-
Jun 09 – Site Update - Posted By Hisaishi
Anime News of the Week (6/2 - 6/8)
The First Look At Sailor Moon Crystal
After much waiting and anticipation, the first animation for Sailor Moon Crystal has arrived. The trailer features Kotono Mitsuishi’s return to the role of Usagi Tsukino, as well as the new animation style based on Naoko Takeuchi’s original manga. Also featured was the new theme song “Moon Pride” by Momoiro Clover Z. The new series begins on July 5th.
Space Dandy Season 2 Trailer Streaming
The staff for Shinichiro Watanabe’s Space Dandy premiered a trailer for the new season. The series, which premiered earlier this year, has gained new faces in the staff, including actors Kazuhiko Inoue; Megumi Hayashibara; and Miyuki Sawashiro, and acclaimed directors Masaaki Yuasa and Katushiro Otomo. The new season premieres stateside July 5.
Los Angeles To Host The Kitty
After 40 years of charm and merchandise, Hello Kitty will officially hit the con scene. The world’s first Hello Kitty Con will take place at the Geffen Contemporary Art Museum, Los Angeles from October 30-November 2, and will feature a variety of activities, including panels, lectures, workshops, and a glimpse into the future of the Sanrio brand. Link
The Art of the Shoujo
In other event news, the Aomori Museum of Art is set to host “16 Things To Think About: The Art History of Beautiful Girls.” Offering sixteen views of anime female characters, the exhibit will feature art from 110 legendary artists, as well as showings of Joseito, a short film based on the work of the late Osamu Dazai. Link
Makoto Shinkai, Modern Artist
Finally in event news, acclaimed director Makoto Shinkai is receiving his own art exhibit. Hosted by the Ooka Makoto Kotoba Museum in Shizuoka, it will feature storyboards and original work based around his film career. The exhibit runs between June 28th and October 19th. Link
Voice Actress Miyuki Sawashiro Marries
Legendary voice actress Miyuki Sawashiro announced her marriage via her blog on June 2. She wed on her 29th birthday to a man outside the voice acting industry, and intends to continue her career. Sawashiro is one of Japan’s most prolific seiyuu, having starred in nearly 100 titles throughout the 2000s. Link
Kickstarter For Animator Dorms Succeeds
Two weeks ago, we told you of an IndieGoGo campaign that sought to provide animators with dormitories and housing. Now, thanks to the work of Naoyuki Asano (The Tatami Galaxy), Shingo Yamashita (Gatchaman Crowds), the NPO Animator Supporters, and generous donations, the financial goal has been met. The campaign was created to combat poor pay for animators and rising living costs throughout Japan. Link
Majestic Prince Dub Cast Announced
Sentai Filmworks has announced the English cast for 2013’s mecha series Majestic Prince. The cast includes Houston Hayes, Corey Hartzog, Genevieve Simmons, Monica Rial, and relative newcomer Tyler Galindo as Ataru Suruga. Below is a clip that shows action between Team Rabbits and the Walgaru Army. The first collection will be released July 15th.
Problem Children Dub Cast Announced
Sentai also announced the English cast for 2013’s action fantasy Problem children are coming from another world, aren’t they?. The series will star Josh Grelle, Jessica Calvello, Nancy Novotny, and Brittnay Karbowski. Expect the first DVD on July 29th.
Link
Studio Khara Wants YOU
Hideaki Anno and Studio Khara are hard at work creating the next Evangelion film. However, they want 3-D animators to lighten their load and have come up with a test. Animate a character moving from one block to another taller block in ten cuts or less with a time constraint of ten seconds. The link details the process and the video features three examples. All entries must be in by the end of July. Link
Anime Block To End In October
In an announcement by Saban Brands, it was revealed that The CW’s anime programming block Vortexx would cease broadcast on September 27. It is to be replaced with the upcoming One Magnificent Morning programming block. Vortexx is best known for airing several acquired 4Kids series following the company’s bankruptcy in 2012. Link
Meet The Newest Swimmer
The official site for the anime Free! released a full color image of a new character to appear in the upcoming second season. The character Sosuke Yamazaki, played by Yoshimasa Hosoya, is an old friend of Rin, and employs a strong and stoic personality when dealing with the world around him. The second season of Free! premieres in July. Link
MGS Film Has A Face
Though talks of a possible live-action Metal Gear Solid film have circulated since 2012, Sony has announced they have a tentative director. Jordan Vogt-Roberts (The King of Summer) has begun talks with Sony to come aboard the planned film as the director. Additionally, Hideo Kojima has continually confirmed his services as a supervisor. Link
The Devil Collects Due
Hiromu Shinozuka’s latest volume of Chibi Devi! announced that the next installment, due out next spring, will be the last. The manga, which inspired a 2011 anime, follows high schooler Honoka Sawada and the events that follow her discovery of a devil baby. Link
Sony Wins More Than Just The War
Since the launch of the PS4, Sony Computer Entertainment has been steadily on the increase. Now, for the first time in eight years, it has surpassed Nintendo in console sales to become the highest selling console manufacturer for the 2013 fiscal year. However, both companies took percentage hits due to the rising smartphone market. Given current trends, Sony will also top the 2014 fiscal year. Link
Danganronpa 2 English Trailer Streamed
On the heels of the successful English release of the first Danganronpa video game, as well as the popular 2013 anime, the first trailer for the sequel’s English release has arisen. Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair follows a new cast, as they navigate Jabberwock Island under the watchful eye of Monokuma. The game arrives on September 2nd.
Rent-A-NEET
Many Japanese have deemed the NEET lifestyle a “social plague”. However, one resourceful man has turned his situation into a business. For roughly $10, you can spend an hour together in Akihabara doing such activities like “playing Pokémon Emerald or building Gundam models”. All experiences are then shared via his blog on the Japanese social site Ameba. Link
LEGO Nixes Macross and LOZ Sets
Despite an impressive amount of fan support, the LEGO Ideas Project decided against producing LEGO sets detailing Macross’ VF-1 Valkyrie mecha and The Legend of Zelda’s Iron Knuckle Encounter, among others. The winning entry was Ellen Kooijman’s “Research Institute”, which features three female scientists in various fields of study. Since 2011, the project has led to the creation of six new sets.
RIP Kirsten Bishop
Actress Kirsten Bishop (real name Kirsten Bishopric) passed away on April 15 due to lung cancer. She was 50. Throughout her four-decade career, she established herself as one of Canada’s finest actresses, appearing in shows like The West Wing, Nikita, and Warehouse 13. Bishop was best known for her work on the DiC dub of Sailor Moon as the villain Zoisite, among others, which would help to establish her iconic “Bishopric voice”. Link
Anime Releases
- Ah My Buddha - Complete Collection DVD (English)
- Amnesia - Complete Collection DVD/Blu-Ray (English)
- Bleach - Season 21 Uncut Box Set DVD (English)
- The "Hentai" Prince and the Stony Cat - Complete Collection DVD/Blu-Ray (Japanese)
Manga Releases
- A Centaur's Life Volume 3
- Alice in the Country of the Joker: Circus and Liar's Game Volume 5
- Bleach Volume 61
- Dengeki Daisy Volume 14
- Dragon Ball [3-in-1 Edition] Volume 3
- Dragon Ball [Full Color Edition] Saiyan Arc Volume 3
- Girls und Panzer Volume 1
- Happy Marriage!? Volume 6
- Kamisama Kiss Volume 15
- Kimi no Todoke Volume 19
- Knights of Sidonia Volume 9
- Millennium Snow Volume 3
- Natsume's Book of Friends Volume 16
- New Lone Wolf & Cub Volume 1
- Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan Volume 21
- One Piece Volume 71
- One Piece [Omnibus] Skypiea Arc Volume 9
- Pokémon Adventures: Platinum Volume 11
- Pokémon: Black and White Volume 16
- Seraph of the End Volume 1
- Toriko Volume 22
- Voice Over! Seiyu Academy Volume 5
Video Game Releases
- 1001 Spikes (PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Hyperdimension Neptunia Producing Perfection (VITA) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Lifeless Planet (PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Murdered: Soul Suspect (PS3/PS4/360/ONE/PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
- PS-Vita Pets (VITA) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Super World Karts (PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Tomodachi Life (3DS) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Ultra Street Fighter IV (PS3/360) (USA/EU/AUS)
- Wildstar (PC) (USA/EU/AUS)
