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Studio Chizu is proud to announce, from Academy Award-nominated director Mamoru Hosoda (SUMMER WARS, WOLF CHILDREN) , in partnership with North American distributor GKIDS, a nd anime convention A nime NYC, a Press Play Twitter Watch Party in celebration of MIRAI’s (未来のミライ, Mirai no Mirai, 2018) Anniversary Film release. Continued…
Sentai announced today that it acquired exclusive rights to VENUS WARS (ヴイナス戦記, Vinasu Senki, 1989), hailed by critics for its importance in forging Japanese anime’s popularity in the West. Sentai will distribute the film in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
When war breaks out between the Venusian nations of Ishtar and Aphrodia, hotheaded motorcyclist Hiro Seno and bubbly reporter Susan Sommers find themselves caught in the crossfire and trapped behind enemy lines. As Susan desperately broadcasts the realities of war to the masses, Hiro must put aside his aversion to warfare and fight not only for his life, but for the life of every last citizen of Venus.
Produced by Triangle Staff (SERIAL EXPERIMENTS LAIN), VENUS WARS is directed by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, the film’s original creator who also serves as the film’s scriptwriter and character designer. The film stars Katsuhide Uekusa as Hiro Seno, Eriko Hara (CITY HUNTER 2) as Susan Sommers, Yuko Mizutani (SORCERER HUNTERS) as Maggie and Koichi Yamadera (COWBOY BEBOP) as Jeff. Continued…
Toho has provided information and high-res images from their new anime film, CRAYON SHIN-CHAN THE MOVIE: CRASH! RAKUGA KINGDOM AND ALMOST FOUR HEROES (映画クレヨンしんちゃん 激突！ラクガキングダムとほぼ四人の勇者, Eiga Kureyon Shin-chan Gekitotsu Rakugakingudamu to Hobo Shi-ri no Yūsha). The movie was directed by Takahiko Kyogoku (LOVE LIVE! THE SCHOOL IDOL MOVIE). Continued…
Source: Wright Film press release
Special Thanks to Tanaka Hara
You still don’t know all of the epic story…
Walt Disney Japan Co., Ltd. has announced that NEW KABUKI: NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND (新作歌舞伎『風の谷のナウシカ』, Shinsaku Kabuki Kaze no Tani no Naushika) will be released on Blu-ray and DVD in Japan on January 20, 2021. The live stage performance ran from December 6-25, 2019 at the Shinbashi Enbujo theater in Tokyo’s Ginza district. Tickets for the shows sold out in a single same day. Continued…
Toei has provided information and high-res images from their new anime film LOOKING FOR MAGICAL DOREMI (魔女見習いをさがして, Majo Minarai o Sagashite), which celebrates the 20th anniversary of MAGICAL DOREMI (おジャ魔女どれみ, Ojamajo Doremi), the anime series about a young witch that has spawned multiple sequels and feature films. The first season of MAGICAL DOREMI was broadcast on the Asahi Broadcasting networks in 1999-2000 and was overwhelmingly popular, particularly with girls. The main characters of the new movie are three women in their 20s who are part of that generation who watched the anime as children. Continued…
Bandai Spirits issued a press release last night announcing its TAMASHI NATIONS 2020 virtual festival. With the theme “Figure Museum,” TAMASHII NATIONS 2020 will take place November 6-8, 2020 (JST).and feature close to 1,000 figures and robots from top franchises including Kamen Rider, Ultraman, Dragon Ball, Gundam and Demon Slayer.
The event website offers a VR Exhibition Hall, which provides a 360 degree view of all the figure and robot exhibitions, a hi-resolution photo gallery and an assortment of exclusive content planned throughout the festival, including a special introduction “Jujutsu Kaisen” and new product from series with guest voice actor Tyunya Enoki, who plays the main character Yuji Itadori. Continued…
With a reach of 75% in all American households, Netflix is recognized as a global media phenomenon. Established in 1997, it took some time for the service to become truly popular, with the switch to streaming from physical media proving pivotal.
Today, Netflix boasts almost every genre imaginable, with more films, sitcoms, documentaries, and dramas than is fathomable. In a busy marketplace, with competition from Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Disney+, new titles are added seemingly constantly. Continued…
Hit the books with your favorite anime franchises and characters!
Source: The Loot Company press release
Special Thanks to George Roush
The holidays are here and what better time to spend them than with your favorite anime franchises! The latest Loot Anime crate is going to spread nothing but joy and merriment with the November “Holiday Cheer” themed crate. Hang out with your friends from GINTAMA, FOOD WARS!, MISS KOBAYASHI’S DRAGON MAID, GUNDAM WING and YUME. Continued…
Toei has provided information and high-res images from their new anime film PRETTY CURE MIRACLE LEAP THE MOVIE (映画プリキュアミラクルリープ みんなとの不思議な1日, Eiga Purikyua Mirakuru Rīpu: Min’na to no Fushigi na Ichinichi). The 28th theatrical feature in the PRETTY CURE series, PRETTY CURE MIRACLE LEAP THE MOVIE is also the franchise’s 13th crossover film, offering a team-up of the Precures from the series HUG! PRETTY CURE, STAR TWINKLE PRETTY CURE and HEALIN’ GOOD PRETTY CURE). Continued…
Home video distributor Section23 Films has announced its January slate of releases which includes Sentai Filmworks action-packed assassin anime BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL, available on Blu-ray January 19th. Continued…
ULTRAMAN arrives in AOV, keeping the peace on the battlefield
Source: Tsuburaya Productions, The Licensing Group Ltd
Official Site: arenaofvalor.com
Special Thanks to Carey Simon
The popular Anime series ULTRAMAN streaming on Netflix comes to AOV (ARENA OF VALOR) in a new collaboration that will introduce tons of exclusive in-game activities. Play as ULTRAMAN as you fight alongside your teammates in this exciting new update! Continued…
Toho Animation has released the first preview video for their upcoming Netflix original anime series GODZILLA SINGULAR POINT (ゴジラ S.P ＜シンギュラポイント＞, Gojira S.P < Shingyura Pointo >). Continued…
Source: Toho Co., Ltd.
Official Site: doraemon-3d.com (Japan)
A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE
Toho Co., Ltd. has provided SciFi Japan with information and high-res images from STAND BY ME DORAEMON 2 (STAND BY ME ドラえもん 2), the upcoming sequel to the smash hit 2014 film STAND BY ME DORAEMON. Celebrating Doraemon 50th anniversary, this 3DCG anime movie recreates story from the 2000 short film DORAEMON: A GRANDMOTHER’S RECOLLECTIONS. Continued…
Toho has provided SciFi Japan with press notes and a gallery of high-res images from the next feature-length Pokémon anime, POKÉMON THE MOVIE: COCO (劇場版ポケットモンスター ココ, Gekijō-ban Poketto Monsutā Koko), opening in theaters across Japan on Christmas day. Continued…
OVERRIDE: MECH CITY BRAWL was a big hit when it dropped on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 in 2018. Featuring sixteen technological titans tearing up the landscape as they battled vicious monsters, as well as each other, the game was made for classic tokusatsu and monster movie fans who always dreamed of stepping into those giant shoes.
Now Ultraman, from Netflix’s hit anime of the same name, is joining the Super Mech League, along with a friend and a few terrifying enemies, in OVERRIDE 2: ULTRAMAN DELUXE EDITION! Continued…
Sentai announced today that it acquired distribution rights to anime series KILLING BITES (キリングバイツ, Kiringu Baitsu, 2018), based on the manga of the same name, for the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Mexico.
By the time Yuya Nomoto discovers his so-called friends have duped him into a clandestine plot to kidnap a high school girl, they’re already dead. Things go from bad to worse as Yuya is dragged into a cutthroat world of underground bloodsport known as Killing Bites, where Therianthropes — brutal gene-edited killing machines — fight to the death for rival, power-hungry forces who manipulate society from the shadows. Continued…
Bandai Spirits Hobby will be taking things on the road with a Pop-Up Store located inside Anime Jungle in Los Angeles, CA. Gundam fans from all over Southern California are encourage to swing by and check out over 300 individual items available for purchase. This is easily one of the largest selections of Gunpla available for purchase in the US. Continued…
Sentai has announced that it acquired distribution rights to BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL (無限の住人-IMMORTAL-, Mugen no Jūnin: Immortal, 2019-20), the anime series based on the manga of the same name, for audiences in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand together with Latin America and Nordic countries. Continued…
Get Funimation’s Exclusive 25th Anniversary Silver Chrome All Might Funko POP! with Purchase in the Funimation Shop
Source: Funimation press release
Official Movie Site: heroaca-movie.com (Japan), funimationfilms.com/myheroacademia (US)
Special Thanks to Jamie Falkowitz-Tancredi
Funimation is releasing the MY HERO ACADEMIA: HEROES RISING (僕のヒーローアカデミア THE MOVIE ヒーローズ：ライジング, Boku no Hīrō Akademia THE MOVI Hīrōzu: Raijingu, 2019) movie bundle that includes the Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital download including SUB and DUB, available October 27 in the Funimation Shop and select retailers. Released in theaters earlier this year, MY HERO ACADEMIA: HEROES RISING delighted audiences and earned over $13 million at the box office making it the #8 highest-grossing anime films of all time in the U.S. Now fans can own the hit film! Continued…
Commemorate the 45th anniversary of Little Twin Stars™ with exclusive Hello Kitty® collectibles and more!
Source: The Loot Company press release
Special Thanks to George Roush
It’s time to shine bright with Loot Crate as we celebrate the 45th anniversary of Little Twin Stars with the December “Twinkle Twinkle” themed Sanrio® Crate! Commemorate the Little Twin Stars anniversary with kawaii collectibles and exclusive items featuring Kiki, Lala and more!
The December “Twinkle Twinkle” crate is packed with Loot Crate exclusives including an Embroidered Plush Cloud Pillow, a Trinket Tray, and other supercute items showcasing 45 years of Little Twin Stars. Fans won’t want to miss out on getting these amazing anniversary-themed surprises. Continued…
Licensing Growth in Apparel and Home Categories Highlights Unwavering Strength of Dragon Ball Franchise and its Fandom
Source: Funimation press release
Special Thanks to Scott Barretto
On the heels of last year’s global 30th anniversary of DRAGON BALL Z, Toei Animation Inc., and its agent Funimation announced licensing gains for the iconic Dragon Ball franchise since Licensing Expo 2019. These licensing agreements with both new and existing licensees span numerous product categories and include the game titles DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT, and DRAGON BALL FIGHTERZ and the TV series DRAGON BALL Z and DRAGON BALL GT as well as DRAGON BALL SUPER, the complete series (Eps 1 – 131) of which is now available as of October 5, 2020 in English dub on Hulu. Continued…
One of the most influential characters in anime returns with a new adventure. The exciting new film LUPIN III: THE FIRST (ルパン三世 THE FIRST, Rupan Sansei THE FIRST) makes its way to home entertainment this winter following a North American theatrical run. Introducing the beloved characters in CG animation for the first time, the film will be released on digital download-to-own on December 15, 2020 and on Blu-ray + DVD combo pack, as a standalone DVD, and as a SteelBook edition of the Blu-ray combo on January 12, 2021 from GKIDS and Shout! Factory.
This release will be presented in both the original Japanese version and a new English dubbed version, featuring the return of the beloved English cast that has voiced previous Lupin films and series. Bonus features exclusive to the Blu-ray include interviews with director Takashi Yamazaki and the Japanese voice cast, and much more. The SteelBook edition also includes a beautiful, 16-page booklet featuring character concept art. Fans who order their Blu-ray + DVD combo pack or SteelBook copies from shoutfactory.com will receive an exclusive 18×24” lithograph, while supplies last. Continued…
The 2014 heartfelt, coming-of-age series receives a stunning new home video release as a complete Blu-ray set!
Source: AniplexUSA press release
Official Site: kimiuso.jp (Japan), yourlieinapril.com (US)
Special Thanks to Aiko Makino
Aniplex of America is thrilled to announce the Your lie in April (四月は君の嘘, Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso, 2014-15) Complete Blu-ray Set arriving just in time for the holiday season on December 22, 2020. For the first time ever, fans can now own all twenty-two episodes of the heartwarming series in six Blu-ray discs, housed in a beautiful box featuring illustration by character designer Yukiko Aikei. The Blu-ray set includes thirteen collectible illustration cards, plus audio commentary by the English cast and director (Episode 1 and 22), English bloopers, the English trailer, as well as textless openings and endings.
(SWORD ART ONLINE, BLUE EXORCIST). Directed by Kyohei Ishiguro (OCCULTIC;NINE) with series composition and screenplay by Takao Yoshioka (WAGNARIA!!), the series features music by renowned composer Masaru Yokoyama (FATE/APOCRYPHA, FRUITS BASKET) and character design by Yukiko Aikei (ACCEL WORLD). Continued…
Premium Bandai USA will begin offering highly sought-after and exclusive collectibles from renowned Bandai toy and collectible brand Tamashii Nations. Dragon Ball S.H.Figuarts and the Star Wars Meisho Movie Realization line continues with all new figures available for pre-order. Continued…
Netflix announces an all new original anime series GODZILLA SINGULAR POINT (ゴジラ S.P ＜シンギュラポイント＞, Gojira S.P < Shingyura Pointo >) featuring a brand new cast and original story set to premiere globally on Netflix in 2021. Continued…
“Welcome to the Clock Tower, the mystery-filled mecca for mages.”
Source: AniplexUSA press release
Official Site: anime.elmelloi.com (Japan), elmelloi-anime.com (US)
Special Thanks to Aiko Makino
Aniplex of America announced today that the LORD EL-MELLOI II’S CASE FILES {RAIL ZEPPELIN} GRACE NOTE (ロード・エルメロイⅡ世の事件簿 -魔眼蒐集列車 Grace note-, Rōdo Erumeroi Nisei no Jikenbo -Magan shūshū ressha Grace note-, 2019) anime series is coming to home video as a Complete Blu-ray Box Set! This set features all fourteen episodes with both Japanese and English audio, housed in a special package illustrated by Character Designer Jun Nakai. along with a myriad of bonus content including textless opening and ending, PV collections, web previews, as well as an exclusive special booklet.
The box set includes a brand new English dub featuring an all-star cast led by Lucien Dodge (FATE/ZERO, GOD EATER ) as Lord El-Melloi II and Kayli Mills (SWORD ART ONLINE ALICIZATION, March comes in like a lion) as Lord El Melloi II’s dependable apprentice, Gray. Allegra Clark (SWORD ART ONLINE ALTERNATIVE: GUN GALE ONLINE, FATE/APOCRYPHA) joins the cast as Reines El-Melloi Archisorte, alongside Greg Chun (DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA, SWORD ART ONLINE ALICIZATION WAR OF UNDERWORLD) as the Mystic Code, Add. Christian La Monte (CELLS AT WORK!, MAGIA RECORD: PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA SIDE STORY) serves as English ADR Director for the series with Erica Mendez (I want to eat your pancreas, FATE/APOCRYPHA) as the ADR Script Writer. Continued…
Hit the books with your favorite anime franchises and characters!
Source: The Loot Company press release
Special Thanks to George Roush
Grab your shovel and dig up the latest Loot Anime crate just in time for the spookiest holiday of the year. Awaken all of the ghosts, ghouls and spirits when you summon the ‘Undead’ October themed Anime crate. Continued…
Sentai has acquired rights to IS THE ORDER A RABBIT? BLOOM, the third season of the delightfully energetic slice-of-life anime series IS THE ORDER A RABBIT? (ご注文はうさぎですか? BLOOM, Go Chūmon wa UsagiDesu Ka? BLOOM, 2020), for audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, South Africa, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, the Middle East, and North Africa.
The colorful cast of Is the Order a Rabbit? is back to charm audiences as they beam cuteness, coffee and bunnies galore! Adapted from the four-panel manga series of the same name, IS THE ORDER A RABBIT? BLOOM finds Cocoa, Chino, Rize, Chiya, Tippy and all your Rabbit House favorites weathering the transition between summer and autumn as they serve up more of the adorable antics and cute capers that made their earlier adventures so beloved. Whether at school or at their usual hangout spot, the regulars of the Rabbit Café are sure to delight audiences in IS THE ORDER A RABBIT? BLOOM! Continued…
GKIDS, the acclaimed distributor of multiple Academy Award-nominated animated features, brings LUPIN III: THE FIRST (ルパン三世 THE FIRST, Rupan Sansei THE FIRST) to U.S. cinemas in October. The movie is based on the manga by Monkey Punch ans is directed by Takashi Yamazaki, the acclaimed filmmaker behind the ALWAYS- SUNSET ON THIRD STREET trilogy, SPACE BATTLESHIP YAMATO (SPACE BATTLESHIP ヤマト, Uchu Senkan Yamato, 2010) and THE ETERNAL ZERO (永遠の0, Eien no Zero, 2013).
The iconic “gentleman thief” Lupin III returns in an action-packed, continent-spanning adventure, as Lupin III and his colorful underworld companions race to uncover the secrets of the mysterious Bresson Diary, before it falls into the hands of a dark cabal that will stop at nothing to resurrect the Third Reich. The gang undertakes trap-filled tombs, aerial escapades and daring prison escapes with the trademark wit and visual finesse that have made LUPIN THE 3RD one of the most storied animation franchises in the world, in a thrilling new caper that is sure to delight fans old and new. Continued…
Home video distributor Section23 Films has announced its November and December slate of releases which includes Sentai Filmworks action-packed shounen sports anime AHIRU NO SORA, available on Blu-ray December 15th with a Limited Edition Premium Box Set to be released soon. Continued…
