Alter and WAVE Release New Chitoge Figures Just in Time for Summer

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March 8, 2015

The 15th issue of this years Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine will be announcing on Monday that Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece manga will take another one-week hiatus and will in the 17th issue on March 23.

Anime visual:

One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Weekly Shounen Jump since July 19, 1997; the individual chapters are being published in tankoubon volumes by Shueisha, with the first released on December 24, 1997, and the 75th volume released as of September 2014. One Piece follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, a young man whose body gains the properties of rubber after unintentionally eating a Devil Fruit, and his diverse crew of pirates, named the Straw Hat Pirates. Luffy explores the ocean in search of the world’s ultimate treasure known as One Piece in order to become the next Pirate King.

The chapters have been adapted into an original video animation (OVA) produced by Production I.G in 1998, and an anime series produced by Toei Animation, which began broadcasting in Japan in 1999. Since then, the still continuing series has aired over 672 episodes. Additionally, Toei has developed thirteen animated feature films, two OVA’s, and five television specials.

One Piece has received wide critical acclaim, primarily for its art, characterization, humor and story. Several volumes of the manga have broken publishing records, including highest initial print run of any book in Japan and the first book to sell over three million copies in Oricon history. As of 2013, the series had over 345 million volumes in circulation worldwide, making it the best-selling manga series in history.

One Piece synopsis from Haruhichan:

Gol D. Roger was known as the Pirate King, the strongest and most infamous being to have sailed the Grand Line. The capture and death of Roger by the World Government brought a change throughout the world. His last words before his death revealed the location of the greatest treasure in the world, One Piece. It was this revelation that brought about the Grand Age of Pirates, men who dreamed of finding One Piece(which promises an unlimited amount of riches and fame), and quite possibly the most coveted of titles for the person who found it, the title of the Pirate King.

Enter Monkey D. Luffy, a 17-year-old boy that defies your standard definition of a pirate. Rather than the popular persona of a wicked, hardened, toothless pirate who ransacks villages for fun, Luffy’s reason for being a pirate is one of pure wonder; the thought of an exciting adventure and meeting new and intriguing people, along with finding One Piece, are his reasons of becoming a pirate. Following in the footsteps of his childhood hero, Luffy and his crew travel across the Grand Line, experiencing crazy adventures, unveiling dark mysteries and battling strong enemies, all in order to reach One Piece.

Source: ANN

Megami – April 2015 Posters [Contains NSFW Images]

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March 7, 2015

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Today we’ll be taking a look at Megami’s April 2015 issue from JList which features a lot of new anime series that just recently started airing! This issue contains a total of 18 great posters along with previews, character profiles, articles, manga, and other great content. Most of the anime posters are anime series that have recently started airing during the winter 2015 anime season.

This issue can be purchased here, more info on where to purchase the magazine will be at the bottom of this post.

Make sure to view our NyanType – April 2015 issue post! View our posts of older issues here.

Cover and Back (soon)

Absolute Duo

Cross Ange

Dog Days

Girls und Panzer

Grisaia no Meikyuu

High School DxD BorN

Isuca

Juuou Mujin no Fafnir

Kantai Collection

Mikagura Gakuen Kumikyoku

Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata

Seiken Tsukai no World Break

Shinmai Maou no Testament

Shirobako

The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls

The Rolling Girls

Yuri Kuma Arashi

Yuuki Yuuna wa Yuusha de Aru

If you are currently learning or plan to learn Japanese, I highly recommend you to try a copy of this magazine to study with. It is not only packed with posters, it’s also packed with previews, character profiles, articles, manga, and other great content which is great for studying and practicing with and can be viewed HERE (link soon).

My favorite posters from this months issue would have to be Girls und Panzer (Summer is near, prepare the beach episodes!), Kantai Collection (Baths are the best) and Shirobako (So cute and elegant, but why does she look so sad?).

You can purchase the issue I covered in this post here or you can subscribe to JList‘s Megami subscription service for $12~$30/month here. All sales made through JList help us continue to bring unique content to the site as well as supporting us!

If you want to see a different type of magazine each month, let us know. Also, if you had the chance to win a poster or two from above, which would it be and why? The best comment will receive a $10 JList certificate when next month’s Megami post goes live; we’ll email you the coupon via the email you used to comment. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Third Season of Yuru Yuri Revealed

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March 7, 2015

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Yuru Yuri‘s author Namori confirmed on Saturday that production of a third season of the Yuru Yuri TV anime has been green-lit. The announcement was made on the stage monitor during the “Yuru Yuri Nachuyachumi! P’s Live Chokuzen! Goraku-bu Live Playback” event, which was streamed on Niconico.

Season 3 announcement visual:

Yuru Yuri is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Namori. The series began serialization in Ichijinsha’s Comic Yuri Hime S magazine from June 12, 2008, before being moved over to Comic Yuri Hime in September 2010. An anime adaptation by Dogakobo aired in Japan between July and September 2011; a second season aired between July and September 2012. A third season is currently in production

Yuru Yuri synopsis from Haruhichan:

Right after starting middle school, Akari Akaza joins the Amusement Club which is composed solely by her two childhood friends, Kyouko Toshinou and Yui Funami. Chinatsu Yoshikawa, Akaza’s classmate, becomes a member after finding out about the dissolution of the Tea Club.

The Amusement Club, situated at the tea room facility since the Tea Club disbanded, has no clear purpose, being free for the girls to do whatever they want.

The official website of the Yuru Yuri anime: http://yuruyuri.com/
The official Yuru Yuri anime Twitter: @anime_yuruyuri

One Punch-Man Gets TV Anime

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March 7, 2015

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It has been announced in the latest issue of Shueisha’s Young Jump magazine that a TV anime adaptation of ONE and Yuusuke Murata’s One Punch-Man manga has been green lit. Further details will be revealed in the following weeks.

Murata stated that the news brought him extremely happy and wanted to post on Twitter, but was unable to and withheld any additional comments. ONE mentioned that he was attending various meetings about the anime’s production.

Here is the promotional video for the manga:

One Punch-Man is an action, comedy, parody manga written by ONE and illustrated by Yuusuke Murata. The series began in 2009 as a free online web comic written by ONE, before being picked up by Shueisha and being featured in their Young Jump magazine publication in mid 2012, with Murata illustrating. To date, a total of 7 compiled volumes have been released with the 8th volume releasing on April 3rd. The series has become a phenomenon in Japan, selling over 4.5 million copies as of November last year, doubling its sales in one year.

Here is a synopsis of the series from Haruhichan:

In this new action-comedy, everything about a young man named Saitama screams “AVERAGE,” from his lifeless expression, to his bald head, to his unimpressive physique. However, this average-looking fellow doesn’t have your average problem… He’s actually a superhero that’s looking for tough opponents! The problem is, every time he finds a promising candidate he beats the snot out of them in one punch. Can Saitama finally find an evil villain strong enough to challenge him? Follow Saitama through his hilarious romps as he searches for new bad guys to challenge!

Not much is currently known about the One Punch-Man anime. Further information will be revealed at the series panel during AnimeJapan on March 21st and the 22nd, where the staff, cast and first PV will be unveiled.

You can visit the web-comic’s website here: http://galaxyheavyblow.web.fc2.com/
And the official manga’s site here: http://tonarinoyj.jp/manga/onepanman/

Source – Anime News Network

Fumina Hoshino Joins the Gundam Girls Generation Series

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Fumina Hoshino can be pre-ordered here.

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March 6, 2015

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From the popular mecha anime series Gundam Build Fighters Try, Fumina Hoshino has joined the Gundam Girls Generation figure series. She’s widely known for her clothing choice which is white/pink spats with a yellow jacket.

She’s a 1/10 scale figure posed in a way so you can appreciate her curvy body.

Gundam Build Fighters Try – Fumina Hoshino 1/10 Figure – Pre-orders are currently available on JList and is scheduled to be released in July 2015.

New Sound! Euphonium Commercial Reveals Premiere Date

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March 6, 2015

The official website of the upcoming anime adaptation of Ayano Takeda’s Sound! Euphonium (Hibike! Euphonium) light novel series began streaming a 32-second commercial on Friday. The video previews some scenes from the anime and reveals that the anime will premiere on April 7.

A new visual was also released:

Additionally, last February a new visual, cast members, and the anime’s Opening and Ending themes were also revealed.

The anime’s website has revealed additional cast members for the upcoming anime. They include:

Minako Kotobuki (Tsumugi Kotobuki in K-ON!) will voice Asuka Tanaka, who plays the Euphonium

Saori Hayami (Yukino Yukinoshita from Oregairu) as Haruka Ogasawara, the Saxophone player

Minori Chihara (Yuki Nagato from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya) voices the role of Kaori Nakaseko, who plays the Trumpet

Haruki Ishiya (Ayumu Kominato in Selector Infected WIXOSS) voices the role of Shuuichi Takamoto, the Trombone player

Takahiro Sakurai (Shougo Makishima in Psycho-Pass) will voice Noboru Taki, the brass band club’s advisor

The anime’s website also revealed the anime’s Opening and Ending themes. The OP will be DREAM SOLISTER performed by the singer TRUE, and the ED will be Tutti, sung by the main voice actresses of the anime in character.

The anime’s main cast members, who will also perform the ED, were earlier revealed and includes:

Tomoyo Kurosawa (Miria Akagi in The IDOLM@STER: Cinderella Girls) will voice leading character Kumiko Oumae, who plays the Euphonium

Ayaka Asai (Mio Naruse from Shinmai Maou no Testament) as Hazuki Katou, the Tuba player

Chika Anzai (Chaika Travant in Hitsugi no Chaika) is voicing Reina Kousaka, the Trumpet player

Moe Toyota (Sakura Inami in Kyoukai no Kanata) who will voice Sapphire Kawashima, who plays the Contrabass

A new extended version of the anime’s first promotional video, which was first released at Comiket 87, was also earlier revealed.

The main production staff of the anime includes:

Original: Takeda Ayano
Director: Tatsuya Ishihara (Clannad)
Series Composition: Jukki Hanada (Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!)
Series Director: Naoko Yamada (K-On!)
Character Design: Shoko Ikeda (The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya)
Art Director: Shinohara Mutsuo (Clannad)
Color Design: Takeda Akiyo (Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!)
Instrument Design: Takahashi Hiroyuki
Director of Photography: Takao Kazuya
Sound Director: Tsuruoka Yota (Bakemonogatari)
Music: Matsuda Akito (Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!)
Animation Production: Kyoto Animation (Amagi Brilliant Park, Kyoukai no Kanata, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya)

Sound! Euphonium Welcome to Kitauji High School’s Musical Instrument Club is a Japanese novel by Ayano Takeda, published on December 5, 2013 by Takarajimasha. The story focuses on the Kitauji High School Music Club, which is steadily improving thanks to the newly appointed adviser’s strict instruction. An anime adaptation has been announced.

Sound! Euphonium synopsis from Haruhichan:

This is the story of the Kitauji Music club and its members. With the introduction of a new club adviser, the story depicts the students’ daily lives as they face challenges and obstacles.

The Sound! Euphonium anime will be airing this April during the Spring 2015 anime season. More information about the series will be revealed in the upcoming weeks.

You can visit the anime’s website here: http://anime-eupho.com/
And follow their Twitter: @anime_eupho

Source: Sound! Euphonium Anime Website

New the Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-Chan Visual Revealed

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March 6, 2015

The official website of the anticipated upcoming anime adaptation of Nagaru Tanigawa and Puyo’s The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-Chan (The Vanishing of Nagato Yuki-Chan) has revealed a new visual.

Here’s a larger version displayed on the site:

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

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

Source: The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-Chan Anime Website

Erza Scarlet Prepares to Give Lucy Heartfilia a Back Rub in This New Sketch

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March 6, 2015

Fairy Tail‘s author Hiro Mashima is back once again and this time sharing an awesome sketch featuring Erza Scarlet and Lucy Heatfilia spending some quality time together.

His previous drawings include Natsu Dragneel:

and Erza Scarlet in a one piece swimsuit with cat ears:

3 More Clips Streamed for Sidonia no Kishi Movie

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March 6, 2015

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MAiDiGi TV began streaming three new clips for the upcoming first compilation film of Tsutomu Nihei’s Sidonia no Kishi (Knights of Sidonia) manga series, featuring Nagate and Tsumugi taking a break, in battle against the Gauna, and sharing a moment together.

The main promotional video for the compilation film was streamed last January:

Two promotional videos that were streamed earlier in January and December:

The film will be a recap compilation of the 12 episodes from the anime’s first season. It will also include new scenes and updated remastered 5.1 surround sound audio for its theatrical release. The compilation film will be releasing in Japanese cinemas in March 2015.

Visual:

In addition to this, Kodansha’s Monthly Afternoon magazine revealed back in November that the second season of the anime will be titled Sidonia no Kishi: Daikyuu Wakusei Seneki (Knights of Sidonia: War of the Ninth Planet) and will be airing in Japan from April 2015.

The announcement for the anime’s second season:

Sidonia no Kishi (Knights of Sidonia) is a manga series written and illustrated by Tsutomu Nihei. The series debuted in April 2009 in Kodansha’s Afternoon magazine and to date there has been a total of 13 compiled volumes released. An anime adaptation of the series was produced in April this year for a total of 12 episodes. The anime is produced by Polygon Pictures, in their first full TV anime production. The series is directed by Koubun Shizuno (Detective Conan, Hyakka Ryouran: Samurai Bride) with Sadayuki Murai (Natsume Yuujinchou, Mouryou no Hako) handling the series composition and screenplay, with Noriyuki Asakura (Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan) composing the music.

Sidonia no Kishi/Knights of Sidonia synopsis from Haruhichan.

It’s been a thousand years since the Gauna, a strange alien race with no known method of communication, destroyed the solar system. A portion of humanity managed to escape using enormous “seed ships” like the Sidonia, which have allowed them to maintain the population while drifting through space. Nagate Tanikaze is a young man who has been raised deep in the bowels of the ship. When he goes into training to pilot the huge robotic weapons known as Gardes, Nagate is entrusted with piloting the legendary unit known as Tsugumori. Nagate and his fellow pilots put their lives on the line against the Gauna, in the ultimate battle for the survival of humanity!

Durarara!!x2 Shou Episode 9 Images Previewed and Synopsis Revealed

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March 6, 2015

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x29rmpl

The official website for the TV anime adaptation of Durarara!! has released preview images and the synopsis for the 8th episode of Durarara!!x2 Shou, which airs this Saturday at 11:30pm JST on Tokyo MX, GTV, BS11 and Tochigi TV.

Episode 9 preview images:

Episode 9 will be titled “The Day is Short, the Work is Long” and here’s a synopsis from the official website:

Izaya has set a perfect trap which Shizuo leads the members of the Awakusu-Kai as they track down the criminal that killed their members. The retaliation finally goes into full swing for the Dollars and Toramaru. Vorona and Slon begin to take aim at Celty. Mikado is pressured to make a make a decision, but he is feeling discomfort after being told the truth about the Blue Squares by Aoba. Various people are speculating about each other, as a threatening smell cloaks the city…

The second and first promotional video for the second season:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x27wr9j_%E3%83%87%E3%83%A5%E3%83%A9%E3%83%A9%E3%83%A9-x%EF%BC%92-pv01_creation

Two countdown commercials were also released for the second season:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2ebqu2_durarara-x2-shou-countdown-cm2-celty-ver_tv

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2e96d8_durarara-x2-shou-countdown-cm_news

This new anime is part of the 10th anniversary celebration of the Durarara!! series, which began as a light novel series in 2004 published by ASCII Media Works’ Dengeki Bunko. The original light novels ended in January this year, but the creator of the series Ryohgo Narita, has stated that he will be begin a new series of light novels titled Durarara!! SH, set two years after the original’s conclusion. The first issue will release on April 10th. The light novels received an anime adaptation in 2010 from animation studio Brains Base. In addition, two manga adaptations were also released and a few visual novels. To date the light novels has a total of 13 volumes. and are illustrated by Suzuhito Yasuda.

A manga adaptation by Akiyo Satorigi started serialization in the shounen manga magazine Monthly GFantasy on April 18, 2009. An anime adaptation began airing in Japan in January 2010. Two games based on the series for the PlayStation Portable were released, and a game for PlayStation Vita was released on June 19, 2014 in Japan.

Visual:

Here is a synopsis of the first season from Haruhichan:

In Tokyo’s downtown district of Ikebukuro, amidst many strange rumors and warnings of anonymous gangs and dangerous occupants, one urban legend stands out above the rest—the existence of a headless “Black Rider” who is said to be seen driving a jet-black motorcycle through the city streets.

Ryuugamine Mikado has always longed for the excitement of the city life, and an invitation from a childhood friend convinces him to move to Tokyo. Witnessing the Black Rider on his first day in the city, his wishes already seem to have been granted. But as supernatural events begin to occur, ordinary citizens like himself, along with Ikebukuro’s most colorful inhabitants, are mixed up in the commotion breaking out in their city.

Source: Durarara!! official website

Top 20 Most Anticipated Anime of Spring 2015

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March 5, 2015

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Charapedia asked 10,000 anime fans the question: Which anime series is the most promising from the spring 2015 anime lineup? And from thousands of fans, most of the responses are from the male fans (55.3%), female fans (46.7%) and teens to their 20s (84.6%) while the other 15.4% are 30 and over.

Here are the results:

20. Danmachi
19. Mikagura Gakuen Kumikyoku
18. Ghost in the Shell: Arise – Another Mission
17. Sidonia no Kishi: Daikyuu Wakusei Seneki
16. Ore Monogatari!!
15. High School DxD BorN
14. Hello!! Kiniro Mosaic
13. Digimon Adventure tri.
12. Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha ViVid
11. Sound! Euphonium
10. Owari no Seraph

9. The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan
8. Arslan Senki
7. Grisaia no Meikyuu and Grisaia no Rakuen
6. Uta no☆Prince-sama♪ Maji Love Revolution

5. Shokugeki no Souma
4. Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (TV) 2nd Season
3. Nisekoi 2nd Season
2. Oregairu 2

1. Gintama 2015

Did You Know Saber Had a Daughter? Well She Now Has Her Own Figure

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Saber of Red can be pre-ordered here.

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March 5, 2015

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Saber’s daughter, Saber of Red or Mordred, the Knight of Treachery from the light novel, Fate/Apocrypha, has received a wonderful 1/7 scale figure. Mordred resembles Saber as her daughter (or “Son,” who is actually female) with Morgan le Fey, who appears in the popular light novel based on Fate/Stay Night.

She is wearing her signature white top and short shorts while carrying her red jacket. She is shown with a confident smile, ready for any challenge coming.

Fate/Apocrypha – Saber of Red -Mordred- 1/7 Figure – Pre-orders are currently available on JList and is scheduled to be released in May 2015.

Top 10 Anime Series Females Would Recommend to Others

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March 5, 2015

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Following up on the previous rankings by males, Charapedia have revealed the female results for: Which anime series would you recommend to others? And from thousands of fans, most of the responses are from the male fans (68.4%), female fans (31.6%) and teens to their 20s (76.5%) while the other 23.5% are 30 and over.

Here are the female results:

10. Hoozuki no Reitetsu

9. One Piece

8. Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic

7. Hunter x Hunter

6. Shingeki no Kyojin

5. Free!

4. Uta no Prince-sama Maji Love 1000%

3. Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai

2. Gintama

1. Kuroko’s Basketball

Gurren Lagann and Kill La Kill Team up for Special Crossover Art

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March 5, 2015

A new crossover illustration by Ryou Akizuki, who illustrated the Kill la Kill manga adaptation, has been revealed just in time for the final manga volume release earlier this week. Keep in mind both of these popular anime series are created by director Hiroyuki Imaishi and writer Kazuki Nakashima.

The new illustration features Fight Club Mako (with Guts), Kamina as Fight Club Mako, Yoko Littner as Ryuko Matoi, and Ryuko Matoi as Yoko Littner from the Kill la Kill and Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann series.

In addition to this, pre-orders launched for the third volume of Saki Nonoyama’s mordern-Japan alternative universe Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: Otoko Doahou!-hen manga, featuring a limited edition with a special variant of the Fräulein Revoltech 010 Yoko Littner figure:

Source: Crunchyroll

Dragon Ball Z Dance-off Soda Commercials Are Funky

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March 5, 2015

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Japanese beverages company, Kirin, began streaming two new commercials for their new flavors on Monday. The first commercial features Goku and his group doing a dance-off battle to help promote the new orange flavored Kirin Mets drink.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtlbGk0-8Ik

While Frieza and his elite soldiers do a dance-off which features him transforming multiple times and shooting beams while showing off his new moves. Frieza’s commercial is advertising the new grape flavored Kirin Mets drink.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7QbSDhC_7Y

Both commercials mention at the end that Mets purchasers are eligible to win Quo Cards, which are a prepaid/certificate redeemable at a variety of retailers, restrautrants and hotels in Japan. They come limited edition Dragon Ball cases.

New Visual Revealed for Arslan Senki TV Anime

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March 5, 2015

A brand new visual has been revealed for the upcoming TV anime adaptation of Yoshiki Tanaka and Yoshitaka Amano’s Arslan Senki (The Heroic Legend of Arslan) novel series on the anime’s official website. Additionally, a new commercial and the anime’s Ending theme were also revealed.

The Ending theme song of the anime was revealed. The ED will be Lapis Lazuili performed by Japanese female singer Eir Aoi. The song will be composed by Yusuke Kato. Aoi has performed the theme songs for various other anime, including:

Kill la Kill OP1: Sirius
Sword Art Online OP2: INNOCENCE
Sword Art Online II OP: IGNITE
Aldnoah.Zero 2nd Cour ED: GENESIS

A brand new commercial has also been released:

The new CM introduces the new character Silvermask, voiced by Yuki Kaji (Eren Jaeger from Attack on Titan).

He will join the main cast of the anime, which includes:

Kobayashi Yuusuke (Takamiya Honoka from Witch Craft Works) as Arslan

Hosoya Yoshimasa (Yamazaki Sousuke from Free! Eternal Summer) as Daryun

Namikawa Daisuke (Hisoka from Hunter x Hunter) as Narsus

Hanae Natsuki (Kaneki Ken from Tokyo Ghoul) as Elam

Kenn (Akihito Kanbara in Kyoukai no Kanata) who will voice Gieve

Maaya Sakamoto (Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost in the Shell) playing the role of Falangies

The production team includes:

Original creator: Tanaka Yoshiki
Manga: Arakawa Hiromu
Director: Abe Noriyuki (Bleach, YuYu Hakusho)
Series Composition: Uezu Makoto (Yuki Yuna wa Yuusha de aru, Akame ga Kill)
Key Animation: Ogiso Shingo (Anohana)
Character Design: Tazawa Ushio, Watanabe Kazuo
Action Director: Kimura Satoshi
Concept Design: Niitsuma Daisuke
Art Director: Kudo Tadashi
Background: Studio Pinewood
Color Key: Shinohara Aiko
CG Director: Suzuki Daisuke
Modeling Director: Adachi Hiroshi
3DCGI: SANZIGEN Animation Studio
Director of Photography: Masumoto Yukihiro
Photography: Graphinica
Editing: Hasegawa Mai
Sound Director: Aketagawa Jin
Sound Effects: Koyama Yasumasa
Sound: Magic Capsule
Music: Iwashiro Taro
Animation Production: LIDEN FILMS and SANZIGEN Animation Studio
Production: The Heroic Legend of Arslan Production Committee

Since the anime’s announcement a series of commercials for the anime were revealed, which introduces the main premise of the series and the main characters.

Commercial 1:

Commercial 2:

Commercial 3:

Commercial 4:

Arslan Senki or The Heroic Legend of Arslan is a Japanese fantasy novel series written by Tanaka Yoshiki. Tanaka began writing the series in 1986, and the series is still ongoing as of 2008. There are currently 14 novels and one side story published. It was adapted into a manga by Nakamura Chisato in 1991, but the manga caught up to the novels in 1998 and received an original ending. In 2013, it received yet another manga adaptation, this time illustrated by Arakawa Hiromu. The new manga is serialized in the Bessatsu Shounen Magazine. Arslan Senki was also once developed into a short film and a 6 part unfinished OVA (only 4 parts were released).

Arslan Senki synopsis from Haruhichan:

Betrayed from within and overwhelmed by dark sorcery, the valiant armies of Pars are overrun by the warrior-fanatics of Lusitania. Escaping the destruction of his homeland, the heroic Prince Arslan begins to assemble a group of five, extraordinary allies—a priestess, an exiled warrior, a mischievous minstrel, an insightful artist and his attendant—to aid him in his fight against the Lusitanian invaders. Together, they must build an army and defeat 300,000 trained soldiers—including the mysterious Lord Silver Mask—who has also laid claim to the throne of Pars.

The Arslan Senki TV anime will be airing from April 5th on MBS during the Spring 2015 anime season. Further information about the anime will be revealed in the near future.

You can visit the anime’s website here: http://www.arslan.jp/
And follow their Twitter: @arslan_anime

Source – Anime News Network, Arslan Senki Anime Website

Bloody†Mary and Honey so Sweet Shoujo Manga Licensed by Viz Media’s Shojo Beat

By

Hanase

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March 4, 2015

On February 27, 2015, it was hinted on Viz Media’s Shojo Beat’s official Twitter account that two new shoujo manga series will be filling up the English licensed manga shelves this year. And earlier this morning, the wait is over and the two new manga series have been announced: Akaza Samamiya’s (Hatsukoi Canvas, Torikago Syndrome) Bloody†Mary manga and Amu Meguro’s (Sugar, Mako to Aki-chan no Koigokoro) Honey so Sweet (Honey) manga.

Two new Shojo Beat #manga series will be announced here on Wednesday morning! pic.twitter.com/BH3NNx9UOD

— Shojo Beat (@shojobeat) February 27, 2015

Samamiya started Bloody†Mary on November 22, 2013 under Kadokawa Shoten’s Monthly Asuka shoujo manga magazine. It currently has 3 compiled manga volumes. The first volume was released on April 24, 2014 while the latest volume was shipped on November 21, 2014. The 4th volume will be released on March 26, 2015. The first English-translated volume will be out on December 2015.

Synopsis of Bloody†Mary from Shojo Beat:

“Bloody” Mary, a vampire with a death wish, has spent the past 400 years chasing down a modern-day exorcist named Maria who is thought to have inherited “The Blood of Maria” and is the only one who can kill Mary. To Mary’s dismay, Maria doesn’t know how to kill vampires. Desperate to die, Mary agrees to become Maria’s bodyguard until Maria can find a way to kill him.

Meguro started Honey on August 10, 2012 under Shueisha’s Monthly Bessatsu Margaret shoujo manga magazine. It currently has 6 compiled manga volumes. The first volume was released on January 25, 2013 while the latest volume was shipped on February 25, 2015. The first English-translated volume will be out on January 2016.

Synopsis of Honey from Shojo Beat:

Little did Nao Kogure realize back in middle school that when she left an umbrella and a box of bandages in the rain for injured delinquent Taiga Onise that she would meet him again in high school. Nao wants nothing to do with the gruff and frightening Taiga, but he suddenly presents her with a huge bouquet of flowers and asks her to date him—with marriage in mind! Is Taiga really so scary, or is he a sweetheart in disguise?

Yesterday, four new volumes by Shojo Beat has been released:

Izumi Tsubaki’s (Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun) Oresama Teacher Volume 18

Aya Shouoto’s (S・L・H) Barajou no Kiss (Kiss of the Rose Princess) Volume 3

Yoshiki Nakamura’s (Tokyo Crazy Paradise) Skip Beat! 3-in-1 Omnibus Volumes 28, 29, 30

Julietta Suzuki’s (Akuma to Dolce) Kamisama Hajimemashita (Kamisama Kiss) Volume 17

Source – Shojo Beat’s Official Twitter Account

Prison School TV Anime Slated for Summer

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March 4, 2015

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On the 16th manga volume of Akira Hiramoto’s manga series Prison School (Kangoku Gakuen) there will be a wraparound jacket band announcement revealing that the TV anime adaptation of the manga will premiere this summer.

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.

Visual:

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.

Source: ANN

Japan’s Weekly Anime Blu-ray & CD Rankings for February 23rd – March 1st

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March 4, 2015