Kaitou Joker Anime Receives a Second Season Slated for April 2015

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December 28, 2014

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The official website of the upcoming TV anime adaptation of Fujino Oomori and Suzuhito Yasuda’s Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru no Darou ka? (Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?) light novel series has revealed that the anime will be airing from April 2015. The cast, production staff, character designs, a new visual and the first promotional video were also revealed.

The anime’s website has revealed the main cast members and the character designs of the anime. The main cast are as follows:

Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Kirito from Sword Art Online) voices the lead character Bell Cranel

Inori Minase (Chino Kafuu in Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka?) voicing as Hestia

Saori Oonishi (La Folia Rihavein in Strike the Blood) will voice Ais Warenstein

Maaya Uchida (Rikka Takanashi from Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!) will be voicing Liliruca Ahde

Haruka Tomatsu (Asuna in Sword Art Online) voices Eina Tulle

Shizuka Ishigami (Ellis Fahrengart in Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance) is voicing Syr Flover

The staff that will be producing the anime were also revealed and includes:

Director: Yoshiki Yamakawa (Little Busters!, Kill Me Baby)
Series Composer: Hideki Shirane (Date A Live, Hayate no Gotoku!)
Anime Character Designer: Shigeki Kimoto (Sky Girls Sub Character Designer, Toaru Majutsu no Index Animation Director)
Animation Studio: J.C. Staff (Toradora!, Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo)

The first promotional video for the DanMachi anime was released at Comiket 87, which introduces the series’ world and main characters.

Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru no Darou ka? (Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?) is a light novel series written by Fujino Oomori and illustrated by Suzuhito Yasuda. The series began in 2013 under SB Creative’s GA Bunko light novel imprint. To date a total of 5 compiled volumes have been published and have collectively sold over 500,000 copies in Japan. A total of three manga adaptations have been released based on the series.

Here is a synopsis of the series:

The story takes place in the town of labyrinths, Orario, also called “Dungeon.” Vel Clanel is a newbie adventurer that admires “Having a fateful meeting with a person of the opposite gender.” One day during an adventure, he is attacked by a Minotaur. Close to destruction, he is saved by a top-class female adventurer, Eyes Warenstein. He falls in love with her at first sight, and begins actions to become an adventurer that is on her level. He later encounters Hestia, a god called a “Lolita god” due to her stature who falls in love with him.

The Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru no Darou ka? anime adaptation will be airing from next April during the Spring 2015 anime season. Further information about the series will be revealed soon.

You can visit the anime’s website here: http://danmachi.com/
And follow their Twitter: @danmachi_anime

Source – Anime News Network, DanMachi Anime Website, Yaraon

Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works (TV) 2nd Cour Promotional Video

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December 28, 2014

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A promotional video for the second cour of Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (TV) was streamed during episode 12’s time-slot on Japanese television channel BS11 on Sunday. Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (TV) 2nd Season will air next April, during the Spring 2015 anime season.

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

Anime visuals:

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!

Shirobako 2nd Cour Visual Revealed

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December 28, 2014

The official website for P.A. Works’ original anime Shirobako has revealed a new visual for the second cour.

Past visual:

Shirobako is an anime television series produced by P.A. Works and directed by Tsutomu Mizushima. It premiered in Japan on October 9, 2014. A manga adaptation also began serialization in ASCII Media Works’s Dengeki Daioh magazine in September 2014.

The title Shirobako refers to videos that are distributed to the production staff members prior to its release. These videos were at a time distributed as VHS tapes enclosed in white boxes and are still referred to as “white boxes” (thus the meaning of shirobako) despite the fact that the white enclosures are no longer in use.

Shirobako sysnopsis from Haruhichan:

Aoi will never forget how she felt the day her high school animation club’s labor of love was shown at the cultural festival. The sense of awe and the feeling of accomplishment that came with completing their very first project are exactly what encouraged Aoi and her club mates to enter the animation industry in the first place. But two years later Aoi has graduated, and now that she works as a production assistant for a big-name animation studio, the daunting reality of her job has somewhat diminished her enthusiasm. Despite the long hours and the punishing schedule, Aoi still hopes to fulfill the promise she and her club friends Ema, Shizuka, Misa, and Midori made: to one day reunite and make a real animated feature of their own as professionals!

Source: Shirobako official website

Second Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – Exodus Commercial Streamed

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December 28, 2014

The official website for the upcoming Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – Exodus anime began streaming the second TV commercial which is scheduled to air from January 2015 during the Winter 2014/2015 anime season.

The opening theme song Exist by angela was also previewed on a radio broadcast.

Visual:

The Fafner series began in 2004 as an original animation titled Soukyuu no Fafner (Fafner in the Azure). The series was produced by studio Xebec with Nobuyoshi Habara (Break Blade) directing Since its debut in 2004, a light novel adaptation and a video game adaptation were created. Additionally, the mechs from the series were featured in the crossover games Super Robot Wars. The series also received a sequel film titled Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – Heaven and Earth in 2010 and a prequel OVA in 2005.

Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – Exodus synopsis from Haruhichan:

Sequel to Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor, set two years after Heaven and Earth.

Source: Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – Exodus Official website

Aldnoah.Zero 2nd Season Promotional Video Streamed

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December 28, 2014

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The official website began streaming the first promotional video for the upcoming second season of Aldnoah.Zero on Sunday. The first promotional video gives us a preview of the opening theme song &Z by SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]:mizuki.

Aldnoah.Zero 2nd Season will return in January and air during the Winter 2014/2015 anime season.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2dian9

Two commercials were also subtitled and streamed by Aniplex earlier:

A new visual was also revealed on the website:

Past 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.

Source: Aldnoah.Zero Website

Sound! Euphonium PV, Staff, Character Designs and Key Visual Revealed

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December 28, 2014

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The official website for the anime adaptation of Ayano Takeda’s music genre novel series Sound! Euphonium has launched. In addition, character designs have been revealed, the first key visual has been previewed as well as the promotional video which was earlier revealed at the Comiket 87 event on Sunday. The anime is slated to air next April.

The promotional video also reveals the staff:

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)

Character designs were also previewed on the website:

Oumae Kumiko
Katou Hazuki
Kawashima Sapphire
Kousaka Reina

The first anime visual was also revealed:

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.

Source: Sound! Euphonium official website, moca-news

Kantai Collection Opening Theme Song Music Video by AKINO

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December 28, 2014

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Flying Dogs’ official YouTube account have posted the full music video for AKINO’s latest song, Miiro. The new single is scheduled to go on sale next February 18th. The song will be featured as the opening theme song for the upcoming TV anime of the popular online, card browser game Kantai Collection.

Anime visual:

Kantai Collection is an anime adaptation of the popular online, card browser game Kantai Collection. The game launched in April last year and currently has more than 1.7 million players. The game centers around naval card battles, where naval ships are represented by “Fleet Girls”. The battles are automated for the most part, where the main meat of the game being the strategy, card collecting and grinding. The game is very popular, with a slew of merchandising being released after the game’s release; from table top games to manga, and light novels to this anime adaptation. A PlayStation Vita title is currently in production.

Kantai Collection anime synopsis from Haruhichan:

TV adaptation of the online browser card battle game.

The Kantai Collection: Kan Colle anime will be airing from January 7 next year on Tokyo MX at 25:05 (effectively January 8 1:05am) during the Winter 2014/2015 anime season.

Sound! Euphonium to Be Animated by Kyoto Animation? Staff, PV and Air Date Revealed

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December 28, 2014

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During the Comiket 87 doujinshi mega-event on Sunday, a promotional video was revealed which reveals the staff and air date for the upcoming music genre TV anime Sound! Euphonium by Ayano Takeda. Sound! Euphonium is slated to air next April.

In addition to this, the domain name anime-eupho.com was registered on the 18th of December and the IP address it’s hosted on (133.242.3.144) resolves to Kyoto Animation’s official website. If you try to access the IP through this port (133.242.3.144:80), you get forwarded to kyotoanimation.co.jp.

Here are some pictures of the promotional video which was played at Comiket 87:

The promotional video also reveals the staff:

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)

Visual:

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.

Source: yaraon, yusaani, kagayakiru

New Juuou Mujin no Fafnir TV Anime Visual, Cast & Commercial Released

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December 28, 2014

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The official website for the 2015 anime adaptation of Tsukasa and Riko Korie’s Juuou Mujin no Fafnir (Unlimited Fafnir) light novel series has revealed a brand new visual, additional members of the cast, their characters’ designs and a new commercial. The site also reveals that the anime will be airing from January 8 next year.

The main cast of the upcoming anime has been revealed. The character designs were also revealed for the main characters, and in conjunction with their cast it includes:

Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Kirito in Sword Art Online) as Yuu Mononobe

Rina Hidaka (Airi Kashii from Ro-Kyu-Bu!) voicing as Iris Freyja

Manami Numakura (Aoi Sakurai in Rail Wars!) voices Mitsuki Mononobe

Hisako Kanemoto (Ami Mizuno/Sailor Mercury in Sailor Moon Crystal) will be voicing Lisa Highwalker

Kana Hanazawa (Mayuri Shiina in Steins;Gate) is voicing Firill Crest

Sora Tokui (Nico Yazawa from Love Live! School Idol Project) as Ariella Lu

Fumiko Uchimura (Haruki Sagae from Akuma no Riddle) will voice Ren Miyazawa

Ayane Sakura ((Natsumi Koshigaya from Non Non Biyori) will play the role of Tear Lightning

The staff of the anime has:

Chief Director: Keizou Kusakawa (Ro-Kyu-Bu! SS, Mondaiji tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru soudesuyo?)
Director: Jun Takahashi (Azumanga Daioh and Battle Spirits Brave Episode Director)
Series Composer: Yuki Enatsu (Saint October, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Screenplay Writer)
Anime Character Design: Shouko Yasuda (Attack on Titan and Kill la Kill Key Animator)
Sound Director: Satoki Iida (Angel Beats!, Sakura Trick)
Animation Studio: Diomedea (Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sou Desu yo?, Shinryaku! Ika Musume)

The main theme songs for the Juuou Mujin no Fafnir were also revealed. The Opening will be FLYING FAFNIR by TRUSTRICK and then Ending song will be Ray of bullet, performed by Rina Hidaka and Manami Numakura in character.

In addition, the first commercial has been released for the anime, which introduces the premise of the series and previews the OP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VNiqy-58A0

Juuou Mujin no Fafnir (Unlimited Fafnir) is a light novel series written by Tsukasa and illustrated by Riko Korie. The series began in July 2013 and is published by Kodansha. To date has a total of 6 compiled volumes released. A manga adaptation of the series also launched last year in Kodansha’s Good! Afternoon magazine.

Here is a synopsis of the series from Haruhichan:

With the sudden appearance of the monsters that came to be called Dragons, the world had completely changed. Before long, within the human ace supernatural girls with the power of the dragons, called “D,” were born. The secret existence of the only male “D,” the boy Mononobe Yuu, was forcefully thrown into the school where the girls of “D” gathered—Midgar, where he saw the naked body of one of the students, Iris. Furthermore, meeting his long-lost sister Mitsuki, Yuu seems to have been enrolled into this school…?! “When there’s really no other choice, Iris, I will—kill you.” “Can I really… believe you?” The curtains open as the “one and only story” about the boy who was supposed to become the strongest assassin and the incompetent girl unfolds—! Unlimited School Battle Action!

The Juuou Mujin no Fafnir anime will be broadcasting from January 8 on TBS at 26:31 JST (effectively January 9 2:31am JST), during the Winter 2014/2015 anime season.

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

Source – Juuou Mujin no Fafnir Anime Website

Sailor Moon Crystal Black Moon Arc Trailer Previews Chibiusa and Sailor Pluto

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December 27, 2014

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The official YouTube channel for the Sailor Moon franchise have released the trailer for the upcoming Black Moon arc of the ongoing Sailor Moon Crystal anime on Saturday. Misato Fukuen (Konjiki no Yami from To LOVE-Ru Darkness) will voice Chibi Usa/Sailor Chibi Moon, and Ai Maeda (Yura Keikain from Nurarihyon no Mago) will voice Setsuna Meioh/Sailor Pluto.

The Black Moon arc of Sailor Moon Crystal will be airing in January next year, during the Winter 2014/2015 anime season. An advanced screening of the first episode of the arc was held at an event on December 27.

Visual:

The arc itself will air in the next season, during the Winter 2014/2015 anime season from January. The visual itself also showcases a new character that will appear in the arc, Sailor Chibi Moon. The Black Moon arc of the original manga was previously animated in the 1993 anime Sailor Moon R.

Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Crystal is a new Sailor Moon anime for the 20th anniversary of Sailor Moon produced by Toei Animation.

Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Crystal synopsis from Haruhichan:

New Sailor Moon anime commemorating the 20th anniversary of Sailor Moon.

Usagi Tsukino is a second-year middle school girl who is a little clumsy and a crybaby, but she is full of energy. One day, she meets Luna, a black cat with a crescent moon on her forehead, and she transforms into Sailor Moon, a sailor-uniformed pretty guardian of love and justice! As a chosen guardian of justice, Usagi seems to have a mission to find the Illusionary Silver Crystal with the other guardians and to protect the princess.

Meanwhile, the queen of the Dark Kingdom, Queen Beryl, also sends minions to the town where Usagi lives to obtain the Illusionary Silver Crystal, which has immense power. This causes strange events to unfold…

Can Sailor Moon really find the Illusionary Silver Crystal with the other Sailor guardians, and protect the princess…?!

You can visit the anime’s official website: http://sailormoon-official.com/animation/
You can also follow their Twitter: @sailormoon_20th

Source: ANN

Second Third Dog Days 3 Promotional Video Streamed

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December 27, 2014

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The official website of the anime adaptation of Masaki Tsuzuki’s manga Dog Days 3 has been updated with the second promotional video. Nana Mizuki is performing the opening theme song titled No Limit. While Yui Horie returns again to perform the ending theme titled Stay With Me.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2dhe2d

The first promotional video was revealed back in August:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x23qpgu_dogdays-%E7%AC%AC3%E6%9C%9F-%E3%83%86%E3%82%A3%E3%82%B6%E3%83%BC%E5%91%8A%E7%9F%A5

In addition, the cast was revealed:

Mamoru Miyano (Light Yagami from Death Note) as Shinku Izumi
Yui Horie (Tsubasa Hanekawa from Bakemonogatari) as Millhiore F. Biscotti
Nana Mizuki (Fate Testarossa from Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha) as Ricotta Elmar
Ami Koshimizu (Makoto Kino from Sailor Moon Crystal) as Leonmitchelli Galette Des Rois
Mikako Takahashi (Sakura Mizukami from D-Frag!) as Rebecca Anderson
Aoi Yuuki (Madoka Kaname from Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica) as Kuberu E. Pastillage
Ayana Taketatsu (Kotori Itsuka from Date A Live) as Eclair Martinozzi
Sumire Uesak (Momoka from Cross Ange) as Sharu

The staff were revealed earlier and is as follows:

Original Series Creator: Masaki Tsuzuki
Director: Junji Nishimura (Glasslip, True Tears, Violinist of Hamelin)
Assistant Director: Kikuchi Katsuya (Mushibugyou)
Character Design: Osamu Sakata
Chief Animation Director: Tomoyuki Kitamura (Amagami SS+, Chrome Shelled Regios, Servant x Service), Makoto Iino (Campione!, Mushibugyou, Shinryaku!? Ika Musume)
Animation Production: Seven Arcs Pictures (Inukami!, Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha, Sekirei)

Visual:

Dog Days is an original anime series created and written by Masaki Tsuzuki, known for creating the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha manga. The series first began in 2011 for a total of 13 episodes. The anime was produced by Seven Arcs and directed by Keizo Kusakawa (Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A’s, Campione!). A second season of the anime, titled Dog Days’, was produced in the following year by the same producers, though it was directed by Junji Nishimura instead. The series also inspired a light novel and manga adaptation in 2011.

Dog Days synopsis from Haruhichan:

Republic of Biscotti faces a predicament by the invasion of Galette Leo Knights. In order to save the country, Princess Milchore summons a “hero” from the outer world. Cinque, a junior high school boy living on the Earth, is chosen as the hero.

Source: Dog Days Official Website

Final Evangelion Film Slated for Late 2015

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December 27, 2014

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It has been revealed in the latest issue of Bungeishunjuu’s Weekly Bunshun magazine that Japanese pop singer Hikaru Utada is planning to perform the main theme for the final film in the Rebuild serie, Evangelion 3.0 + 1.0. The article also mentions that the film is scheduled to released in Japan between Fall/Autumn and Winter 2015.

The article itself is about Utada and how she is currently taking steps to return to the music industry. The article refers to a source from a record company mentioning that she will be singing the main theme of the final Evangelion film, scheduled to release between Fall and Winter next year. The song itself would be the focus in her final album with Universal Music Japan. Though whether the song will appear in the film will be dependant on if Hideaki Anno decides the film will release during that time frame. Utada herself sung the Ending themes to all previous Evangelion films.

The film was originally announced in November 2012 with the title Shin Evangerion Gekijoban:|| with an expected release of 2013. The film’s Japanese titles are named after the Jo-Ha-Kyu classical movements, also known as the Introduction-Exposition-Climax, of traditional Japanese gagaku music and have a separate English international title. The anime’s official website also updated with the new logo, though the final film’s page still retains the original Japanese title.

The Rebuild of Evangelion series is a reboot film series of the original 1995 Neon Genesis Evangelion anime series. Hideaki Anno, the original director of Neon Genesis Evangelion, returns as the writer and general and chief director of the films. The films are produced by Studio Khara instead of Studio Gainax, who produced the original series, and directed by Mahiro Maeda (Gankutsuou) and Kazuya Tsurumaki (FLCL). The first film in the series is Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone and released in 2007, the second film titled Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance released in 2009 and the third film, Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo, released in 2012. The films released two years later internationally after the Japanese release on home media under Evangelion 1.11, Evangelion 2.22 and Evangelion 3.33 respectively.

Here is a synopsis of the original series from Haruhichan:

In the year 2015, the Angels, huge, tremendously powerful, alien war machines, appear in Tokyo for the second time. The only hope for Mankind’s survival lies in the Evangelion, a humanoid fighting machine developed by NERV, a special United Nations agency. Capable of withstanding anything the Angels can dish out, the Evangelion’s one drawback lies in the limited number of people able to pilot them. Only a handful of teenagers, all born fourteen years ago, nine months after the Angels first appeared, are able to interface with the Evangelion. One such teenager is Shinji Ikari, whose father heads the NERV team that developed and maintains the Evangelion. Thrust into a maelstrom of battle and events that he does not understand, Shinji is forced to plumb the depths of his own inner resources for the courage and strength to not only fight, but to survive, or risk losing everything.

Evangelion 3.0 + 1.0 is currently scheduled to release in either the Fall/Autumn or Winter 2015 anime seasons, with Hikaru Utada singing the main theme. No information about the film has been released so far. More information will release in the upcoming months.

Visit the Evangelion official website: http://www.evangelion.co.jp/

Source – Anime News Network, Minna no Eva Fan

Second Absolute Duo Promotional Video Streamed

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December 27, 2014

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The official website for the upcoming anime adaptation of Takumi Hiiragiboshi’s light novel series Absolute Duo has revealed the second promotional video. The video also gives us preview of the opening theme, Absolute Soul by Konomi Suzuki. The anime is slated to air from December 28 during the Winter 2015 anime season.

The first promotional video was revealed earlier:

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 as 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 as 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?!

Source: Absolute Duo Website

Third Death Parade Visual Revealed

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December 27, 2014

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The official twitter for Death Parade has revealed the third visual. The Death Parade anime will be airing from January 9 next year at 25:58 (effectively January 10, 1:58am) on NTV, followed by San TV and AT-X 1 in the following week, throughout the Winter 2014/2015 anime season.

This second video was also revealed earlier and introduces the setting of the anime and previews the type of life threatening games that would have to be played. The staff of Death Billiards will return to produce the series, including director, scriptwriter and creator Yuzuru Tachikawa (Arata-naru Sekai, Chi’s Sweet Home: Atarashii Ouchi Assistant Director) and animation studio Madhouse (No Game No Life, Hunter x Hunter2011). Death Parade will star Tomoaki Maeno (Naotsugu from Log Horizon) as Decim and Asami Seto (Chihaya Ayase inChihayafuru) as Onna.

Here is the first promotional video that released earlier:

Past visuals:

Visit the anime’s official website here: http://www.deathparade.jp/
And follow their Twitter: @dp_anime

More Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun Beach Special Images Previewed

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December 27, 2014

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More images for the Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun Special have been posted online. The fourth DVD / Blu-ray volume for the series was released on Christmas Eve and a beach episode was bundled with it and titled “It’s Summer! Beach Trip!”.

Meanwhile Amazon have listed the fifth DVD / Blu-ray volume for the Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun anime series which has revealed the fifth volume cover and other goodies. The fifth volume will cover episode 9-10. The bonuses which come with this volume are as follows: a special video known as a ‘mini OVA’, special CD drawn design, digital specification jacket, commercials, audio commentary by the main cast and four illustration cards.

Anime visual:

Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun (Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun) is an ongoing Japanese four-panel web romantic comedy manga written and illustrated by Izumi Tsubaki. Its chapters are serialized in Gangan Online, have been published in both physical and digital releases of Shoujo Romance Girly and tankoubon volumes by Square Enix. An anime television series adaptation by Dogakobo began airing in July 2014.

Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun synopsis from Haruhichan:

High school student Chiyo Sakura has a crush on schoolmate Umetarou Nozaki, but when she confesses her love to him, he mistakes her for a fan and gives her an autograph. When she says that she always wants to be with him, he invites her to his house and has her help on some drawings. Chiyo discovers that Nozaki is actually a renowned shoujo manga artist named Sakiko Yumeno. She then agrees to be his assistant in order to get closer to him. As they work on his manga, they encounter other schoolmates who assist them or serve as inspirations for characters in the stories.

Source: moca-news

Non Non Biyori Second Season First Visual Officially Released

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December 27, 2014

The full high quality version of the first visual for Non Non Biyori 2nd Season has been released. It was also revealed earlier that the second season’s title will be Non Non Biyori Repeat.

In addition a new visual was released as the official website’s background for the winter season:

Non Non Biyori is a comedy slice of life manga written and illustrated by Atto. The manga began in 2009 published in Media Factory’s Monthly Comic Alive magazine. To date there a total of 7 volumes have been produced, with the 8th volume scheduled to release on March 23rd next year. An anime adaptation of the series was made in October 2013. An anime adaptation of the series was produced in 2003 by Silver Link (Strike the Blood, Kokoro Connect) with Shinya Kawatsura (Kokoro Connect, .hack//Gift) directing. To date the manga has sold over 1 million copies in Japan.

Here is a synopsis of the anime from Haruhichan:

Elementary school student Hotaru Ichijou has moved with her parents from Tokyo to the middle of the country. Now she must adapt to her new school, where there are a total of 5 students in the same class who range through elementary and middle school ages. Join their everyday adventures in the countryside.

Non Non Biyori Repeat will be airing in 2015. Further information about the anime will be revealed in the upcoming months in Monthly Comic Alive.

Source: moca-news

Yowamushi Pedal: Grande Road 2nd Cour PV Streamed

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December 27, 2014

The second promotional video has been released for the second cour of Wataru Watanabe’s sports manga Yowamushi Pedal: Grande Road which will continue in January.

Visual:

Yowamushi Pedal is a manga series written and illustrated by Wataru Watanabe. The series launched in 2008 and is being published in Akita Shoten Weekly Shounen Champion magazine. To date, the manga has released a total of 34 volumes. An anime adaptation of the series began in October last year and is scheduled for 38 episodes, ending on June 30. The series was animated by TMS Entertainment (Detective Conan, D.Gray-man) and directed by Osamu Nabeshima (D.Gray-man, Hamtaro).

Yowamushi Pedal synopsis from Haruhichan:

Otaku Sakamichi Onoda has just entered high school and plans to join the anime club. In middle school, Onoda didn’t have any friends with whom he could talk about anime, games, Akihabara and other otaku things, and he is hoping he can make such friends in the anime club, but he finds out it’s been disbanded. In order to reestablish the club he tries to find 4 other people who would like to join.Since he was a little boy, Onoda has ridden his mamachari—a bulky bicycle with a step-through frame mainly used for short rides, such as for casual fun or to pick up groceries—to go to Akihabara every week to check out or buy otaku things. Fellow freshman Shunsuke Imaizumi and bicyclist, while training, notices a boy (Onoda) riding his mamchari up a steep road.

Freshman and road racing cyclist, Shokichi Naruko visits Akihabara to get some Gundam plastic models for his younger brothers and meets Onoda who catches his attention because of the his cycling skill on the mamachari and later find out they go to the same school. Later on, both Naruko and Imaizumi try to convince him to join the bicycle racing club, but will he?

P.A. Works Office Gets a Don-Don Donuts Makeover

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December 27, 2014

P.A Works have given their office a Don-Don Donuts makeover featuring various types of delicious carb-heavy pastries that the main protagonist of Shirobako are so fond of.

Meanwhile Shirobako‘s original character designer Ponkan 8 has drawn two Christmas themed illustrations:

Source: P.A. Works’ Twitter, Ponkan 8’s Twitter, Crunchyroll

First Angel Beats! Blu-ray Boxset Commercial Streamed

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