Monday Anime and Manga news RoundUp!

Naruto Shippuden anime February 2012 schedule

2012-02-08T12:13:00.001-05:00

Better late than never, these days passed so quickly and I didn't realize that I needed to post the schedule for this month.

Naruto finally met his Mom! The truth is revealed on what happened the day the Nine Tails awakened and set to destroy Konoha! Yondaime's facts!

Episode 247 "Target: Nine Tails" (狙われた九尾) February 2, 2012
Episode 248 "The Fourth Hokage's Death Match!" (四代目の死闘!!) February 9, 2012
Episode 249 "TBA" February 9, 2012 <----a double episode?
Episode 250 "The Freak vs. The Monster! A Battle in Paradise!" (珍獣VS怪人! 楽園の戦い!) February 16, 2012
episode 251 "The Man Known as Kisame" (鬼鮫という男) February 23, 2012

ZetMan 2012 anime trailer!

2012-02-06T11:34:00.000-05:00

It is finally here! From the studio that produced Saint Seiya Lost Canvas!

Zetman premieres in April.

Tsuritama fishing anime will be directed by Kenji Nakamura

2012-02-06T11:28:00.000-05:00

This is amazing, I can't wait!

Fuji TV has revealed that the fifth Noitamina anime series will be directed by Kenji Nakamura (Ayakashi, Mononoke, Kuchu Buranko, C).

Tsuritama, a fishing anime set on Japan’s Enoshima island starring four teen boys and a pet duck, will premiere in April. Yuichi Takahashi (Macross Frontier, Iron Vendetta) is providing the animation character designs based on concept designs by Atsuya Uki (Cencoroll). A-1 Pictures is animating the series.

I'm really intrigued, here's a screencap from the trailer:

Sailor Moon manga is number 1 graphic novel again in American bookstores!

2012-02-06T11:18:00.000-05:00

WOW!! And Naruto doesn't stay far behind!

The third volume of Naoko Takeuchi's Sailor Moon manga topped Nielsen BookScan's top 20 graphic novels in American bookstores for January. It was the fourth time in five months that the manga ranked #1 on the chart since the manga returned in September.

In addition, Takeuchi has two more books in the top 20: Sailor Moon volume 2 at #10 and volume 1 at #16.

Naruto also had three books in the top 20: volume 54 at #3, volume 53 at #8, and Naruto: The Official Character Data Book at #19.

The retail news source ICv2 lists Rosario + Vampire Season II volume 7 at #4, followed by Black Bird volume 12 at #6. Black Butler volume 8 (#7) and the manga-influenced Maximum Ride volume 5 (#9) round out the top 10.

The 27th and final volume of Fullmetal Alchemist landed at #12, and One Piece volume 60 was at #15. Highschool of the Dead volume 5 makes the list at #20.

The BookScan rankings represent sales at Barnes & Noble and other book chains, independent bookshops, and online purchases — but not sales at comic book stores, Walmart, and some other venues.

source: ANN

Yuri Seijin Naoko-san trailer and preview

2012-02-06T11:13:00.000-05:00

This series was originally scheduled for release in November and December, but was pushed back to February 15, 2012.

Tetsuya Takeuchi is directing, designing, and storyboarding. The manga series premiered in Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh in 2005.

Prince of Tennis II DVD/BD will include special OVAs

2012-02-06T10:34:00.000-05:00

Bandai Visual announced that each Blu-ray Disc/DVD volume of The Prince of Tennis II (Shin Tennis no Ōji-sama) will include an original video anime episode, starting with the first volume on April 20.

It will also include the first television episode, "The Return of the Prince," as well as liner notes and audio commentaries by the cast for each episode. The first pressing of the first volume will add an illustrated sleeve case and an original illustrated sheet.

source: ANN

EXTRA: Bleach manga will end after final arc

2012-02-01T11:24:00.000-05:00

Interesting turn of events! After author Tite Kubo indicated a few months ago that Bleach manga would last another 10 years, it turns out that the upcoming 10th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine is announcing on Monday that Tite Kubo's Bleach manga is entering its final story arc. Kubo has been drawing the manga in the magazine since 2001, and Shueisha published the 53rd compiled book volume of the manga in December.

There's even the layout sketch of the color opening page that kickstarts the Final Arc of Bleach!

Funimation suspended the release of Dragon Ball Z in Blu-Ray

2012-01-30T14:05:00.000-05:00

Due to technical difficulties in restoring the original Dragon Ball Z series frame by frame, Funimation has announced that the release of the Level 2.1 disc has been put in indefinite hiatus and it won't be released in the indicated date, March 27.

"We are unable to continue these releases by way of this process.” FUNimation expects to research more practical and commercially viable means of remastering the Dragon Ball Z anime for future Blu-ray releases.

It's best for them to take their time.

Smile Precure episode preview!

2012-01-30T13:56:00.000-05:00

The series premieres on February 5, replacing the Suite Precure series that aired in Tv Asahi.

Really looking forward to this from the quality, it's been quite some time since we've seen a new magical girl anime.

In the story, Miyuki (Misato Fukuen) starts her first day at as a junior high school student when a book with a mysterious creature named Candy (Ikue Ohtani) falls out of the sky. Candy soon disappears, but the girl's adventure takes off when she visits the library room after school. Miyuki absorbs light from a glowing book and gets transported to a magical world like those in her favorite fairy tale stories.

Source: ANN

Sakamichi no Apollon trailer, premieres in April

2012-01-30T13:48:00.000-05:00

Cowboy Bebop director Shinichiro Watanabe is helming the anime adaptation of Yuki Kodama’s drama manga Sakamichi no Apollon.

The April Noitamina series tells the story of an introverted intellectual high school boy in the 1960s who finds common ground through jazz music with his new school’s female class president and a delinquent boy.

The manga was the winner of the “Best General Manga” category in this year’s prestigious Shogakukan Manga Awards.

The anime from studio MAPPA/Tezuka Productions is an all-star production reuniting director Watanabe with Cowboy Bebop music composer Yoko Kanno.

Nobuteru Yuki (Escaflowne, Paradise Kiss) provides character design. Ayako Katoh (Chihayafuru) & Yuuko Kakihara (Persona 4 the Animation) are co-writing the scripts.

Yoshimitsu Yamashita (Hyoge Mono) is serving as animation director. Shinichiro Watanabe hasn’t directed a full anime production since helming his “Baby Blue” segment of the 2007 anthology film Genius Party.

source: AnimeNation

Black Rock Shooter will be streamed in 8 languages!

2012-01-30T11:59:00.000-05:00

This is unprecedented but gives you a hint on what can be the future of legal anime streaming.

The new Black Rock Shooter series will premiere on February 2 on Fuji Tv's Nnoitamina slot, and it will be streamed in Nico Nico Douga website on February 3 in 8 languages, but it won't be worldwide, but available in the following countries:

English: United States, Canada
French: France, Belgium, Monaco, Switzerland, Andorra
Italian: Italy
German: Germany
Spanish: Spain, Mexico, Chile, Argentina
Korean: South Korea
Traditional Chinese: Taiwan
Simplified Chinese: Mainland China, Singapore

At least this is a beginning.

Level E anime review

2012-01-23T12:10:00.000-05:00

It's been a year since this anime premiered in TV Tokyo, barely having 13 episodes. The OP song was the catchy 'Cold Finger Girl' by Chiaki Kuriyama.

One of the reasons the anime was so short is because the author Yoshihiro Togashi couldn't finish the manga, which marked a humorous change of pace from Yu Yu Hakusho and Hunter x Hunter. However, this 1995 manga ran up to 3 volumes (16 chapters).

The plot of the series is hysterical, with non-conventional storytelling at best. It would seem that it follows the format of being about nothing, but we are immersed in the world of the characters.

The premise is based on the fact that Earth has been populated by thousands of aliens from all over the galaxy, but it is a well kept secret from Earthlings, as it would cause massive panic and it would disrupt the intergalactic balance.

The story begings with Yukitaka Tsutsui, a college baseball player who freaks out after a blonde long haired guy just randomly moved into his appartment. The government is looking for him and after a persecution, he reveals his alien powers after being saved by Yukitaka.

Miho Edogawa is the next door girl and was also a witness, as her father is a researcher who works for the government in the research of alien species.

It turns out that the Prince escaped from his bodyguards so he could do whatever he wanted, thus we get to know Captain Kraft, easily the best character from the series, a loyal yet neurotic servant almost driven to the point of schizophrenia by the Prince's extremely convoluted jokes that set everyone off. All the hysteria and hilarious moments come from there.

Captain Kraft

Prince Baka has one of the highest IQ in the galaxy and he simply likes to torment those around him for the sake of it. This is reflected in each episode with incoherence after incoherence which makes the series to not be formulaic. I would say that it is closer to Gintama, but much more irreverent in the sense that it doesn't really establish a continuity or a routine.

Maybe that's also the reason the story wouldn't go much further, it's hard to maintain that pace and not make it tiring. But it's a damn great experimental effort.

I highly recommend this series for the laughs and if you're bored and want to watch something different and amusing.

Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle gets a second season!

2012-01-23T11:06:00.000-05:00

Sunrise Studios just announced that this original anime series will have a second season that will premiere on April 8. This is no surprise as it has been well received and one of the best series of 2011.

In this upcoming second season, the story continues to revolve around the Orpheus bangle and Phi Brain, but the puzzle battles heat up.

A new enemy, a group of boys named Orpheus Order, appears before Kaito and the others, and the battles begin anew.

Locke the Superman film will be distributed in North America

2012-01-23T10:56:00.001-05:00

WOW, a classic.

North American video distributor Discotek Media revealed on Thursday that it will release the 1984 anime film Locke the Superman.

The anime was a former Central Park Media license. Director Hiroshi Fukutomi (Battle Angel, Those Who Hunt Elves 2) adapted Yuki Hijiri's original manga of the same name about a quiet, seemingly ageless loner with breathtaking psychic powers. In the story, the military seek him out to deal with a woman who is raising an army of psychics.

The film spawned a series of original video anime sequels, and the original manga itself continues to this day.

source: ANN

Sora no Otoshimono will have a 3rd season!

2012-01-23T10:50:00.000-05:00

Kadokawa Shoten began airing a television commercial for the March issue of its Monthly Shōnen Ace magazine this past week, and a purported high-definition screenshot from the ad indicates that a third anime season of Sora no Otoshimono (Heaven's Lost Property) has been green-lit. The ad itself hints that the March issue will contain an "important announcement" for Sora no Otoshimono. The issue will go on sale on Thursday, January 26.

Source: ANN

Tight-Rope OVA series announced!

2012-01-16T12:13:00.000-05:00

If you love Sekaiichi Hatsukoi, you will surely love this also!

Isaku Natsume’s 2008 yaoi manga Tight-rope will be getting a two-episode OVA adaptation. The story revolves around a teen boy who decides to abandon his position as the heir to a crime family and instead devote himself to spending time with his boyfriend. The anime adaptation will be produced by studio Prime Time+ (Kirepapa, Maiden Rose).

source: AnimeNation

Ikigami manga to end this year

2012-01-16T11:57:00.000-05:00

This year's seventh issue of Shogakukan's Big Comic Spirits magazine is announcing on Monday that author Motoro Mase is launching the 20th and final arc of his Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit manga in the next issue on January 23. The arc is titled "Moboroshi no Kuni" (The Long-Lost Country.).

Ikigami takes place in Japan after the establishment of a policy that assigns an "Ikigami" to randomly selected citizens. Anyone who receives the Ikigami has 24 hours to live. The story focuses on the lives of the people who deliver the Ikigami and the people who have just a day to live.

The manga has been running in Japan since 2005, and the ninth compiled book volume shipped last June. The manga inspired a live-action film in 2008. Viz is publishing the eighth book volume in North America this August.

source: ANN

Precure All Stars New Stage movie trailer

2012-01-16T11:51:00.001-05:00

Toei animation just posted on its official site the 77 second trailer for the upcoming 4th film of the Precure series, which will bring a former foe that all 28 magical heroines will have to fight together.

15 manga series nominated for 5th Manga Taisho Awards

2012-01-16T11:19:00.000-05:00

Also known as Cartoon Grand Prize, it is an annual contest in which only series with 8 volumes or less can enter, nominated by main bookstore staffers, in order to award new authors.

It's interesting to know that Thermae Romae won 3 times this prize in 2008, 2009 and 2010.

The full list of nominees for this year can be seen here.

However, we can review some of them, not all titles have available information:

I Am a Hero by Kengo Hanazawa

"Hideo Suzuki is a thirty-five year old mangaka assistant struggling to be the hero in his own life by breaking back into the lime light with a new serial all the while juggling his relationship with his girlfriend and his own delusions. However, as hard as Hideo may try, the world seems to have a different set of plans for him; sinister and dark machinations that completely overturn his reality as he knows it."

Silver Spoon by Hiroumu Arakawa

Young boy named Yugo Hachiken apparently aspires to live separated from his family. So he took the chance by enrolling to an agriculture school, one which required its students to live at dormitory. He thinks, with his talent in studying, that no problem will arise no matter what kind of school he goes to. But he's proven wrong. Grown up as all-easy-to-get city boy, he is forced to uncover not-too-convenient truth about agricultural life. Enjoy the story of Hachiken, as he trying to keep up with his friends, farmers' heirs who are already accustomed to hardworking farm life.

Getenrou by Ishiguro Masakazu

Strange people live in a building called Getenrou. There’s boys looking for erotica, a space officer, robots...and then a murder happens…? Officer Sakuraba Saeko is following two siblings who hold the key to solving the mystery, and begins an investigation of her own. What her “sloppy” logic clears up is an astonishing truth hidden in Getenrou…

Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū by Haruko Kumota

There's no info on this one, except that it was also in Kono manga ga Sugoi! ranking, as the second most read manga by female audiences in 2011.

Giga Tokyo Toy Box by Ume

The sequel to Tokyo Toy Box, the original premise goes around Tengawa Taiyô (the sun in Japan), a great (but unrecognized) game creator and the boss of his own development studio (but he's in debt). He then meets a nice young woman, but she comes to turn his loser company.

Takasugi-san-chi no O-Bentou by Nozomi Yanahara

Takasugi Harumi is a 31 year old man, even though he has a collage degree, he is unable to find a job. One day Miya, Harumi's aunt died suddenly. Harumi had a 12 years old daughter, Kururi, and now that her mother's dead, she has no one to rely on. Harumi has to take care of Kururi now but her heart keeps closed. "Obentou", a lunch box, can be the reason to get closer to each other. Each lunch box has feeling, love and heart to it. This is a lovable heartful story.

Bakutech Bakugan manga gets anime

2012-01-16T10:24:00.000-05:00

This is cute!

This manga has been running in Coro Coro magazine by Shogakukan since 2010, and an anime adaptation has been greenlit for this year.

It is a battle manga centers around the Bakugan action game of balls that instantly transform, and a boy with the title "Baku Tech" due to his almost peerless skills.

Store: D.GrayMan Allen Walker Cosplay

2012-01-12T18:51:00.003-05:00

Phi-Brain: Kami no Puzzle review

2012-01-09T12:10:00.000-05:00

This anime based series was a warm surprise last year. Being in the works since 2010, it was the anticipated new series by Sunrise studios, set to air on NHK-Educational channel.

Directed by Junichi Sato, at first the premise seemed suited for children, when it can appeal to a very wide audience. The style of the animated drawings is unique, it creates its own world. No wonder a manga adaptation was an easy transition in November of last year in Newtype Ace magazine by Kadokawa Shoten, illustrated by Yoshiki Togawa.

The story revolves around Daimon Kaito, a high school freshman genius who loves solving puzzles, is selected as a candidate for "Phi Brain". He and his friend Nonoha find an "unsolvable puzzle" near their school. The puzzle turns out to be a life-threatening Kenja Puzzle created by the mysterious group POG (Puzzle Of God). After successfully solving the puzzle, Kaito is designated as a Solver and is joined by other Solvers as they battle POG all over the world by solving the Kenja Puzzles.

Kaito solved the first puzzle that granted him the Orpheus Bracelet, a device attached to his left arm that enables his brain capacity beyond the 10% that all humans normally use, thus he is able to solve anything in seconds. He is given the title of 'Einstein' in the school's ranks.

It would seem that Nonoha, his childhood friend, is the typical tsundere-type, but she is not over the top like Sakura from Naruto. She is good with children and taking care of people, thus she obtained the title of Nightingale, in allusion to Florence Nightingale.

Kaito is a strong protagonist, he doesn't want to depend on this bracelet nor he wants to depend on the dictates of POG, all he wants to do is solve puzzles and meet the soul of those who fabricate them. Along the way, he meets other peers similar to him, such as Gammon, who is a loose tempered type who brings the funny moments.

Then he meets Cubic, a cute genius invent-all boy with the title of Edison. He always wants Daimon to quit doing puzzles and hangs on to him like a little brother.

Then there's Anna Graham, an androginous boy who is the artsy type that carries the title of Da Vinci. Anything Humanities related is left to him. He relies also on the paranormal and his sixth sense to solve problems.

The thing that engaged me from the very OP sequence of this anime is the character of Luke Banjo Crossfield. He seems to be a reimagination of the Mad Scientist Villain, but with a white afro and an evil smile that suits him consistently.

The episodes are centered on creative, unique and insightful puzzles that play with the element of danger for everyone involved with a good pacing and focus on the plot. It is scheduled for 25 episodes this season.

Beelzebub Calendar 2012

2012-01-09T11:14:00.000-05:00

My favorite this year.

BEELZEBUB [Calendar 2012 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

Code Geass Calendar 2012

2012-01-09T11:11:00.003-05:00

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, is another fanastic Science Fiction anime by Sunrise with designs by the all girl artist circle known as CLAMP, which was released in 2006. This is the anime to watch in Japan right now. Here they are in their official calendar! A2 size (59.4cm x 42.0cm or 23 1/2" x 16 1/2"), with 7 glossy pages.

Code Geass [Calendar 2012 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

Prince of Tennis calendar 2012

2012-01-09T10:37:00.000-05:00

Popular anime running right now about young people who try to learn to play the "real" tennis. This is to tennis what Touch or Kyojin no Hoshi was to baseball -- the defining dramatic expression which all tennis fans can rally behind. Prince of Tennis is also popular with yaoi artists for obvious reasons. Great for yaoi fans too. This calendar is large at A2 (59.4cm x 42.0cm or 23 1/2" x 16 1/2") size and features 7 sheets of tennis action. -Neolog review.

Tennis no ohjisama (The Prince of Tennis) [Calendar 2012 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

K-ON movie has sold $17 million at the Japanese box office

2012-01-09T10:29:00.000-05:00

The official website for the K-ON! anime franchise confirmed on Friday that the K-ON! film has sold over one million tickets, five weeks into its theatrical run. The entertainment news source Variety had already reported earlier this week that the film had earned the equivalent of US$17,002,351 (about 1.3 billion yen) as of its 30th day at the box office (January 1), thus indicating that about one million tickets had been sold.

They even released a new poster for New Year's Eve:

Akira movie production shut down for good?

2012-01-09T10:15:00.000-05:00

Last week it was initially reported that Warner Bros. had again shut down pre-production on its live-action Akira film, this time pending a thorough script revision.

Warner previously shut down the film’s pre-visualization department in May 2011, before contracting Jaume Collet-Serra (Unknown, Orphan, House of Wax) to direct the film.

The script has already gone through two re-writes and a budget downsize from $130-1$50 million down to $90 million. Within the next two weeks Warner expects to bring in a new writer to “polish” the script further.

However, Variety reported again that this is not the end, that the movie was just put on hold due to the script and budget reductions.

Warner Bros. wants the current script draft, which was written by David James Kelly, to be reworked. Deadline.com added the studio will quickly hire "a high-end writer to do a polish" on the script before deciding whether to resume the project or not.

Variety named Jonah Nolan (The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises) and Michael Green (Green Lantern) as possible candidates, but emphasized that no rewriting job has actually been offered yet. Studio sources did tell Variety that the script and cast are the issues, not the US$90-million budget.

According to Deadline, the Warner Bros. studio had option deals with two acting candidates for the central role of Tetsuo, Dane DeHaan (Chronicle, True Blood, far left) and Michael Pitt (Boardwalk Empire,. left) However, both of their options deals ended today, so the actors are no longer legally bound to keep their schedules open for Akira.

Thanks, I'll pass :/

Hanasaku Iroha 2012 calendar

2012-01-03T11:09:00.001-05:00

The cutest series from 2011:

Hanasaku Iroha [Calendar 2012 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

Tiger and Bunny 2012 calendar

2012-01-03T11:06:00.001-05:00

Tiger & Bunny [Calendar 2012 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

Nurarihyon no Mago Sennen Makyo 2012 calendar

2012-01-03T11:05:00.000-05:00

Nurarihyon no Mago: Sennen Makyo (Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan 2) [Calendar 2012 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle 2012 calendar!

2012-01-03T11:03:00.002-05:00

TEH awesome:

Phi Brain [Calendar 2012 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

Mobile Suit Gundam 2012 calendar

2012-01-03T11:01:00.002-05:00

Mobile Suits Gundam Series [Calendar 2012 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

The Gundam universe is one of the largest in Japan and also one of the longest running anime series. This great calendar is a tribute to all the shows that have brought fans to it. Beautiful art and wonderful printing quality, in a large sized wall calendar format that you can enjoy all year round. Features great original cel art from the latest series Mobile Suit Gundam 00. Awesome mecha action, featuring all new illustrations never seen before! A2 (59.4cm x 42.0cm or 23 1/2" x 16 1/2"), 7 sheets.

Blue Exorcist 2012 calendar!

2012-01-03T10:59:00.002-05:00

Blue Exorcist (Ao no Exorcist) [Calendar 2012 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

Get this awesome calendar that features characters and scenes from the anime Ao no Exorcist (Blue Exorcist). Let every month be a fantastic month by showing off your fandom all through 2012 with this 72.8 x 51.5 cm (28.6" x 20.2") wall calendar.

Puella Madoka Magica 2012 Calendar

2012-01-03T10:57:00.002-05:00

Puella Magi Madoka Magica (Maho Shojo Madoka Magika) [Calendar 2012 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

Madoka, Homura, Mami and Sayaka are all together in this amazing calendar featuring the cute and twisted art and style of Puella Magi Madoka Magica. With lots of high quality artwork, you'll be able to enjoy your favorite magical girls all through next year. This large A2 size calendar would look great on your wall in your home or office.

Sket Dance 2012 calendar

2012-01-03T10:55:00.000-05:00

In two versions:

SKET DANCE (A) [Calendar 2012 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

SKET DANCE (B) [Calendar 2012 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

One Piece 2012 calendar!

2012-01-03T10:53:00.000-05:00

The most successful manga of 2011 by a landslide!

ONE PIECE [Calendar 2012 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

Naruto Shippuden 2012 calendar

2012-01-03T10:51:00.000-05:00

There are two versions, shipped to you via FEDEX or Standard Mail:

NARUTO -Shippuden- (A) [Calendar 2012 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

NARUTO -Shippuden- (B) [Calendar 2012 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

Bleach anime calendar 2012

2012-01-03T10:48:00.000-05:00

BLEACH [Calendar 2012 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

There's also the official Shueisha manga calendar:

BLEACH [2012 Shueisha Comic Calendar]

Shueisha

Store: it's anime 2012 calendar time!

2012-01-03T10:44:00.000-05:00

You can get these awesome calendars from CDJapan shipped to you by standard mail or FEDEX, below are the top sellers. It's no surprise that Gintama is on the list :)

Tony Calendar [2012 Calendar]

Tony

The highly anticipated calendar from Tony Self Select is finally here. If you're unfamiliar with his work, Tony Self Select is one of the leading artists when it comes to illustrating super gorgeous moe girls. We've featured his artwork numerous times here, and we're very excited to see next year's collection of his work. Comes with 13 different pages, all in full color, in very large A2 size (59 x 42 cm / 23.4" x 16.5"). It's no surprise this is the top seller.

Natsume Yujin Cho [Calendar 2012 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

Natsume Yujin (translated as Natsume's Book of Friends) is an ongoing fantasy manga that follows the story of Takashi Natsume, who has the ability to see spirits and tries to release the spirits trapped in the Book of Friends his grandmother made prior to her death. A unique anime that's out of this world. Here's a glossy poster sized calendar dedicated to the series! Measures A2 (59.4cm x 42.0cm or 23 1/2" x 16 1/2") sized, 7 pages.

Rebuild of Evangelion [Calendar 2012 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

Evangelion, the defining anime of the 90s, continues to inspire the imaginations of all those who followed it, and the characters and mecha designs are still much beloved. This year we have another great Neon Genesis Evangelion calendar for the Eva fans, filled with excellent artwork from the genre making and breaking GAINAX creation. This calendar is A2 size (59.4cm x 42.0cm or 23 1/2" x 16 1/2") with 7 poster-sized sheets. All the art for this calendar is brand new and never seen before!

Gintama' [Calendar 2012 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

This comedic manga by Hideaki Sorachi is a wonderful Sci Fi themed story that not only has gone on to anime, but is still running strong since it's first release back in 2003. In the Edo period, aliens called the Amanto have taken over Edo (Tokyo's name at that time) causing the Samurai to fall. The story revolves around 2 ronin samurai and an alien girl who freelance in order to pay their rent. Why not enjoy the series everyday of the year with this calendar? Brought to you direct from Japan. A2 (59.4cm x 42.0cm or 23 1/2" x 16 1/2") sized. 7 sheets.

Freezing [Calendar 2012 (Try-X Ltd.)]

Animation

The amazing manga and anime series, Freezing, can now be enjoyed every month with this awesome calendar is perfect for all you fans of kyonyu beauties. Full color character and scene illustrations. 7 pages, A2 (59.4cm x 42.0cm or 23 1/2" x 16 1/2") size.

Character of the month: Hiramaru from Bakuman

2012-01-02T12:14:00.000-05:00

'Nuff said XD

http://www.squidoo.com/hiramaru-from-bakuman

AnimeNation's Ask John segment also considers '[C]: the money of soul and possibility control' to be underrated

2012-01-02T12:05:00.000-05:00

2011 was such a great year as it had 147 new anime series, and it's nearly impossible to review them all and not be biased.

In my 2011 anime review it's obvious that I tend to prefer shonen anime with lots of action and badass moment from the characters, while AnimeNation's John prefers well-crafted drama and outstanding animation quality, but this can be interesting and enriching since it's about differents points of view and this just proves how anime offers something for everyone.

We coincide in that [C]: the Money of Soul and Possibility Control was an overlooked series, this is what he had to say:

Finally, I’d like to mention [C] THE MONEY OF SOUL AND POSSIBILITY CONTROL just for its daring to be unique. [C] may be criticized for merely shifting the tropes of Digimon into an adult setting, but the audacity to merge concepts reminiscent of Digimon with ethical philosophical debate on the responsibility of the wealthy, the degree to which external influence affects individual people’s lives, and the moral obligation to obey a personal moral code versus an order prescribed by authority make the show a fascinating example of the dynamic creativity that anime is capable of.

Read his full review here.

While we didn't exactly agree on Un-Go '^_^, which he thought it was a dissapointment. I thought it ended in a good note.

Bandai Entertainment will cease operations in release of new manga and BD/DVDs

2012-01-02T11:44:00.000-05:00

However, they will shift to licensing only. This was to be expected since they closed their online store last month.

Starting on February, the company will focus on licensing rights to other companies, particularly in digital distribution, broadcast, and merchandising.

The company will be restructured as a result, and most of its contractors and three of its five fulltime staff members will be laid off.

Thus the following releases have been cancelled:

Anime DVD/Blu-ray Disc:

Gosick
Nichijō
Turn A Gundam

Manga

Code Geass: Renya (Code Geass: Shikkoku no Renya)
Gurren Lagann volume 7
Kannagi volumes 4-6
Lucky Star Boo Boo Kagaboo (spinoff by Eretto)
Mobile Suit Gundam 00I
Tales of the Abyss: Jade's Secret Memories volumes 1 and 2

Steins;Gate unaired episode trailer!

2012-01-02T11:35:00.000-05:00

Finally we get more news on the BD/DVD that will include this unaired episode titled 'Ōkōbakko no Poriomania' (Rampant Poriomania), and it will ship on February 22.

There's also a movie in the works, as it was announced on the last episode of the anime.

Hopefully it will be streamed on NicoNico Douga?

Inuboku Secret Service trailer 3!

2012-01-02T10:46:00.000-05:00

I really look forward to this series with a yokai theme, which will premiere on January 8.

The romantic comedy follows a mistress and her "servant" (bodyguard) in Maison de Ayakashi, a high-class building better known by the name "Demon House (Ayakashi-kan)." Rumors about it abound, ranging from "nothing but weirdos live there," to "It's a haunted house inside," but the truth is that the people who live in this mysterious building are all descendants of demons.

Ririchiyo Shirakiin is troubled by her inability to interact with people, and comes to the building in order to change herself. There she meets Soushi Miketsukami, one of the Secret Service bodyguards assigned to each tenant, and he tells her, "Please make me your dog!"

source: AnimeNation

Black Rock Shooter trailer 3!

2012-01-02T10:38:00.000-05:00

The series will premiere on February 2, it will have 8 episodes total and it will be on Nnoitamina block on Fuji TV.

Helter Skelter manga to be mande into a live action movie!

2012-01-02T10:33:00.000-05:00

Japanese news site Livedoor reports that Erika Sawajiri (Shinobi ~ Heart Under Blade) will star in a live-action feature adaptation of Kyoko Okazaki’s psychological drama manga Helter Skelter.

The manga revolves around an aging fashion model who begins to lose her sanity as her career and beauty fade. Mika Ninagawa (Sakuran) will direct.

source: Animenation, ANN

Amazing!

Blue Exorcist movie teaser!

2012-01-02T10:28:00.000-05:00

Thanks to *Zukof from DA

The date of premiere is still to be announced.

Nisemonogatari trailer!

2012-01-02T10:02:00.001-05:00

As a sequel of Bakemonogatari, this series premieres on January 7.

Looking forward to it!

The year in anime 2011 review

2011-12-27T14:14:00.000-05:00

This has been an intense year in which many things have happened and yet the quality of the series has been outstanding.

This year is also marked by the comeback of classic series and it seems the trend will follow through 2012 too with new Rurouni Kenshin and Prince of Tennis series.

The highlight of this year is without a doubt, the new Hunter x Hunter. At first, fan expectation wasn't high but the great production values of this remake that is closer to the manga definitely makes up for it. Masatoshi Ono's Departure OP song doesn't help either.

And of course, the extreme insane success of One Piece manga this year reflects in the anime.

This year also opened great with the return of Gintama, delivering hysterical episodes and making every Monday less boring. No wonder we talk about #Gintamonday, and hopefully through years to come.

As for new series, the first two seasons of Bakuman and Sekaiichi Hatsukoi take the cake. Great animation and quality of stories is what kept us craving for more.

Sket Dance and Beelzebub can't be left behind with their solid storylines and consistent quality. The trend seems to bring both funny and badass moments. I'll never forget Himeko's episode that centers in her past as Onihime and of course, the Super Milk Time Oga's technique that simply owned everyone in sight.

There have been also two surprises this year with Steins;Gate and Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle, two outstanding original anime series that will follow through with manga adaptations next year.

This was also the year of Blue Exorcist, the long awaited adaptation of Kazue Kato's manga. It didn't exactly dissapoint, but the 13 episodes filler arc wasn't the best move by the studio, as it derived from the manga plot itself and gave us plenty of OOC moments. Looking back at it, the ending was ok, but it left more to be desired.

That's because the main problem they had is that the manga comes out monthly and there weren't enough chapters to adapt. Hopefully a second season will be much better.

The low points of this year were Deadman Wonderland, Kamisama Dolls and Kamisama no Memochou.

The case of Deadman Wonderland is peculiar because it had the formula to win, to be a established successful series, but the premise itself, the soft gore and violence, and the dragging of the plot didn't make audiences relate to it. I guess the problem is that it should have been marketed as a proper Seinen series like Gantz, instead of trying to make it the next Bleach.

The main problem I found with Kamisama Dolls is that they revealed the villain's motivations too soon, and the protagonist was just too weak and reluctant. It's a shame because the battles were awesome and the design of the robot Kami were brilliant.

As for Kamisama no Memochou, it started out great. The episodes were funny with a good dose of mystery and Alice had credibility as a moe detective, I could even see her being alongside L in a crossover with Death Note. But it's like the formula of solving weird cases every week got tired out quickly and the end was anticlimatic, the series didn't have more to go beyond that. The concept of a NEET detective was great, though.

Two series that fall to the pit are Guilty Crown and Sacred Seven, which were unwatchable with their similar wasted plots.

As for overlooked series, [C]: The Money of Soul and Possibility Control will probably stand as one of the most underrated series of all time. You could see it was really meant to only have 13 episodes as it's an original anime, but both its theme and message were powerful, it was consistent from beginning to end, as it was an excellent story that reflects this world financial crisis era.

Level E was also meant to only have 13 episodes since this 1995 manga couldn't be finished by its author, none other than Yu Yu Hakusho's and Hunter x Hunter's Yoshihiro Togashi. But you could see the brilliant and hysterical theme that characterized it.

I can name other overlooked series such as Tiger and Bunny, which actually looked funny and promising.

A series that doesn't have much exposure, but nevertheless is up there with Naruto and Bleach, is Nurarihyon no Mago. The second season, titled Nurarihyon no Mago: Sennen Makyo, gave us great moments as Nura Rikuo fights Hagoromo Gitsune and her minions and he struggles to find his way as the Third Heir. I noticed a decline in animation quality in the last 6 episodes, but either they are changing the style (thicker lines, more static frame movement) to make it fit with the yokai theme, or they simply ran out of budget.

As for established series, Bleach finished their Arrancar arc with TEH EPIC battle between Ichigo and Aizen. Personally, I prefer the way it was done in the manga, with all the insane transformations and drama. The filler arc of the Shinigami Clones was entirely forgetable, but I liked how they showed Ichigo's decline in power at the end.

However, the new arc is great, presented in a better way than the manga, we are back to great canon animation quality.

I really don't have much to say in regards to Naruto Shippuden, all we've been getting lately has been fillers, but it's not like the animation quality has been dreadful. The only highlight was the resolution of the Pain arc, Naruto getting to know his father Yondaime, and his reaction to people looking up to him as Konoha's Hero. Hopefully next year we are going to see more.

This year we also saw the second season of Saint Seiya: Lost Canvas, the highlight being the incredible fight between Hakurei and Hypnos in Hades' castle and Tenma's resolution to defeat him. This series has been slowly gaining acclaim among classic Saint Seiya fans who were skeptic of the new style of artwork and quality.

And lastly, a series I wouldn't leave out is UN-GO. A pleasant surprise but it wasn't meant to last. I can place it in the category of overlooked series, but interestingly enough, it's those types of series that have powerful messages. The last episode tied it all with a sociopolitical theme that is an accurate critique of our times.

Naruto Shippuden anime January 2012 schedule

2011-12-26T18:44:00.000-05:00

And incredibly enough, we are back to canon! No more weird ~~gay~~ fillers!

Episode 243 "Landing! Paradise Island?" (上陸! 楽園の島?) January 5, 2012

Episode 244 "Killer Bee and Motoi" (キラービーとモトイ) January 12, 2012

Episode 245 "Naruto vs. The Nine-Tails!!" (ナルトVS九尾!!) January 19, 2012

Episode 246 "The Orange Sparkle" (オレンジ色の輝き) January 26, 2012

Eureka Seven will have a sequel that will premiere on April 2012

2011-12-26T13:22:00.000-05:00

Studio BONES has formally revealed the development of a Eureka Seven Ao (Eureka Seven: Astral Ocean) anime television series. The sequel to the hit 2005 television series will introduce a new protagonist when it premieres next April.

source: Anime Nation

Mobile Suit Gundam Origin creator to launch new manga

2011-12-26T13:13:00.000-05:00

The February issue of Kodansha's Afternoon magazine is revealing on Saturday that character designer and manga creator Yoshikazu Yasuhiko will launch a new manga series called Ten no Kechimyaku (The Blood Lineage of the Heavens).

The new series will be Yasuhiko's first in Afternoon. Yasuhiko just ended his decade-long Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin manga series this past June.

Gundam: The Origin manga is a reinterpretation of the first Gundam television anime series, which features character designs by Yasuhiko. In turn, Gundam: The Origin is inspiring its own anime adaptation. Yasuhiko's other manga include Arion, Jesus, Joan, and The Venus Wars.

Here's an image of the new series:

Yasuhiko's third modern history tale is set in 1903, just half a year before the Russo-Japanese War. An academic research party from Japan is in the town of Ji'an on the northern bank of the Yalu, the river that separates Manchuria and the Korean Pennisula. The party's objective is the Gwanggaeto Stele, the monument erected in memory of King Gwanggaeto of Goguryeo in ancient Korea. The epitaph holds the key to the history of ancient Korea and the ties between Japan and Korea.

Here's also a great video that showcases Yasuhiko's technique and experience when drawing a character:

(credit to Nao Yazawa on FB for the video :) )

More Amagami SS+ promos!

2011-12-26T12:57:00.000-05:00

It will premiere on January 5.

The video had premiered during a live recording of the Amagami web radio program "Ryoko and Kana's Amagami Coming Sweet" that was also held on Friday in Tokyo. The hosts of the program, Ryoko Shintani (Rihoko Sakurai) and Kana Asumi (Miya), were joined by other cast members and singer Azusa, who sings the themes for both Amagami SS and Amagami SS+. Azusa sang the opening theme song "Check my soul" and the ending theme song "Kokuhaku" (Confession) at the event.

Source: ANN

Rurouni Kenshin manga returns to Jump Square in May!

2011-12-26T12:47:00.000-05:00

The comebacks trend will follow in 2012!

Manga creator Nobuhiro Watsuki will be resuming his Rurouni Kenshin series for a brief run starting in the June issue of Shueisha's Jump Square magazine, which will ship on May 2, 2012. The magazine's advertising describes the samurai manga's return as a "reboot," although the magazine may not be using the term with the English denotation in mind. More details will be in upcoming issues of Jump Square.

In the meantime, Watsuki is putting his current manga series, Embalming - The Another Tale of Frankenstein, on hiatus as of the March issue of Jump Square magazine, which will ship in February. Embalming will return in the fall. This manga has been running in Jump Square since its inaugural issue in 2007.

Keishi Ōtomo's live-action Rurouni Kenshin film will open in Japan on August 25, 2012. The first half of the new Rurouni Kenshin: Shin Kyoto-Hen anime project just opened in two theaters last week, and the second half is slated to be completed next summer. Viz Media publishes the manga in North America.

Source: ANN

Hunter x Hunter OP song 'Departure' by Masatoshi Ono released today!

2011-12-21T11:16:00.000-05:00

The CD with the single in both the anime size and the full size is available for order.

departure! [CD+DVD]

Masatoshi Ono

The full Hunter x Hunter soundtrack will come out in Jan 25, 2012. It is available for preorder.

"HUNTER X HUNTER" Original Soundtrack

Animation Soundtrack (music by Yoshihisa Hirano)

Whereas the ED song 'Just Awake' by Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas will come out in its full version by January 11, 2012.

Rurouni Kenshin live action movie official trailer!

2011-12-19T13:35:00.000-05:00

The movie will premiere on August 25 in Japanese theaters.

Keishi Ōtomo is directing this samurai film starring 22-year-old actor Takeru Satoh (Kamen Rider Den-O, Rookies, Beck, Ryōmaden) as the titular character. 17-year-old actress Emi Takei plays the heroine Kaoru Kamiya.

Yuu Aoi (Hana and Alice, Honey and Clover) plays Megumi Takani, Munetaka Aoki (The Last Message Umizaru, live-action The Girl Who Leapt Through Time) plays Sanosuke Sagara, and Taketo Tanaka plays Yahiko Myōjin.

Kouji Kikkawa (Let's Dance With Papa) as Jine Udō, Yosuke Eguchi (Shonan Bakusozoku, Tokyo Love Story) as Hajime Saitō, and Teruyuki Kagawa (From Up on Poppy Hill, 20th Century Boys) as Kanryū Takeda round out the cast.

New Prince of Tennis 2012 anime promo!

2011-12-19T13:28:00.001-05:00

It will premiere on January 4!! A great comeback!!

Elfen Lied author launches new manga

2011-12-19T13:18:00.000-05:00

2012's third issue of Shueisha's Young Jump magazine is announcing on Thursday that manga creator Lynn Okamoto (Elfen Lied, Nononono) is launching a new series titled Kiwaguro no Brynhildr in the ninth issue on January 26. The tagline for the manga reads, "'I killed my girlfriend…!' A dark fantasy of pure love!!"

Intriguing to say the least.

Bakuman 3rd season will air in October 2012

2011-12-19T13:14:00.000-05:00

It is quite a given as we see the second season ending.

Next year's combined 3rd/4th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine announced today that a third television anime series based on Takeshi Obata and Tsugumi Ohba's Bakuman. manga has been green-lit for Fall of 2012.

Awkward Silence returned to Be x Boy magazine

2011-12-19T13:02:00.000-05:00

A piece of old news, but this boys-love story by Hinako Takanaga resumed its serialization this month in Be x Boy magazine.

This could increase its chances of getting an anime and get a good reception just as Sekaiichi Hatsukoi?

Animate USA released the first volume of Awkward Silence in September 2010. JManga then released the first volume on its website when the site launched in August. JManga has since released the manga's second volume.

Magazine Be x Boy's website is currently hosting a free preview for the manga.

source: ANN, manga-news

.hack// 3D CG movie will premiere on January 21 in Japanese theaters

2011-12-12T10:33:00.000-05:00

Here's the trailer, the quality is interesting in that it looks like an hiperreality based on the 2D we are used to see in anime:

The story is set in 2024, when children have lived their entire lives since birth in a world connected by networks. A cheerful 14-year-old middle school girl named Sora Yūki (Summer Wars' Nanami Sakuraba) has no interest in games, but her friends get her to go into the popular network game "The World." However, due to "a certain incident" in The World, anomalies start occurring in the real world.

Hanasaku Iroha gets new anime greenlit for 2012!

2011-12-12T10:27:00.000-05:00

The production committee of the Hanasaku Iroha television anime series had announced in October that it was producing a "new visual work" of Hanasaku Iroha next year, but it did not specify if the new work was animated or not.

There was speculation over if it would be a movie, but now we know it is another season!

The Hanasaku Iroha television anime series aired from April to September of this year, and Crunchyroll streamed the anime in several countries as it aired in Japan. The story centers around Ohana Matsumae, a 16-year-old Tokyo native who suddenly ends up working at a provincial hot spring inn after her mother flees town to avoid debts.

source: ANN

Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky teaser

2011-12-12T10:20:00.000-05:00

Also known as 'Eiyū Densetsu: Sora no Kiseki', the official website of this series based on the RPG game posted a 38 second trailer of the anime which will premiere on February 24th, 2012.

'Kono Manga ga Sugoi' 2012 ranking lists the best manga magazine through a survey among professionals

2011-12-12T10:11:00.000-05:00

Takarajimasha Inc. published the 2012 edition of the Kono Manga ga Sugoi! guidebook on Saturday with its list of the top titles in four categories. The lists are the result of surveys conducted among professionals in the fields of manga and publishing.

It is no surprise that HunterxHunter is among the top 10 for male readers. And Blue Exorcist is above One Piece??!

Among female readers, Chihayafuru has gained more and more popularity.

As for the top magazines, obviously Shonen Jump comes first, closely followed by Kodansha's Morning magazine. Whereas Feel Young magazine by Shodensha is the absolute leader among female readers in the industry.

The full ranking can be consulted here.

Source: ANN

New Rurouni Kenshin OVA trailer!

2011-12-05T11:22:00.000-05:00

It will premiere on December 17!!! Can't wait!!

It is a remake of the Kyoto arc.

Live action Akira: actress Helena Bonham-Carter undecided whether to play Lady Miyako

2011-12-05T11:11:00.000-05:00

Actress Helena Bonham-Carter (A Room with a View, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, The King's Speech) told MTV News on Wednesday that she has not decided whether to be in Warner's live-action film adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira manga. The actress spoke with MTV News on the red carpet at The 2011 Britannia Awards in Los Angeles.

The Twitch entertainment news site reported in October that she had been offered the role of Lady Miyako. Acting Auditions, an employment resource for actors, listed her in the role, but provided no source for the listing.

RIP Shingo Araki, legendary designer and director of Saint Seiya and Ashita no Joe

2011-12-05T10:56:00.000-05:00

:-(

French magazine AnimeLand and producer Seiji Okuda reported via graphic designer Maiko Kissaka that character designer and animation director Shingo Araki passed away on Wednesday. He was 72.

The Yomiuri Shimbun and Sports Nippon newspapers report that Araki passed away in a Tokyo hospital on December 1 at 1:21 a.m. due to acute circulatory failure.

Known for his work on the Saint Seiya fantasy adventure anime adaptations, Araki also worked on The Rose of Versailles, Gegege no Kitarō, Ashita no Joe, and Yu-Gi-Oh! anime. Araki was an animator for the 1980s American animation productions Inspector Gadget, Mighty Orbots, The Adventures of the American Rabbit and G.I. Joe: The Movie.

Araki often collaborated with character desinger Michi Himeno. They worked on Saint Seiya, The Rose of Versailles, Gegege no Kitarō, Ashita no Joe, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and other anime together. The pair founded the Araki Productions anime studio in 1975.

Sensei, your fans will always remember you, thank you for all your work.

Here's the classic opening credits of Saint Seiya, 'Pegasus Fantasy'.

One Piece, Naruto and Blue Exorcist the top selling mangas of the year 2011!

2011-12-05T10:46:00.000-05:00

No doubt that One Piece is the KING this year, but Naruto and surprisingly newcomer Blue Exorcist don't stay far behind.

According to Oricon survey, Eiichiro Oda's One Piece pirate manga set a record for the most volumes of manga sold in one year since Oricon began posting its ranking charts in 2008. During the period of November 22, 2010 to November 20, 2011, One Piece sold 37,996,373 copies.

One Piece also took the top four spots for single manga volumes sold during the same time period. Volume 61 sold 3,382,588 copies, volume 62 sold 3,207,568 copies, volume 63 sold 3,073,175 copies, and volume 64 sold 2,652,700 copies. It is the third year in a row that One Piece volumes have taken the top four spots in that category. These four One Piece volumes were also the only manga volumes this year to sell more than 2 million copies.

In 2008, One Piece sold 5,956,540 copies, and in 2009, it sold 14,721,241 copies. Last year, it sold 32,343,809 copies.

2011's second best-selling manga series was Naruto with 6,874,840 copies, followed by Blue Exorcist's 5,223,712 copies.

Rock Lee gag spinoff gets anime adaptation!

2011-12-05T10:40:00.000-05:00

This can be interesting :-) Hopefully they announce the date soon.

The inaugural monthly issue of Shueisha's Saikyō Jump magazine is announcing on Saturday that an anime adaptation of Kenji Taira's Naruto spinoff manga Rock Lee no Seishun Full-Power Ninden is launching. The gag comedy manga centers around the secondary Naruto character Rock Lee.

Shueisha already published the first of four seasonal issues of Saikyō Jump last December, but the magazine is becoming a monthly periodical as of this Saturday. Taira launched Rock Lee no Seishun Full-Power Ninden in that first seasonal issue last December.

Kadokawa Shoten confirms that there won't be a 3rd season of Haruhi Suzumiya

2011-12-05T10:35:00.000-05:00

The J-Cast News website reported on Tuesday that Kadokawa Shoten has no plans to air a third season of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya anime. J-Cast News had asked a representative at the publisher about a third Haruhi season, after lead actress Aya Hirano posted the following on her Twitter account on Monday:

I'm starting a certain something at a certain place now. Hmmm… When can I reveal what I'm talking about? (¨;
28 Nov

All done with my morning work~♪ I did a purfication ritual for "a certain work" at the same Hanazono Shrine that I just visited 2 day ago. Heheheh (´∀') Just which work is a secret!
28 Nov

J-Cast reported that the Kadokawa Shoten representative could not respond directly to J-Cast's media inquiry about Hirano's postings, but the representative added that there are no plans to air a third Haruhi season.

Source: ANN

New Cocohana magazine by Shueisha will feature Kuragehime author

2011-12-05T10:24:00.000-05:00

Japanese publisher Shueisha revealed its lineup for its new Cocohana magazine, which launched on Monday. The new magazine is a relaunch of Shueisha's women's magazine Chorus, which had its final two-volume issue in October.

The name Cocohana is derived from the phrase "Kokoro ni Hana o," and Shueisha is promoting the relaunched magazine as a "shōjo magazine for adults."

Cocohana's first issue featured nine new serialized works, two continuing series from Chorus, and three one-shot works. The magazine's second issue will begin serialization on Fusako Kuramochi's as Eris, Setona Mizushiro's Nōnai Poison Berry, and Nobuko Yoshiya and Mari Ozawa's Hana Monogatari manga on December 28. Nōnai Poison Berry was previously published in Chorus. Cocohana's official website is currently hosting previews for each work.

The magazine's first issue included the following serialized works:

-Kakukaku Shikajika by Akiko Higashimura
-YES! by Satoru Makimura
-Ashi Girl by Kozueko Morimoto
-Kyō wa Kaisha Yasumimasu. by Mari Fujimura
-Suna to Iris by Shinobu Nishimura
-Samurai Kaasan Plus by Mina Itaba
-Soyo Soyo. by Sekaiichi Asakura
-Caramel Time by Nao Arita
-Kozue no Mori by Ayami Kanemori
-Kazoku Switch by Toriko Chiya (previously serialized in Chorus)
-Papa Told Me by Nanae Haruno (previously serialized in Chorus)
-Boku wa Tokyo de Real by Davi Nathanael (continuing)

Source: ANN

I love the new look of the magazine!

Bakuman anime December 2011 schedule

2011-11-30T11:22:00.000-05:00

Their series TRAP was cancelled, but that doesn't mean Mashiro and Takagi will give up! It is only the beginning of their manga careers!

Episode 10 "Gag and Serious" (ギャグとシリアス) December 3, 2011

Episode 11 "Manga and Youth" (マンガと青春) December 10, 2011

Episode 12 "Experience and Data" (経験とデータ) December 17, 2011

Episode 13 "Alliance and Classmates" (同盟と同級) December 24, 2011

Naruto Shippuden anime December 2011 schedule

2011-11-30T11:16:00.000-05:00

More Fillerology :( But at least we get more Sai episodes. It seems we return to canon in the last episode of the month?

Episode 238 "Sai's Day Off" (サイの休息) December 1, 2011

Episode 239 "The Legendary Ino-Shika-Cho" (伝説の猪鹿蝶) December 8, 2011

Episode 240 "Kiba's Determination" (キバの決意) December 15, 2011

Episode 241 "Kakashi, My Eternal Rival" (カカシ、永遠のライバルよ) December 22, 2011

Episode 242 "Naruto's Oath" (ナルトの誓い) December 29, 2011

Kamisama no Memocho cosplay

2011-11-29T18:01:00.000-05:00

I got also nostalgic with this detective series that had so much potential and it ended in such a grey note. :-(

First Un-Go cosplay photos

2011-11-29T14:53:00.000-05:00

Speaking of Un-Go, found these on Google Images and Photobucket.

Indeed the most engaging character is Inga herself, though I'm taking a liking to Yuuki Shinjuro, I thought he was a bland character.

Will Un-Go last more than 13 episodes?

2011-11-29T14:08:00.000-05:00

When this series began, I was underwhelmed. I wasn't particularly keen on the quality or the style.

The high point was the transformation of Inga, the ultra cute boy into this cunning demon that gets fed with people's truths, their confessions that hold the key of their souls. Especially if that truth is the confession of a crime.

The series picked up after episode 4 and it is scheduled to have 11 episodes, but what are the possibilities for that to change?

I'd really like to see this series last 26 episodes.

Legend of Zelda will have a new manga!

2011-11-28T12:00:00.000-05:00

The two creators that go by the pseudonym Akira Himekawa are working on a new manga adaptation based on the Skyward Sword saga from the game.

The new manga will be published by Shogakukan.

It will most likely be licensed by Viz Media for the US, as they have published the 10 previous volumes of Himekawa's previous Zelda manga, including The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Oracle of Seasons, Oracle of Ages, Four Swords, The Minish Cap, A Link to the Past, and Phantom Hourglass. Viz just re-packaged all 10 volumes in a box set last month.

Akira movie: Gary Oldman declined role, Ken Watanabe for the Colonel?

2011-11-28T11:53:00.000-05:00

The Twitch entertainment news site reported on Tuesday that Warner Brothers offered Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai, Batman Begins, Inception) the role of Colonel in the live-action film adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira manga. The site also reported that Warner and Gary Oldman, the previous actor approached for the role of Colonel, had been "unable to close the deal."

Gintama episode 232 definitely banned because of difamation

2011-11-28T11:48:00.000-05:00

Mainichi Shimbun paper reported on Thursday that Gintama episode 232 was not re-aired after TV Tokyo was contacted by a representative due to alleged defamation. Before the Mainichi article, there were conflicting reports about whether a complaint was made.

The anime channel AT-X announced on November 11 that its showings of Gintama' episode 232 were cancelled at the request of its parent company, TV Tokyo. The episode had already aired on TV Tokyo on October 31, yet it is still available on Crunchyroll.

According to Mainichi, the episode had a defamatory depiction of a character associated with a specific individual or individuals, and TV Tokyo was contacted after the initial broadcast by a representative of the affected party. After confirming the content in the episode, TV Tokyo decided to cancel its re-airing on AT-X. Mainichi quoted TV Tokyo, "We have no problem with parodying a specific person, but we decided to cancel [the re-airing] since it defamed a person's character."

Gintama' supervisor Shinji Takamatsu emphasized last Friday that Advertising Council Japan, outspoken Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara, and singer Tokiko Kato (Porco Rosso) did not complain or protest to TV Tokyo. He also noted that a representative of Renhō Murata, the current Minister for Government Revitalisation, said, "It is not true that we objected." He added that the decision on whether to release the episode on DVD has yet to be made.

New Rurouni Kenshin anime part 1 stream trailer!

2011-11-28T11:32:00.001-05:00

LOL it looks like Bleach!! It really gives off Bleach vibes! Kurosaki Kenshin XD!

Done by Studio DEEN, he new anime series will remake the Kyoto story arc of Nobuhiro Watsuki's original manga and the previous anime adaptation. In particular, it will depict the battle of Kenshin Himura and Makoto Shishio and it will be told from the point of view of the Oniwabanshū ninja Misao Makimachi.

More on the controversy of the banned Gintama episode 232: TV Tokyo Decided to Pull Gintama' Episode on Its Own

2011-11-21T11:49:00.001-05:00

For a moment I panicked, because it looked that things got so nasty that they were going to cancel the series???!

Gintama' supervisor Shinji Takamatsu returned to his Twitter account on Friday to clarify that TV Tokyo acted on its own when the broadcaster asked the anime channel AT-X to not show Gintama' episode 232. He emphasized that several individuals and organizations did not complain or protest to TV Tokyo.

He added that the decision on whether to release the episode on DVD has yet to be made. AT-X announced last Friday that its showings of Gintama' episode 232 were cancelled at the request of TV Tokyo. The episode had already aired on TV Tokyo on October 31, and the episode is still streaming overseas on the Crunchyroll service.

Among other items, the episode had parodies of the public service announcements from the Advertising Council Japan (AC Japan) and a politician named "Renhō." Renhō Murata, the current Minister for Government Revitalisation, goes simply by her given name "Renhō" when campaigning. However, Takamatsu stated on Friday that AC Japan, outspoken Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara, and singer Tokiko Kato (Porco Rosso) all did not complain about the episode.

He also noted that Minister Renhō's representative said, "It is not true that we objected." Takamatsu added, "So, please do not attack specific individuals with your presumptions. Please. Excuse me for Tweeting 'more than necessary.'" He continued, "I believe that I am not telling a 'lie,' so, please think over 'the meaning of the sentences.'"

According to Takamatsu, whether or not episode 232 will be released on DVD with parts edited, or "sealed" away entirely, depends on what develops in the future. Takamatsu had posted on October 26 that the episode was initially rejected and indicated that it was because of its jokes. He said that if the time came that the anime could not do material in the spirit of Gintama, then he thinks the television anime should stop — rather than airing "something that isn't Gintama."

However, he added that he thinks that day will not come. On November 14, he announced that he is taking a break from Twitter. The TV Tokyo representative in charge of Gintama' had cited "various circumstances" for why the station requested AT-X to cancel its reruns of episode 232. The representative explained that the station made the request "because there were depictions reminiscent of specific individual(s)." When asked if the individual was Minister Renhō, the representative repeatedly responded, "We cannot answer that."

Un-Go episode 0 film trailer streamed, it will be streamed by Crunchyroll!

2011-11-21T11:36:00.001-05:00

The Japanese website Movie Collection began streaming the 30-second teaser trailer for Un-Go episode:0 Inga-ron (Un-Go episode:0 Inga Chapter), the film prequel to the Un-Go television anime series. (The teaser already streamed on the anime's official website earlier this week.) The 45-minute original story will depict the protagonists Shinjūrō and Inga's first encounter and "reveal the biggest mystery [of the story] in theaters.Un-Go episode:0 Inga-ron will run in 12 Japanese theaters for two weeks only, starting on Saturday. The staff includes director Seiji Mizushima (Fullmetal Alchemist, Gundam 00), the studio BONES, screenwriter Shou Aikawa (Fullmetal Alchemist, Nadesico), and character designers pako (Scarred Rider Xechs) and Yun Kouga (Gundam 00, Loveless). Crunchyroll is streaming the series in various countries outside of Japan, Anime on Demand is streaming the series in the U.K., and Anime News Network Australia is streaming the series in Australia.

Akira developments: Kristen Stewart was offered the role of Kei; candidates for the role of Tetsuo

2011-11-21T11:25:00.001-05:00

Oh, no O_O This is already looking 'ambitious', just like the Speed Racer adaptation by the Wachowski Brothers.

The Twitch website is reporting on Tuesday that actress Kristen Stewart (Twilight, The Runaways, Snow White and the Huntsman) has been offered the lead female role of Kei in Warner Brothers' live-action adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira manga.

In Warner's film, Kei is described as "a young medium who becomes the love interest for [male co-lead] Kaneda."Whereas The Hollywood Reporter entertainment trade magazine reported earlier this month that Ezra Miller and Alden Ehrenreich are among the top contenders for the pivotal role of Tetsuo in this live-action film adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira manga. Garrett Hedlund (Tron: Legacy) is in talks for the other lead role of Kaneda, which The Hollywood Reporter described as Tetsuo's "older brother" in Warner's film.

The Twitch website and The Hollywood Reporter previously said that Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech), Gary Oldman (Dark Knight trilogy), and Keira Knightley (Pirates of the Caribbean films) have all been approached for roles.According to the magazine, Warner wants to cast the role before Thanksgiving, but after the actors undergo screen tests on Sunday and Monday. As in the manga, the magazine describes Tetsuo as "a young man with telekinetic abilities who becomes a dangerous weapon." Another actor, Ezra Miller (We Need To Talk About Kevin, The Perks of Being a Wallflower), told the Moviefone website that he will not play Tetsuo, although he praised the original work. Sources: ANN, AICN news, AnimeNation

Space Battleship Yamato 2199 is actually a pilot film for a new series!

2011-11-21T11:18:00.001-05:00

This can't get any better for Yamato 2199 fans!

Next April’s 50 minute long Uchu Senkan Yamato 2199 feature film will actually be just a compiled edit of the first two episodes of a new Yamato television series, the first since 1980′s Space Battleship Yamato III. The TV series from studios XEBEC and AIC will be a remake of the 1974 original anime television series.

Rahxephon creator Yutaka Izubuchi will direct the new series. The pilot movie will screen in 10 theaters throughout Japan beginning April 7, 2012.

Tiger and Bunny will have two upcoming movies!

2011-11-21T11:12:00.001-05:00

Anime studio Sunrise has formally announced plans to produce two feature films based on its sleeper hit superhero parody television series Tiger & Bunny. At least the first of the two films will premiere next year.

This is great!, I actually loved the series, it was really funny in a Zoolander way!!

Kingdom anime announced

2011-11-21T11:02:00.001-05:00

Based on the Three Kingdoms saga, Weekly Young Jump Magazine has formally announced the development of a TV anime adaptation of Yasuhisa Hara’s historical manga Kingdom.

The ongoing manga that launched in 2006 is set in ancient China’s “Three Kingdoms” era and follows two pesant boys that dream of becoming respected & powerful warlords. Studio Pierrot (Fushigi Yuugi, Naruto) will animate for broadcast on the NHK network.

Somewhere else, Mayaya from Kuragehime is doing a flip kick dance!

Shaman King's new sequel manga will be published in April!

2011-11-12T11:45:00.001-05:00

Another great return!

The fifth volume of Shueisha's Jump Kai magazine announced on Thursday that Hiroyuki Takei will launch Shaman King -Flowers-, the sequel series to his Shaman King manga, in the same magazine next April.

The main character of the new manga will be Hana Asakura, the son of the original manga's protagonist Yō Asakura. Hana demonstrates abilities exceeding even those of his father. The magazine had indicated in volume 4 in September that there would be a "Big Project" next spring.

Takei is already starting a series of short manga about previously untold "zero stories" about Yō and other characters in the current volume. Voice actress and singer Megumi Hayashibara confirmed on Tuesday that she sang Shaman King's "Osorezan Revoir" song for the video of the same name that was posted on Nico Nico Douga on October 21. Osorezan Revoir is the title of the 19th compiled volume of the manga series and an arc of the story.

Viz Media publishes Takei's Shaman King and Ultimo manga in North America.

Source: ANN

Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle gets manga adaptation!

2011-11-12T11:43:00.001-05:00

The series has been successful enough to venture into manga.

The third volume of Kadokawa Shoten's Newtype Ace magazine began serialization on a manga adaptation of Sunrise's Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle anime on Thursday. Artist Yoshiki Togawa will be drawing the manga. The story of the school adventure story revolves around Kaito, a puzzle-loving freshman at the private high school named "Root Academy."

He is selected as a candidate for "Phi Brain" for his extraordinary mental skills. One day, he and his childhood friend Nonoha tackle the "unsolvable puzzle" hidden in the underground ruins near the school. They are guided by the mobile device given to Kaito by the student council president.

The puzzle is the "philosopher's puzzle," a life-threatening creation of a mysterious intelligence group known as "POG." When he defeats the puzzle, he is designated as a "Solver." Together with Nonoha and other Solvers, Kaito battles POG at "philosopher's puzzles" all over the world.

Controversy on Gintama's episode 232 because of parody of Japanese politician!!

2011-11-12T11:41:00.001-05:00

O-o

The anime television channel AT-X announced on Friday that its showings of Gintama' episode 232, "The people you tend to forget tend to show up after you forget them," have been cancelled at the request of the program's original broadcaster, TV Tokyo. The episode had already aired on TV Tokyo on October 31, and would have run on AT-X on November 15 and 18.

According to AT-X, episodes 233 and later will resume on the channel on November 22. Among other items, the episode had parodies of the public service announcements from the Advertising Council Japan and a politician named "Renhō" (a possible reference to an Upper House legislator and the current Minister for Government Revitalisation whose full name is Renhō Murata).

Space Battleship Yamato 2199 is back with a movie and a series!

2011-11-12T11:37:00.001-05:00

The April 7 film is actually the first two episodes of the new television series, combined into one theatrical preview screening about 50 minutes long. It will play in 10 theaters throughout Japan.

More details will be provided on the anime's official website. There has not been a Yamato television anime series since Uchū Senkan Yamato 3 (Star Blazers: The Bolar Wars) 30 years ago, and that was 1974!!

Is 'mangaku' the new 'otaku'?

2011-11-12T11:35:00.001-05:00

Thus it seems with the new online community that was opened on November 1 at University of Kyoto Seika site. This is a step forward in the academic process of learning how to draw manga as a career and as a way of living. :-)

Users are able to submit their original manga on the site as well as recommend and comment on others' works. Mangaku's goal is to provide an opportunity for readers to enjoy manga while learning the craft of creating it.

Contributed manga will receive reviews from Kyoto Seika University faculty as well as a chance for discussion of the works with manga author Keiko Takemiya (To Terra, Kaze to Ki no Uta, The Door Into Summer). The university's Faculty of Manga teaching staff, comprised of manga artists and editors, will manage the new website.

Mangaku will also run contests for the contributed works.Although the Kyoto university will operate the new website, its use will not be limited to Kyoto Seika University students and staff. Anyone can register for access to the site and the ability to contribute manga and use all of Mangaku's features. Opening manga learning to the public is one aim of the new interactive website.

Kyoto Seika University has a 40-year history of academic study in manga and animation. The university was first to install a specialized area of manga studies in 2000, and it then created a Faculty of Manga in 2006. It was also the first to establish a master's degree program in manga last year, when it accepted 20 students. In June, the university announced it will accept 4 to 12 students in a manga doctorate program in April of next year.

source: ANN, Anime Anime Japan

Afro Tanaka live action trailer!

2011-11-07T11:07:00.000-05:00

HAHAHAHAAHAH this looks brilliant!

The official website for the live-action film adaptation of Masaharu Noritsuke's Afro Tanaka comedy manga began streaming a trailer on Saturday. Shota Matsuda (Liar Game, Hana Yori Dango [2005]) stars as an odd, Afro-haired young man named Hiroshi Tanaka who faces his greatest challenge at the age of 24: his first potential girlfriend (played by Nozomi Sasaki). The girlfriend is a new character that does not appear in Noritsuke's original manga.

One Piece volume number 64 Gets Japan's 1st 4-Million prints!!

2011-11-07T10:51:00.001-05:00

The Japanese publisher Shueisha is producing four million copies of the 64th volume of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece pirate manga — the latest volume in the series to set a record for the most copies in its first printing in Japan.

The volume is shipping on Friday. One Piece has been setting records in first printings since volume 56, which held the manga record in December of 2009 for 2.85 million copies. Volume 57 was the first volume to hold the record for all books in Japan, since its 3-million-copy first printing topped Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix's 2.9 million.

Since then, every volume except volume 62 (published two months after the March 11 Great Eastern Japan Earthquake disaster) has set a new record in first printing. As of the 64th volume, Shueisha has published over 250 million copies of the manga series; One Piece has had the highest number of copies printed of any Shueisha manga series in Japan.

The manga follows a rubber-bodied boy named Luffy who aims to become the Pirate King by leading a motley crew, including a three-sword-wielding Zoro and the female navigator Nami. The manga has been running in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine since 1997, and the ongoing television anime series premiered in 1999.

source: ANN

Inu × Boku SS trailer; it will premiere on January!

2011-11-07T10:43:00.000-05:00

The homepage for next year’s Inu × Boku SS television anime has released a 30 second teaser trailer. The adaptation of Cocoa Fujiwara’s manga revolves around an heiress protected by a fox spirit in the guise of a handsome butler. The TV series will premiere next January.

XDDD

Oda Nobuna no Yabo Anime Announced

2011-11-07T10:36:00.001-05:00

WOW O_O this is moe taken to a whole new historic level.

Japanese publisher Softbank Creative reports that Miyage Kasuga’s historical romantic comedy light novel series Oda Nobuna no Yabo (Oda Nobuna’s Ambition) will get a TV anime adaptation.

The comedy revolves around a contemporary Japanese teen boy transported back to an alternate Japanese history in which the leading warlords are all cute girls. He’s taken in by a commander named “Oda Nobuna,” an alternate version of the male leader Oda Nobunaga.

The Oda Nobuna no Yabo novel series premiered in 2009 and has sold over 400,000 volumes. The franchise’s seventh volume will hit Japanese bookstores on the 15th.

Finally, a new Berserk Movie Trailer: a dissapointment?

2011-11-07T10:30:00.001-05:00

A new theatrical trailer for next year’s Berserk Golden Age Arc I: Egg of the Supreme Ruler motion picture has hit the web. The first film of a planned trilogy based on Kentaro Miura’s dark fantasy manga will open theatrically on February 4.

Fan response hasn't been exactly positive :-( I was really hyped but now I'm in a wait-and-see mode.

Gothicmade will finally be released next spring!

2011-11-07T10:25:00.001-05:00

Kadokawa Shoten has released a new 17-second ad revealing that creator, writer, and animator Mamoru Nagano’s original sci-fi short film Hana no Utame Gothicmade will get a Japanese wide theatrical release next spring.

The Five Star Stories creator first revealed his Gothicmade project in 2006. A five-minute preview of the film premiered in Japan in March 2010.

New 3D One Piece Short will premiere in December!

2011-11-07T10:19:00.001-05:00

Toei has announced that One Piece will be getting another exclusive 3D short movie.

It will last 12 minutes and it is titled 'One Piece 3D Gekiso! Trap Coaster'. This stereoscopic 3D anime film will screen at Aichi Prefecture’s Lagunasia theme park, Nagasaki Prefecture’s Huis Ten Bosch theme park, Kanagawa Prefecture’s Yokohama Landmark Tower, and Hiroshima Prefecture’s NTT CRED Hall beginning December 1.

The first cel shaded 3D One Piece short film, “Mugiwara Chase,” was released theatrically in Japan last March.

Bakuman November schedule!

2011-11-01T10:16:00.001-05:00

This new season has our protagonists on the challenge of being published and maintaining a series so it won't get cancelled! They don't realize the important lessons they learn along the way!

By the way, it looks that definitely the crossover episodes with Sket Dance were either delayed to December or maybe the studios didn't reach an agreement?

Episode 5 "Joke and News" (ボケとニュース) October 29, 2011

Episode 6 "Disease and Drive" (病気とやる気) November 5, 2011

Episode 7 "Life-and-Death and Standstill" (生死と静止) November 12, 2011

Episode 8 "Recall and Call" (リコールとコール) November 19, 2011

Episode 9 "Resumption and Low Rank" (再開と下位) November 26, 2011

Naruto Shippuden November schedule!

2011-11-01T10:04:00.000-05:00

We get more fillers, a bit mixed with canon and funny moments from our characters!

It still took me a while to get used to the new OP, which is meant to portray the characters in a funny, awkward way. Love the song, though.

Episode 235 "The Kunoichi of Nadeshiko Village" (撫子のくノ一) November 3, 2011

Episode 236 "Companions' Backs"(仲間の背中) November 10, 2011

Episode 237 "Ah, My Longed-For Lady Tsunade" (ああ、憧れの綱手様) November 17, 2011

Episode 238 "Sai's Rest" (サイの休息) November 24, 2011