Dragon Ball Super’s OP/ED Are an Action Packed Nostalgia Trip

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July 5, 2015

Yen Press stormed a blast of announcements on Anime Expo’s last day at their panel. With 8 digital releases and more than 10 for print. For digital release, they have acquired the license for the following:

Aphorism by Kujo Karuna (Minna no Go, Radiata Stories: The Song of Ridley)
Sekirei by Sakurako Gokurakuin (Night Walkers, Tokyo Renaikitan)
Saki by Ritz Kobayashi (Fatalizer, Shinohayu: the Dawn of Age)
Kuro no Tantei (Black Detective) by Yen Hioka (Shitateya Koubou Artelier Collection)
Aoharu x Kikanjuu (Aoharu x Machinegun) by NAOE (Carpe Diem, Sekishin)
Shikabane Hime (Corpse Princess) by Yoshiichi Akahito
Kurenai Ouji (Crimson Prince) by Souta Kuwahara (Honey Rabbit!, Kokoro Kimi-iro Sakurairo)
Renaissance Eve by Shamu Itou (Blood Type V)

The first license was a supernatural, psychological manga by Kujo Karuna, Aphorism. It was published under Square Enix’s Gangan Online magazine since May 18, 2010. It currently has 13 compiled manga volumes. The 13th volume was shipped on March 20, 2015. Yen Press announced that it is slated for November 2015.

Yen Press has announced they’ve licensed Aphorism, slated for November 2015 pic.twitter.com/cgTiYjohb7

— Justin Stroman (@Kami_nomi) July 5, 2015

Synopsis of Aphorism from MangaUpdates:

Naraka High School is a seemingly normal school. However, unknown to the public is the cruel truth of what really goes on in the school’s halls. Rather than studying, students are forced to struggle for their very survival. And the strong bonds of friendship may be the only difference between life and death.

The supernatural, game, harem manga, Sekirei, by Sakurako Gokurakuin was the second licensed. The manga was published on January 30, 2004 under Square Enix’s Young GanGan magazine. It has 17 compiled volumes and the latest volume was published on March 25, 2015. Like Aphorism it is also slated on November 2015 digitally in English.

.@yenpress at #AX2015 Sekirei by Sakurako Goraku -boy who’s a master fighter + voluptuous girls Nov 2015 digital 1st pic.twitter.com/GqKk96NrmU — Deb Aoki (@debaoki) July 5, 2015

Synopsis of Sekirei from MangaUpdates:

Minato is a total loser. He’s failed to make it into college twice, he’s unpopular with women, and he’s unemployed. He seems like the classic-useless-shounen-harem-male-lead… In truth, however he’s actually an Ashikabi–one of a mysterious set of “masters” in an awesome battle royale between hordes of cute girls called “Sekirei.” Since this is an ecchi manga, with their attacks they often happen to… you guessed it–ripping each others’ clothes off! Looks like his luck’s taken a turn for the better.

Yen Press’ third digital acquisition is a slice-of-life sports manga by Ritz Kobayashi, Saki. It was published under Square Enix’s Young GanGan magazine as well since February 3, 2006. It currently has 13 volumes and the 13th volume was published on September 25, 2014. Yen Press have not specified the publishing date for Saki.

.@yenpress at #AX2015 – Saki by Ritz Kobayashi a girl hates mahjong, but get looped into mahjong club digital 1st pic.twitter.com/t9oQrSv8Bo — Deb Aoki (@debaoki) July 5, 2015

Synopsis of Saki from MangaUpdates:

Miyanaga Saki is a high-school freshman who doesn’t like mahjong. Ever since she was a child, she would lose her New Year’s gift money during her family mahjong game. If she won, her parents would be upset, and if she lost, well, she lost. As a result, she’s learned to play in such a way that her score always remains plus/minus zero: not good enough to win, but not bad enough to lose. When we meet her, she’s being dragged to her school’s mahjong club by an old friend. How will a girl who hates mahjong, yet has become adept at the game as a result of her upbringing, survive in this environment?

Kuro no Tantei is the fourth digital acquisition. It is a demon-mystery manga by Yen Hioka that was published under Square Enix’s Shoujo Romance Web Girly and Shounen Gangan magazine. The first chapter was published on February 12, 2013 and will end on July 10, 2015. It has six compiled manga volumes as of June 22, 2015. Yen Press have not yet announced the publishing date.

Yen Press has announced for digital release Black Detective. pic.twitter.com/Kk1uUhJs1Q — Justin Stroman (@Kami_nomi) July 5, 2015

Synopsis of Kuro no Tantei from MangaUpdates:

Kuroba Yo is a sadistic detective who enjoys nothing more than destroying his targets emotionally and psychologically through his deductive reasoning. Toiro Arata is a naive and slightly masochistic boy who gets duped by Yo into becoming his assistant, or slave. These two team up to become the “Black & White” detective, solving crimes and chasing after criminals.

Aoharu x Kikanjuu by NAOE, with an anime adaptation that is currently airing, is the fifth acquisiton. The sports-comedy manga was published under Square Enix’s GFantasy and Gangan Online magazine since June 18, 2012. There are currently 7 compiled manga volumes as of June 27, 2015. Yen Press will publish the manga digitally this November 2015.

.@yenpress at #AX2015 Aoharu x Machinegun by Naoe – hot guys + hot action fr. G-Fantasy mag – nov digital 1st pic.twitter.com/MwwXxGmq7M — Deb Aoki (@debaoki) July 5, 2015

Synopsis of Aoharu x Kikanjuu manga from MAL:

The manga follows high school student Hotaru Tachibana, a girl disguised as a boy. Through strange circumstances she finds herself drawn into the world of survival games by a host, Masamune Matsuoka. The two form a team with ero-manga artist Tooru Yukimura and aim to be the be the best in Japan.

Their sixth manga license was Shikabane Hime by Yoshiichi Akahito. The supernatural-shounen manga was published under Square Enix’s Shounen Gangan magazine. It has finished publishing, from April 12, 2005 to November 12, 2014 with 23 total compiled volumes. It is slated for November 2015, according to Yen Press.

.@yenpress at #AX2015 Corpse Princess by Yoshiichi Akahito – “we ? zombies” + girls in short skirts! nov 2015 digital pic.twitter.com/0n9vJ5gJuL

— Deb Aoki (@debaoki) July 5, 2015

Synopsis of Shikabane Hime from MAL:

The story starts off with a bunch of high school students, taking the dare to go up to this abandoned building that has been half destroyed by a fire. It was rumoured to be haunted. Just a rumour, right? Not when real corpses start showing up, and they start feeling things grabbing them, and finally zombies going after them! Shikabane Hime is there to save the day. The immortal girl, “Shikabane Hime,” has the mission to “kill” 108 corpses. It’s a contract she has between herself and the Buddhist monk, Keisei. After 108 corpses, she will finally get her happiness and go to heaven.

Kurenai Ouji by Souta Kuwahara is the seventh license. It was published under Square Enix’s Shounen GanGan magazine since May 2005. It has 16 compiled manga volumes since August 22, 2014. Yen Press has not yet announced its publishing date.

.@yenpress at #AX2015 – Crimson Prince by Souta Kuwahara – a sweet story of a demon prince who falls for a human girl pic.twitter.com/B2jaI3t4jW

— Deb Aoki (@debaoki) July 5, 2015

Synopsis of Kurenai Ouji from MangaUpdates:

Is their meeting a coincidence? Is their love inevitable?

Sakura Koujirou is a demon prince who descends to the human world in order to take human souls. But after a strange turn of events, he somehow ends up living with a human girl, Hana… This is a story of young love, sweet and touching.

The last digital acquisition was Renaissance Eve by Shamu Itou. The shounen series was published under Square Enix’s Shounen GanGan magazine since October 12, 2012. The manga was finished with 4 compiled volumes on September 12, 2014. Yen Press plans to release it this December 2015.

Yen Press has announced for digital release Renaissance Eve, Dec 2015 pic.twitter.com/T5FcymFEoa

— Justin Stroman (@Kami_nomi) July 5, 2015

Synopsis of Renaissance Eve from Yen Press:

Chiaki’s bloodtype is C – he has a “strange blood.” The mystery surrounding his strange blood kickstarts a story about casuality and friendship.

Rias Gremory Greets You in Bed Wear

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July 5, 2015

A new visual of the anime adaptation of Ichiei Ishibumi and Miyama-Zero’s High School DxD light novel series has been as a poster in the August issue of popular Japanese magazine Megami. The new visual features Rias Gremory just waking up and ready to start the day. This issue of Megami can be purchased here.

A Japanese anime magazine featured the series as a very saucy double page spread recently:

In addition to this, various High School DxD visuals have been featured in the recent issues of Megami and NyanType:

Anime visual:

High School DxD is a light novel series written by Ichiei Ishibumi and illustrated by Miyama-Zero. The series began serialization in 2008 in Fujimi Shobo’s Dragon Magazine, before being published in their Fujimi Fantasia Bunko imprint. To date, there has been 18 compiled volumes. Three manga adaptation of the series have been published in 2010, 2012 and 2013, all of which have been written by Ishibumi. An anime adaptation was produced in 2012. It was animated by TNK (School Days) and directed by Tetsuya Yanagisawa (Sora no Otoshimono: Tokeijikake no Angeloid, Kyoshiro to Towa no Sora). Two OADs were then released, and were then followed by the second season of the anime in 2013. A Nintendo 3DS game was also released later that year.

Here is a synopsis of the series from Haruhichan:

Issei Hyodo is your average perverted high school student whose one wish in life is to have his own harem, but he’s got to be one of the unluckiest guys around. He goes on his first date with a girl only to get brutally attacked and killed when it turns out the girl is really a vicious fallen angel. To top it all off, he’s later reincarnated as a devil by his gorgeous senpai who tells him that she is also a devil and now his master! One thing’s for sure, his peaceful days are over. In a battle between devils and angels, who will win?

Fatal Pulse and Other Doujinshi and Visual Novel Artists Suspended on Twitter

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July 5, 2015

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Oyari Ashito, an artist on doujinshi, has opened a new Twitter account and has announced that the social media service has suspended the accounts of a number of noted illustrators including Fatal Pulse, whose safe-for-work fan art tributes to works like Shirobako were broadly popular, as well as Mikan Fuyuno and Eichi Mudou.

Fatal Pulse’s circle stated that they have appealed the suspension, hoping to reclaim the account, which had almost 67,000 followers.

Source: Yaraon, Crunchyroll

Yui Kotegawa Prepares for To LOVE-Ru Darkness 2nd with a New Figure

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July 5, 2015

Yui Kotegawa can be pre-ordered here.

The secondary female protagonist of To Love-Ru who is in Rito’s class during the second year, Yui Kotegawa, has received a new figure just in time for the upcoming July 7th debut of To LOVE-Ru Darkness 2nd. She’s posed trying to cover an upskirt with a disapproving face while her wonderful shapely legs are fully revealed.

To Love-Ru Darkness – Yui Kotegawa 1/7 Figure – Pre-orders available on JList here and is expected to be released in November 2015.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure English Dub Preview

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July 5, 2015

During the Anime Expo 2015 event, a presentation of the upcoming English dub of the 2012 anime adaptation of Hirohiko Araki’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure was revealed. This clip contains the audio recorded from the panel which previewed episodes 3 and 10 from season one of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure with the Japanese Blu-ray release of the anime. The dub will be bundled with the first volume of the North American release of the anime, containing the entire first season. The dub will star Johnny Yong Bosch (Lelouch Lamperouge from Code Geass) as Jonathan Joestar, Patrick Seitz (Laxus Dreyar in Fairy Tail) as Dio Brando, Ben Diskin (Kai Miyagusuku from Blood+) as Joseph Joestar, Bryce Papenbrook (Masaomi Kida from Durarara!!) as Caesar and Robbie Daymond (Mamoru Chiba from Sailor Moon) as Smokey.

The first season of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure will be available on DVD on September 22nd, containing the English and Japanese dub. It currently listed at a sale price of $39.99 (retails at $49.95) on RightStuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lghg0-H1-CM

Anime visual:

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hirohiko Araki. It was originally serialized in Weekly Shounen Jump from 1986 to 2004, before being transferred to the monthly seinen magazine Ultra Jump in 2005. The current story arc, JoJolion, started in 2011. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is currently Shueisha’s second largest manga series with its chapters collected into 111 tankobon volumes and counting (only Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo, with over 180, has more).

A six-volume original video animation adaptation of the later half of the series’ third story arc, Stardust Crusaders, was released from 1993 to 1994 by studio A.P.P.P. Six years later, they produced a seven-volume series adapting the arc’s first half from 2000 to 2002. A.P.P.P. also produced a theatrical film of the first arc, Phantom Blood, in 2007. From 2003 to 2005, Super Techno Arts released an English dub of both OVA series as one on DVD in North America. The third story arc of the manga received an English release in North America from 2005 to 2010 by Viz Media, who will also publish the first and second arcs in 2015. A 26-episode television anime, produced by David Production and covering the first two arcs, aired on Tokyo MX and other stations starting in October 2012 and ending in April 2013. A second season covering the third arc titled JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders began broadcast in April 2014 and ended with episode 24 on September 13, 2014.

The JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure manga has sold over 80 million copies in Japan alone, making it one of the best-selling manga series in history, and has spawned a large media franchise that includes several novelizations and video games, action figures, a jewelry line, and even snack foods.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (2012) synopsis from Haruhichan:

Beginning its tale in 19th century England, young aristocrat Jonathan Joestar finds himself locked in bitter rivalry with Dio Brando, a low-born boy who Jonathan’s father took under his wing after the death of Dio’s father. Discontent with his station in life, Dio’s fathomless lust to reign over all eventually leads him to seek the supernatural powers of an ancient Aztec stone mask in the Joestar’s possession—an artifact that will forever change the destiny of Dio and Jonathan for generations to come. Fifty years later, in 1938 New York City, Jonathan’s grandson Joseph Joestar must take up his grandfather’s mission and master the abilities necessary to destroy the stone mask and its immensely powerful creators who threaten humanity’s very existence, the Pillar Men.

You can visit the anime’s Japanese website here: http://jojo-animation.com/
And follow their Twitter: @anime_jojo

Kodansha Licensed Princess Jellyfish, Maga-Tsuki and Real Account

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July 5, 2015

Today at the Anime Expo panel of Kodansha Comics, the North American publisher has announced acquisitions for Akiko Higashimura’s Princess Jellyfish (Kuragehime) and Hoshino Taguchi’s Maga-tsuki, Okujou’s Real Account.

The first announcement was Akiko Higashimura’s (Toukyou Tarareba Musume) romantic-comedy, gender-bender josei manga, Princess Jellyfish. The manga was published under Kodansha’s Kiss magazine on October 25, 2008 and is currently on hiatus. There are currently 14 compiled manga volumes. The latest volume was released on September 12, 2014. Kodansha plans to release the first 12 volumes of the manga in 2-in-1 omnibus format starting on February 2016.

.@KodanshaUSA at #AX2015 princess jellyfish!! By akiko higashimura 2-in-1 editions w/ lg trim size pic.twitter.com/xUazLReAAL

— Deb Aoki (@debaoki) July 4, 2015

Synopsis of Princess Jellyfish from MangaUpdates:

Kuragehime follows Tsukimi Kurashita, an 18-year-old who moved from Kagoshima to Tokyo to become an illustrator. Tsukimi is a jellyfish otaku who comes to live in a shared bath and toilet, women-only apartment, Amamizukan. Other tenants include fujoshi, NEETs and others who consider fashion their natural enemy, calling themselves “Amars”. One day, Tsukimi meets a fashionable and beautiful girl, Kuranosuke Koibuchi, who saves a jellyfish that is about to die at a pet shop. She later discovers that Kuranosuke is merely cross-dressing in order to evade inheritance of his father’s occupation as a politician.

The second announcement was Hoshino Taguchi’s harem-comedy shounen manga, Maga-tsuki. The manga was published under Kodansha’s Shounen Sirius magazine on February 26, 2011. It currently has 9 compiled manga volumes. The tenth volume will be shipped on August 7, 2015. Maga-tsuki is currently licensed digitally by Crunchyroll. The first English compiled manga volume will be published on February 2016.

.@KodanshaUSA at #AX2015 Magatsuki by Hoshino Taguchi – feb 2016 pic.twitter.com/N5RXJYqOiU — Deb Aoki (@debaoki) July 4, 2015

Synopsis of Maga-tsuki from MangaUpdates:

One day, Yasuke was working up the courage to confess his feelings for his childhood friend Akari. It was the perfect opportunity, since the two of them were going to eat dinner alone together at his family’s shrine. Before dinner, he rushes through the daily shrine rituals and accidentally breaks a sacred mirror.

A goddess, who looks like a cute girl, curses him for it, and now he will die if he’s ever separated from her. All too late, he learns that she’s a goddess of misfortune, and horrible things happen around her whenever she’s upset. Will he be able to get the goddess to lift the curse? And how will he ever explain this to Akari?

The final acquisition is Okujou’s psychological, sci-fi manga, Real Account. It was illustrated by Shizumu Watanabe, the artist of Shishunki no Iron Maiden. The manga was printed under Kodansha’s Bessatsu and Shuukan Shounen magazine since January 9, 2014. There are currently four compiled manga volumes. The fifth volume will be released on August 17, 2015. Kodansha will publish the English-translated manga on March 2016.

.@KodanshaUSA at #AX2015 – Real Account by Shimizu Watanabe “reach 0 followers and you die” March 2016 pic.twitter.com/j2rneay5wl

— Deb Aoki (@debaoki) July 4, 2015

Synopsis of Real Account from MangaUpdates:

In a world driven by fictionalized friendship, courtesy of the program named “real account”, the table suddenly turns, and the cybernetic world turns real! How will they survive?

Shojo Beat Licensed Shuriken to Pleats and Urakata!! Manga

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July 5, 2015

Earlier today at Viz Media’s Shojo Beat’s panel on Anime Expo, they have announced at the end that they have acquired the licenses for Shuriken to Pleats (Shuriken and Pleats) by Vampire Knight‘s mangaka, Matsuri Hino, and mangaka of Ouran Koukou Host Club, Bisco Hatori’s, Urakata!! (Behind the Scenes) manga.

Matsuri Hino published romantic-action manga, Shuriken to Pleats, under Hakusensha’s LaLa magazine on July 24, 2014 and will end in the magazine’s September issue on July 24, 2015. The manga currently has one compiled volume that was shipped on February 5, 2015. Shojo Beat plans to publish the English-translated manga on early Winter 2016.

@shojobeat announces Shuriken and Pleats manga! #AnimeExpo pic.twitter.com/DkfPwoo08I

— VIZ Media (@VIZMedia) July 4, 2015

Synopsis of Shuriken to Pleats from MangaUpdates:

With the Meiji Restoration and the abolishment of the Samurai system, the once feared and respected ninja were forced underground, to continue their work in absolute secrecy. In modern times, the descendants of a certain ninja clan have continued their ancestors’ legacy by employing the ninja arts in their work as bodyguards for the rich and famous. Kirio Mikage is the daughter of the CEO of “Shadow Village Company,” a private security company that operates as a front for the clan’s ninja activities. For as long as she can remember, her father has been training her physically and mentally to be a ninja, drilling their clan’s mantra into her head: “Be a shadow.” Ever since she was a child, Mikage’s only source of comfort and encouragement has been her employer, James G Rod. Rod is a kind, handsome and mysterious British businessman who is using Shadow Village Company’s ninjas for his personal security and who, when Mikage was only about 10 years old, requested that she be assigned to complete her apprenticeship as part of his security team. His wife, whom he loved dearly, was Japanese but she and the couple’s daughter were killed by Rod’s enemies prior to him hiring Shadow Village Company to see to his personal security. Rod seems to regard Mikage as a stand-in for the daughter he lost, whereas she is half in love with him as the only person who has ever shown her kindness. One day, Rod asks Mikage to let him adopt her and send her to school in Japan like any normal teenage girl, so she can lead a happy life. Mikage is troubled by his offer because of her feelings for him and the fact that the penalty for any ninja who turns their back on the clan is death. But before she can decide, Rod is killed in a bombing. Mikage finds out after his death that, before he was killed, Rod paid Shadow Village Company a sum equal to her entire lifetime’s wages in exchange for her freedom from her obligations to the clan. In honor of his memory, Mikage decides to fulfill Rod’s wish for her and returns to Japan to attend high school there. This is the story of ninja Mikage’s life as a normal high school girl!

Bisco Hatori’s romantic-comedy manga, Urakata!! was also released under Hakusensha’s LaLa magazine. It was published on May 24, 2014 and is still ongoing. It currently has one volume that was published on January 5, 2015. Shojo Beat will release the first English compiled volume on Spring 2016.

@shojobeat announces Behind the Scenes manga! #AnimeExpo pic.twitter.com/k6aSLZTTTE

— VIZ Media (@VIZMedia) July 4, 2015

Synopsis of Urakata!! from MangaUpdates:

The story follows Ranmaru, a super-negative college student. One day, he encounters a mysterious group on campus who turns his life into turmoil.

Bishounen Boys, Punk Rock and Guns – Look No Further than the Aoharu x Kikanjuu OP and ED

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July 4, 2015

Step aside Free!, we have our next source of lady-boner educing goodness. With a cast of good looking males at the forefront, Aoharu x Kikanjuu‘s OP feature punk rock track “The Bravest Destiny” by Toy☆GunGun – an upbeat, catchy tune that goes well with the action packed animation sequence. Being about a survival game (basically paintball/BB gun club), the animation heavily features guns and gunplay, not to mention the aforementioned good looking males themselves.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2wd2lt

Yet another sunny, bright rock track is the one featured in the ED: “Gunjou Survival” by Mikako Komatsu. Her vocals do a good job of rounding off an episode while the animation sequence is less serious than that of the OP, simply featuring vibrant visuals of the cast and scenery. A nice ending with a catchy track never fails to please! Check it out below:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2wd32t

Anime visual:

Aoharu x Kikanjuu is a survival game, crossdressing manga written and illustrated by NAOE. The series began as a short manga before being published as a full series in 2013 in Square Enix’s GFantasy magazine. To date a total of 6 volumes have been compiled and published, with the latest releasing on February 27th that announced the anime adaptation.

Aoharu x Kikanjuu synopsis from Haruhichan:

When Hotaru moves into a new apartment alone, there’s a mysterious man standing nearby the apartment. Hotaru decides to confront the man, who turns out to live in the neighboring apartment. The next day at school, Hotaru’s best friend Kanae tells Hotaru that a host tricked her out of her money. When Hotaru goes to confront the host, he happens to be none other than Hotaru’s neighbor, Masamune?!

You can visit the anime’s website here: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/aoharu/
And follow their Twitter: @aoharu_anime

Prison School Commercial Narrated by Meiko Shiraki

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July 4, 2015

Warner Bros. began streaming a 32-second commercial narrated by Meiko Shiraki (Haruka Morishima from Amagami SS) for the upcoming anime adaptation of Akira Hiramoto’s Prison School (Kangoku Gakuen) manga series on Saturday. The new commercial previews the opening theme song “Ai no Prison” which is performed by Kangoku Danshi, the newly formed unit consisting of the five main male VAs, Hiroshi Kamiya, Katsuyuki Konishi, Kenichi Suzumura, Daisuke Namikawa and Kazuyuki Okitsu:

In addition to this, she has been featured as a poster in the August issue of NyanType. This issue of NyanType can be purchased here.

A new visual featuring Hana Midorikawa has been featured as a poster in the August issue of popular Japanese magazine Megami. The new visual features Hana Midorikawa relaxing on a beach before the anime’s debut. This issue of Megami can be purchased here.

The Prison School anime will be airing the first episode on Tokyo MX on July 11th at 1:05am JST. The anime will then air on the 12th at 12:30am JST on KBS Kyoto followed by an airing on TV Aichi at 2:20 am JST. It will then air on BS11 at midnight on the 13th, on Sun TV an hour later at 1:00am JST, and finally at 3:30am JST on AT-X. The anime will also be streaming online on various platforms, including Niconico, J:COM, Bandai, Amazon and PlayStation Video.

The main cast includes:

Hiroshi Kamiya (Yuzuru Otonashi from Angel Beats!) will voice Kiyoshi Fujino
Katsuyuki Konishi (Char Aznable from Mobile Suit Gundam) will voice Takehito Morokuzu
Kenichi Suzumura (Hajime Tsunashi from Danna ga Nani wo Itteiru ka Wakaranai Ken) as Shingo Wakamoto
Daisuke Namikawa (Rokuro Okajima from Black Lagoon) will voice Jouji Nezu
Kazuyuki Okitsu (Seishin Muroi from Shiki) as Reiji Andou
Sayaka Ohara (Lelouch Lamperouge from Code Geass) as Mari Kurihara
Shizuka Itou (Haruka Morishima from Amagami SS) will voice Meiko Shiraki
Kana Hanazawa (Nadeko Sengoku from Bakemonogatari) as Hana Midorikawa

The staff includes:

Director: Tsutomu Mizushima (Blood-C, Shirobako, Witch Craft Works)
Series Composition: Michiko Yokote (Genshiken, Joshiraku, Shirobako)
Character designer and Chief Animation Director: Junichiro Taniguchi (Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun, Gosick, Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica)
Production: J.C. Staff (DanMachi, Toradora!, Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo)

Latest PV:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJrrSsYLZeM

Last March a teaser video was revealed:

Recent visual:

Previous visual:

Akira Hiramoto first launched his manga in the Kodansha’s Young Magazine Weekly in February 2011. The manga won the best General Manga award alongside Yūji Moritaka and Keiji Adachi’s Gurazeni manga at Kodansha’s 37th Annual Manga Awards in May. The same wraparound band on the 14th volume also notes that the manga has more than 3.5 million copies in print.

Akira Hiramoto’s Ago Nashi Gen to Ore Monogatari manga received a mobile phone anime adaptation in 2010. Hiramoto’s Yarisugi Companion to Atashi Monogatari manga inspired a live-action film in 2011. Akira Hiramoto also wrote the award-winning supernatural drama manga Me and the Devil Blues, which Del Rey published in North America.

Prison School (Kangoku Gakuen) synopsis from Haruhichan:

On the outskirts of Tokyo stands Hachimitsu Private Academy, a storied all-girls boarding school for elite young women full of potential and good breeding. But as the new school year rolls around, one tradition is going out the window: For the first time in the school’s long history, boys are being allowed to enroll. But on the first day of school, only five boys make the cut. Kiyoshi Fujino, one of the lucky few, is thrilled by this discovery, his heart leaping with joy at the thought of being surrounded by all those girls, day in and day out. But little does he know of the shocking fate that awaits him.

Lala Satalin Deviluke Swimsuit Figure Previewed

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July 4, 2015

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Figure sculptor Ryujin has revealed the prototype images for their upcoming 1/6 Lala Satalin Deviluke swimsuit version figure from the To LOVE-Ru Darkness series. Pricing information is not yet available, but it will be manufactured by Alter and sold through AmiAmi exclusively.

Source: Ryuns

SHAFT Launches ‘Madogatari’ Exhibit to Celebrate 40th Anniversary

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July 4, 2015

SHAFT animation studio will be launching a special exhibition to celebrate the studio’s 40th anniversary this year. Starting on November 27, the “Madogatari” exhibit will open in Tokyo and run for almost a week before moving to Osaka on December 22 and then Sapporo on February 2.

The exhibit is currently hosting an scroll-through gallery on the website which was launched earlier this week, combining sketches from the Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica and the Monogatari series.

Shaft, Inc. is a Japanese animation studio founded on September 1, 1975 by Hiroshi Wakao. They are best known for their unique use of gags, references, avant garde cinematography notably in Pani Poni Dash!, Maria Holic, Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei, Hidamari Sketch, Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica, and Bakemonogatari.

Source: Madogatari

Hana Midorikawa Prepares for the Prison School TV Anime

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July 4, 2015

A new visual featuring Hana Midorikawa from Akira Hiramoto’s Prison School manga series has been featured as a poster in the August issue of popular Japanese magazine Megami. The new visual features Hana Midorikawa relaxing on a beach before the anime’s debut. This issue of Megami can be purchased here.

The Prison School anime will be airing the first episode on Tokyo MX on July 11th at 1:05am JST. The anime will then air on the 12th at 12:30am JST on KBS Kyoto followed by an airing on TV Aichi at 2:20 am JST. It will then air on BS11 at midnight on the 13th, on Sun TV an hour later at 1:00am JST, and finally at 3:30am JST on AT-X. The anime will also be streaming online on various platforms, including Niconico, J:COM, Bandai, Amazon and PlayStation Video.

The main cast includes:

Hiroshi Kamiya (Yuzuru Otonashi from Angel Beats!) will voice Kiyoshi Fujino
Katsuyuki Konishi (Char Aznable from Mobile Suit Gundam) will voice Takehito Morokuzu
Kenichi Suzumura (Hajime Tsunashi from Danna ga Nani wo Itteiru ka Wakaranai Ken) as Shingo Wakamoto
Daisuke Namikawa (Rokuro Okajima from Black Lagoon) will voice Jouji Nezu
Kazuyuki Okitsu (Seishin Muroi from Shiki) as Reiji Andou
Sayaka Ohara (Lelouch Lamperouge from Code Geass) as Mari Kurihara
Shizuka Itou (Haruka Morishima from Amagami SS) will voice Meiko Shiraki
Kana Hanazawa (Nadeko Sengoku from Bakemonogatari) as Hana Midorikawa

The staff includes:

Director: Tsutomu Mizushima (Blood-C, Shirobako, Witch Craft Works)
Series Composition: Michiko Yokote (Genshiken, Joshiraku, Shirobako)
Character designer and Chief Animation Director: Junichiro Taniguchi (Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun, Gosick, Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica)
Production: J.C. Staff (DanMachi, Toradora!, Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo)

Latest PV:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJrrSsYLZeM

Last March a teaser video was revealed:

Previous visual:

Akira Hiramoto first launched his manga in the Kodansha’s Young Magazine Weekly in February 2011. The manga won the best General Manga award alongside Yūji Moritaka and Keiji Adachi’s Gurazeni manga at Kodansha’s 37th Annual Manga Awards in May. The same wraparound band on the 14th volume also notes that the manga has more than 3.5 million copies in print.

Akira Hiramoto’s Ago Nashi Gen to Ore Monogatari manga received a mobile phone anime adaptation in 2010. Hiramoto’s Yarisugi Companion to Atashi Monogatari manga inspired a live-action film in 2011. Akira Hiramoto also wrote the award-winning supernatural drama manga Me and the Devil Blues, which Del Rey published in North America.

Prison School (Kangoku Gakuen) synopsis from Haruhichan:

On the outskirts of Tokyo stands Hachimitsu Private Academy, a storied all-girls boarding school for elite young women full of potential and good breeding. But as the new school year rolls around, one tradition is going out the window: For the first time in the school’s long history, boys are being allowed to enroll. But on the first day of school, only five boys make the cut. Kiyoshi Fujino, one of the lucky few, is thrilled by this discovery, his heart leaping with joy at the thought of being surrounded by all those girls, day in and day out. But little does he know of the shocking fate that awaits him.

Aquarion Logos OP and ED Are Beautifully Animated Mech Marvels

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July 4, 2015

Mechs, slick animation and naked transformation sequences – Aquarion Logos’ OP has it all. “Yamaidare darlin'” by May’n is the track used for this opening, and it does its job well when comes to supplementing the gorgeous visuals of the opening as it goes through its series of showing off CGI technology, naked girls during their suit up sequence and awesome mecha shots.

An upbeat track for a beautiful animation – check it out right here in high definition!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2wcu75

“Je t’aime Communication” by Haruka Chisuga is the title of the ED track – French for “I love you, communication”, the track is a cheery song that works well with the animation – a uniquely done sequence that holds its name up well. See what I mean by clicking play on the video below!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2wcuzw

Anime visual:

Aquarion Logos is an anime series produced by Satelight, and the third in the Aquarion franchise, after Genesis of Aquarion and Aquarion Evol, celebrating its 10th anniversary. The series is directed by Eiichi Sato, with character designs by Takeshi Mamezuka. The series’ opening theme will be composed by Yoko Kanno and performed by May’n. The series will begin airing in July 2015.

Ushio to Tora’s OP Is a Much Needed Throwback to Classic Anime

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July 4, 2015

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Lost is the art of the classic anime OPs like that of DBZ. Ones that get your adrenaline going and don’t rely on cutesy girls or celebrity bands. Ushio to Tora‘s OP is a nod to exactly that style – the classic 80s/90s shonen anime that got you going back as a kid. With its badass track “Mazeru na Kiken” by Kinniku Shoujo Tai and action packed visuals – this OP is bound to appeal to more nostalgic anime fans. Many would probably pick up this show based on the OP alone – check it out below!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2wh0im

Fusing modern CGI with its classic style of animation, the ED delivers equally well at the end of each episode with the track “HERO” by Sonar Pocket – a catchy JPop track with heavily electronic elements. A pretty cool blend, if you ask me! Have a listen below.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2wh0xc

The staff for this series include:

Director: Satoshi Nishimura (Hajime no Ippo, Trigun)
Studio: MAPPA & Studio VOLN
Series Composition: Toshiki Inoue (Death Note, Fullmetal Alchemist)
Character Designer: Tomoko Mori (Hunter x Hunter (2011))

Ushio and Tora is a yokai manga by Kazuhiro Fujita. It was adapted into three OVA series: one with six episodes released from September 11, 1992 to February 1, 1993; one with four episodes released from June 11, 1993 to August 1, 1993; and one single episode OVA released on October 1, 1993. The anime was released in the United States by ADV Films. A new television anime series based on the manga, to be co-produced by MAPPA and Studio VOLN, has been announced for summer 2015.

Visual:

Ushio to Tora (TV) synopsis from Haruhichan:

Ushio thinks that his father’s talk of an ancient ancestor impaling a demon on a temple altar stone with the legendary Beast Spear is nuts, but when he finds the monster in his own basement, Ushio has to take another look at the family legend! To save his friends and family from the invading spirits, Ushio is forced to release Tora from his captivity. But will the creature prove to be worse than the curse?

Joukamachi no Dandelion’s Light Hearted OP and ED Are Sure to Brighten Your Day

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July 4, 2015

One of this season’s bright, summer anime is Joukamachi no Dandelion, a slice of life comedy with a vibrant, diverse cast of characters with varied personalities and character designs. Being a relatively light hearted slice of life, the OP does just that. “Ring Ring Rainbow!!” by YuiKaori sets a pleasant tone for the anime, as the animation sequence shows the characters, giving a brief idea of their personalities too.

It is a rather heartwarming introduction, and the show is sure to incite many a laugh out of audiences when they watch it. Click below to check it out!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2wd7yc

Following up with a delightful ED called “Honey♥Come!!” by Yui Ogura, just as the name suggests, this is another sweet track, coming with its own unique cutesy animation sequence. An enjoyable way to cap off a show and leave one smiling – perhaps even humming the tune! The video with animation and track both is posted below!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2wd8a5

Anime visual:

Joukamachi no Dandelion (Castle Town Dandelion) is a comedy, slice of life 4Koma manga written and illustrated by Ayumu Kasuga. The series began in 2012 being published in Houbunsha’s Manga Time Kirara Miracle! magazine where a total of 2 volumes have been published to date. The latest volume released in June last year.

Here is a synopsis of the series from Haruhichan:

The Sakurada family is a pretty ordinary family of eleven people living in a solitary house. Except that their father is the king, and each of the children has special powers. Also, to ensure their safety and to help citizens decide the next king, the house is observed by more than 200 security cameras.

GATE’s OP and ED Expertly Blend Fantasy Elements with a Modern Setting

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July 3, 2015

Few shows these days take the bolder measures of crossing genres, yet GATE is one of the few which will likely get the job done. The OP and ED has recently released and boy, do they live up to the hype. Fast paced, kick ass JRock track “GATE: Sore wa Akatsuki no you ni” by Kishida Kyoudan & The Akeboshi Rockets is at the helm in the audio department and the visuals are an equally fast paced breakdown of the show.

Excellent animation quality and awesome premise – the song seems almost too cheerful for the sequence, but they somehow manage to make it work. Check it out below!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2whr51

Going for a funkier electronic JPop style ED called “Prism Communicate” by Rory (CV: Risa Taneda), Tuka (CV: Hisako Kanemoto) and Lelei (CV: Nao Touyama) – the voice actresses themselves provide the vocals for this one, offering a cute little nod to the show itself – a feature many shows of this sort have. The animation itself is as expected of an ED – not as action packed, but still nice enough to listen to the track to. Click below to have a listen.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2whrbr_gate-ed_music

The Gate anime premiered on Tokyo MX on Saturday, July 4th at 12:30am JST. The series will then air on MBS on the 8th at 2:30am JST, on TV Aichi an hour later at 3:35am JST, on the 11th at 12:30am JST on BS11, and on AT-X on the 12th at 12:30am JST. The anime will also be available online via Amazon Japan’s video services, Google Play, Niconico, PlayStation Video and more.

The first commercial of the anime was also revealed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwsjbpvdbNs

The main cast of the anime includes:

Junichi Suwabe (Archer in Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works) will voice Youji Itami, an Otaku human who is also the leader of the Self-Defense Force troops

Hisako Kanemoto (Ami Mizuno/Sailor Mercury in Sailor Moon Crystal) as Tuka Luna Marso, a female Elf

Nao Touyama (Chitoge Kirisaki from Nisekoi) as Lelei la Lelena, a human mage

Risa Taneda (Mirai Kuriyama from Kyoukai no Kanata) as Rory Mercury, a demigod serving Emroy

The first members of the anime’s staff were also revealed and consists of:

Director: Takahiko Kyougoku (Love Live! School Idol Project Season 1 and Season 2)
Series Composer: Tatsuhiko Urahata (Kyoukaisenjou no Horizon, Black Bullet)
Anime Character Designer: Jun Nakai (Silver Spoon, Tokyo Majin Gakuen Kenpucho: Tou)
Sound Director: Yukio Nagasaki (Love Live! School Idol Project, Ao Haru Ride)
Music Composer: Yoshiaki Fujisawa (Love Live! School Idol Project, Akuma no Riddle)
Animation Studio: A-1 Pictures (Sword Art Online, Aldnoah.Zero)

Visual:

Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri (Gate: The Self-Defense Forces Fight Like This in Another Land) is a Japanese light novel series written by Takumi Yanai and originally illustrated by Daisuke Izuka. AlphaPolis published five volumes and three side-story collections from April 2010 to April 2014. AlphaPolis began publishing an expanded edition of the main series with illustrations by Kuroshishi in December 2012. A manga adaptation illustrated by Satoru Sao began in July 2011. An anime television series has been announced.

Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri synopsis from Haruhichan:

In August of 20XX, a portal to a parallel world, known as the “Gate,” suddenly appeared in Ginza, Tokyo. Monsters and troops poured out of the portal, turning the shopping district into a bloody inferno.

The Japan Ground-Self Defence Force immediately took action and pushed the fantasy creatures back to the “Gate.” To facilitate negotiations and prepare for future fights, the JGSDF dispatched the Third Reconnaissance Team to the “Special Region” at the other side of the Gate.

Youji Itami, a JSDF officer as well as a 33-year-old otaku, was appointed as the leader of the Team. Amid attacks from enemy troops the team visited a variety of places and learnt a lot about the local culture and geography.

Thanks to their efforts in humanitarian relief, although with some difficulties they were gradually able to reach out to the locals. They even had a cute elf, a sorceress and a demigoddess in their circle of new friends. On the other hand, the major powers outside the Gate such as the United States,China and Russia were extremely interested in the abundant resources available in the Special Region. They began to exert diplomatic pressure over Japan.

A suddenly appearing portal to an unknown world—to the major powers it may be no more than a mere asset for toppling the international order. But to our protagonists it is an invaluable opportunity to broaden knowledge, friendship, and ultimately their perspective towards the world.

Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace’s OP and ED Bound to Intrigue Viewers

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July 3, 2015

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Upcoming mystery thriller anime Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace is one of the few lesser known shows this season, yet the studio has spared no effort in creating a dark, eerie opening sequence, coupled with the atmospheric rock track “Speed to Masatsu” by amazarashi – a band that has previously worked on a track for the hit Tokyo Ghoul. Watch below for the full anime opening video in high definition.

The video alone is enough to set the tone for this suspenseful thriller, mixing live action footage with character portraits and anime sequences, but the vocals and instrumental surely add an extra layer to the mix.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2wcvt5

If the video for the OP wasn’t creepy enough, one only has to look as far as the ED: “Mikazuki” by Sayuri lends its aura to this dark audiovisual treat, as the primarily black and red color scheme set the background for character silhouettes drawn with with white sketch marks. It’s a unique (if not creepy) way to animate, but that’s what they were looking for, and they have hit the mark.

The beautiful vocals by Sayuri make this a track one wouldn’t mind having in their library for a casual listen. Watch the video below to see what we mean!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2wcw7b

Anime visual:

Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace is a Japanese anime television series produced by Lerche and directed by Seiji Kishi premiered on Fuji TV’s Noitamina programming block in 2015. The anime is inspired by the works of author Edogawa Ranpo.

Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace synopsis from Haruhichan:

The story takes place at a certain middle school where several murder cases take place. Kobayashi, a boy who goes to this school, meets genius detective Akechi, who comes to the school to investigate. Kobayashi takes an interest in Akechi and, in spite of his friend Hashiba’s worries, he volunteers to be Akechi’s assistant.

Prequel Manga Angel Beats!: Heaven’s Door Licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment

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July 3, 2015

Even though Seven Seas Entertainment cannot come to Anime Expo, the team still announced a new manga license for their line-up in their official website and official Twitter account: Jun Maeda (Clannad, Hibiki no Mahou) and Key’s (Kanon, Little Busters!) prequel manga to the infamous supernatural anime, Angel Beats!. It was announced that they will publish the manga per individual volumes with colored page insert on February 9, 2016 for $12.99 US / $14.99 CAD.

The publisher said about the series that “Angel Beats!: Heaven’s Door is a title we’ve been eager to publish. The anime was a major hit, and this manga series builds upon the Angel Beats universe by adding an in-depth backstory, exciting new plot elements, and deeper characterizations. Comedy, action, cute girls, and even some interesting thoughts on the afterlife – we think Heaven’s Door will be a great title for both new and old fans of the work.”

The manga currently has eight volumes in Japan and is under the Dengeki Comics imprint. The first volume was released on December 18, 2010 while the latest volume was released on February 27, 2015.

Synopsis of Angel Beats!: Heaven’s Door from Seven Seas Entertainment:

Hideki Hinata has just died…but his life is far from over. Finding himself stuck in a kind of purgatory in the Afterlife School—an academy for recently departed lost souls—he begins to learn that the land of the dead has just as many annoying rules, if not more, than the land of the living.

There he meets Yuri Nakamura, a brazen young woman who harbours nothing but contempt for God due to the life she was forced to lead before passing away. Together, Yuri and Hideki form the SSS brigade, otherwise known as the Afterlife Battlefront—a group whose purpose it is to rebel against God in any way they can. However, standing in their way is the stoic and cold Tenshi, a supposed angelic messenger of God…who just so happens to be the Student Council President!

Can Yuri and the rest of the Afterlife Battlefront overcome their fate or are they destined to be stuck in a limbo world forever?!

Source: Seven Seas Entertainment’s Official Blog Post

Nichijou and 3 More Titles Licensed by Vertical Comics

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July 3, 2015