Nisekoi X Monogatari Announced as Nisekoimonogatari

By

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March 31, 2015

Shaft have just announced that there will be a collaboration anime between their Nisekoi and Monogatari adaptations into a new project titled Nisekoimonogatari. The official site of the new anime has also opened with two new visuals and a promotional video.

The site also has another visual of the anime:

And here is the first PV for Nisekoimonogatari:

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Download File: http://a.pomf.se/xwaoqs.mp4?_=1

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Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.

The new anime itself will star Hitagi Senjougahara and Tsubasa Hanekawa from Monogatari with Chitoge Kirisaki and Kosaki Onodera from Nisekoi. Some additional screenshots were also revealed:

Screenshots from the PV for Nisekoimonogatari:

Not much is currently known about the new crossover anime, more information will not be revealed soon.

You can visit the Nisekoimonogatari website here: http://www.nisekoi.jp/

Source – Nisekoimonogatari Website

What Underrated Anime & Manga Should You Watch? Here’s the Top 30

By

Swaps4

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March 31, 2015

85

Charapedia asked 10,000 anime fans the question: Which underrated anime / manga series would you recommend to others? And from thousands of fans, most of the responses are from the male fans (54.6%), female fans (45.4%) and teens to adults in their 20s (72.9%) while the other 27.1% are 30 and over.

Here are the results:

30. The Flowers of Evil
29. Jinzou Konchuu Kabutoborg VxV
28. Drifters
27. The Big O
26. BPS: Battle Programmer Shirase
25. Jormungand
24. Dennou Coil
23. Hybrid Child
22. Star Driver: Kagayaki no Takuto
21. Ashita no Nadja
20. Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto
19. Psychic Detective Yakumo
18. Mangaka-san to Assistant-san
17. Haibane Renmei
16. Bokurano
15. Revolutionary Girl Utena
14. GA : Geijutsuka Art Design Class
13. Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge
12. Inumarudashi
11. Ef: a Tale of Memories
10. Kaleido Star 9. Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu Love! 8. Daily Lives of High School Boys 7. Choubakuretsu Ijigen Menko Battle: Gigant Shooter Tsukasa 6. Fractale 5. S-Cry-Ed 4. Gakuen Utopia Manabi Straight 3. Corpse Party 2. Kill Me Baby! 1. Baccano!

Aldnoah.Zero Ending Theme 3 Cover by PelleK

By

Swaps4

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March 31, 2015

0

PelleK is a Norwegian rock and metal vocalist who covers a wide range of music genres on his YouTube Channel and on the 23rd of March he covered Aldnoah.Zero‘s third ending theme, “aLIEz” by SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]:mizuki:

He also recently covered Death Parade‘s opening theme, Flyers by BRADIO:

and Nanatsu no Taizai‘s second opening theme, Seven Deadly Sins by MAN WITH A MISSION:

Aldnoah.Zero Special Event Slated for June 21

By

Frontalspy

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March 31, 2015

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The official website of the Aldnoah.Zero anime has announced after the countdown timer that there will be a special event being held slated to be held on June 21st this year, which will feature the main cast of the anime in attendance.

There will be two different session held on June 21st, one at midday from 12:30pm JST till 3:30pm JST and the other at night from 5:00pm JST till 8:00pm JST. Both sessions will see that main cast of the anime attending, which includes: Natsuki Hanae (Inaho Kaizuka), Kensho Ono (Slaine Troyard), Sora Amamiya (Asseylum Vers Allusia), Natsukawa Shiina (Lemrina Vers Envers), Inori Minase (Eddelrittuo), and Taishi Murata (Calm Craftman). Though the midday session will also have Sayaka Ohara (Yuki Kaizuka), but she will not attend the night session and will be replaced by Daisuke Hirakawa (Harklight). Hiroyuki Sawano, the composer of the anime’s music will also be present at both sessions.

Tickets for the event are going for ¥6,800 (~ $56.60 USD) and is currently on sale with the first wave for purchases ending on April 8th. The second wave will run from April 11 till the 13th. Fans who bought the 6th volume of the Aldnoah.Zero Blu-ray and DVD will have priority orders of the tickets. You can order the tickets here: http://eplus.jp/az-0621/

The anime’s website has revealed a large image featuring sketches of the anime’s main characters: Slaine Troyard, Inaho Kaizuka and Asseylum Vers Allusia.

Season 2 visuals:

Aldnoah.Zero is a brand new original series created by Gen Urobuchi, the writer of the Fate/Zero light novels and anime, and Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica. The anime is directed by Ei Aoki who directed the Fate/Zero anime – teaming up with Urobuchi once again. The series is written by the “Olympus Knights”, a group of writers from Nitro+ (known for their science adventure visual novels) that is helmed by Urobuchi. Katsuhiko Takayama (Mirai Nikki) is the series composer, managing the flow and story of the series.

The character concepts are done by Masako Matsumoto (Naruto Shippuden) and the final character designs from Takako Shimura (Aoi Hana). The series features mechs designed by I-IV and Kenji Teraoka (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex), and the music is composed by Hiroyuki Sawano (Attack on Titan). The series is produced by A-1 Pictures (Sword Art Online, Fairy Tail) and studio TROYCA (new studio opened by Aoki). The first series had a total of 12 episodes and was earlier confirmed to be a split cour.

Aldnoah.Zero synopsis from Haruhichan:

In 1972, the Apollo 17 mission found a hypergate to Mars on the surface of the moon. Upon landing, astronauts discovered a enchanted utility later referred to as ‘Aldnoah’, giving the astronauts a status of superiority. Soon, many humans have relocated to Mars, and have adapted to the name ‘Martians’. After Princess Asseylum, a royal Martian princess, descends onto Earth in an attempt to create a treaty between both planets, a war breaks out between Earth and Mars, and Martian soldiers begin to descend from the sky, riding steel giants, intent on exterminating humanity.

The Aldnoah.Zero event, Aldnoah.Zero Extra Day, will be held at the Tokyo Dome Hall on June 21st. Any information about the future of the series will be revealed at the event.

You can visit the anime’s site here: http://www.aldnoahzero.com/
You can also follow the official Twitter: @aldnoahzero

Source – Aldnoah.Zero Anime Website

Anime Trending Rankings of Winter 2015 – Week 11 – Final

By

Hanase

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March 30, 2015

10

This is Anime Trending‘s Final Week for the Winter 2015 anime season. It has been a blast! We’ve got ups and downs in the rankings. There were quite a few unfortunate shows who haven’t even made the top 10 but at least the fans still supported them until the end!

As a twist, Anime Trending itself made a small commentary on few of the shows from the Top 10 ranking. Also, don’t forget to vote for the Side-category Poll which includes the leftovers from the past season.

Let’s begin!

28. Sengoku Musou

Week 2 #25
Week 3 #25
Week 4 #27
Week 5 #28
Week 6 #21
Week 7 #26
Week 8 #23
Week 9 #25
Week 10 #25

27. Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – Exodus

Week 2 #24
Week 3 #27
Week 4 #26
Week 5 #26
Week 6 #26
Week 7 #27
Week 8 #25
Week 9 #28
Week 10 #27

26. Tantei Kageki Milky Holmes TD

Week 2 #26
Week 4 #28
Week 5 #27
Week 6 #28
Week 7 #25
Week 8 #24
Week 9 #26
Week 10 #26

25. Shounen Hollywood: Holly Stage for 50

Week 2 #15
Week 3 #21
Week 4 #25
Week 5 #23
Week 5 #27
Week 6 #27
Week 7 #28
Week 8 #26
Week 9 #23
Week 10 #28

24. Military!

Week 2 #23
Week 4 #24
Week 5 #21
Week 6 #25
Week 7 #24
Week 8 #22
Week 9 #27
Week 10 #23

23. Dog Days 3

Week 2 #16
Week 3 #19
Week 4 #22
Week 5 #22
Week 6 #24
Week 7 #20
Week 8 #21
Week 9 #24
Week 10 #24

22. Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu LOVE!

Week 2 #21
Week 3 #18
Week 4 #16
Week 5 #19
Week 6 #18
Week 7 #22
Week 8 #19
Week 9 #17
Week 10 #20

21. Juuou Mujin no Fafnir

Week 2 #19
Week 3 #24
Week 4 #23
Week 5 #24
Week 6 #22
Week 7 #19
Week 8 #20
Week 9 #19
Week 10 #19

20. Koufuku Graffiti

Week 1 #10
Week 2 #10
Week 3 #15
Week 4 #15
Week 5 #9
Week 6 #14
Week 7 #16
Week 8 #15
Week 9 #20
Week 10 #22

19. Seiken Tsukai no World Break

Week 2 #20
Week 3 #22
Week 4 #21
Week 5 #25
Week 6 #20
Week 7 #21
Week 8 #18
Week 9 #21
Week 10 #17

18. Isuca

Week 2 #22
Week 3 #23
Week 4 #20
Week 5 #20
Week 6 #23
Week 7 #18
Week 8 #17
Week 9 #22
Week 10 #21

17. Kamisama Hajimemashita◎

Week 3 #11
Week 4 #10
Week 5 #15
Week 6 #17
Week 7 #15
Week 8 #14
Week 9 #18
Week 10 #15

16. Absolute Duo

Week 2 #13
Week 3 #12
Week 4 #12
Week 5 #13
Week 6 #12
Week 7 #11
Week 8 #13
Week 9 #13
Week 10 #12

15. Shinmai Maou no Testament

Week 2 #12
Week 3 #10
Week 4 #11
Week 5 #14
Week 6 #16
Week 7 #17
Week 8 #16
Week 9 #16
Week 10 #18

14. Tokyo Ghoul √A

Week 1 #4
Week 2 #5
Week 3 #6
Week 4 #6
Week 5 #7
Week 6 #8
Week 7 #10
Week 8 #10
Week 9 #12
Week 10 #13

13. Yuri Kuma Arashi

Week 1 #8
Week 2 #11
Week 3 #16
Week 4 #19
Week 5 #18
Week 6 #19
Week 7 #23
Week 9 #15
Week 10 #14

12. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders 2nd Season

Week 2 #9
Week 3 #14
Week 4 #18
Week 5 #16
Week 6 #13
Week 7 #14
Week 8 #11
Week 9 #11
Week 10 #11

11. Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata

Week 1 #9
Week 2 #4
Week 3 #4
Week 4 #7
Week 5 #5
Week 6 #4
Week 7 #6
Week 8 #5
Week 9 #7
Week 10 #9

10. Yoru no Yatterman

Week 2 #17
Week 3 #20
Week 4 #17
Week 5 #17
Week 6 #15
Week 7 #13
Week 8 #12
Week 9 #14
Week 10 #16

Dropping down the list a bit, “Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata” has fallen out of the Top 10 for the first time and seeming to bring in a new entry into our chart “Yoru no Yatterman“! Proving to itself that the underrated shows can still make its cut into the Top 10, “Yoru no Yatterman” is the last anime to enter this Winter 2015 Anime Season.

9. The iDOLM@STER: Cinderella Girls

Week 2 #14
Week 3 #9
Week 4 #9
Week 5 #8
Week 6 #7
Week 7 #9
Week 9 #10
Week 10 #10

8. Kuroko no Basket 3rd Season

Week 1 #6
Week 2 #7
Week 3 #7
Week 4 #13
Week 5 #10
Week 6 #11
Week 7 #12
Week 8 #9
Week 9 #9
Week 10 #7

After falling in and out of the Top 10 charts for the long-run of this season, “Kuroko no Basket 3rd Season” and “The Idolm@ster: Cinderella Girls” maintain their reign near the bottom latter of the list at #8 and #9.

7. Aldnoah.Zero 2nd Season

Week 1 #3
Week 2 #3
Week 3 #5
Week 4 #3
Week 5 #2
Week 6 #1
Week 7 #2
Week 8 #1
Week 9 #4
Week 10 #4

“Aldnoah.Zero 2nd Season” has also shown itself to continually keep its followers in-check and has left most of us with an unsatisfactory taste, letting it drop out of the Top 5 spotlight into #7.

6. Rolling☆Girls

Week 2 #18
Week 3 #17
Week 4 #14
Week 5 #12
Week 6 #9
Week 7 #8
Week 8 #7
Week 9 #8
Week 10 #8

“Rolling☆Girls“, starting off in Winter 2015 as an overlooked show, continues to climb up the Top 10 spot into #6. Giving us a fun and colourful ride from start to finish, I’m gonna miss this show a bit despite my narrowed understanding for it.

5. Junketsu no Maria

Week 2 #8
Week 3 #13
Week 4 #8
Week 5 #11
Week 6 #10
Week 7 #7
Week 8 #8
Week 9 #6
Week 10 #5

4. Durarara!!x2 Shou

Week 1 #5
Week 2 #2
Week 3 #1
Week 4 #2
Week 5 #4
Week 6 #6
Week 7 #3
Week 8 #2
Week 9 #5
Week 10 #6

3. Death Parade

Week 1 #1
Week 2 #1
Week 3 #2
Week 4 #4
Week 5 #1
Week 6 #3
Week 7 #5
Week 8 #6
Week 9 #2
Week 10 #3

“Death Parade“, “Durarara!!x2 Shou” and “Junketsu no Maria” have also kept a lot of us positively entertained and maintain their spots at #3, #4 and #5.

2. Ansatsu Kyoushitsu (TV)

Week 1 #2
Week 3 #3
Week 4 #1
Week 5 #3
Week 6 #2
Week 7 #1
Week 8 #3
Week 9 #1
Week 10 #1

Even in our closing week, “Ansatsu Kyoushitsu” continues delivering high-levels of comedic enjoyment amongst fans and has managed to have never dropped out of the Top 3 spot this entire season.

1. Kantai Collection: KanColle

Week 1 #7
Week 2 #6
Week 3 #8
Week 4 #5
Week 5 #6
Week 6 #5
Week 7 #4
Week 8 #4
Week 9 #3
Week 10 #2

“Kantai Collection” manages to rise above all of its contenders in its final week on our charts snagging the #1 position for the first time this season. As well as receiving countless praise from anime and gaming fans across our community, KanColle fans can rejoice in the announcement of a 2nd season set to broadcast sometime next year.

Well I guess that’s it for this season’s charts, thanks once again to everyone that’s voted in each of our polls and have supported their favorite Anime of the Week throughout Winter 2015! Don’t forget to stick around next Monday on April 5th as we count up the final results collected throughout the previous weeks and announce your Anime of the Season, first here on our Facebook page. Until then, peace!

Haruhichan will be providing the results for the other polls held by Anime Trending. Keep a look at the site for updates!

Nou Shou Sakuretsu Girl Live Action Movie Cast Revealed

By

Feyris

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March 30, 2015

0

The official cast for the vocaloid-inspired live-action movie Nou Shou Sakuretsu Girl (Spinal Fluid Explosion Girl) has been announced on the official website by the film director Yuichi Abe (The Prince of Tennis, Kikujiro and Saki). The live-action movie is slated to premiere this summer and the filming begun late March.

The cast includes:

Hinata Kashiwagi (Vampire Heaven, The Great Shu Ra Ra Boom) as Hana Ichii
Seika Taketomi (Assassination Classroom, Hot Road) as Hana Inasawa
Moka Kamishiraishi (Kasuka na Kanojo, Bunshin) as Maika Senu
Sae Okazaki as Mokuha Jōno
Yuumi Shida as Reiko Ajita
Atsushi Arai (Zutaboro, Life Is Dead) as Daiji Kuboga
Tetsuya Sugaya (Undressed Minako, Last Cinderella) as Seigi Koji
Kōdai Asaka (Pet Peeve, Koibumi Biyori) as Jun Tashino

The live-action movie is inspired by rerulili’s song sung by Hatsune Miku and Gumi about a girl in a life-or-death game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFa2WG05Hw0

Kadokawa also streamed a promotional video for the manga and the live-action film in November:

The video featured four mange volume covers, as you can see below.

Kadokawa also published the song’s novel adaptations written by Erika Yoshida with illustrations by Chatsubo, more information about the light novel will surely be announced later on its official website

Nou Shou Sakuretsu Girl synopsis:

The story is about Hana Ichii, a normal girl who goes to an ordinary girls’ school, but one day she wakes up and she finds herself being locked in a cage with her classmates, now they have to take part in a survival game using their cellphones.

Sources: AsianWiki, Crunchyroll and Anime News Network

Yukino and Yui Welcome Spring in This New Cheeky Oregairu 2 Visual

By

Swaps4

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March 30, 2015

2

A new key visual for the upcoming second anime adaptation of Wataru Watari and Ponkan8’s Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. (My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU) light novel series, Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. Zoku has been revealed in the May issue of Megami magazine. The new visual features Yukino Yukinoshita and Yui Yuigahama wearing traditional spring yukatas preparing for the second season release.

A new Oregairu 2 TV commercial also hit the airwaves in Japan on Friday which features the opening song “Harumodoki” which is performed by Nagi Yanagi:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp5Mkbk0zdw

In addition to this, a new visual was also launched on the website:

The anime will debut on TBS at 1:46am JST on April 3rd, on CBC at 2:47am JST on the same day, followed by a broadcast on TUT on the 5th at 1:53 am JST and on April 8th on MBS at 3:30am JST. The anime will then be rebroadcasted on BS-TBS on the 12th at 1:00am JST.

The opening theme will be titled “Harumodoki” and performed by Nagi Yanagi while the ending theme “Everyday World” will be performed by Yukino Yukinoshita (Saori Hayami) & Yui Yuigahama (Nao Touyama).

The first promotional video was streamed last January:

In addition to this, the new character designs were previewed earlier. Here’s the characters in order: Yukino Yukinoshita, Yui Yuigahama, Hachiman Hikigaya and Iroha Isshiki.

The cast was also revealed earlier and include:

Takuya Eguchi (Kazuya Kujou in Gosick) will voice Hachiman Hikigaya
Saori Hayami (Ayase Aragaki from Oreimo) is back as Yukino Yukinoshita
Nao Touyama (Chitoge Kirisaki in Nisekoi) will return to voice Yui Yuigahama
Ayane Sakura (Kokoa Hoto in Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka?) will voice new character Iroha Isshiki
Haruka Tomatsu (Asuna Yuuki from Sword Art Online) will be voicing Orimoto Kaori

The series will feature new crew members, including a new director and animation studio. The staff are as follows:

Director: Kei Oikawa (Outbreak Company, Minami-ke: Okaeri) replaced Ai Yoshimura (Ao Haru Ride)
Character Designer: Yuichi Tanaka (Toaru Kagaku no Railgun, Natsuiro Kiseki) will replace Yuu Shindou (Persona 4 The Golden Animation)
Animation Studio: Studio Feel (Futsuu no Joshikousei ga [Locodol] Yatte Mita., Minami-ke Tadaima) will replace Brains Base (Baccano!, Durarara!!)

MONACA (Nisemonogatari, Wake Up, Girls!) will again be in charge of music and Satoshi Motoyama (Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai, Oreimo) will again serve as sound director.

Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. (My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU) is a light novel series written by Wataru Watari and illustrated by Ponkan8. The light novels began in March 2011 and is published in Shogakukan’s Gagaga Bunko imprint. To date there has been 9 volumes and 4 short stories published. There has been three spin-off manga adaptations written and illustrated by various people. The series also received an anime adaptation that aired in April 2012 that was animated by Brain’s Base (Baccano!, Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun). Additionally, a visual novel was developed by 5pb. for the PlayStation Vita that released on September 19th last year.

Here is a synopsis of the series from Haruhichan:

This romantic comedy revolves around an antisocial high school student named Hikigaya Hachiman with a distorted view on life and no friends or girlfriend. When he sees his classmates talking excitedly about living their adolescent lives, he mutters: “They’re a bunch of liars.” When he is asked about his future dreams, he responds, “Not working.” A teacher gets Hachiman to join the “Volunteer Service” club, which happens to have the school’s prettiest girl, Yukinoshita Yukino.

The second season of the anime, Oregiaru Zoku, will be airing from April 3 during the Spring 2015 anime season. Further information will be released soon.

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

Sekai de Ichiban Tsuyoku Naritai! English Dub Cast Revealed

By

CitrusNobilis

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March 30, 2015

1

FUNimation announced the English dub cast for the upcoming dub of Sekai de Ichiban Tsuyoku Naritai!, which includes:

Elizabeth Lewis (debut role) as Sakura Hagiwara
Monica Rial (Tomoko Kuroki in Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaetemo Omaera ga Warui!) as Elena Miyazawa
Martha Harms (Daidoji in Senran Kagura) as Rio Kazama
Leah Clark (Hikari Horaki in Rebuild of Evangelion) as Misaki Toyoda
Lydia Mackay (Ukraine in Hetalia: Axis Powers) as Jackall Tojo
Megan Shipman (IF in Choujigen Game Neptune: The Animation) as Juri Sanada
Cristina Vee (Compa in Choujigen Game Neptune: The Animation) as Moe Fukuoka
Kristin Sutton (Carol in Baccano!) as Aika Hayase
Didi Archilla (Aries in Fairy Tail) as Yuho Mochizuki
Michelle Lee (Origami Tobiichi in Date a Live) as Nanami Kanno
Vanessa DeSilvio (Arana Webb in Fairy Tail) as Makoto Kirishima
Anastasia Munoz (Queen in Death Parade) as Chinatsu Suzumoto
Morgan Garett (Rei Ryghts in Choujigen Game Neptune: The Animation) as Kurea Komiyama

They have also uploaded the first dub trailer to their official YouTube channel:

Additionally, a Blu Ray and DVD combo pack has been put up for sale on FUNimation’s official store in both a standard and limited edition format that includes two episode commentaries, six OVA shorts, and a clean version of the opening and closing sequences.

Anime visual:

Sekai de Ichiban Tsuyoku Naritai! (Wanna be the Strongest in the World!) is a manga series written by ESE and illustrated by Kiyohito Natsuki. The sports manga began in Earth Star Entertainment’s Comic Star Earth from December, 2010 to December, 2013, with five volumes published. An anime adaptation by Arms ran from October 6, 2013 to December 22, 2013 .

Sekai de Ichiban Tsuyoku Naritai! synopsis from Haruhichan:

Hagiwara Sakura and Miyazawa Elena are the leading members of a popular idol group, Sweet Diva. One day, Elena is injured by the attack of a female pro-wrestler Kazama Rio during the recording of a TV program. Sakura gets mad at Rio and gives her a dropkick. To avenge Elena, Sakura enters the female pro-wrestling matches.

Source : Fandom Post

Steins;Gate 0 New Website, Character Art, and More Revealed

By

Kaelasage

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March 30, 2015

4

The new Steins;Gate sequel, Steins;Gate 0, previously announced by Shikura Chiyomaru, the head of 5pb’s head company Mages, now has a new official website which has revealed some character art. It was previously announced to have been green-lit for an anime adaptation and also received a promotional video.

https://youtu.be/zfFC15WoNYo

English subtitled version of the Steins;Gate 0 promotional video:

Steins;Gate 0 will be based on much of the material relating to the story line that was released after the game. These include the three visual novels and the various drama CDs published by 5pb and Nitroplus. Not much further information has been revealed about the basis of the game other than this.

The first images for the new designs of the characters have also been revealed:

The production cast for the VN are as follows:

Planning and Creator: Shikura Chiyomaru (Robotics;Notes, Chaos;Head)
Producer: Tatsuya Matsubara (Steins;Gate and Robotics;Notes Scenario Supervisor)
Character Design: huke (Steins;Gate, Black★Rock Shooter)
Scenario Writers: Naotaka Hayashi (Steins;Gate: Soumei Eichi no Cognitive Computing), Yasumoto Toru (Steins;Gate: Fuka Ryouiki no Déjà vu), Masashi Takimoto (Steins;Gate: Heiji Kyokusen no Epigraph), Tsuchiya Tsukasa (Last Magica no Dualism)
Music Composition: AboTakeshi (Steins;Gate, Chaos;Head)

Some visuals that have been released thus far:

Steins;Gate is part of a series of “Scientific Adventure” games that occur in a singular universe, the others being Chaos;Head and Robotics;Notes. The games are a collaboration between developers Nitroplus and 5pb. They play out similarly to modern visual novels but are notably saturated with the usage of the main character’s gaming device, casually known as a trigger. All games focus heavily on scientific methods and theories which are incorporated into the game. The first game in the series was Chaos;Head, which released in 2008 for the PC. The next game, Steins;Gate released in 2009 and the final game was Robotics;Notes in 2012. Steins;Gate originally was released on the Xbox 360 before being ported to the PC, and all current generations, at the time, of consoles in Japan. An anime adaptation of the game was produced in 2011 that was directed by Hiroshi Hamasaki (Terraformars, Blade & Soul) and Takuya Satou (Selector Infected Wixoss, Ichigo Mashimaro) and produced by White Fox (Katanagatari, Jormungand). A sequel film to the anime was produced in 2013 and featured an original story. A sequel light novel titled Steins;Gate The Committee of Antimatter was planned to be released in 2014, but was cancelled within a month of release.

Steins;Gate 0 synopsis:

November 2010, the Beta World Line…

A story that unfolds after Rintarou Okabe returns, having failed to save “her” on July 28th. He had no idea that the system known as “Amadeus” would once again drag him into a world of dark conspiracy.

Yes, “she” is still there.

Further information will soon be released.

Sources: Official Website, Famitsu

Yuki Nagato and Haruhi Suzumiya Prepare for Physical Education

By

Swaps4

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March 30, 2015

3

A new key visual for the upcoming anime adaptation of Nagaru Tanigawa and Puyo’s The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-Chan (The Vanishing of Nagato Yuki-Chan) has been revealed in the May issue of NyanType magazine. The new visual features Yuki Nagato and Haruhi Suzumiya in gym clothes preparing for physical activity.

In addition to this, a new visual featuring the return of Haruhi Suzumiya in her Kouyouen School uniform leading the Literature Club, much to the detriment of Kyon was revealed in the latest NewType:

The anime’s website has also revealed the first character design sheet of the anime’s main characters. The sheet showcases various expressions of the characters that may appear in the upcoming series. The first and newly released sheet is a gag sheet, showing all the comedic expressions:

Yuki Nagato

Kyon

Ryouko Asakura

Tsuruya

Mikuru Asahina

Haruhi Suzumiya

Itsuki Koizumi

The main character designs were earlier revealed for the main cast, which includes the voice actors and actresses from the original The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya returning to reprise their roles.

Minori Chihara (Chiaki Minami from Minami-ke) will reprise her role as Yuki Nagato

Tomokazu Sugita (Gintoki Sakata from Gintama) will be back as Kyon

Natsuko Kuwatani (Yue Ayase from Mahou Sensei Negima!) as Ryouko Asakura

Yuki Matsuoka (Orihime Inoue from Bleach) will be back as Tsuruya

Yuko Goto (Hiro from Hidamari Sketch) voicing as Mikuru Asahina

Aya Hirano (Lucy Heartfilia in Fairy Tail) returns to voice Haruhi Suzumiya

Daisuke Ono (Sebastian Michaelis in Black Butler) will voice Itsuki Koizumi

The supporting cast characters did not have their designs updated;

Minoru Shiraishi (Minoru Shiraishi [Himeself] from Lucky☆Star) returns as Taniguchi

Megumi Matsumoto (Haruka Nanase in Free!) as Kunikida

In addition to this, The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-Chan was featured in the latest issue of Kadokawa Shoten’s Young Ace magazine which revealed many new staff members that will be production the anime series, they include:

The issue revealed many new staff members that will be production the anime series, they include:

Art Director: Kenichi Tajiri (Daily Lives of High School Boys, Working!!)
Background Artists: Mukuo Studio (The IDOLM@STER, Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic)
Colour Setting Artist: Chie Tanimoto (AKB0048, Oreshura)
Photography Director: Atsushi Iwasaki (Fairy Tail, Shugo Chara!)
Photographers: T2 Studio (Steins;Gate, Oreimo)
Editor: Takeshi Sadamatsu (White Album Season 2, Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse)
Sound Director: Yota Tsuruoka (K-ON!, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya)
Sound Studio: Rakuonsha (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, The IDOLM@STER)
Music Composer: Tatsuya Katou (Medaka Box, Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya)
Music Studio: Lantis (The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya, Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!)

The previously revealed staff:

Planning: Takeshi Yasuda (Tokyo ESP)
Director: Junichi Wada (Fairy Tail Episode Director)
Series Composition: Touko Machida (Hitsugi no Chaika)
Character Designer: Ikuko Ito (Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon S)
Animation Production: Satelight (Log Horizon)
Production: North High Literature Club

Here is the first commercial for the anime:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2j73mr_yuki-chan-tvcm_tv

A new visual was also revealed in the February issue of NewType last month, March issue of NyanType and the April issue of NyanType:

The anime adaptation of the spin-off manga was made late last year. Anime store Docomo was revealed to be streaming the upcoming series, as well as the two other spin-off shows in the Haruhi franchise, The Melancholy of Haruhi-chan Suzumiya and Nyoron Churuya-san.

The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan is a spin-off manga in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya franchise, where it stars the eponymous character Yuki Nagato. The series takes place in the alternate universe established in The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya. The series is written and drawn by Puyo, which started in February 2010. To date, the series has a total of 5 volumes with the 6th volume releasing on December 26th this year.

There is very little information regarding the anime announcement of The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan, including whether or no Kyoto Animation will produce it. Two other spin-off manga were also produced into anime: The Melancholy of Haruhi-chan Suzumiya and Nyoron Churuya-san.

The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan synopsis from Haruhichan:

Yuki Nagato, the shy president of the literature club, has never been very sure of herself around other people. But around Kyon, the only boy in the tiny, three-person club, Yuki finds herself faltering even more than usual. For Kyon, and for her precious club, Yuki must find her confidence and let her true personality shine! Enjoy taking a fresh look at your favorite characters in this brand-new story set in the world of The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya!

The anime adaptation of The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-Chan will be airing during the Spring 2015 anime season from April 3 on Tokyo MX and AT-X. Further information about the anime will be revealed soon.

You can visit the anime’s website here: http://www.haruhi.tv/yuki_chan/main.html
And follow them on Twitter: @yukichan_anime

Saber and Caster Share Some Bondage Time Together

By

Swaps4

-

March 30, 2015

25

A brand new visual for the upcoming second season of Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works has been revealed in the May issue of Megami. The new visual shows a tied up Saber in a white dress who appears to be captured by Caster.

In addition to this, two brand new commercials were streamed for the second season of Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works anime at AnimeJapan 2015, which will be airing from April 4th. The new commercials themselves focus on the main characters Shirou and Archer, and also previews the Opening theme Brave Shine by Aimer.

The Shirou Commercial:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jVs_9Ug8QA

Archer Commercial:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGzr2MYgTDw

A brand new promotional video for the second season has been released at AnimeJapan, which recaps the episodes of the first anime and also previews the scenes and events in the second season. The video also previews the Opening theme of the anime, Brave Shine by Aimer.

Here is the latest visual for the anime:

The latest issue of Newtype magazine has featured a new magazine spread visual for the second cour:

The first visual for the upcoming second cour was revealed last January in the winter 2015 anime guide magazine by Gigazine which was handed out last December during the Comiket 87 event.

It was also revealed that Japanese female pop artist Aimer will be performing the opening while highly acclaimed Kalafina will be returning to perform the second season’s ending theme song, “Ring Your Bell.”

The anime is a split cour series, the first half aired on October 4 last year and the second half will air in April next year. The anime’s cast from previous anime and visual novels will return to reprise their roles. The main cast includes:

Noriaki Sugiyama (Sasuke Uchiha in Naruto) will be back to voice Shirou Emiya
Kana Ueda (Yumi Fukuzawa from Maria-sama ga Miteru) returns as Rin Tohsaka
Ayako Kawasumi (Megumi Noda in Nodame Cantabile) voicing as Saber
Junichi Suwabe (Dandy in Space☆Dandy) as Archer
Nobutoshi Canna (Masato Inohara from Little Busters!) voicing Lancer
Mai Kadowaki (Mimi Usa in Kodomo no Jikan) will voice Illyasviel von Einzbern

The series will be once again directed by Takahiro Miura (Kara no Kyoukai 6: Boukyaku Rokuon) with Hideyuki Fukasawa (Vividred Operation) composing the music and ufotable (Fate/Zero, Kara no Kyoukai Movie Series) animating the series. The first Blu-ray boxset of the anime’s first cour will release on March 25 in Japan.

Here is the first promotional video for the upcoming second cour:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKkOxH28Vm4

Fate/stay night is a visual novel released by Type-Moon for the PC in 2004, and is the first in their Fate series. The visual novel was very successful and claimed the title of highest selling visual novel in that year. 2006 saw two adaptations of the game, a manga by Datto Nishiwaki and an anime series by Studio Deen. Additionally in that year, a light novel series titled Fate/Zero was written by Gen Urobuchi. It is a prequel to the visual novels, set 10 years prior. An anime and manga adaptation of Fate/Zero were created, with the manga written by Urobuchi himself in 2011 and the anime being animated by ufotable. A second season of Fate/Zero was also produced.

Fate/stay night synopsis from Haruhichan:

Raised by a mysterious sorcerer after the horrific death of his parents, Shiro Emiya has only just begun to help others using the small tidbits of magic that he’s learned. However, when he’s suddenly caught in a battle between two more powerful Magus, Shiro finds himself performing a spell above his expected ability, summoning the beautiful spirit warrior Saber to protect him! But safety is only momentary as Shiro and Saber now find themselves thrust into in a secret world of dark magic and deadly challenges: a no-holds barred duel to the death known as the Holy Grail War! At stake: a prize of unimaginable power. But can the inexperienced Shiro and Saber survive long enough to even enter the contest? First they’ll have to withstand waves of treachery and assassination, even as Shiro scrambles to learn everything he’ll need to know to stay alive as seven teams of Magus and Spirit Servants face off in mortal combat!

The second cour of the Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works anime will be airing from April 4th this year at midnight, during the Spring 2015 anime season.

You can visit the anime’s official website here: http://www.fate-sn.com/ubw/
And follow the series on Twitter: @Fate_SN_Anime

New Rin Hoshizora Figure Is Nyanmazing

By

Swaps4

-

March 30, 2015

3

Following up on the recent Kotori Minami figure, top figure maker Alter presents a fantastic 1/7th scale figure of the adorable idol Rin Hoshizora from the Love Live! School Idol Project anime series.

She is dressed in a cute cat girl costume, complete with cat ears, cat tail, a cat paw ribbon, and striking a cat-like pose which is ultra adorable.

Love Live! School Idol Project – Rin Hoshizora 1/7 Figure – Pre-orders are available on JList and is scheduled to be released in September 2015.

Rin Hoshizora can be pre-ordered here.

Code Geass: Akito the Exiled 3 TV Spot Streamed

By

Feyris

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March 29, 2015

4

The official website for the Code Geass: Akito the Exiled series began streaming a new TV commercial video for the 3rd episode titled Code Geass: Akito the Exiled 3 – The Brightness Falls on Thursday. The third episode, Code Geass: Akito the Exiled 3 – The Brightness Falls, will premiere on May 2. The fourth and final episode, Code Geass: Akito the Exiled 4, will premiere on July 4.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx7-VvAGZhE

The first promotional video was also streamed last December:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2cvrzp_code-geass-boukoku-no-akito-3-pv_news

In addition to this, a new visual was also revealed:

Code Geass: Akito the Exiled is a theatrical OVA. It was officially announced in the bonus materials of Code Geass: The Miraculous Birthday. The new theatrical OVA is directed by Kazuki Akane (of Vision of Escaflowne and Noein: Mou Hitori no Kimi e fame) and once again features original character designs by CLAMP. It is a side-story that occurs between seasons one and two of Code Geass.

Code Geass: Akito the Exiled 3 – The Brightness Falls synopsis from Haruhichan:

Third episode of Code Geass: Boukoku no Akito.

Source: Fandom Post

Sailor Moon with Baby Hotaru Figure

By

Yoona

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March 29, 2015

2

Sailor Moon receives another figurine rendition that will make you feel nostalgic. In this envision, Sailor Moon is gazing distantly with baby Hotaru in her hands, most likely throwing long time fans into a nostalgic frenzy.

Sailor Moon – Super Sailor Moon with Baby Hotaru figure – Pre-orders are available for both the pre-painted and garage-kit versions on E2046 and are expected to be released on the 30th of June, 2015.

If you’re curious to see the process behind this wonderful figure, check out these work in progress images:

Sword Art Online’s Silica Gets a New Figure Featuring Pina

By

Seiba

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March 29, 2015

1

For fans of Sword Art Online, figure company FunnyKnights have revealed images for a upcoming figure of Silica and feathered dragon, Pina, which is scheduled to be released in May of this year. Silica, who’s out of game identity is known as Ayano Keiko, appears in both seasons of Sword Art Online, with her Season 2 outfit featured in the figure.

This beautiful pre-painted 1/8th scale figure is currently priced at 8,230 yen ($69) on AmiAmi.

Source – AmiAmi Japan, My Figure Collection

New TV CM for Oregairu 2 Streamed

By

Feyris

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March 29, 2015

2

With the premiere of the upcoming second season anime adaptation of Wataru Watari and Ponkan8’s Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. (My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU) light novel series, Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. Zoku, airing in a few days, a new TV commercial hit the airwaves in Japan on Friday.

The new video features the opening song “Harumodoki” which is performed by Nagi Yanagi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp5Mkbk0zdw

In addition to this, a new visual was also launched on the website:

The anime will debut on TBS at 1:46am JST on April 3rd, on CBC at 2:47am JST on the same day, followed by a broadcast on TUT on the 5th at 1:53 am JST and on April 8th on MBS at 3:30am JST. The anime will then be rebroadcasted on BS-TBS on the 12th at 1:00am JST.

The opening theme will be titled “Harumodoki” and performed by Nagi Yanagi while the ending theme “Everyday World” will be performed by Yukino Yukinoshita (Saori Hayami) & Yui Yuigahama (Nao Touyama).

The first promotional video was streamed last January:

In addition to this, the new character designs were previewed earlier. Here’s the characters in order: Yukino Yukinoshita, Yui Yuigahama, Hachiman Hikigaya and Iroha Isshiki.

The cast was also revealed earlier and include:

Takuya Eguchi (Kazuya Kujou in Gosick) will voice Hachiman Hikigaya
Saori Hayami (Ayase Aragaki from Oreimo) is back as Yukino Yukinoshita
Nao Touyama (Chitoge Kirisaki in Nisekoi) will return to voice Yui Yuigahama
Ayane Sakura (Kokoa Hoto in Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka?) will voice new character Iroha Isshiki
Haruka Tomatsu (Asuna Yuuki from Sword Art Online) will be voicing Orimoto Kaori

The series will feature new crew members, including a new director and animation studio. The staff are as follows:

Director: Kei Oikawa (Outbreak Company, Minami-ke: Okaeri) replaced Ai Yoshimura (Ao Haru Ride)
Character Designer: Yuichi Tanaka (Toaru Kagaku no Railgun, Natsuiro Kiseki) will replace Yuu Shindou (Persona 4 The Golden Animation)
Animation Studio: Studio Feel (Futsuu no Joshikousei ga [Locodol] Yatte Mita., Minami-ke Tadaima) will replace Brains Base (Baccano!, Durarara!!)

MONACA (Nisemonogatari, Wake Up, Girls!) will again be in charge of music and Satoshi Motoyama (Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai, Oreimo) will again serve as sound director.

Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. (My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU) is a light novel series written by Wataru Watari and illustrated by Ponkan8. The light novels began in March 2011 and is published in Shogakukan’s Gagaga Bunko imprint. To date there has been 9 volumes and 4 short stories published. There has been three spin-off manga adaptations written and illustrated by various people. The series also received an anime adaptation that aired in April 2012 that was animated by Brain’s Base (Baccano!, Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun). Additionally, a visual novel was developed by 5pb. for the PlayStation Vita that released on September 19th last year.

Here is a synopsis of the series from Haruhichan:

This romantic comedy revolves around an antisocial high school student named Hikigaya Hachiman with a distorted view on life and no friends or girlfriend. When he sees his classmates talking excitedly about living their adolescent lives, he mutters: “They’re a bunch of liars.” When he is asked about his future dreams, he responds, “Not working.” A teacher gets Hachiman to join the “Volunteer Service” club, which happens to have the school’s prettiest girl, Yukinoshita Yukino.

The second season of the anime, Oregiaru Zoku, will be airing from April 3 during the Spring 2015 anime season. Further information will be released soon.

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

Puella Magi Madoka Magica Mobile Game to Shut down on May 28th

By

Seiba

-

March 29, 2015

3

After the release of the popular anime series, Puella Magi Madoka Magica’s 2011 mobile game, Puella Magi Madoka Magica Online, the franchise has sadly announced the game will be shutting down on May 28th this year. The game had originally featured RPG stye gameplay with five servers named after the anime’s witches, guilds based on the main characters, and customizable characters.

New announcements involving the game and it’s shut down can be viewed on the Puella Magi Madoka Magica Online’s Official Website.

Source – Seventh Style, Puella Magi Madoka Magica Online Official Website , Madoka Wiki

Countdown Appears on Aldnoah.Zero Website

By

Frontalspy

-

March 29, 2015

6

The official website of the Aldnoah.Zero anime has revealed a mysterious countdown timer after the broadcast of the anime’s final episode. The timer itself is currently ticking down to midnight JST.

The countdown itself is unknown in nature. The background itself features sketches of the main characters of the anime in a blue background (above), contrasting to the usual orange background used by the site. Here is a high quality image of the sketches of the main characters:

Season 2 visuals:

Aldnoah.Zero is a brand new original series created by Gen Urobuchi, the writer of the Fate/Zero light novels and anime, and Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica. The anime is directed by Ei Aoki who directed the Fate/Zero anime – teaming up with Urobuchi once again. The series is written by the “Olympus Knights”, a group of writers from Nitro+ (known for their science adventure visual novels) that is helmed by Urobuchi. Katsuhiko Takayama (Mirai Nikki) is the series composer, managing the flow and story of the series.

The character concepts are done by Masako Matsumoto (Naruto Shippuden) and the final character designs from Takako Shimura (Aoi Hana). The series features mechs designed by I-IV and Kenji Teraoka (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex), and the music is composed by Hiroyuki Sawano (Attack on Titan). The series is produced by A-1 Pictures (Sword Art Online, Fairy Tail) and studio TROYCA (new studio opened by Aoki). The first series had a total of 12 episodes and was earlier confirmed to be a split cour.

Aldnoah.Zero synopsis from Haruhichan:

In 1972, the Apollo 17 mission found a hypergate to Mars on the surface of the moon. Upon landing, astronauts discovered a enchanted utility later referred to as ‘Aldnoah’, giving the astronauts a status of superiority. Soon, many humans have relocated to Mars, and have adapted to the name ‘Martians’. After Princess Asseylum, a royal Martian princess, descends onto Earth in an attempt to create a treaty between both planets, a war breaks out between Earth and Mars, and Martian soldiers begin to descend from the sky, riding steel giants, intent on exterminating humanity.

Not much is known about the countdown on the Aldnoah.Zero website. It could mean anything, from a new series, film or just the closure of the site itself. Stay tuned for further information in the upcoming hours.

You can visit the anime’s site here: http://www.aldnoahzero.com/
You can also follow the official Twitter: @aldnoahzero

Source – Aldnoah.Zero Anime Website

Charlotte Anime Slated for July

By

Frontalspy

-

March 29, 2015

3

The upcoming issue of Dengeki G’s magazine has revealed that the Charlotte anime will be airing this July during the Summer 2015 anime season. Furthermore, the issue has also revealed additional members of the staff.

The issue of Dengeki G’s has revealed further members of the anime’s staff and the full list includes:

Director: Yoshiyuki Asai (Ah! My Goddess and Soul Eater Episode Director)
Anime Character Designer: Kanami Sekiguchi (Shirobako, Tari Tari)
Original Character Designer: Na-Ga (Clannad, Angel Beats!)
Art Director: Kazuki Higashiji (Angel Beats!, Nagi no Asukara)
Sound Director: Satoki Iida (Angel Beats!, Assassination Classroom)
Music Composer and Screenplay Writer: Jun Maeda (Angel Beats!, Clannad)
Animation Studio: P.A. Works (Angel Beats!, Nagi no Asukara)

The anime’s website has also revealed the synopsis of the story of Charlotte:

Set in a word in which a small percent of children manifest super powers upon reaching puberty, the series follows the Nouryokusha mono, power bearer, members of the “Hoshi No Umi” Academy student council as they help peers with problems arising from their abilities.

The previous Dengeki G’s Magazine issue has revealed the first details of the anime in an interview with Jun Maeda.

He describes the plot of the anime as a typical Key story. He further compares the series to Angel Beats! where that series was unable to flesh out all the characters. This series will be different as their main focus will be on the characters.
The main characters of the series will revolve around the student council, where one of them are in a band. There will be two stage performances by the band.
The anime’s Opening and Ending themes, and the insert songs, will be written and composed by Jun Maeda (Angel Beats! Music & Creator, Clannad Music and Writer).
The genre of the songs will be rock focusing on women vocals where the voice actresses will be singing.
The first half of the anime will be more slow paced than Angel Beats! before picking up speed for the second half

Here is the announcement video for Charlotte:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2d49by

The Charlotte anime will be airing this July during the Summer 2015 anime season. More information will be revealed in the upcoming months in Dengeki G’s Magazine and on the anime’s website.

You can visit the anime’s website here: http://charlotte-anime.jp/
And follow the new Angel Beats! & Charlotte Twitter: @Charlotte_AB_

Source – Crunchyroll, Otakomu

Review: Shirobako

By

"Big Sister" Rii

-

March 29, 2015

5

Title (English): Shirobako

Title (Japanese): SHIROBAKO

Animation Studio: P.A Works

Genres: Comedy, Drama

Episodes: 24

So, you like anime right? If you don’t, you probably wouldn’t be on this site right now. If you like anime, you’re probably somewhat knowledgeable when it comes to anime names, studios, voice actors, etc. However, how much do you really know? Do you know how much it takes to just get one episode to air, let alone an entire anime? Do you know how many people are involved in creating just one scene? Do you know the pains people go through to create an anime, and the tempers that flare when things go wrong? If you were ever curious about finding the answers to these questions, you should probably check out Shirobako. This is an anime about making anime, and a story about five girls whose dream it is to work on an anime together when they graduate from high school.

Story and Characters:

Shirobako starts with the introduction of the five main leads in their high school anime club: Aoi Miyamori (director), Ema Yasuhara (key animator), Shizuka Sakaki (voice actress), Midori Imai (scriptwriter), and Misa Toudou (3D animator). After the production of their anime in high school, they vow to work together in the future to create an anime as professionals. Fast forward two and a half years and for some of them, they couldn’t be farther from their goals. Aoi and Ema manage to secure jobs at an anime production studio, Musashino Animation, as a production assistant and a key animator respectively. However, the other three have their own struggles. Shizuka is unable to find work in the highly competitive voice acting industry, Midori is going through university, and Misa is working at a company whose job it is to produce tires. The story follows Aoi as she works through her job as a production assistant as she oversees the production of individual episodes and generally helps out around the studio.

Right off the bat, this anime sets itself apart from other anime of its kind because of its setting. While I consider this slice of life for the most part, this is an anime that takes place outside of high school and in the realm of the workforce. So this anime isn’t trying to be cute or appeal to the moe fans. This is an anime that showcases what life is like in the anime industry, and the trials and tribulations of the people who work on anime. The anime splits its 24 episodes into 12 episodes that each focus on the studio making an anime. In between the work on the anime, Aoi and her friends slowly work their way towards their goals of making an anime together. The story can be slow at times, but the pace picks up in the second half. Being an original anime, the writers were able to do things at their own pace, and that also means they were in charge of the ending. The last few episodes were especially notable for being highly enjoyable and the ending was very satisfying.

Part of the fun of the anime itself was getting to know the quirky cast of characters. With Shirobako taking place in an anime studio, there’s plenty of characters to get to know. Admittedly, there’s so many that it is initially hard to keep track of them all and the cast of characters continued to increase with each episode. However, the anime does well with giving all of these characters their own personalities and making all of them distinct from one another. As a result, the anime has a large and diverse cast of characters. It’s easy to find your favourite characters, as a lot of them are easy to like for their unique personalities. The characters grow alongside what happens in the story, and by the end of the anime, you have pretty much every character developed which is an incredible task, given that the anime probably has about 50 or so characters by its end. The characters are definitely what makes this anime, and seeing them grow only makes it better.

Shirobako delivers on a good story, if a bit slow at times, and an excellent set of characters.

Visuals and Animation:

With an anime that is about making anime, they did focus a bit on the evolution of anime, particularly 3D animation. As such, in order to show this new split between 2D and 3D anime, they did have a few scenes showing off what 3D animation can do compared to 2D. Unlike other anime that have a 2D and 3D split, the 3D scenes work well where they’re used, for the most part anyway. When they were making an anime scene where they were using 3D, those scenes work well. There are a couple of driving scenes in Shirobako that look a bit awkward. Other than that, the 2D scenes look good, especially the characters. I kind of wish P.A Works had put in the same amount of detail into Shirobako‘s backgrounds as that they did with Nagi no Asukara and Glasslip, but it still looks appealing.

Sound and Music:

Shirobako isn’t a big hit in the sound department. A lot of the music doesn’t particularly stand out, at least in my mind anyway. The only times I really took notice of the background music was during the more dramatic scenes and some of the music towards the end. The OPs and EDs, while they did suit the anime itself, they were rather plain. The voice actors were good, given the fact that most of them, the main characters especially, are new. Given how well they did here, it’s nice to see that we will have some good future voice actors. Juri Kimura as Aoi Miyamori, and Haruka Chisuga as Shizuka Sakaki were my personal favourites from this show.

Final Verdict:

Shirobako is an easy recommendation for anyone looking to find out more about the anime industry or anyone just looking to sit down and enjoy a nice, relaxing anime with a good story and great characters. This is easily the most underrated anime of the last couple of seasons and I did enjoy it quite a bit. I’m not sure if the premise just didn’t appeal to people of if people are distrusting of a P.A Works original anime after Glasslip (which you can find my review of here). Regardless, I would tell people to check it out if they’re curious.

+ Well-developed and great set of characters

+ Very good second half with a very satisfying ending

+ Good art

– Story can be slow at first

If any of you guys watched Shirobako, did you enjoy learning about the inner workings of the anime industry? Let me see what you thought in the comments!

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New TV CM for Oregairu 2 Streamed

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Review: Shirobako

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