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Jun 23 – Site Update - Posted By Hisaishi
Anime News of the Week (6/9 - 6/22)
Doraemon in Plain English
VIZ Media released the first trailer for the U.S. premiere of 2005’s madcap iteration of Doraemon. As previously noted, this will mark the first time in history that the cat mascot will receive a broadcast in North America. Also worth noting is the cast, which so far includes Mona Marshall as Doraemon and Johnny Yong Bosch as Nobita or “Noby”. The series is set for a summer release.
The Cyborg, Upgraded
At the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, Canada, it was announced by Manga Entertainment that Mamoru Oshii’s legendary film Ghost in the Shell would receive a remastered release on Blu-Ray. The release coincides with the manga’s 25th anniversary. In addition, the festival will screen the film and present Oshii with a lifetime achievement award on July 17. Link
Dragon Quest Set World Record
The Guinness Book of World Records has confirmed that Square Enix’s video game series Dragon Quest has set the world record for Longest Running Japanese RPG Series. The series first premiered in 1986 with Dragon Warrior for MSX and PC-9801, and has been going strong since. Link
GKids Granted The Keys To The Kingdom
In a highly anticipated acquisition, film distributor GKids has licensed the documentary The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness for North America. Directed by Mami Sunada (Death of a Japanese Salesman), the film analyzes the daily routine of Hayao Miyazaki in the final months of his career at Studio Ghibli. In addition, it shows the process and creation behind his last film, The Wind Rises. Link
They’re the Very Best, Like No One Ever Was
April Fool’s Day 2014 saw many pranks performed online, including Google’s yearly endeavor. The joke was a contest to see if any of their users could find the 151 original Pokémon in Google Maps. However, it seems they were serious. According to Reddit user tinygrump, Google has distributed official certification for people who completed the task within 24 hours. Ergo, they are actual Pokémon Masters. Link
Miku Returns Stateside
Fresh off Lady Gaga’s ARTPOP tour, the crown princess of virtual idols is not done with North America yet. As announced via YouTube, the touring Hatsune Miku Expo will make its second and third stops in Los Angeles and Now York City after a successful run in Jakarta, Indonesia. No other locations have yet to be announced at this time.
The Heart of the Cards Still Beats
Distributor 4K Media announced that a new film in the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime franchise is currently in development. The company’s senior vice president Kristen Gray hinted at the possibility of returning characters. Currently, the franchise is airing the fifth series entitled Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V. Link
AKB48 Fans, Meet Your New Queen
The results of the famous general elections of the idol group AKB48 were announced on July 7th. The winner, by a decent margin, was Mayu Watanabe. For winning the elections, she will hold the title of Queen for one year and be the leader of the group at all events. Link
Video Game Icon Knights a Savior
On the official Knights of Sidonia website, many fans have lauded praise on the mecha series. One of them is Metal Gear’s own Hideo Kojima. Quote, “It’s a kind of anime that we haven’t seen for a while that has that sci-fi spirit…a unique made-in-Japan work that could never be cooked up in Hollywood. Japanese culture has lost its “cool”, and Knights of Sidonia will be the white knight to save it.” Link
The Diamonds in the Rough
At the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Hideo Kojima and KONAMI revealed the next full-length trailer for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. The trailer highlights a more brutal tone than previous games, as it plays out the Soviet-Afghan War, the destruction of the MSF, the formation of the elite force Diamond Dogs, and the events that lead to the traitorous turn of Big Boss. As of writing, no release date has been announced
From The Dust Returned
Microsoft, in conjunction with Majesco, announced an unexpected remake of a 2005 Xbox title. The original Phantom Dust followed a group of humans blessed with the powers of Espers in the far future. With humanity suffering from mass amnesia, it is their task to seek the artifacts of the past and uncover the Ruins, the last universal known memory. No release date has been announced.
Keep Your Enemies Closer
Hideki Kamiya and Platinum Games also revealed their latest work at E3. Scalebound’s initial trailer features fantasy inspired combat that takes the powers of enemy monsters and applies it to the yet to be named protagonist. According to quotes by Microsoft Xbox head Phil Spencer, Scalebound is set to be one of the initial highlights of the Xbox One. No release date has been announced at this time.
The Age of Souls is No More
From Software, the developers of Dark Souls, used E3 to announce their newest property. Ramping up the grim phantasms, Bloodborne is set in the 19th century city of Yharnam, a metropolis gripped with a vicious plague. With mobs on every corner and shadows in every alley, you are tasked with culling the diseased and finding ways of preventing any more suffering. Expect the title in 2015.
Death Takes Its Due
The PlayStation event at E3 also revealed Suda51’s newest work. After much debate within the industry, the title is a new reveal called Let It Die, a grindhouse style RPG in a decidedly grim setting. No other details were revealed and a date has yet to be released.
PSTV
Finally, the major announcement in Sony’s corner at E3 was the North American release of PlayStation TV, an experimental multimedia center that allows for multi-screen playability, music streaming, PS3 title compatibility through the PlayStation Now network, and VITA, PS1, and PSP titles. All for an introductory price of $99.
Ninty Cleans House
By a near unanimous decision from industry critics and fans, Nintendo’s digital event was the big winner at E3. Highlights included Robot Chicken vignettes, a Super Smash Bros. fight between presidents Satoru Iwata and Reggie Fils-Amie, the inclusion of custom Mii fighters, Super Smash Bros. 3DS details, the amiibo system, a Skyrim inspired Legend of Zelda game, the results of a new IP, and much more. See the full event below.
When Times Collide
Another big Nintendo announcement was the English release of Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth. The game follows the main cast of Persona 3. When a mysterious bell tower appears in Inaba and chimes, the group is sent to the future, meeting face to face with the cast of Persona 4. It’s up to these forces to defeat the mysteries of the bell tower and right the timelines. The game will be released in North America in Fall 2014.
Two New Mega Evolutions
In the world of Pokémon, two new Mega evolutions were revealed through commercials. The first is Sableye of Generation III, whose summons a massive crystal to amplify his power. The second is Diancie of Generation VI, who gains a wedding gown of gems in the transformation. With this, Diancie becomes the first Pokémon of Generation VI to receive a Mega Evolution. Link
Street Fighter Producer Exits Canada
Yoshinori Ono, known for his work on Street Fighter and Dead Rising, announced via Twitter his resignation as an executive producer for CAPCOM Vancouver. He has decided that while the company produced many high caliber titles and was the launchpad for his success, he would continue working with CAPCOM in a new, more suitable role. Ono made it clear this would not affect his current projects. Link
Another Another
Manga-ka Yukito Ayatsuji announced that he would begin a new novel entitled Another 2, a sequel to his original manga. The original horror series began in 2009, and was the tale of a transfer student who could communicate with a deceased girl named Mei Misaki. As his new high school begins experiencing a sudden string of deaths, he must put to rest what never had rest. Link
CLAMP Brings Back Memories
Manga supergroup CLAMP has announced their newest series, which will premiere in August. It was be a sequel to the highly acclaimed Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE, and will include elements of xxxHolic:Rei. The first series ended in 2009 and inspired several successful anime adaptations. Link
Miku Manga Magic
Hatsune Miku head designer KEI, in association with COMPTIQ magazine, announced a new manga entitled Hatsune Miku -Project Diva- Omnibus. Inspired by the Project Diva video game series, the plot has yet to be described, but sources claim it will be a slice-of-life manga featuring characters of the Vocaloid series. The first chapter will be released on July 10th. Link
The Zombie Enters The Grave
The 10th volume of the manga Sankarea has announced the final chapter will be released on November 11th. Written by Mitsuru Hattori (Kenko Zenrakei Suieibu Umisho), the story follows Chihiro Furuya and his unhealthy obsession with zombies. His life is changed when he meets Rea Sanka, a girl whose dream is to become a zombie in order to avoid her current life. The manga inspired a 2012 anime. LInk
This Ship Has Sailed
The July issue of Jump X magazine has announced the end of a manga adaptation of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. Based on the 2013 video game, and written by Kendi Oiwa (Welcome To The NHK), the manga followed main character Edward Kenway in his journey throughout the Caribbean. during the Golden Age of Pirates. Link
Puella Magi Tour 2014
Japanese site pixiv stands as the eastern equivalent of deviantArt. As such, one can find a slew of strange ideas. One recent art series, “ROCK jacket” by Tatsuya Shingyoji, was inspired by classic music albums like Born in the U.S.A., Let it Be, and Nevermind. The next logical step was to make tributes featuring the main characters of Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Link
Both of You, Model Like You Want To Win!
Joining Kaworu Nagisa in a Neon Genesis Evangelion clothing series designed by distributor Radio Eva are Rei Ayanami and Asuka Shikinami Langley. The items, which are considered designer, look to combine the personalities of the characters with the casual nature of urban chic. Items include totes, belts, Oxford shirts, jewelry, and much more. The Rei Collection The Asuka Collection
RIP Casey Kasem
Radio personality Casey Kasem passed away on June 15th due to advanced Lewy body dementia. He was 82. Kasem was best known as the 44-year long host of the radio show America’s Top 40. With his unique voice, he also became a prolific voice actor, best known for creating the role of Shaggy on Scooby-Doo. Additionally, he voiced the lead character Mark in the English dub of Gatchaman and several roles in the Transformers franchise. Link
RIP Tadahiko Hirano
Japanese opera singer Tadahiko Hirano passed away on June 13th due to a sudden heart attack. He was 76. His work in Japanese opera led to impressive performances in The Marriage of Figaro, The Threepenny Opera, and the original production of Yuzuru. However, he was best known to the public as the singer of the theme from Osamu Tezuka’s Jungle Emperor, known in the West as Kimba the White Lion. Link
Anime Premieres
- Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary (Film)
Anime Releases
- Pokémon: Black and White: Rival Destinies - Set 3 DVD (English)
- Red Data Girl - Complete Collection DVD (English)
- Chihayafuru - Complete Season 1 DVD (Australia Release)
- Digimon: Digital Monsters - Complete Collection DVD (Australia Release)
- Digimon Fusion - The Official First Season DVD (Australia Release)
- Busou Shinki - Complete Collection DVD (Japanese)
- Dog & Scissors - Complete Collection DVD (Japanese)
- Leviathan: The Last Defense - Complete Collection DVD (Japanese)
- MAOYU - Complete Collection DVD/Blu-Ray (Japanese)
Manga Releases
- Arata: The Legend Volume 18
- Battle Angel Alita: Last Order Volume 19
- Crimson Spell Volume 4
- Deadman Wonderland Volume 3
- Fairy Tail Volume 39
- Gakuen Polizi Volume 1
- Haganai: I don't have many friends Volume 7
- Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic Volume 6
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin - To War Volume 6
- No. 6 Volume 7
- Say I Love You Volume 2
- Strike Witches: The Sky That Connects Us Volume 1
- Tiger & Bunny Volume 5
- xxxHolic [Omnibus] Volume 2
Video Game Releases
- EA Sports UFC (PS4/360/ONE) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Enemy Front (PS3/360/PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Entwined (PS4) (USA/EU)
- How To Train Your Dragon 2 (PS3/360/WII/WIIU/3DS) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Moto GP 14 (PS3/PS4/360/PC/VITA) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Pushmo World (WIIU) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack (PS3/360) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Xenonauts (PC) (EU)
