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May 19 – Site Update - Posted By Hisaishi
Anime News of the Week (5/12 - 5/18)
The Moon Kingdom Riseth
At anime convention Anime Central, the Viz Media panel made an incredible announcement. A recent acquisition will unify all Sailor Moon animation, including the upcoming Sailor Moon Crystal reboot, under one new dub. This means no cuts and the official blessing of original creator Naoko Takeuchi. See the full trailer below.
Revised Youth Law Claims First Victim
When Bill 165 was passed in 2011, it tightened the restriction sales of explicit material to minors. The focus of the deliberation stemmed from the manga Imōto Paradise! 2, which contained scenes of explicit incest, and yet passed guidelines for teen audiences. This week, the title and similar offenders are officially restricted to adult sections, with violations carrying steep penalties. Link
The Beast Claims Victory
According to ticket reports, Godzilla now has the largest opening day sales of any film this year, beating out likened competitors such as Captain America: The Winter Soldier and The Amazing Spider-Man 2. The total revenue, including global sales, stands at roughly 196 million US dollars for the opening weekend. Link
Japan Cartoonists Awards Presented
The 42nd annual Japan Cartoonists Awards were presented on May 12th. The awards celebrate the manga-ka who best represent the spirit of comics and cartoons. The winners are as followed:
Grand Prize, Comic Division: Mayumi Muroyama’s Asari-Chan
Grand Prize, Cartoon Division: Tomoko Ogawa’s Two Faces
Excellence Award: Motoka Murakami’s Fuichin Tasichen!
Special Comic Award: Shige Oda
The Minister Award: Kenji Morita’s exhibit on China Watashi no Hachi Gatsu Juu Go Nichi no E
Manga Enters Hiatus Following Controversy
Two weeks ago, Tetsu Kariya’s manga Oishinbo was attacked for its depiction of the Fukushima prefecture in regards to ongoing nuclear hazards. In a statement, he agreed to enter a short hiatus and accepted full responsibility. Additionally, his publisher Big Comic Spirits stated they would look further into the current situation. Link
Isayama Apologizes For Hidden Message
Attack on Titan creator Hajime Isayama openly apologized for the actions of his assistants in regards to the manga’s Chapter 57. Fans noticed an upside-down message containing crude language hidden in text within the artwork and thought it as a joke from Isayama himself. Link
Magi Spinoff Trailer Released
The first trailer for the OVA Magi: The Adventure of Sinbad has been released. Based on the original Magi series, this new show follows the tale of Sinbad in the years before he met Aladdin. No word yet on when the official release will happen.
Blood Lad Dub Cast Announced
Viz Media has announced the English cast for 2013’s supernatural comedy Blood Lad. The cast includes Bryce Papenbrook, Kira Buckland, Xanthe Huynh, Cristina Vee, and Ben Diskin. No release date is confirmed, but the series will appear on streaming service Neon Alley. Link
Senran Kagura Dub Cast Announced
FUNimation has announced the English cast for the fighting action series Senran Kagura. The cast includes Felecia Angella, Brittnay Karbowski, Alexis Tipton, Megan Shipman, and Bryn Apprill. The series hits store shelves on July 29th. Link
Hal Dub Cast Announced
FUNimation also announced the cast for the 2013 romance anime film Hal. The cast will star Chris Burnett, Byrnn Apprill, and Todd Haberkon. The film is set for a fall release. Link
Nyotalia! Dub Cast Announced
Two weeks ago, we told you of the English cast for Hetalia: The Beautiful World. This week, FUNimation announced more actors in the series, specifically for the genderbent episodes known to fans as Nyotalia!. The cast includes Brina Palencia, Terri Doty, Alexis Tipton, and Luci Christian. Hetalia: The Beautiful World is released July 22. Link
Spring Series Resurrected in Autumn
As indicated by series creator Ichiro Sasaki, Chiaka The Coffin Princess will receive a second season to premiere during the Fall Season. Currently premiering as part of the Spring Season, the story follows retired knight Toru and his stepsister Akari. In meeting a young sorceress named Chiaka, they navigate a world in peacetime, searching for a steady income. Link
Publisher Suffers Amnesia
Sentai Filmworks announced via their Twitter account that the recent Blu-Ray shipment of the series Amnesia has an error in it. Some copies are missing subtitles for Episode 6. As per usual, Sentai Filmworks is offering a buyback/replacement for all copies, which will take affect in the near future. Link
Revelation of Aquarion
Magazine Monthly Comic Gene has announced the end of Aogiri’s manga adaptation of the 2012 anime Aquarion Evol. Set in Hong Kong roughly 12,000 years after the original series Genesis of Aquarion, it follows a new cast and a new mecha as alien invaders return to claim the earth in their name. Link
The Last of All Notes
The magazine Betsucomi has announced the end of Kanoko Sakurakoji’s Last Notes manga. The series follows two men and their convenience shop, which exudes a mysterious aroma and has no signs. Sakurakoji is best known for her work with the manga Black Bird, which ended last December. Link
This Sea Dried Up
Keiji Nashima’s manga Muromi-San will end on July, according to publisher Weekly Shonen Magazine. Beginning in 2009, the series followed Takuro Mukojima, a member of the high school fishing club. Upon netting himself a mermaid, he is introduced to the world of the supernatural and becoming friends with such creatures as the yeti and leviathan. Link
Honor Against Thieves
Nintendo began streaming a trailer for an upcoming free-to-play Pokémon game. Titled The Thieves and the 1,000 Pokémon, players will use the Streetpass program to amass herds of creatures to do battle with the villains Marilyn and Riot. The game will see a Japanese limited release from July 5th to September 30th.
Dis-Kinected
Like the other next gen consoles, the Xbox One has been criticized relentlessly from all sides. However, an upcoming price drop may appeal to wary buyers. By dropping the Kinect system from the original package, the system now costs $399 dollars retail, the same as a new PS4. The drop will take place July 9th. Link
Visions Of What Could Be
In 2012, a fan made Indiegogo campaign began that would create a five-minute mock trailer for a hypothetical Akira film. The fruits of the labor have been realized, and can be seen below.
American Powerhouse Joins Hatsune Miku
In a collaboration with The Creators Project, modern artist Takashi Murakami and Vocaloid artist kz teamed up to bring a remix of Hatsune Miku’s “Last Night, Good Night (Re:Dialed)”. However, what is most surprising is the man who provided the remix. None other than American producer extraordinaire Pharrell Williams. See the music video below
Anime Releases
- Deltora Quest - The Complete Series DVD (English)
- Dragon Ball Z - Complete Season 4 Blu-Ray (English)
- The Book of Bantorra - The Complete Collection DVD/Blu-Ray (English)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! - Season 5 Volume 1 DVD (English)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! - Season 5 Volume 2 DVD (English)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! - Season 5 Volume 3 DVD (English)
- Fate/Zero - Collection 1 Blu-Ray (UK Release)
- Persona 3 The Movie 1: Spring of Birth - Import Edition Film Blu-Ray (Japanese)
Manga Releases
- 07-Ghost Volume 10
- Alice in The Country of Heart: Lovely Labyrinth of Thorns Volume 1
- Blade of the Immortal - Beyond Good and Evil Volume 29
- Fairy Tail Volume 38
- From the New World Volume 4
- Hetalia - Axis Powers [Print On Demand Edition] Volume 6
- His Favorite Volume 7
- Monster Soul Volume 1
- Samurai Executioner [Omnibus] Volume 1
- Sherlock Bones Volume 5
- The Seven Deadly Sins Volume 2
Video Game Releases
- BattleBlock Theater (PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Borderlands 2 (VITA) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Dynasty Warrior 8 Xtreme Legend: Complete Edition (PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Kirby: Triple Deluxe (3DS) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Men of War: Assault Squad 2 (PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Slender: The Arrival (PS3/360) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Super Time Force (360/ONE) (USA/EU/AUS)
