual idol Hatsune Miku will be the opening act for all shows May 6 – June 3, featuring a hybrid setlist of her classics and newest material. Additionally, K-Pop artist Crayon Pop will be around June 22 – July 26. Link
The Adventure of the Caterpillars
Director Masaaki Yuasa (Mindgame, Kaiba, Kick-Heart) is known for some of the most surrealistic projects in modern anime history. With his latest creation, Ping Pong under way, he has turned his sights to the equally surreal cartoon Adventure Time. Adventure Time has previously worked with other third parties, including Irish animator David O'Reilly. Here’s a clip of his upcoming self-written, self-directed episode “Food Chain.”
BEN-TO Dub Cast Announced
FUNimation has revealed the cast for 2011’s fighting comedy Ben-To. The cast stars Austin Tindle, Morgan Garett, Trina Nishimura, and Felecia Angelle. The DVD/Blu-Ray hits shelves July 8.
A Certain Scientific Railgun S Dub Cast Announced
FUNimation has revealed the cast for 2012’s A Certain Scientific Railgun S. The science fiction comedy stars Brittnay Karbowski returning as Mikoto Misaka, Mariela Ortiz, Teri Rogers, Lydia McKay and Leah Clark. Expect a July 1 release.
Hakkenden Dub Cast Announced
Sentai Filmworks announced the English cast for 2013’s Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East. The cast for the action title includes Greg Ayres, Leraldo Anzaldua, Andrew Love, and Mark X. Laskowski. The DVD/Blu-ray is set to ship May 20th. Link
Code:Breaked Dub Cast Announced
Finally in dub news, FUNimation announced the English cast for 2012’s Code:Breaker. The cast stars newcomer Jackie Ross, Micah Solusod, and Jad Saxton. The series receives a home release on June 24. Link
Japan Says Sayonara To An Icon
In preparation for the 2020 Olympics, the 1964 Olympic stadium has been set for demolition to make way for the new stadium. Before the arena is destroyed next year, a massive concert will take place at the end of April, in which famous musicians will pay their final respects. The bill features L’Arc-en-Ciel, YUZU, SEKAI NO OWARI, The Gospellers, and Perfume. Link
The Man Called Daisuke Jigen
The first trailer for the film Lupin the III: Daisuke Jigen’s Gravestone has been released. In it, main characters Jigen and Lupin are first-time business partners bent only stealing the Little Comet from the fictional city of Doroa. However, a border war between the East and West districts may spell the undoing for the heist.
The Heart of Crime
In other Lupin III news, the first footage surrounding the live-action adaptation has been revealed. Starring Shun Oguri, the film follows the heist of the Crimson Heart of Cleopatra. Heavily guarded by a gauntlet known as the Ark of Novaro, the Lupin gang is in for a unrivaled challenge. The film premieres this summer.
United in MMOs
Aniplex of America has announced that it will stream Sword Art Online II this summer. Perhaps more interesting is the worldwide premiere. Aniplex will also host events in the United States, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan which will premiere the first episode. Link
The Music of The Dead
In continuing to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Death Note, theater composers Frank Wildhorn and Jack Murphy held a workshop in New York City. They have been contracted to write a Death Note musical, which is being billed as the first Japanese/Korean musical co-production. The work is expected to premiere next year. Link
Join the World of Magi
Production companies Aniplex and recording studio Bang Zoom! are set to dub the second season of Magi: The Labyrinth on Magic. They want your help filling in the gaps. Through July 3-6 of Anime Expo, they will hold open auditions for anyone interested in voice acting. Link
Pokémon Takes To the Stars
The Pokémon franchise is returning to an unorthodox presentation method. In collaboration with Japanese planetariums, the special Pokémon XY: Fragments of the Heavens will be screened on 360° panoramic domes to general audiences. The Tenkū Dome and Manten Dome, both in Tokyo, are confirmed with more set to screen in the months to come. Link
The Sorrow of Space
The first animated film adaptation of Chūya Koyama’s Space Brothers has revealed the story and first key visual. Space Brothers #0 follows Hibito Nanba throughout his NASA training. When an accident puts the future of manned missions in jeopardy, Hibito turns to his brother Mutta for support. The film premieres this summer. Link
Eisner Awards Recognize Manga Nominees
The 2014 Eisner Awards have recognized six manga in their announcement of nominees. Suehiro Maruo’s adaptation of Edogawa Rampo’s The Strange Tale of Panorama Island is in the running for Best Adaptation of Another Medium. Meanwhile, five manga are in the Best International Material – Asia category. The winners of the Eisner Awards will be announced on July 25th. Link
This Star Burns Out
Rie Kanō’s manga Star Light Woman will end on April 30, according to Manga Action Magazine. The science-fiction comedy series began last September and told of Hoshi, a plain woman whose importance in life exponentially grows after UFO sightings begin cropping up in the city she lives in. Link
The Liar Revealed
Margaret Magazine will publish the final chapter of Ayumi Komura’s Liar Lily. The slapstick comedy series began in 2009 and narrated the romance of lead character Hinata Saotome with upper classman En Shinohara. However, En’s secret life of cross-dressing and misandry comes out, much to Hinata’s chagrin. A anime adaptation has been green-lit and will premiere in 2015. Link
Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow
Mayu Murata has announced that the 10th volume of her manga Nagareboshi Lens will be the last. The shōjo manga premiered in 2011 and featured the lives of Risa and Yūgure, two students whose fated encounter teaches them about each other, and the philosophies and difficulties of romance. The series spawned a 2012 OVA. Link
The Birth of a Dragon
YouTube channel Machinima has unveiled the first trailer for their upcoming mini-series Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist. The series follows Ryu’s journey as a fighter under the tutelage of Gotetsu and Gouken, as well as his rivalry with Ken Masters. The series stars Mike Moh, Togo Igawa, Akira Koieyama, and Christian Howard, and will premiere in May.
Anime Releases
- Berserk: The Golden Age Arc III - The Advent - Film DVD/Blu-Ray (English)
- From the New World - Collection 1 DVD/Blu-Ray (English)
- One Piece - Collection 9 DVD (English)
- Nyarruko: Crawling with Love! - Season 1 Premium Edition Set Blu-Ray (Japanese)
Manga Releases
- A Certain Scientific Railgun Volume 9
- Afterschool Charisma Volume 9
- Devils and Realist Volume 1
- Dorohedoro Volume 12
- Fairy Tail Volume 37
- Lone Wolf & Cub Volume 4
- Love in Hell Volume 3
- Missions of Love Volume 7
- Neon Genesis Evangelion: The SHinji Ikari Detective Story Volume 2
- No. 6 Volume 6
- Wolfsmund Volume 4
- World War Blue Volume 5
Video Game Releases
- 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil (PS3/360) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Broken Sword 5: The Serpent's Curse (PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Dead Nation (VITA) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Ethan: Meteor Hunter (VITA) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Kirby: Triple Deluxe (3DS) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Moebius (PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Pure Chess (PS4) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Short Peace (PS3) (USA/EU/AUS)
- The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II (PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
- The Last Federation (PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Trials Fusion (PS4/360/ONE/PC) (USA/EU/AUS
- Uprising 44 (PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
- War of the Vikings (PC) (USA/EU/AUS/JPN)
- Wargame: Red Dragon (PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
