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Jun 30 – Site Update - Posted By Hisaishi
Anime News of the Week (6/23 - 6/29)
Hayao Miyazaki Inducted Into SF Hall of Fame
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame of Seattle, WA announced the 2014 inductees to join the masters who came before. Among the names is Hayao Miyazaki. The committee noted his unique depiction of standard fictional themes such as utopia, childhood, flight, and nature throughout an illustrious career. The Class of 2014 also includes director Stanley Kubrick, artist Frank Frazetta, screenwriter Leigh Brackett, and novelist Olaf Stapledon. Link
The Academy Would Like To Thank Miyazaki
Another recent honor for the retired director was the invitation to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts, alongside Ghibli co-founder and general manager Toshio Suzuki. This is the fourth time Hayao Miyazaki has been invited, after declining all previous acknowledgements by the organization. A total of 271 industry names received invitations this year. Link
The Anime Mecca of Sendai
As first reported by news channel FNN, plans for an anime theme park in the city of Sendai have been revealed. Planned to be 8.6 acres, the three-story complex is already seeing support from Neon Genesis Evangelion, Pokémon, and Fist of the North Star. The budget is 10 billion yen ($98.3 million), and the site is set to open in Spring 2016.
Two Decades Fade Away
The 20th anniversary of Gosho Aoyama’s celebrated series Detective Conan has shown evidence of a new TV special. Based on an original story by acclaimed director Kenji Uchida (Key of Life), The Disappearance of Conan Edogawa: The Worst Two Days in History will pit the tiny detective against a hitman extraordinaire. However, will a serious case of amnesia alter Conan’s mind forever?
Sword Art Online II’s Last Preview Trailer
Sword Art Online II has premiered exclusively in Japan as of writing. Before the public broadcast airs this week, one final trailer clears up all narrative confusion. Based on 2012’s smash hit, the second season follows Kirito, having survived the SAO Incident. However, when terror strikes Gun Gale Online, another wildly popular MMO, Kirito is contracted to stop the "Death Gun Killer" before it is too late. SAOII premieres on July 5th.
Next For Sidonia
Following the completion of Knights of Sidonia’s first season, an advertisement ran confirming a second season. Titled Knights of Sidonia: War of the Ninth Planet, the series is set to premiere on November 23rd as part of the Winter Season.
Marnie Casts Male Roles
Studio Ghibli’s newest work, When Marnie Was There, has announced more of its cast in the form of acting group TEAM NACS. Based in Hokkaido, the all men’s group consists of Hiroyuki Morisaki, Yo Oizumi, Ken Yasuda, Takuma Otoo, and Shigeyuki Totsugi. All of them are lesser-known names, but each has worked with Studio Ghibli in the past. The film premieres July 19th. Link
Battle With Honor and Thievery
The first full trailer for the upcoming live-action Lupin III film has been released, detailing new information. Firstly, more of the origin story has been revealed, including the death of Arsene Lupin II. More importantly is the first listen to “Trick Attack”, the main theme composed by acclaimed composer Tomoyasu Hotei (Kill Bill), know for the iconic track "Battle Without Honor or Humanity". The film premieres August 30th.
Class of 2015
An announcement by Comic News magazine has confirmed a new anime based on a Shonen Jump property. Assassination Classroom, created by Yusei Matsui, is the story of a class of troublemakers, whose primary goal is to kill their teacher, the villainous yet amicable yellow octopus Zero-sensei. The series is set to premiere next year. Link
Digivolve To…MERCHAMON!
For fifteen years, the Digimon franchise has entertained children with several successful anime series. However, it can’t compare to the merchandise. In honor of the anniversary, new products are planned for release to honor the first series Digimon Adventure. These include a high end clothing line based on the character Beelzemon and a mysterious advertisement for real life digivices. Link 1 Link 2
Lights, Camera Obscura, Action
After confirmation by director Mari Asato (Bilocation) gave hopes for a Fatal Frame/Project Zero live-action film, the first look has been presented. Based on the novelization by Eiji Ohtsuka (MPD-Psycho), the story takes place in an abandoned girl’s dormitory. Armed with the Camera Obscura, student Michi Kazato seeks to halt the ghosts that spirited away her friend Aya. The film premieres in Japan on September 26th.
Streaming Service Supports Tezuka Classics
Co-founder Sam Pinansky of streaming service Anime Sols announced their newest acquisitions. Dororo and Wonder Three are works associated by legendary manga-ka Osamu Tezuka. Dororo is the story of a samurai in the Muromachi Period, who must hunt the monsters who stole his body parts to construct their own bodies. Wonder Three tells of three astronauts turned animals, and the secret agency that uses this to their advantage in missions.Link
Robotic Power Ranking
A poll by Charapedia has revealed the robots that anime fans consider the strongest. This includes any robot from any series, and not solely mecha. The top five winners, and their series and compiled scores are as followed:
* Gurren Lagann - Gurren Lagann (1,157 points)
* Doraemon – Doraemon (660 points)
* IDEON – Densetsu Kyojin Ideon (531 points)
* Turn A Gundam – Turn A Gundam (336 points)
* Gunbuster – Gunbuster (302 points)
The following link shows the full Top 10 list. Link
Nintendo President Recovering From Surgery
It was reported that Nintendo president and CEO Satoru Iwata did not attend this year’s E3 conference due to emergency bile duct surgery, in which a growth was removed. According to a statement by Iwata, the problem was detected early and he will make a full recovery. Additionally, he has taken a leave of health for healing, but will still respond via email. Link
The Kaiju Awakens
On the heels of the film Godzilla, Bandai Namco has announced a new video game title in the lengthy catalogue of games based on the famous reptile. The game seeks to create a wholly realistic simulator while maintaining tropes from the tokusatsu genre.
The Afro Returns To Video Games
Video game publisher Versus Evil (Banner Saga) announced they are working with developer Redacted Studios on a new game based on the anime Afro Samurai for PC and next gen consoles. Initial details include a third-person action title with an original story and new characters. Namco Bandai previously released a game in 2009 to mixed reviews. More info to come in the coming months. Link
Anime Releases
- DNA Squared - Complete Collection (TV + OVA) DVD (English)
- Dragon Ball Z - Season Five Blu-Ray (English)
- Ranma 1/2 - Set 2 DVD/Blu-Ray (English)
- Samurai Bride - Complete Collection DVD/Blu-Ray (English)
- Leviathan: The Last Defense - Complete Collection Blu-Ray (Japanese)
- School Days - Complete Collection DVD (Japanese)
- Star Blazers 2199 - Part 3 DVD/Blu-Ray (Japanese)
Manga Releases
- Air Gear Volume 31
- Are You Alice? Volume 5
- Attack on Titan: No Regrets Volume 1
- Bloody Cross Volume 3
- Cardfight!! Vanguard Volume 2
- Judge Volume 4
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Different Story Volume 2
- Sankarea: Undying Love Volume 7
- Sword Art Online: Fairy Dance Volume 1
- Tales of the Waning Moon Volume 4
Video Game Releases
- Another World (VITA) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Atelier Rorona Plus The Alchemist of Arland (PS3) (USA)
- Company of Heroes: The Western Front Armies (PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Farming Simulator 2014 (PC) (USA)
- Grid: Autosport (PS3/360/PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare (PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Shovel Knight (WIIU/PC/3DS) (USA)
- Sniper Elite 3 (PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (PS3/PS4/360/ONE/WIIU/3DS) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Valiant Hearts: The Great War (PS3/PS4/360/ONE/PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal - Duel Carnival (3DS) (USA/EU/AUS)
- ZRun (VITA) (USA)
