Aldnoah.Zero 2nd Season Countdown Illustration

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January 7, 2015

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The official website of the Durarara!! anime has been releasing new images every day since the New Year counting down to Durarara!!×2 Shou, the second season of the anime adaptation of Ryohgo Narita and Suzuhito Yasuda’s light novel series, debutting on the 10th.

As of this post, there are only 3 days left until the debut of Durarara!!×2 Shou on Tokyo MX at 11:30pm JST. Here the main images of the countdown starting from 9, which released on New Year’s day, and new images release every day at midnight JST:

Durarara!!x2 will be split up into three parts starting with the first season, Durarara!!×2 Shou, airing from January 10th during the Winter 2014/2015 anime season. The next part is Durarara!!×2 Ten, which will be airing in July 2015 during the Summer 2015 anime season. And finally, the final part of the series, Durarara!!×2 Ketsu, will air from January 2016 in the Winter 2015/2016 anime season.

The main cast of Durarara!!x2 has been earlier revealed and consists of mostly returning characters and cast members alongside a few new ones. The cast includes:

Mamoru Miyano as Masaomi Kida
Kana Hanazawa as Anri Sonohara
Daisuke Ono as Shizuo Heiwajima
Hiroshi Kamiya as Izaya Orihara
Sanae Kobayashi as Namie Yagiri
Jun Fukuyama as Shinra Kishitani
Eri Kitamura as Mairu Orihara
Hisako Kanemoto as Kururi Orihara
Houchu Ohtsuka as Haruya Shiki
Ayahi Takagaki as Erika Karisawa
Kazuma Horie as Seiji Yagiri
Mariya Ise as Mika Harima
Takaya Kuroda as Simon Brezhnev
Takuma Terashima as Saburou Togusa
Yūichi Nakamura as Kyōhei Kadota
Yuuki Kaji as Walker Yumasaki
Saki Fujita as Ruri Hijiribe
Daisuke Kishio as Kasuka Heiwajima
Misato Fukuen as Saki Mikajima
Akio Ohtsuka as Shingen Kishitani
Katsuyuki Konishi as Tom Tanaka
Keiji Fujiwara as Kinnosuke Kuzuhara
Masaya Onosaka as Max Sandshelt

Some changes were made to the staff:

Original: Narita Ryohgo “Durarara!!“
Original Illustration: Suzuhito Yasuda (Durarara!!, Hariyama-san, Maid Machinegun)
Director: Takahiro Omori (Durarara!!, Natsume Yuujinchou Shi, Samurai Flamenco)
Series Composition: Noboru Takagi (C: The Money of Soul and Possibility Control, Kuroko no Basket, Sankarea)
Character Design: Takahiro Kishida (Baccano!, Busou Shinki, Haikyuu!)
Music: Makoto Yoshimori (Baccano!, Durarara!!, Hamatora The Animation)
Animation Production: Studio Shuka (Brain’s Base division)

Here is the first full promotional video for Durarara!!x2:

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

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.

Here is a synopsis of the series 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.

Durarara!!x2 Shou will be airing from January 10th on Tokyo MX at 11:30pm JST during the Winter 2014/2015 anime season. The anime will then return in the Summer 2015 anime season as Durarara!!×2 Ten and then in the Winter 2015/2016 season as Durarara!!×2 Ketsu.

You can visit the anime’s website here: http://www.durarara.com/
And follow the anime on Twitter: @drrr_anime

Source – Durarara!! Anime Website

Witness the Quality of Absolute Duo’s Opening Animation

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January 7, 2015

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You thought the Opening animation for Yuri Kuma Arashi was amazing? Be prepared to be blown away by the OP of Absolute Duo, the anime adaptation of Takumi Hiiragiboshi and Yuu Asaba’s light novel series. The animation of the sequence itself is full of well done graphics and fluid animation on top of a action packed theme song, Absolute Soul by Konomi Suzuki. The anime itself is being produced by 8-Bit (Grisaia no Kajitsu), so let’s hope they won’t spend the entire budget already and deviate from the source too much.

Absolute Duo airs every Sunday on AT-X at 10:30pm JST. The second episode of the anime will air on the 11th.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2dzosj_absolute-duo-op_music

In addition to this, the cast were recently announced and includes:

Matsuoka Yoshitsugu (Lubbock from Akame ga Kill) as Kokonoe Tooru

Yamamoto Nozomi (Kusunoki Yukimura from Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai) as Sigtuna Yurie

Suwa Ayaka (Azuma Tokaku from Akuma no Riddle) as Tachibana Tomoe

Imamura Ayaka (Girl from Isshuukan Friends, Female Student from Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji) as Hotaka Miyabi

Yamazaki Haruka (Kanzaki Tomoyo from Inou-Battle wa Nichijou-kei no Naka de) as Bristol Lilith

Tomatsu Haruka (Anjou Naruko from Anohana) as Nagakura Imari
Tamura Yukari (Takamichi Nanoha from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha) as Tsukimi Rito
Horie Yui (Hanekawa Tsubasa from Bakemonogatari) as Tsukumo Sakuya
Hanae Natsuki (Kaizuka Inaho from Aldnoah.Zero) as Tora
Kawahara Yoshihisa (Sasahara Koujirou from Nichijou) as Tatsu

The production cast includes:

Director by Nakayama Atsushi (Kore wa Zombie desu ka? )
Series Composition by Kouno Takamitsu (Minami-ke Tadaima)
Character Designs by Sano Keiichi (Kamisama no Memouchou)
Animation Director by Tanaka Norie (Magi– The Labyrinth of Magic)
Produced at 8-Bit (Grisaia no Kajitsu)

Visual:

Absolute Duo is a Japanese light novel series by Takumi Hiiragiboshi with illustrations by Yuu Asaba. Media Factory has published six volumes since 2012 under their MF Bunko J imprint. A manga adaptation with art by Shinichiro Nariie started serialization in Media Factory’s seinen manga magazine Monthly Comic Alive from April 27, 2013, and has been collected in a single tankobon volume. A second spin-off four-panel comedy manga adaptation titled Absolute Duo Tea Party with art by Tooru Oiwaka will also be serialized in Monthly Comic Alive magazine with the December 2014 issue to be sold on October 27, 2014. An anime television series adaptation by 8-Bit was announced at Media Factory’s 2014 Summer School Festival event.

Absolute Duo synopsis from Haruhichan:

After losing a loved one, Tooru Kokonoe enrolls at Kouryou Academy so as to gain a “Blaze,” a weapon that is his soul manifestation, for the sake of revenge. He was expecting a weapon… What he got was a shield… How is he to seek revenge with something that isn’t even a weapon?!

Top 10 Best Selling Anime, Manga and Light Novels from Amazon

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January 7, 2015

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With 2014 over and 2015 off to a good start, amazon.co.jp have unveiled last year’s anime blu-rays, manga and light novels sales rankings. These rankings are based on the sales made from the time period of December 1, 2013 to November 16, 2014.

Best selling anime Blu-rays:

10) Monogatari Series Second Season Nadeko Medusa Vol. 1 , Limited Edition Blu-ray box set

9) Monogatari Series Second Season Mayoi Jiangshi Vol. 2, Limited Edition Blu-ray box set

8) Attack on Titan Vol.6 Blu-ray with Erwin and Levi Visual Novel

7) Monogatari Series Second Season Mayoi Jiangshi Vol. 1, Limited Edition Blu-ray box set

6) Girls und Panzer: Kore ga Hontou no Anzio-sen Desu!

5) The iDOLM@STER Movie “Shiny Festa” Limited Edition Blu-ray bundle

4) Kara no Kyoukai: Mirai Fukuin Limited Edition Blu-ray box set

3) Love Live! School Idol Project 2nd Season Volume 1 Limited Edition Blu-ray Special Equipment Set

2) Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magika Movie 3 Limited Edition Blu-ray box set

1) Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn Episode 7: Over the Rainbow, First Press Limited Edition Blu-ray set

Best selling manga:

10) Dragon Quest X 4 Comic Theater

9) What Did You Eat Yesterday? Vol. 9

8) A Bride’s Story Vol. 6

7) Hyakushou Kizoku Vol. 3

6) Drifters Vol. 4

5) To Love-ru Darkness Vol. 9 Limited edition with the anime’s OVA DVD

4) Saint Young Men Vol. 10

3) Silver Spoon Vol. 11

2) One Piece Vol. 73

1) Attack on Titan Vol. 12 with limited edition DVD

Best selling light novels:

10) Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei Vol. 14

9) Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei Vol. 13

8) My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU Vol. 9

7) Sword Art Online Vol. 15

6) Sword Art Online: Progressive Vol. 2

5) Owarimonogatari 2

4) Owarimonogatari 1

3) Sword Art Online Vol. 14

2) Zoku Owarimonogatari

1) Biblia Koshodou no Jiken Techou Vol.5 ~Shioriko-san to Tsunagari no Toki~

It’s nice to see Monogatari Series Second Season claiming a few decent spots for the anime blu-rays, while Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn claiming the well deserved #1 spot. It’s also amazing to see Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magika Movie 3 outrank volume 1 of Love Live! School Idol Project 2nd Season due to how popular the series is.

It’s also sad to see Attack on Titan volume 12 outrank One Piece Volume 73 in the manga sales. As for the light novels, it’s no surprise Biblia Koshodou no Jiken Techou volume 5 took #1 given how popular the mystery series light novel by En Mikami is in Japan.

So what are your thoughts on the sales? Let us know in the comments below.

Promotional Video and Visuals Released for 3rd Hori-san to Miyamura-kun OVA

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January 7, 2015

The first promotional video has been released for the third OVA adaptation of HERO’s Hori-san to Miyamura-kun manga. The new OVA will have the same staff and cast from the previous, albeit with a new studio opened by the director. The third OVA will be directed by Tetsuo Hirakawa (Hori-san to Miyamura-kun, Kawa no Hikari), written by Yuniko Ayana (Kiniro Mosaic, Futsuu no Joshikousei ga [Locodol] Yatte Mita.) and will be animated by the new studio Marone. The main cast includes: Asami Seto (Chihaya Ayase in Chihayafuru) as Kyouko Hori, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Kirito from Sword Art Online) as Izumi Miyamura, Kana Ueda (Yumi Fukuzawa from Maria-sama ga Miteru) as Yuki Yoshikawa and Yoshimasa Hosoya (Junpei Hyuuga in Kuroko’s Basketball) as Tooru Ishikawa.

The third OVA of Hori-san to Miyamura-kun will be releasing in Japan this February.

Two new visuals have also been released for the upcoming OVA:

Here is the visual of the OVA series:

Here is a synopsis of the series from Haruhichan:

People say that the youthful days are always bittersweet, but maybe it’s just bitter?

Kyouko Hori is a flashy high school girl, who, despite her ostentatious appearance, excels in academics and has a family-loving character. Izumi Miyamura is a bland high school boy, who, despite not wanting to stand out in class, secretly wears piercings outside of school and has a large body tattoo.

One day, Miyamura finds Hori’s little brother injured and helps him back to Hori’s house, where the relationship between Hori and Miyamura begins with Hori’s discovery of Miyamura’s secret.

You can purchase the OVA here: http://www.oozlaya.jp/shop/products/detail.php?product_id=93

Countdown to Aldnoah.Zero 2nd Season: Day 3

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January 7, 2015

With just 3 days away from launch, original character designer Takako Shimura (Aldnoah.Zero) is still building up the hype for the Aldnoah.Zero 2nd Season by sketching countdown pictures each day until debut.

Today’s sketch features Asseylum Vers Allusia.

Here are the previous countdown sketches:

If this doesn’t get you hyped for the second season, here’s the first promotional video which was streamed earlier:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2dian9_aldnoah-zero-s2-pv_news

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.

Source: Takako Shimura’s Tumblr

Third Promotional Video Streamed for Wit Studio’s Rolling☆Girls

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January 7, 2015

A brand new promotional video has been released ahead of the debut broadcast of Wit Studio’s (Attack on Titan, Hal) upcoming original anime Rolling☆Girls. This new video reveals more of the characters appearing in the series and also previews the Opening theme song of the anime, Tsuki no Bakugekiki sung by the main cast of the anime. The cast itself includes: Ari Ozawa (Chiyo Sakura in Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun) as Nozomi Moritomo, Rina Hidaka (Silica from Sword Art Online) as Yukina Kosaka, Risa Taneda (Mirai Kuriyama from Kyoukai no Kanata) as Ai Hibiki, and Yumiri Hanamori (First major role) as Chiaya Misono. The anime will be directed by Kotomi Deai (Silver Spoon Season 2).

The Rolling☆Girls anime will be airing from the 10th on MBS at 25:58 (effectively the 11th at 1:58am).

Previous videos of the anime:

Here are the past latest visuals of the Rolling☆Girls:

Here is a synopsis of the series from Haruhichan:

Ten years after the Great Tokyo War, each prefecture in Japan has split up into independent nations. Each nation is ruled by a prophet called “Mosa” and an army called “Mob” as they start to compete to take over other countries. Four “Mob” girls from the Saitama clan, Nozomi, Yukina, Ai, and Chiaya, are ordered by their “Mosa” to travel around Japan riding their motorcycles to mediate multiple battles between nations and clans as they emerge.

You can visit the anime’s website here: http://rollinggirls.com/
Follow their Twitter here: @therollinggirls

Triage X TV Anime Visual & Character Designs Revealed

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January 7, 2015

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The official website of the Spring 2015 TV anime adaptation of Shouji Satou’s Triage X series has released the new character designs for the upcoming anime. Additionally, a new visual of the anime has been featured in the February issue of Dengeki G’s magazine. The image also gives a glimpse of the characters’ character designs and bio, the synopsis, staff and cast of the upcoming anime.

Triage X_Haruhichan.com-Anime-Magazine-Visual

The official website of the Triage X anime has released the official character designs for the series. The main cast of the anime was earlier announced and includes:

Kenji Akabane (The Producer from THE IDOLM@STER) voicing the role of Arashi Mikami

Yui Kondou (Furano Yukihira from NouCome) will voice Mikoto Kiba

Amina Sato (Yuuka Ichijou in AKB0048) as Oriha Nashida

The anime’s staff consists of:

Director: Akio Takami (Upotte!! character designer/animation director) and Takao Kato (Rockman.EXE, To Love-Ru)
Series composition: Katsuhiko Takayama (Sasami-san@Ganbaranai, Aldnoah.Zero)
Character design: Akito Takami
Anime Production: Xebec (Space Battleship Yamato 2199, Argevollen)

Triage X is an ongoing manga series written and illustrated by Shouji Sato which began serialization in the May 2009 issue of Monthly Dragon Age. Shouji Sato hints on the cover flap of volume 1 that the reason Triage X was created was because of Highschool of the Dead‘s prolonged hiatus, thus in terms of content and theme, the two are very comparable.

The series is currently being published at a monthly schedule.

Triage X synospsis from Haruhichan:

Mochizuki General Hospital boasts some of the most well-trained (and well-endowed) nurses in town. But though these ladies spend much of their day battling sickness, their after-hours are spent fighting a very different sort of disease… Under the leadership of the hospital chairman, a handful of staff members and local teenagers form a group of mercenary assassins, targeting the “cancers” of society and excising those individuals before their wickedness spreads.

The Triage X anime adaptation will broadcast in Japan from April next year, during the Spring 2015 anime season. Further information about the series will be revealed next year.

You can visit the anime’s website here: http://triagex-anime.jp/
And follow their Twitter: @triagex

Source – Triage X Anime Website, Yande.re

Third Persona 3 Movie Slated for April 4

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January 6, 2015

The official website of the Persona 3 anime movie series has released a brand new visual of the upcoming third film, Persona 3 The Movie #3: Falling Down, that reveals the release date of the movie, April 4th. Additionally, the character designs and details about advance tickets for the film were also revealed.

The new visual also reveals the tagline for the upcoming movie, which features the famous philosophical proposition:

Cogito ergo sum – I think, therefore I am

The anime’s site also reveals the character designs for the films with the cast members that will reappear in the upcoming movie:

Akira Ishida (Kotaro Katsura in Gintama) will voice Makoto Yuuki

Kousuke Toriumi (Shunsuke Imaizumi from Yowamushi Pedal) is voicing Junpei Iori

Megumi Toyoguchi (Chifuyu Orimura in Infinite Stratos) as Yukari Takeba

Rie Tanaka (Suigintou from Rozen Maiden) voices Mitsuru Kirijo

Hikaru Midorikawa (Lancer in Fate/zero) will voice the role of Akihiko Sanada

Maaya Sakamoto (Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost in the Shell) is voicing Aegis

Mamiko Noto (Kotomi Ichinose in Clannad) will be voicing Fuuka Yamagishi

Megumi Ogata (Shinji Ikari from Neon Genesis Evangelion) as Ken Amada

The new visual itself features a brand new character to the film series, Ryoji Mochizuki. He is a mysterious transfer student enrolled in Gekkoukan High School. The site has released new character designs for Ryoji, who will be a major part of the upcoming film, but have not revealed his cast member so far.

Advanced tickets of the film will go on sale from the 10th. People who purchase the advance tickets at participating theatres will also receive a double sided poster of the main visual and a 2015 calendar. The bundle will cost ¥1,500 (~ $15.00 USD).

The film itself will feature the return of the cast from the 2nd film, Midsummer Knight’s Dream. The anime’s website has also revealed the staff members producing the film, where a new director will be helming helming the production of the film:

Director: Keitaro Motonaga (Date A Live, Jormungand)
Supervisor: Seiji Kishi (Persona 4 The Animation, Angel Beats!)
Script Writer: Jun Kumagai (Persona 3 Movies, Hamatora the Animation)
Anime Character Designer and Animation Director: Keisuke Watabe (Persona 3 Movies, Seikai no Senki)
Art Director: Toshihiro Kohama (Persona 3 Movies, Spice and Wolf)
Chief Animation Directors: Tomomi Ishikawa (Persona 3 Movies, Haganai), Yae Ootsuka (Persona 3 Movies, Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie)
Art Designer: Kaoru Aoki (Persona 3 Movies, Toriko)
Sound Director: Tomohisa Taguchi (Persona 3 Movies, Persona 4 the Golden Animation Director)
Music: Shoji Meguro (Persona 3 and Persona 4 Composer), Tetsuya Kobayashi (Persona 3 Movies, Blood+ Storyboard Artist)
Animation Studio: AIC (Sora no Otoshimono, Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita)

Persona 3 is a PlayStation 2 JRPG developed and published by Atlus in Japan in 2006 and in the West in 2007 and 2008. The game is part of a spin-off series to Atlus’ greater Shin Megami Tensei franchise. Upon release the game received overwhelmingly positive reception selling over 120,000 copies in the first week of release. The game follows a new student of Gekkoukan High School where he is staying at a new dorm. Set in a present day city, when the clock hits midnight very strange and dark things being to occur and the only way to stop them is with the new mysterious power, Persona. In the game players need to balance the typical High School life of exams, meeting with friends and studying, with exploring a large dungeon and defeating menacing foes. The game itself received a sequel titled Persona 3 FES two years after the release of the game. A port to the PlayStation Portable was also produced and released in 2009 in Japan, and 2010,2011 in the West. The game also included a playable female protagonist.

Here is a synopsis of Persona 3 The Movie #3: Falling Down:

“I kind of understand now… You’re afraid of losing things, right?”

The season turns to autumn. The fight of the protagonist and his group S.E.E.S. with the strange monsters Shadows is getting closer to an end. Makoto and his allies engage in life-or-death battles with Shadows in order to end the Dark Hour. Through the battles, some must face the deaths of friends and family, some must notice what precious things must be protected, and some must find meaning in the battles that have occured.

In front of Makoto, the mysterious transfer student Ryoji Mochizuki appears. When the group greets a new morning, the gears of fate begin to turn. A fight revolving around each of the heroes’ bonds begins…

Persona 3 The Movie #3: Falling Down will be releasing in Japanese theaters from April 4th with advanced tickets going on sale from the 10th of January. More information about the movie will release soon.

You can visit the film’s website here: http://www.p3m.jp/
And follow their Twitter: @P3movie

Source – Persona 3 The Movie Website

Countdown to Aldnoah.Zero 2nd Season: Day 4

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January 6, 2015

With just 4 days away from launch, original character designer Takako Shimura (Aldnoah.Zero) is building up the hype for the Aldnoah.Zero 2nd Season by sketching countdown pictures each day until debut.

Today’s sketch:

Here are the previous countdown sketches:

If this doesn’t get you hyped for the second season, here’s one of the trailers that was streamed earlier:

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.

Source: Takako Shimura’s Tumblr

Yuri Kuma Arashi’s Opening Animation Proves It May Be Anime of the Year

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http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2e2mex_yuri-kuma-arashi-op_music

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January 6, 2015

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The Winter 2014/2015 anime season has just started and already we may have a contender for anime of the year. Disregarding the snark, the first episode of Kunihiko Ikuhara’s upcoming original Yuri Kuma Arashi (Yuri Bear Storm) anime has already aired and the Opening animation for the series is really something. With a nice soothing music theme (Ano Mori de Matteru by Bonjour Suzuki) and somewhat enticing visuals, it really showcases the Yuri of Yuri Kuma Arashi. The series stars Miho Arakawa (Sumireko Hanabusa in Akuma no Riddle) as Ginko Yurishiro, Yoshiko Ikuta (Yukina Sonogi in Senkou no Night Raid) as Lulu Yurigasaki, and Nozomi Yamane (First major role) as Kureha Tsubaki. The series is produced by Silver Link (Kokoro Connect, Non Non Biyori).

Yuri Kuma Arashi is currently airing on Tuesdays on Tokyo MX at 12:30am JST, the next episode airs on the 13th.

The latest visual for Yuri Kuma Arashi:

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

Hunter X Hunter 5th? One Piece 3rd? The 25 Most Anticipated Manga Endings

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January 6, 2015

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Japanese media website, Goo, asked their manga reader users: What manga title is the one you cannot wait to see the end of? With a total of 500 responses and 250 of them being males and 250 being females, here are the results:

25. Haguregumo

24. Bio Booster Armor Guyver

23. Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin

22. From Eroica with Love

21. Minami no Teiou

20. Shura no Mon

19. Crest of the Royal Family

18. Akuma no Hanayome

17/16. Bastard!!

17/16. Akagi

15. Bleach

14. Berserk

13/12. Kachou Kousaku Shima

13/12. Kinnikuman

11. Vagabond

10/9. Nana

10/9. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure

8. Hajime no Ippo

7/6. Oishinbo A La Carte

7/6. Golgo 13

5. Hunter X Hunter

4. Glass Mask

3. One Piece

2, 1. Detective Conan

2, 1. Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kouen-mae Hashutsujo (Kochikame)

Is the manga title you cannot wait to see the end of on the list? Which manga titles would you have added to the list? Let us know in the comments section below!

Source: Goo

Scarlett Johansson to Star in Live Action Ghost in the Shell Film

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January 6, 2015

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Movie news website Variety have revealed that Scarlett Johansson, the star of Lucy and Black Widow in Marvel’s Cinematic Universe, will be starring in DreamWorks’ upcoming live action Ghost in the Shell film. Additional members of the movie’s staff were also revealed.

The site has also revealed that Avi Arad (The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Ghost Rider) and Steven Paul (Ghost Rider, Baby Geniuses) will be producing the film. Rupert Sanders, known for directing the 2012 Universal Pictures film Snow White and the Huntsman, will direct the film with William Wheeler (The Reluctant Fundamentalist) who will write the film’s script.

DreamWorks acquired the rights to produce the live action film adaptation of Ghost in the Shell in 2008, in conjunction with legendary director Steven Spielberg. Since then, news about the film has been scarce, with changes to the writer. It was initially announced that Jamie Moss (Street Kings) was to write the film’s screenplay but was then replaced by Laeta Kalogridis (Shutter Island) in late 2009.

Ghost in the Shell started off as a manga in 1989. Written and drawn by Masamune Shirow, the manga was published by Kodansha and ran for 8 years for a total of separate 3 volumes. The manga received high praise, and was eventually adapted into an animated film in 1995 by Production I.G. The film was directed by Mamoru Oshii and also received very high praise. An original second film was released in 2004. An anime TV series was also created. Titled Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, the series aired from 2002 to 2003. A second season followed in 2004, and an animated film subtitled Solid State Society aired in 2006. The anime also received film, manga and light novel adaptations. Production I.G. have also unveiled an OVA series called Ghost in the Shell ARISE in 2013. A new anime film was announced late last year. The Ghost in the Shell franchise has indeed inspired many audiences, including the directors and writers of The Matrix.

Here is a synopsis of the original film from Haruhichan:

In the year 2029, the barriers of our world have been broken down by the net and by cybernetics, but this brings new vulnerability to humans in the form of brain-hacking. When a highly-wanted hacker known as ‘The Puppetmaster’ begins involving them in politics, Section 9, a group of cybernetically enhanced cops, are called in to investigate and stop the Puppetmaster. The pursuit will call into question what makes a human and what is the Puppetmaster in a world where the distinction between human and machine is increasingly blurry.

DreamWorks’ live action Ghost in the Shell is still currently in pre-production with more cast and staff members being revealed throughout the year. More information about the film will be revealed soon.

Source – Variety

Maximum the Hormone’s Song about Freeza to Be Featured in Dragon Ball Z 2015 Movie

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January 6, 2015

Yesterday it was confirmed that four-member Japanese rock band Maximum the Hormone’s 2008 song titled F will be featured in a battle scene of the upcoming anime film Dragon Ball Z Movie 15: Fukkatsu no F. The song was first released on July, 2008, the single peaked #2 at the Oricon and was the 44th bestselling single of 2008. The single went Gold in Japan, selling more than 100,000 copies on Japan and 150,000 copies worldwide. The song F is about the Dragon Ball character Freeza.

Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball, stated that he was listening to the song when he named the nineteenth movie in the series, Dragon Ball Z: Fukkatsu no F. He had met the band personally through a friend and one of the members admitted that they had been singing the song about Freeza.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgFlQq3jfWU

Dragon Ball Z Movie 15: Fukkatsu no F will be releasing in Japanese theatres on April 18th 2015. The film itself will also be shown in traditional 2D and in 3D, the first time the franchise will be in 3D.

Here is the first trailer that released:

The latest visual for the movie was earlier released:

Past Visuals:

Dragon Ball is an acclaimed manga created by Akira Toriyama that was first published in 1984. The first anime adaptation of the manga, Dragon Ball, first aired in 1986 and was produced by Toei Animation. The series ended in 1989, in which the second half of the manga was then adapted with a new name: Dragon Ball Z. The anime and manga series were insanely popular in Japan, with the manga itself selling over 156 million copies to date, being the second highest selling manga of all time. The anime was soon picked up by Funimation Entertainment in 1995 to distribute in North America, where they made their own dub for the anime. Since then, a slew of merchandise, films, manga, games and card games, began releasing worldwide to capitalise on the franchise’s popularity till this day, over 30 years since the manga was first published.

Dragon Ball Z Movie 15: Fukkatsu no F synopsis from Haruhichan:

An Earth where peace has arrived. However, remnants of Frieza’s army Sorbet and Tagoma (from the Japanese word for ‘egg’) arrive on the planet. Their goal is to revive Frieza with the dragon balls. Their dastardly wish is granted, the “F” that plans its revenge against the Saiyans is revived…!

Source: Crunchyroll

Akatsuki no Yona Second Cour Visual Revealed

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January 6, 2015

With the second cour starting today with the 13th episode, the official website for the ongoing TV anime adaptation of Mizuho Kusanagi’s shoujo manga Akatsuki no Yona (Yona of the Dawn) has been updated with the third key visual. The third key visual features the seven main characters including the four dragons who support Yona’s adventure to save the Kingdom of Kouka.

Second visual:

First visual:

Akatsuki no Yona is a Japanese manga series by Mizuho Kusanagi, serialized in Hakusensha’s shoujo manga magazine Hana to Yume from August 2009. It has been collected in fourteen tankōbon volumes as of July 2014. An anime television series adaptation by Pierrot began airing October 7, 2014, featuring voice cast from the drama CD adaptation, along with new cast members.

Akatsuki no Yona synopsis from Haruhichan:

Upon her sixteenth birthday, the cheerful Princess Yona intended to tell her doting father of her love for Soo-won, but her life was turned upside down after witnessing the man she loves cruelly assassinating her father. Heartbroken by this painful betrayal, Princess Yona fled the palace with her loyal servant Hak. Now, she will take up the sword and the bow on a quest to gain new allies and protect her beloved people.

Source: Akatsuki no Yona official website, Crunchyroll

Gun Gale Online Kirito Figma Hits the Markets

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January 6, 2015

Kirito can be pre-ordered now.

Following up on the Figma version of Sinon that we recently covered, Kirito also gets a Figma of his Gun Gale Online avatar. He comes with three expressions, his Photon Sword also known as the Kagemitsu G4, a hand gun, extra head parts, and various effects.

This Figma is sculpted by Shinji Koshinuma and Manufactured by Max Factory. Kirito is priced at $60 and can be pre-ordered here.

Sword Art Online II – Kirito GGO ver. Figma Action Figure – Pre-order item scheduled for release in June of 2015, pre-order on on JList.

OO-Kun Cosplays as Gon, Natsu and More in These Cute Parodies

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January 6, 2015

AnimaxAsia have a lovable yet cute mascot named OO-Kun who likes to parody popular anime series in order to help promote them. In his most recent video he takes on the role of Hunter x Hunter‘s Gon Freecss.

In the past he has even parodied Fairy Tail‘s Natsu Dragneel to use a fire breath attack to cook food but failed.

He hasn’t given up yet, he multiplied himself and tried to form a band just like the Light Music Club from K-ON! but it turned out to be a rock band…

I guess after all that hard work, he needs a good rest but somehow managed to swallow a parasite like Migi from Hitoshi Iwaaki’s Parasyte.

Nitroplus Blasters: Heroines Infinite Duel Character Moves Previewed

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January 6, 2015

On December 28th and 29th, fans had the chance to play the upcoming new two-dimensional fighting game Nitroplus Blasters: Heroines Infinite Duel by Nitroplus and Examu for only 100 yen. In addition, Dengeki Online have also posted the move sets for initial playable characters in video form online and they include:

Ein from Phantom: Phantom of the Inferno

Mora from Kyuuketsu Senki Vjedogonia

Al-Azif from Zanma Taisei Demonbane

and finally Saya from Saya no Uta

A promotional video was released earlier which introduces the fighters:

The game will be using a point-character-and-assists system, just like Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax. The game is being developed by Examu, who are responsible for the Arcana Heart and Aquapazza games.

So far the characters that have been revealed are:

Playable characters:

Saber (Fate/Stay Night)
Super Sonico (SoniAni)
Ein (Phantom: Phantom of the Inferno)
Mora (Kyuuketsu Senki Vjedogonia)
Sansei/Third-Generation Muramasa (Full Metal Daemon: Muramasa)
Saya (Saya no Uta)
Al-Azif (Zanma Taisei Demonbane)
Ruili (Kikokugai The Cyber Slayer)

Support Characters:

Supika Sumaga (Star Mine Girl)
Natsumi Aihara (Hello, World)
Dragon (Dra Koi)
Another Blood (Kishin Hishou Demonbane)
Ishima Kaigen (Hanachirasu)
Franco Nero It (Zoku Satsuriku No. Django: Jigoku no Shoukinkubi)
Miyuki Sone (Kimi to Kanojo to Kanojo no Koi)
Anri (Tenshi no Nichou Kenjuu Angelos Armas)
Sakura (Axanael)
Carol (Guilty Crown Lost Christmas)

Some screenshots of the game were also revealed:

Nitroplus Blasters: Heroine Infinite Duel will launch in Japanese arcades sometime in 2015. No console version has been confirmed yet.

Source: Crunchyroll, Dengeki Online

Winter 2015 Anime Hashtags

By

Hanase

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January 6, 2015

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New year, new anime season, new shows! The Winter 2015 anime are already here! Of course, we like to share our thoughts about some shows we are going to pick-up this season. To help explore more information from the official anime staff and to the fans around the world, an anime hashtag could be a useful resource. Also, if you would not want to get spoiled from a certain show, muting a hashtag is a piece of cake. (To know how to mute a hashtag, click here.)

Here is a list of the official anime hashtags I’ve compiled from long-running shows, Fall leftovers and this Winter 2015 season (in alphabetical order; some of these shows doesn’t have an official hashtag, an official account or vice versa):

Long-running Shows (Before Fall 2014):

Aikatsu! / #aikatsu / #アイカツ / @aikatsu_anime
Cardfight!! Vanguard G / #cfvanguard / @cfvanguard_PR
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Crystal / #SailorMoon / #SailorMoonCrystal / @sailormoon_20th / @Osabu8
Choubakuretsu Ijigen Menko Battle: Gigant Shooter Tsukasa / #gigant_s / #ギガント / @gigantshooter
Danchi Tomoo / NO OFFICIAL HASHTAG
Detective Conan / NO OFFICIAL HASHTAG
Diamond no Ace / #ダイヤのA / @diaace_anime
Dragon Ball Kai (2014) / NO OFFICIAL HASHTAG
Dragon Collection / #oreca_dracolle
Fairy Tail (2014) / #フェアリーテイル / @fairytail_PR
Future Card Buddyfight / #buddyfight / @buddyfight
Furusato Saisei: Nippon no Mukashi Banashi (Folktales from Japan) / NO OFFICIAL HASHTAG
GO-GO Tamagotchi! / #たまごっち / @TMGC_net
HappinessCharge Precure! / #precure
Hero Bank / #ヒーローバンク / @HEROBANK_CH
Himitsukessha Taka no Tsume EX / #鷹の爪 / @yoshida_justice
KutsuDaru. / #くつだる / #イマドキ妖怪Ｃｈ / @imadokiyoukaich
Lady Jewelpet / #jewelpet / @jewelpet_anime
Majin Bone / #マジンボーン / @majinbone_anime
Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers / #dw_avengers | @DCD_SOUL_ROYALE
Naruto: Shippuuden / NO OFFICIAL HASHTAG
Neko no Dayan / #ダヤン / #猫のダヤン / #猫 / @teamdayan
Neko Pitcher / #猫ピッチャー / @nekokenta2013
One Piece / NO OFFICIAL HASHTAG / @OPcom_info
Oreca Battle / #oreca_dracolle
Pokemon XY / #anipoke / @pokemon_cojp
PriPara / #pripara / @pripara_PR
Youkai Watch / #youkai_watch / #妖怪ウォッチ
Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V / NO OFFICIAL HASHTAG

Fall 2014 Leftovers:

Akatsuki no Yona / #暁のヨナ / @yona_anime
Bonjour♪ Koiaji Pâtisserie / #bonkoi / @bonkoi_pj
Cross Ange: Tenshi to Ryuu no Rondo / #クロスアンジュ / @anime_crossange
Fuusen Inu Tinny / @TinnyBalloon
Ganbare! Lulu Lolo 2nd Season / #lululolo / #ルルロロ / @lululolo_anime
Garo: Honoo no Kokuin / #anime_garo / @anime_garo
Gundam Build Fighters Try / #g_bf / @buildfighters
Gundam: G no Reconguista / #gレコ / @gundam_reco
Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu / #kiseiju_anime / @kiseiju_anime
Log Horizon Season 2 / #loghorizon / @nhk_loghorizon
Magic Kaito 1412 / #kaito1412 / @animeMAGICKAITO
Nanatsu no Taizai / #七つの大罪 / @7_taizai
Sanzoku no Musume Ronja / NO OFFICIAL HASHTAG
Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso / #kimiuso / @shigatsuhakimi
SHIROBAKO / #musani / @shirobako_anime
Tribe Cool Crew / #トラクル / #tribecoolcrew / @tribecoolcrew
World Trigger / #ワールドトリガー / @Anime_W_Trigger
Yowamushi Pedal: Grande Road / #yp_anime / @yowapeda_anime

Winter 2015 Shows:

Absolute Duo / #abso_duo / @abso_official
Aldnoah.Zero 2nd Season / #aldnoahzero / @aldnoahzero
Ansatsu Kyoushitsu (TV) / #暗殺教室 / @ansatsu_anime
Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu Love! / #boueibu / @boueibu
Death Parade / #dp_anime / @dp_anime
Doamaiger D / NO OFFICIAL HASHTAG
Dog Days 3 / #dogdays / @dogdays_anime
Durarara!!x2 Shou / #drrr_anime / @drrr_anime
Isuca / #ISUCA / @isuca_official
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders 2nd Season / #jojo_anime / #ジョジョ / @anime_jojo
Junketsu no Maria / #maria_anime / @JunketsuMariaTV
Juuou Mujin no Fafnir / #fafnir_a / @fafnir_anime
Kamisama Hajimemashita◎ / #mikagesha / @mikagesha
Kantai Collection: KanColle / #艦これ / @anime_KanColle
Ketsuekigata-kun! 2 / #血液型くん / @ketsuekigatakun
Koufuku Graffiti / #koufukug / @koufuku_g
Kuroko no Basket 3rd Season / #kurobas / @kurobasanime
Military! / #みりたり / @anime_militari
Minna Atsumare! Falcom Gakuen SC / #faigaku / @faigaku_anime
Pankis! 2-jigen / #ぱんきす / @pan_kis
Q Transformers: Kaette Kita Convoy no Nazo / #TT_TF / @TF_pr
Rolling☆Girls / #rollinggirls / @therollinggirls
Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata / #saekano / @saenai_heroine
Seiken Tsukai no World Break / #ワルブレ_A / @warubureanime
Sengoku Musou / #アニメ戦国無双 / @sengoku_musou
Shinmai Maou no Testament / #shinmaimaou / @shinmaimaou
Shounen Hollywood: Holly Stage for 50 / #shohari / #ぜんハリ / @shohari_anime
Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – Exodus / #fafner / @fafnerproject
Tantei Kageki Milky Holmes TD / #milkyholmes / @milkyholmes
The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls / #imas_cg / @imas_anime
Tokyo Ghoul √A / #tkg_anime / #東京喰種 / @tkg_anime
Yoru no Yatterman / #夜ヤッター / @yoru_yatterman
Yuri Kuma Arashi / #yurikuma / @yurikuma_anime

Several shows don’t have an official hashtag, it is preferable to create your own hashtag pertaining to the anime that you are going to talk about. It is much better if you simply use the title of the show without adding symbols. (E.g.: For Naruto: Shippuuden, you can just use #narutoshippuuden).

That’s almost 80 shows for this season! Which of these shows are you planning to watch?

Second Arslan Senki Commercial Streamed

By

Kaelasage

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January 5, 2015