FUNimation Entertainment Announces Upcoming Event at Regal LA Live Stadium Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Site: dragonball2013.com (Japan), dragonballz.com/battleofgods (US) Special Thanks to Scott Lonski FUNimation Entertainment announced that its animated feature film, DRAGON BALL Z: BATTLE OF GODS (???????Z ???, Doragon Booru Zetto: Kami to Kami, 2013), will be presented at a red carpet premiere at the Regal LA Live Stadium 14 Theaters in Los Angeles, CA on Thursday July 3, 2014. The red carpet will begin at 8:00pm followed by the screening at 9:00pm. It will be a night of entertainment for fans of the popular DRAGON BALL Z franchise featuring an opportunity to walk the carpet alongside US voice cast including Sean Schemmel and Chris Sabat and Producer Justin Cook. Stunning animation and epic new villains highlight

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Source: Eleven Arts Entertainment Official Movie Site: k-project-twwp.com (Japan), elevenarts.net/k-missingkings (US) Special Thanks to Erika T. Wright The wait is over for fans of the popular anime series K. ELEVEN ARTS and STARCHILD have announced K MISSING KINGS (??? K MISSING KINGS), the brand-new follow up feature film to the original anime series, coming to select theaters throughout North America. The world premiere is to be held at Los Angeles`s Anime Expo on Saturday, July 5. Shortly afterwards, the film will be released in select theaters across the United States starting Friday, July 18, 2014. This is a rare opportunity for fans to catch the movie on the big screen only a week after it premieres in Japan. At this time, the film is also scheduled for a limited screening throughout

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Source: Aniplex of America press release Official Site: swordart-online.net (Japan), SwordArt-OnlineUSA.com (US) Special Thanks to Joanna Metoki Aniplex of America has confirmed that SWORD ART ONLINE II (????????????, Soodo Aato Onrain II, 2014) will begin its simulcast schedule on July 5th for multiple territories across the world through Hulu, Crunchyroll, and DAISUKI. See below for streaming details. ? Hulu, Hulu Plus: U.S. only ? Crunchyroll: U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, U.K., Ireland, Latin American Countries, Europe (excluding German & French speaking countries), Asia (excluding China, Korea, Taiwan)* ? DAISUKI: U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, U.K., Ireland, Latin American Countries, Europe (excluding German & French speaking countries), Asia (excluding China, Korea, Taiwan) *Please note that the url included for the HULU page is not yet live. About SWORD ART ONLINE II 1 year after the SAO incident, Kirito is approached by Seijiro Kikuoka from Japan’s Ministry of

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New Anime Feature Film based on the Manga Sarusuberi Source: Production I.G press release Production I.G announces MISS HOKUSAI (???, Sarusuberi), the new animated feature film from acclaimed Annecy-winning director Keiichi Hara (SUMMER DAYS WITH COO, COLORFUL). The movie is based on the original manga, Sarusuberi by Hinako Sugiura, and it is scripted by Miho Maruo (COLORFUL). The main staff includes character designer and chief animator Yoshimi Itazu (DENNO COIL, THE WIND RISES, DREMING MACHINE) and background artist Hiroshi Ono (A LETTER TO MOMO, WOLF CHILDREN). MISS HOKUSAI is slated for theatrical release in Japan in 2015. Story The time: 1814. The place: Edo, now known as Tokyo. One of the highest populated cities in the world, teeming with peasants, samurai, townsmen, merchants, nobles, artists, courtesans, and perhaps even supernatural things. A much accomplished artist of his time and now in his mid-fifties, Tetsuzo

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Source: AniplexUSA Official Site: kill-la-kill.jp (Japan), KilllaKill.com (US) Special Thanks to EJ Rivera This July, fans of KILL LA KILL (?????, Kiru ra Kiru, 2013) are in for a real treat. Aniplex of America Inc. has just announced that multiple guests from the animation series KILL la KILL will be attending Anime Expo 2014 in Los Angeles as Guests of Honor. The Guests of Honor include Kazuki Nakashima (Original Story and Script Writer), SUSHIO (Character Designer and Chief Animation Director), Ami Koshimizu (the voice of Ryuko Matoi), Ryoka Yuzuki (the voice of Satsuki Kiryuin) and Yousuke Toba (Producer). All the guests will be participating in panels, autograph sessions and special events throughout Anime Expo weekend. Please see the Anime Expo schedule for official times. For one night only all of the guests will be part of

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Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab Official Movie Site: tigerandbunny.net/movie2 (Japan), elevenarts.net/tigerandbunny-therising (US) Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, continues its collaboration with Los Angeles-based film distribution company ELEVEN ARTS and issues a special invitation to fans and filmgoers in Canada to attend the theatrical premiere of TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: THE RISING (??? ???????? -The Rising-, Gekijoo-ban Taigaa Ando Banii -The Rising-, 2014) in 35 Canadian cities -- for two days only -- Thursday and Sunday, June 26th and 29th. For this special theatrical event, Japan’s favorite new breed of crime-fighting superhero delivers the big screen anime action to cities across Canada including Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and many more. Tickets will be available for $12.95

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Source: Aniplex of America press release Official Site: project-magi.com (Japan), magi-usa.com (US) Special Thanks to Joanna Metoki On April 18th, Aniplex of America announced at their industry panel at Sakura-Con in Seattle, Washington, their plans to produce an English dub of MAGI: THE KINGDOM OF MAGIC (?? The Kingdom of Magic, 2013-2014), the second season of the fan-favorite MAGI anime series. Aniplex of America has also announced that along with Bang Zoom! Entertainment, they plan to hold open auditions for MAGI: THE KINGDOM OF MAGIC at this year’s Anime Expo. The open auditions will be held at the Bang Zoom! Entertainment booth through the entire Anime Expo 2014 weekend starting from Thursday July 3rd to Sunday July 6th. Bang Zoom! plans to hold multiple auditions on each day. Fans who are interested in participating in these open

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Aniplex also Launches “Sword Art Online Awards” for Fans Worldwide Source: Aniplex of America press release Official Site: swordart-online.net (Japan), SwordArt-OnlineUSA.com (US) Special Thanks to EJ Rivera On April 19th at Aniplex of America’s SWORD ART ONLINE Panel with special appearances by Director Tomohiko Ito, Character Designer Shingo Adachi and Producer Shinichiro Kashiwada at Sakura-Con in Seattle, Aniplex confirmed that the highly anticipated anime series SWORD ART ONLINE II (????????????, Soodo Aato Onrain II, 2014) will see a worldwide simulcast. SWORD ART ONLINE II is scheduled to begin airing in Japan on July of this year. Aniplex has also confirmed plans of hosting SWORD ART ONLINE II Premiere Screening Events to be held in the U.S., France, Germany, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and Japan. Details regarding streaming schedules and platforms as well as Premiere

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Catch The Entire Subtitled 13-Episode Series FOR FREE On Neon Alley Online Anime Streaming Platform! Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: gargantia.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Jane Lui, Elizabeth Ellis and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC , the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, brings the intergalactic action drama -- GARGANTIA ON THE VERDUROUS PLANET (??????????, Suisei no Garugantia, 2014) -- to its new Neon Alley FREE online streaming anime platform. The lushly animated 13-episode adventure was created by the famed animation studio Production I.G. and is available now in its entirety at NeonAlley.com. For $7.99 a month, U.S. fans can also access GARGANTIA ON THE VERDUROUS PLANET on mobile and digital devices through the subscription-based Hulu Plus Video-On-Demand service. The premiere of a dubbed version will follow later in the year. In the distant future, Ledo, a

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Final Episode to Screen in Japanese Theaters Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: gundam-unicorn.net (Japan), gundamuc.rightstuf.com (US) Shochiku has provided an update and new images for the Japanese theatrical run of MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM UC (UNICORN)(????????UC(?????), Kidoo Senshi Gandamu Yunikon) Episode 7: "Over The Rainbow" (????, Niji no Kanata ni). Based upon the best-selling novel by Harutoshi Fukui (Aegis), the original video animation series is produced by Sunrise, directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi (HUNTER X HUNTER, LE CHEVALIER D’EON), and is distributed in Japan by Bandai Visual and in North America by Right Stuf. MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM UC concludes with with the seventh episode, which will be released in Japan on multiple Blu-ray and DVD editions June 6, 2014. The North American DVD release date is tba.

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Wide Theatrical Release Begins April 18th Source: Eleven Arts Entertainment press release Official Movie Site: shortpeace-movie.com (Japan), elevenarts.net/shortpeace (US) Special Thanks to Erika T. Wright ELEVEN ARTS and Sentai Filmworks is pleased to present the wide theatrical release of Katsuhiro Otomo`s latest animated feature film SHORT PEACE (????????, Shooto Piisu, 2013), an anthology of four short animated films from some of Japan`s most talented anime creators, including Academy Award nominee POSSESSIONS (???, Tsukumo), from director Shuhei Morita. The wide release will take place starting on April 18 of this year. The movie will be featured in approximately forty-five theaters across the United States. At this time, screenings for Canada are planned to begin in early May of 2014. Information on the screenings, including theater locations and tickets, is available on ELEVEN ARTS` website.

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Two Highly-Anticipated Titles will be Streaming on the Aniplex Channel, Hulu, Crunchyroll and DAISUKI Source: Aniplex of America press release Special Thanks to EJ Rivera Aniplex of America Inc. has announced details of the simulcast schedules for two of their highly-anticipated titles scheduled to begin streaming this month. These titles are The irregular at magic high school (?????????, Mahooka Kookoo no Rettoosei, 2014) and MEKAKUCITY ACTORS (???????????, Mekakushiti Akutaazu, 2014). Both of these titles will be available to fans on the Aniplex Channel, Hulu, Crunchyroll and DAISUKI only a few hours following its original air-time in Japan. The irregular at magic high school will begin its simulcast schedule on April 5th at 11:00 a.m. (PST) This anime adaptation of the popular sci-fi fantasy light novel series by Tsutomu Sato with the same title features a world where magic is no longer a product of mere legends or

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Source: Eleven Arts Entertainment Official Movie Site: shortpeace-movie.com (Japan), elevenarts.net/shortpeace (US) Special Thanks to Erika T. Wright ELEVEN ARTS and Sentai Filmworks are set to bring SHORT PEACE (????????, Shooto Piisu, 2013), a new omnibus film from AKIRA`s director, Katsuhiro Otomo, to North American audiences. SHORT PEACE consists of four short animated films from some of Japan`s greatest animation creators, including this year`s Academy Award nominated POSSESSIONS (???, Tsukumo) directed by Shuhei Morita. Prior to the wide release, special screenings

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Source: Nippon Television Network Corporation Public Relations press release Official Site: Tatsunoko Production Nippon Television Network Corporation (Nippon TV) has acquired shares of Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. and has made the company a Nippon TV subsidiary. Founded in 1962, Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd. (Tatsunoko Production) is involved in the planning and production of animation films, television series, and character licensing business. Since its inception, Tatsunoko Production has produced myriads of popular animation series such as GATCHAMAN (???????????, Kagaku Ninjatai Gatchaman, 1972-1974), THE GENIE FAMILY (????????, Hakushon Daimaoo, 1969-1970), and SPEED RACER (???GoGoGo, Mach Go, Go, Go, 1966-1968), which have won the hearts of viewers both in Japan and abroad. Furthermore, Tatsunoko Production holds the domestic and international rights to many animation films, series, and characters. In 2009, Nippon TV was the first to succeed in remaking the animation YATTERMAN (?????? Yattaaman, 1977-1979) into a live action

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Anime Streaming Brand To Be Carried By Hulu And Hulu Plus Video-On-Demand Services Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: NeonAlley.com Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC, the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, announces a significant milestone in the evolution of Neon Alley as the company moves to consolidate all of its digital streaming anime content offerings under its Neon Alley brand. Effective April 1st, VIZ Media will transition its weekly episodic anime programming to the successful free ad-supported Hulu and subscription-based Hulu Plus Video-On-Demand services. The move also expands VIZ Media’s role as a content partner for one of the U.S.’s biggest video streaming providers. U.S. fans will be able to catch a wide variety of brand new anime, as well as classic content distributed and/or licensed by VIZ Media, for FREE

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Source: AniplexUSA press release Official Site: 6109.jp/aoex (Japan), blueexorcist.com (US) Special Thanks to EJ Rivera The popular animated TV Series BLUE EXORCIST (?????????????, Ao no Exorcist, 2011) will be making its U.S. network television debut on Adult Swim’s TOONAMI on February 22nd. Aniplex of America originally made the announcement of the premiere on their Live Show this past November. Specific premiere time on Feb. 22nd will be announced on a later date. The BLUE EXORCIST TV Series is based on Kazue Kato’s hit manga published in Jump Square (by SHUEISHA) and it saw a multi-stream simulcast on websites such as Hulu, Crunchyroll (subtitled version), and as well as on Neon Alley (English dub version). In response to its worldwide popularity, the series was also adapted into a film and theatrically released across North America this past August. Produced by the highly-acclaimed studio A-1 Pictures, (SWORD ART

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Discover Kakashi`s Mysterious Past and His Role in the Third Great Shibobi War Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: pierrot.jp/naruto (Japan), naruto.com (US) Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, delights fans of the action-packed NARUTO SHIPPUDEN (??? ???) anime series as it announces the debut of the sagas’ newest installment -- Episode 349 -- on the Hulu Plus Video-On-Demand subscription service, with new episodes simulcast each Thursday. The episode launches a brand new story arc focusing on a previously untold Kakashi backstory. North American users of the free streaming VIZAnime.com platform and the free, ad-supported Hulu service will be able to catch the new NARUTO SHIPPUDEN segments a week after their initial run on Hulu Plus. Hulu Plus subscribers can also access NARUTO SHIPPUDEN content anytime with

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STREET FIGHTER Feature Films Now on Hulu.com Source: Eagle One Media press release Capcom and Eagle One Media are proud to announce that its two STREET FIGHTER anime-style comic feature films are now available on Hulu for free viewing to all the STREET FIGHTER fans out there. The films are based on the widely popular Udon comic book series. Fans can simply go to Hulu.com to locate the films or use the links below. No purchase is necessary and there is no limit to the amount of times you can watch. STREET FIGHTER: ROUND ONE: FIGHT! Ryu and Ken set out to investigate the murder of their martial arts master. Their search for answers takes them to Japan where M. Bison and his assorted minions including Cammy, Vega, and Sagat keep a close eye on Ryu for reasons unknown. This draws the attention of up and coming

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Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: tbs.co.jp/anime/mahosen Special Thanks to Christian Lopez Powerful magicians run rampant in the streets, and one more is about to enter the fray in Sentai Filmworks’ latest acquisition, MAGICAL WARFARE (????, Mahoo Sensoo, 2014). This 12 episode magical action series is directed by Yuzo Sato (HUNTER X HUNTER: PHANTOM ROUGE, KAIJI) with series composition by Kazuyuki Fudeyasu (MISS MONOCHROME, PRINCESS RESURRECTION), art direction by Jirou Kouno (PHI BRAIN, AMNESIA) and animation production by the iconic Madhouse Studios (HIGH SCHOOL OF THE DEAD, NINJA SCROLL). The last few years haven’t been easy for Takeshi Nanase. His parents are remote and distant, his little brother seems to despise him and even his relationship with Kurumi, his so-called girlfriend, isn’t exactly romantic in nature. In fact, for two years the only real high point in Takeshi’s existence has been studying the Japanese sword-fighting

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Young Jazz Musicians in 1960s Japan in Series from the Acclaimed Team Behind COWBOY BEBOP Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Series Site: noitamina-apollon.com (Japan), noitamina-apollon.com/index_en (English) Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC, the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, announces a very special mid-season anime series debut with the launch of KIDS ON THE SLOPE (???????, Sakamichi no Apollon, 2012) on Neon Alley on Friday, January 17th at 9:30pm (PST). The 12-episode anime drama about a group of young Japanese jazz musicians originally aired in Japan as a part of the prestigious ‘noitaminA’ block on Fuji TV, is rated ‘TV-14,’ and new installments will debut every Friday. KIDS ON THE SLOPE is distributed in North America by Sentai Filmworks. Get ready to be blown away as the acclaimed team behind COWBOY BEBOP reunites

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