Working!! 3rd Season Slated for July 2015

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December 22, 2014

Screenshots of the upcoming One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 video game that’s making its way outside of Japan and in North America and Europe for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita and Steam release on March 26, 2015, have been previewed.

Here are the first screenshots of the game which have been previewed:

In addition, a set of images that was released which show off the character models of the game’s main characters:

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 first promotional video that was revealed during the Jump Festa 2015 event:

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 first promotional video:

The game will follow the original story of One Piece and start from Romance Dawn Arc where the story of One Piece first starts from and will follow the Straw Hat Pirates to the Dressrosa Arc, which is about a kingdom called Dressrosa within the New World, and one of the Twenty Kingdoms of the World Government where it is dominated by the evil Donquixote Doflamingo, known as the “Heavenly Demon”.

It has also been revealed that new characters including Sabo, Doflamingo Donquixote, Fujitora, and many more will make their way into the game.

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 is an upcoming One Piece video game set to be released for the Sony PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita and for the PC on Steam. The game was announced in Shonen Jump magazine as a sequel to One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2, with Namco Bandai and Tecmo Koei teaming up once again to publish it along with developer Omega Force, a subsidiary of Tecmo Koei.

Source: One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 official website

Dragon Ball Xenoverse Jump Festa 2015 Trailer Previews Custom Character

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December 22, 2014

At Jump Festa 2015, a brand new trailer has been released for Dragon Ball Xenoverse. This new video introduces the premise of the upcoming game with the ability to create your own character and time travelling to key points in the Dragon Ball story to save the Z Warriors. The game itself will be developed by Dimps, who produced the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai series for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable, and Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit for the PlayStation 3. The game will feature a full 3D fighting and destructible environments similar to recent titles in the franchise. The game involves time travel where a bunch of demons, named Mira and Towa (from Dragon Ball Online), have affected the timeline of the series.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse will be coming out on the Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 on February 5th in Japan, the 15th in Europe and 17th in North America. The game will then release on Steam on February 17th.

A bunch of screenshots of the game were released, and here is the game’s main visual:

You can visit the game’s Japanese website here: http://dbx.bngames.net/
The game’s International website here: http://www.dragonball-videogames.com/
And follow Bandai Namco Games: @BandaiNamcoUS, @BandaiNamcoUK

One Piece: Episode of Chopper 2014 Edition Second Commercial Streamed

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December 22, 2014

The second commercial for the 2014 edition of the 2008 film One Piece: Episode of Chopper (One Piece: Episode of Chopper Plus – Fuyu ni Saku, Kiseki no Sakura) was streamed between One Piece episode 675’s time-slot on Sunday.

The first commercial was streamed during One Piece episode 674’s time-slot:

Here’s a synopsis of the One Piece: Episode of Chopper from MAL:

The movie is a retelling of the Drum Island arc with new music and animation. Vivi has been removed from the plot while both Nico Robin and Franky, who joined the crew after the Drum Island arc, have been added. The movie also has the Straw Hat’s new ship, the Thousand Sunny. It has been stated that Oda will be creating a new character for this movie, Wapol’s older brother, Mushul, who also appears to be a Devil Fruit user.

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 reachOne Piece.

Source: ChibiJFZ

First Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 Trailer Streamed

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December 22, 2014

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The first trailer for Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 has been released at the Jump Festa 2015 event. This new trailer previews the first footage of the game and two of the most anticipated fights throughout the franchise; Naruto vs Sasuke, and Hashirama vs Madara. The trailer also reveals that there will gameplay sections and characters from the recent film Naruto Shippuuden Movie 7 “The Last”. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 will be the fifth game in the Ultimate Ninja Storm series and will be a direct sequel to Ultimate Ninja Storm 3. The game will once again be developed by CyberConnect2 and published by Bandai Namco Games. You can see the first screenshots and boxart for the game here.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 will be released on the PlayStation 4, on PC via Steam, and on the Xbox One in European regions and North America in 2015. The game will be releasing exclusively on the PlayStation 4 in Japan next year.

Here is the main visual for the game:

You can visit the game’s official website here: http://www.naruto-videogames.com/
Visit the Japaneese website here: http://naruto-game.bngames.net/
Follow the Japanese Twitter of the game: @Narutogame_Info
And follow Bandai Namco Games: @BandaiNamcoUS, @BandaiNamcoUK

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 Coming to PS4, PS3, PS Vita and Steam Summer 2015

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December 22, 2014

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During the Jump Festa 2015 event on Sunday, it was revealed with a trailer that the One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 video game is making its way outside of Japan in North America and Europe for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita and Steam release on March 26, 2015.

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 first promotional video:

The game will follow the original story of One Piece and start from Romance Dawn Arc where the story of One Piece first starts from and will follow the Straw Hat Pirates to the Dressrosa Arc, which is about a kingdom called Dressrosa within the New World, and one of the Twenty Kingdoms of the World Government where it is dominated by the evil Donquixote Doflamingo, known as the “Heavenly Demon”.

It has also been revealed that new characters including Sabo, Doflamingo Donquixote, Fujitora, and many more will make their way into the game.

Here is a synopsis of the game from Namco Bandai:

The journey of Luffy, from the origins to the face to face with the Heavenly Demon!
More action, more characters, stronger enemies and an improved gameplay in the latest collaboration between TOEI ANIMATION, KOEI TECMO GAMES and BANDAI NAMCO GAMES!

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 is an upcoming One Piece video game set to be released for the Sony PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita and for the PC on Steam. The game was announced in Shonen Jump magazine as a sequel to One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2, with Namco Bandai and Tecmo Koei teaming up once again to publish it along with developer Omega Force, a subsidiary of Tecmo Koei.

Source: One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 official website

NewType – January 2015 Anime Popularity Ranking

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December 22, 2014

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Today’s ranking comes from the January 2015 issue of the popular Japanese magazine, NewType; we’ve taken the time to translate the whole article for your enjoyment. Earlier this week we did a write-up on this issue, giving an in-depth look into the magazine itself as well as the posters that come with it: you can read that here.

Before we go to the listings here is the image scan of the January 2015 Anime Popularity Ranking from the latest NewType Magazine:

Males Rankings:
1. Kirito (Sword Art Online II)
2. Archer (Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (TV))
3. Emiya Shirou (Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (TV))
4. Bellri Zenam (Gundam: G no Reconguista)
5. Kanie Seiya (Amagi Brilliant Park)
6. Meliodas (Nanatsu no Taizai)
7. Kasuga Arata (Trinity Seven)
8. Kokkuri-san (Gugure! Kokkuri-san)
9. Producer (The iDOLM@STER)
10. Kazami Yuuji (Grisaia no Kajitsu)

Females Rankings:
1. Saber (Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (TV))
2. Sento Isuzu (Amagi Brilliant Park)
3. Asuna (Sword Art Online II)
4. Angelise Ikaruga Misurugi (Cross Ange: Tenshi to Ryuu no Rondo)
5. Sinon (Sword Art Online II)
6. Asami Lilith (Trinity Seven)
7. Azuma Tokaku (Akuma no Riddle)
8. Aida Surugan (Gundam: G no Reconguista)
9. Tohsaka Rin (Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (TV))
10. Gou Matsuoka (Free!)

Series Ranking:
1. Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (TV)
2. Sword Art Online
3. Gundam: G no Reconguista
4. Amagi Brilliant Park
5. Cross Ange: Tenshi to Ryuu no Rondo
6. Psycho-Pass 2
7. Free!: Eternal Summer
8. Akuma no Riddle
9. Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso
10. Hitsugi no Chaika: Avenging Battle

Top 10 series streamed:
1. Yowamushi Pedal
2. Youkai Watch
3. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun
4. Hataraku Maou-sama!
5. Sword Art Online
6. Shingeki no Kyojin
7. Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (TV)
8. Psycho-Pass 2
9. Sword Art Online II
10. Gundam: G no Reconguista

Top 10 Blu-ray Disc sales:
1. Love Live! School Idol Project 2nd Season volume 5
2. Hanamonogatari Episode 2
3. Frozen MovieNEX
4. THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS -ANIMATION FIRST SET-
5. Sword Art Online II Volume 1
6. Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka? Volume 5
7. Mouretsu Pirates: Abyss of Hyperspace
8. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders Volume 1
9. Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A’s Blu-ray Box
10. Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun Volume 2

Top 10 record count (People recording it on their TV):
1. Psycho-Pass 2: Those Who Cast Stones (episode 6)
2. Nanatsu no Taizai: Ballad of the Beginning (episode 6)
3. Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso: Gray Skies (episode 5)
4. Gundam: G no Reconguista: The Mask Corps’s Fierce Assault (episode 7)
5. Inou-Battle wa Nichijou-kei no Naka de: Sensitive Age (Chuuni) (episode 5)
6. Amagi Brilliant Park: Not Enough Pool Safety! (episode 7)
7. Parasyte: The Sun Also Rises (episode 6)
8. Trinity Seven: Dream World and Sub-Administer (episode 5)
9. Yowamushi Pedal: Grande Road: The Three Kilometers to the Pharmacy (episode 5)
10. Yuuki Yuuna wa Yuusha de Aru: Shining Hearts (episode 4)

Translations were done by Swaps4 and fgghjjkll from Haruhichan.

Sword Art Online II seems to be claiming two spots in the top 5 like always, but it’s nice to see Saber from Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works (TV) dominating this month. Isuzu Sento from Amagi Brilliant Park has also climbed higher for a nice spot for herself, while Kira Yamato seems to have dropped out of the top 10 for the first time in years! Kirito is still claiming the #1 spot after all this time. Archer and Emiya Shirou have switched rankings this month while Kanie Seiya has made it into the top 5.

What are your thoughts on this month’s rankings? What would you personally change? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

2015 Naruto Film Title Revealed: Naruto Shippuuden Movie 8 – Boruto

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December 22, 2014

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The official website for the upcoming 2015 Naruto film has launched and unveiled the film’s title: Naruto Shippuuden Movie 8 – Boruto. The film will be set after the events of the manga and will follow the titular character of Naruto Uzumaki’s son, Boruto (Bolt).

The film was announced at the premiere screening of the newest Naruto film, Naruto Shippuuden Movie 7 “The Last”, where Masashi Kishimoto was present and answered questions. Kishimoto will be chief production supervisor for the upcoming 2015 film. He stated:

Even though the manga ended, I haven’t taken a break. I am currently thinking about a story between Bolt and Sarada. Sasuke and Sakura will be in it, too. I am also thinking about Bolt’s lethal technique.

Kishimoto will continue to work on the franchise until at least Summer 2015 before moving on to other works. Junko Takeuchi, the voice actress of Naruto Uzumaki stated:

“I can’t possibly guess what’s it about. But I’ll enjoy it.

The film’s website also contains some panels from the final chapter of the manga, which introduces Boruto for the first time.

The film will feature a new cast of characters that were revealed in the final 700th chapter of the original manga. Bolt is the son of Hinata Hyuga and the 7th Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki. They also have a daughter named Himawari. Sarada Uchiha is Sasuke and Sakura’s daughter. There will also be a mini series manga releasing next Spring, following Naruto’s children and the new generation of Shinobi.

There has been no confirmation whether Kishimoto will be writing or illustrating the miniseries, tentatively called Naruto. Additionally, a series of light novels from Akira Higashiyama, the scriptwriter of Naruto Shippuuden: Blood Prison, will be produced next year as well. The first light novel will be focusing on Kakashi Hatake. The novels will be published by Shueisha’s Jump j Books imprint. The new projects are part of the Naruto Shin Jidai Kaimaku Project (Naruto’s New Era Opening Project) and includes Naruto Shippuuden Movie 7 “The Last” , which just launched in Japan, and a Naruto Exhibition that will open in Japan early next year.

Naruto is an original manga series created by Masashi Kishimoto. The manga began in 1999 in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, where to date a total of 69 volumes have released. Since its debut the manga has sold over 130 million copies in Japan alone. The series has also received two TV anime series adaptation, covering the manga’s two parts: Naruto and Naruto Shippuden in 2002 and 2007 respectively. Both series were produced by Studio Pierrot. Additionally, a total of 9 anime films have released to date and numerous OVAs and specials. A light novel spin-off was produced by Masatoshi Kusakabe and released in 2002, and a manga spinoff, titled Rock Lee no Seishun Full-Power Ninden, began publishing in 2010 from Kenji Taira and was adapted into an anime in 2012. Today, the franchise is one of Japan’s most renowned and one of the most popular anime/manga series outside of Japan.

Here is a synopsis of the original series from Haruhichan:

Naruto Uzumaki, a hyperactive and knuckle-headed ninja, lives in Konohagakure, the Hidden Leaf village. Moments prior to his birth, a huge demon known as the Kyuubi, the Nine-tailed Fox, attacked Konohagakure and wreaked havoc. In order to put an end to the Kyuubi’s rampage, the leader of the village, the 4th Hokage, sacrificed his life and sealed the monstrous beast inside the newborn Naruto.

Shunned because of the presence of the Kyuubi inside him, Naruto struggles to find his place in the village. He strives to become the Hokage of Konohagakure, and he meets many friends and foes along the way.

Naruto Shippuuden Movie 8 – Boruto will be releasing in Japanese theatres in August next year. Further information about the film will be released in the leading months to the movie’s release.

Visit the film’s website here: http://www.boruto-movie.com/
And follow their Twitter: @naruto_movie

Source – Naruto Shippuuden Movie 8 – Boruto Website

Sui Ishida Reveals Tokyo Ghoul 2nd Season Will Be 12 Episodes Long

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December 21, 2014

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There was a report two weeks ago that mentions that the second season of the anime adaptation of Sui Ishida’s Tokyo Ghoul will be 24 episodes long. Ishida has recently went on Twitter and revealed to fans that Tokyo Ghoul √A will actually be 12 episodes long, debunking the leak.

@Unknownbutcool あ、sorry、シーズン２は12エピソードだ（I misunderstood that you talk about total episode…!）

— 石田スイ (@sotonami) December 20, 2014

The upcoming second season will be based on a new original story written by Ishida, rather than adapting the remainder of his original manga. The series will once again be animated by Studio Pierrot (Naruto Shippuden, Bleach) and the majority of the cast and staff will return to reprise their roles. The second season itself will be airing from January 8 next year on Tokyo MX, before airing on TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVQ, Dlife and ATX-1 in the subsequent days. There will also be an advanced screening session of the first episode on January 4 at the Toho Cinemas in Nihonbashi. More information about ticket purchases will be revealed soon.

Additionally, the first promotional video for the upcoming series was earlier released:

And the first commercial was also released online:

Tokyo Ghoul is a manga series by Sui Ishida. It was serialized in Shueisha’s seinen manga magazine Weekly Young Jump between September 2011 and September 2014 and has been collected in thirteen tankobon volumes as of August 2014. A prequel titled Tokyo Ghoul: JACK is running online on Jump Live and a 12-episode anime television series adaptation by studio Pierrot aired on Tokyo MX between July and September 2014. A second season has been announced.

Tokyo Ghoul synopsis from Haruhichan:

The suspense horror/dark fantasy story is set in Tokyo, which is haunted by mysterious “ghouls” who are devouring humans. People are gripped by the fear of these ghouls whose identities are masked in mystery. An ordinary college student named Kaneki encounters Rize, a girl who is an avid reader like him, at the café he frequents. Little does he realize that his fate will change overnight.

Tokyo Ghoul √A will be airing from January 8 next year during the Winter 2014/2015 anime season on Tokyo MX for a total of 12 episodes. An advanced screening of the first episode will be held at the Toho Cinemas in Nihonbashi on January 4. More information will follow soon.

You can visit the anime’s official website here: http://www.maql.co.jp/special/tokyoghoul/
And follow the Tokyo Ghoul anime on Twitter: @tkg_anime

Source – Sui Ishida Twitter

To LOVE-Ru Darkness 2nd Season Revealed at Jump Festa 2015

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December 21, 2014

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During the To Love-Ru -Trouble- Darkness Super Stage event at Jump Festa 2015 on Sunday, they revealed that To LOVE-Ru Darkness will receive a second season titled To Love-Ru: Trouble – Darkness 2nd. A visual for the second season which features Konjiki no Yami was also revealed:

The original main cast and staff from the first season will return for the season season.

The returning cast include:

Aki Toyosaki (Seitenshi from Black Bullet) as Momo Belia Deviluke
Misato Fukuen (Mahmu Yuzuki from M3: Sono Kuroki Hagane) as Golden Darkness
Yuka Iguchi (Tsukihi Araragi from Bakemonogatari) as Mea Kurosaki
Akeno Watanabe (Rin Okumura from Ao no Exorcist) as Rito Yuuki
Haruka Tomatsu (Asuna Yuuki from Sword Art Online) as Lala Satalin Deviluke
Sayuri Yahagi (Kodama Himegami from Maken-Ki!) as Haruna Sairenji
Kanae Itou (Sena Kashiwazaki from Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai) as Nana Astar Deviluke
Kana Hanazawa (Kanade Tachibana from Angel Beats!) as Mikan Yūki
Kaori Nazuka (Tsukasa Ayatsuji from Amagami SS) as Yui Kotegawa
Ryoka Yuzuki (Shizuka Hiratsuka from Oregairu) as Risa Momioka & Celine
Satomi Arai (Kuroko Shirai from Toaru Kagaku no Railgun) as Peke
Mamiko Noto (Kotomi Ichinose from Clannad) as Oshizu
Rina Hidaka (Enju Aihara from Black Bullet) as Mea’s Master

The returning staff include:

Director: Atsushi Ootsuki (Ladies versus Butlers!)
Character Design: Yuichi Oka (Shirogane no Ishi: Argevollen)
Sound Director: Jin Aketagawa (High School DxD)
Sound Production: Magic Capsule (Nagi no Asukara)
Music: Takeshi Watanabe (To Love-Ru)
Animation Production: Xebec (Haiyore! Nyaruko-san)
Production: To Love-Ru Darkness 2nd Production Committee

To Love-Ru is a Japanese manga series written by Saki Hasemi and illustrated by Kentaro Yabuki, creator of Black Cat. The manga was serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine between April 24, 2006 and August 31, 2009, and the chapters collected into 18 tankōbon volumes. The manga series’ title, とらぶる (Toraburu?), is the English gairaigo (loan word) “trouble” and “rabu” (ラブ?) is the English loan word “love”. The title is a pun on the words “love trouble”, which describes the harem aspect of the series.

A drama CD was released in February 2008 with an original story. A 26-episode anime series adaptation by Xebec aired in Japan between April and September 2008. Six original video animation episodes were produced by Xebec between April 2009 and April 2010. A 12-episode second season by Xebec titled Motto To-Love Ru aired between October and December 2010. A video game was released on the Nintendo DS in August 2008, and another game for the PlayStation Portable was released in October 2008, with a PlayStation Vita game announced in Japan for May 2014.

A continuation of the manga called To Love-Ru Darkness began serialization in Shueisha’s Jump Square magazine on October 4, 2010. Xebec produced four OVA episodes of To-Love Ru Darkness and later an anime TV series adaptation that aired between October and December 2012. A second season of To-Love Ru Darkness, called To Love-Ru Darkness 2nd, has been green-lit.

To LOVE-Ru Darkness synopsis from Haruhichan:

As close encounters of the twisted kind between the residents of the planet Develuke (represented primarily by the female members of the royal family) and the inhabitants of Earth (represented mainly by one very exhausted Rito Yuki) continue to escalate, the situation spirals even further out of control. When junior princesses Nana and Momo transferred into Earth School where big sister LaLa can (theoretically) keep an eye on them, things SHOULD be smooth sailing. But when Momo decides she’d like to “supplement” Rito’s relationship with LaLa with a little “sisterly love,” you know LaLa’s not going to waste any time splitting harems. Unfortunately, it’s just about that point that Yami, the Golden Darkness, enters the scene with all the subtleness of a supernova, along with an army of possessed high school students! All of which is certain to make Rito’s life suck more than a black hole at the family picnic. Unless, of course, a certain semi-demonic princess can apply a little of her Develukean Whoop Ass to exactly that portion of certain other heavenly bodies!

Source: To LOVE-Ru official website, Anime! Anime!

Naruto Shippuden New Chapter Visual Revealed at Jump Festa

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December 21, 2014

Today at Studio Pierrot’s booth during the Jump Festa 2015 event, a new key visual was revealed for the upcoming new chapter of the Naruto Shippuden TV anime, titled “Naruto no Senaka -Nakama no Kiseki-” (Naruto’s Back -The Tracks of the Pals-). The new chapter is scheduled to start in January 2015.

Naruto is an original manga series created by Masashi Kishimoto. The manga began in 1999 in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, where to date a total of 69 volumes have released. Since its debut the manga has sold over 130 million copies in Japan alone. The series has also received two TV anime series adaptation, covering the manga’s two parts: Naruto and Naruto Shippuden in 2002 and 2007 respectively. Both series were produced by Studio Pierrot. Additionally, a total of 9 anime films have released to date and numerous OVAs and specials. A light novel spin-off was produced by Masatoshi Kusakabe and released in 2002, and a manga spinoff, titled Rock Lee no Seishun Full-Power Ninden, began publishing in 2010 from Kenji Taira and was adapted into an anime in 2012. Today, the franchise is one of Japan’s most renowned and one of the most popular anime/manga series outside of Japan.

Here is a synopsis of the original series from MAL:

Naruto Uzumaki, a hyperactive and knuckle-headed ninja, lives in Konohagakure, the Hidden Leaf village. Moments prior to his birth, a huge demon known as the Kyuubi, the Nine-tailed Fox, attacked Konohagakure and wreaked havoc. In order to put an end to the Kyuubi’s rampage, the leader of the village, the 4th Hokage, sacrificed his life and sealed the monstrous beast inside the newborn Naruto.

Shunned because of the presence of the Kyuubi inside him, Naruto struggles to find his place in the village. He strives to become the Hokage of Konohagakure, and he meets many friends and foes along the way.

Source: Crunchyroll, Naruto Movie Twitter

Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio: Ars Nova Movie Opening Theme Song and Ending Theme Song PVs Streamed

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December 21, 2014

The official website for the upcoming first Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio: Ars Nova (Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Ars Nova) movie has posted full PVs for the opening and ending theme.

The opening theme will be Trident’s latest song titled Blue Snow. Trident is group formed of 3 voice actresses who also have roles in the anime series Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio: Ars Nova: Mai Fuchigami voices Iona, Manami Numakura voices Takao, and Hibiku Yamamura voices Haruna.

Trident’s new song Blue Snow will be included in the unit’s new 7-song mini album of the same name, which will be available in Japan on January 28, 2015. It has also been announced that the unit will hold their first solo concert at Maihama Amphi Theater in Chiba Prefecture on March 22. The advance entry ticket for it will be bundled with the first press limited edition of the mini album. And more, 1/2 scale Kirikuma’s dolls Trident edition will be released at the price of 10,000 yen (about US$86). Pre-orders for the dolls will be accepted at the anime’s booth in the upcoming Winter Comiket on December 28-30.

Meanwhile, nano provides the ending theme song titled Rock on. The song will be included in her 3rd album of the same name to be released on January 28.

The video was shot in Gunkanjima (means battleship island), deserted islands in Nagasaki Prefecture. It was recently used for the 2012 James Bond film Skyfall, the PV for B’z’s 47th single MY LONELY TOWN, and the upcoming live-action adaptation films based on Hajime Isayama’s Attack on Titan manga.

nano’s third album Rock on will have 3 different CD jackets:

“10,000-limited NA ver.” CD jacket

“10,000-limited NO ver.”

and finally, a Regular edition

The first Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio: Ars Nova Movie Promotional Video was also revealed last October:

Visual:

Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio: Ars Nova is a Sci-Fi manga from Ark Performance. The series debuted in 2009 in Shonen Gahosha Young King Ours magazine. To date a total of 8 volumes have been compiled and released. The series received an anime adaptation in October last year. It was produced by SANZIGEN (Miss Monochrome: The Animation, Black Rock Shooter) with Seiji Kishi (Persona 4 The Animation, Angel Beats!) being the director. Makoto Uezu (School Days, Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?) handled the series composition and Masato Kouda (Mahou Sensou) was the anime’s Music composer.

Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio: Ars Nova synopsis from Haruhichan:

By 2039, global warming had caused sea levels to rise and large amount of territory to be lost. As though in response, a mysterious group of warships clad in mist, “the Fleet of Mist,” appeared in every corner of the ocean, and began attacking human ships. In spite of humanity mustering all their strength, they were utterly defeated by the Mist’s overwhelming force. All of humanity’s trade routes were blockaded by the Fleet of Mist, their political economy was destroyed, and the human race was steadily beaten down. Seven years later, the Fleet of Mist’s submarine I-401 appears before cadet Gunzo Chihaya. The humanoid life form that pilots the sub, who should be their enemy, is instead offering her services to mankind.

Source: Crunchy roll, Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio: Ars Nova official website

Shokugeki no Souma TV Anime Slated for Spring 2015

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December 21, 2014

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At the Shokugeki no Souma stage panel at Jump Festa 2015, it was revealed that the upcoming anime adaptation of Yuuto Tsukuda and Shun Saeki’s Shokugeki no Souma (Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma) manga will be airing from April next year. Additionally, more cast members of the anime and a new promotional video were also revealed.

Additional members of the anime’s cast were also revealed at the stage panel. The newly announced cast members of the anime and their respective characters are as follows:

Natsuki Hanae (Inaho Kaizuka in Aldnoah.Zero) will voice the role of Takumi Aldini

Yuuki Ono (Taiga Kagami from Kuroko’s Basketball) will join the cast as Isami Aldini

Takahiro Sakurai (Shougo Makishima in Psycho-Pass) is going to voice Satoshi Isshiki

Saori Oonishi (La Folia Rihavein in Strike the Blood) will voice Hisako Arato

The main cast of the anime were earlier revealed and includes:

Matsuoka Yoshitsugu (Kirito in Sword Art Online) voicing as Souma Yukihira

Risa Taneda (Mirai Kuriyama in Kyoukai no Kanata) will voice Erina Nakiri

Minami Takahashi (Mew from Pri Para) as Megumi Tadokoro

Shizuka Ishigami (Namu Mayu from Kenzen Robo Daimidaler) as Ikumi Mito

The second promotional video for the Shokugeki no Souma anime was also revealed, which introduces the newly announced characters:

The first staff members of the production crew that will be producing the anime have also been revealed and are as follows:

Director: Yonetani Yoshitomo (Tiger & Bunny Movie 1: The Beginning, Hoshi no Umi no Amuri)
Series Composer: Shogo Yasukawa (Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!?, Terra Formars)
Anime Character Designer: Tomoyuki Shitaya (Kiss×sis, Bakuman)
Art Director: Jin Aketagawa (Aldnoah.Zero, AnoHana)
Music Composer: Tatsuya Katou (Mirai Nikki, Free!)
Animation Studio: J.C. Staff (Toradora!, Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo)

Here is the first promotional video for the anime that was earlier released:

Shokugeki no Souma (Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma) is a comedy, ecchi cooking manga written by Yuuto Tsukuda, illustrated by Shun Saeki with Chef Yuki Mirosaki adding recipes to the manga. The series began serialization in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in late 2012 and to date has a total of 9 compiled volumes released, with the 10th volume releasing in Japan on November 4th. A light novel adaptation of the manga began in February this year in Shueisha’s Jump j-Books, written by Michiko Itou and illustrated by Saeki himself. The manga itself has sold over 2 million copies to date.

Here is a synopsis of the series from MAL:

Yukihira Souma’s dream is to become a full-time chef in his father’s restaurant and surpass his father’s culinary skill. But just as Yukihira graduates from middle schools his father, Yukihira Jouichirou, closes down the restaurant to cook in Europe. Although downtrodden, Souma’s fighting spirit is rekindled by a challenge from Jouichirou which is to survive in an elite culinary school where only 10% of the students graduate. Can Souma survive?

The Shokugeki no Souma anime will be airing from April next year during the Spring 2015 anime season. More information about the anime will be revealed at Jump Festa 2015 on December 21st, where series creator Yuuto Tsukuda will be in attendance.

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

Source – Shokugeki no Souma Anime Website

First Haikyuu!! 2 Visual Revealed

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December 21, 2014

The official website for the upcoming second season of the anime adaptation Haruichi Furudate’s Haikyuu!! has posted the first visual online.

Haikyuu!! 2 was announced in the Latest issue of Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump.

Haikyuu!! is a volleyball sports manga written and illustrated by Haruichi Furudate. The Haikyuu!! debuted as a one shot manga that was released in Winter 2011 in Shueisha’s Shonen Jump Next! magazine and another one shot in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. After that the manga became a weekly series in the same magazine where to date a total of 13 compiled volumes have been released, with the 14th volume releasing on the 27th. A crossover chapter with Naoshi Komi’s Nisekoi manga was produced in July last year. An anime adaptation of Haikyuu!! was produced this August in the Summer 2014 anime season that ran for a total of 26 episodes. The series was directed by Susumu Mitsunaka (Cuticle Tantei Inaba) and produced by Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell, Kuroko’s Basketball).

Here is a synopsis from Haruhichan:

A chance event triggered Shouyou Hinata’s love for volleyball. His club had no members, but somehow persevered and finally made it into its very first and final regular match of middle school, where it was steamrolled by Tobio Kageyama, a superstar player known as “King of the Court.” Vowing revenge, Hinata applied to the Karasuno High School volleyball club… only to come face-to-face with his hated rival, Kageyama!

A tale of hot-blooded youth and volleyball from the pen of Haruichi Furudate!!

Source: Haikyuu official website

New Gintama Series Slated for April 2015

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December 21, 2014

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The official TV Tokyo website has revealed that Gintama will receive a new series and is slated to air from April next year. More information will be revealed at a later date.

Earlier this year a Gintama: Jump Festa 2014 Special was also announced along with the Gintama Blu-Ray box sets.

Gintama, is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Hideaki Sorachi and serialized, beginning on December 8, 2003, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump. Set in Edo which has been conquered by aliens named Amanto, the plot follows life from the point of view of samurai Gintoki Sakata, who works as a freelancer alongside his friends Shinpachi Shimura and Kagura in order to pay the monthly rent. Sorachi added the science fiction setting to develop characters to his liking after his editor suggested doing a historical series.

The series has been adapted into an original video animation (OVA) by Sunrise and was featured at Jump Festa 2006 Anime Tour in 2005. This was followed by a full anime series titled Gintama that premiered in 2006 and continued until 2010. After a small hiatus, Gintama returned under the name Gintama (2011) and aired until March 26, 2012 with a total of 51 episodes. After another small hiatus, Gintama returned under the name Gintama’ Enchousen with a total of 13 episodes which aired from October 4, 2012 to March 28th, 2013. It also inspired two movies, Gintama: Shinyaku Benizakura-hen and Gintama: Kanketsu-hen – Yorozuya yo Eien Nare. Weekly Shonen Jump’s 33rd issue had teased that the manga is celebrating over a decade of serialization with “OOO” (an unrevealed term that can be spelled with three Japanese syllables).

Gintama synopsis from Haruhichan:

Life isn’t easy in feudal Japan… especially since the aliens landed and conquered everything! Oh sure, the new health care is great, but the public ban on the use of swords has left a lot of defeated samurai with a difficult decision to make concerning their future career paths! This is especially true if, as in the case of Gintoki Sakata, they’re not particularly inclined towards holding a day job, which is why Gintoki’s opted for the freelance route, taking any job that’s offered to him as long as the financial remuneration sounds right. Unfortunately, in a brave new world filled with stray bug-eyed monsters, upwardly mobile Yakuza and overly ambitious E.T. entrepreneurs, those jobs usually don’t pay as well as they should for the pain, suffering and indignities endured!

Source: yaraon, TV Tokyo website

Kuroko no Basket Characters Visit the Hot Springs

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December 21, 2014

Earlier this month Oedo Onsen Monogatari Hot Springs held an event which featured various main cast of the Naruto: Shippuuden Movie 7 – The Last. Today, all of the Kuroko no Basket characters have visited the hot springs and have been previewed:

Source: ooedoonsen.jp

Mushishi Zoku Shou Gets Summer 2015 Anime Film

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December 21, 2014

The final episode of the second season of the Mushishi Zoku Shou anime has finished airing and the final scene of the episode has announced that a sequel film will be releasing during the Summer 2015 anime season.

The new anime film will be titled Mushishi Zoku Shou: Suzu no Shizuku and will be aired next Summer as an anime special. It will be adapting the final arc of Yuki Urushibara’s Mushishi manga.

Mushishi is a manga series from Yuki Urushibara. The manga ran from 1999 till 2008 in Kodansha Afternoon Seasons Zokan and Monthly Afternoon magazines. A total of 10 compiled volumes have been released. The series first received an anime adaptation in 2005 from Artland (Katekyo Hitman Reborn!, Legend of the Galactic Heroes) that ran for 26 episodes. An interquel anime film was released earlier this year, as well as a sequel series that aired this spring titled Mushishi Zoku Shou, and ran for 10 episodes. Artland and director Hiroshi Nagahama (Aku no Hana, Detroit Metal City) returned to produce both projects. The series also received a live action film adaptation in 2007.

Here is a synopsis of Mushishi Zoku Shou from Haruhichan:

They existed long before anyone can remember. They are simple and strange in nature, not resembling any other plant or animal in this world. In ancient times, people revered these bizarre creatures and called them “Mushi.”

People once again began to believe in the existence of these “Mushi” when they began affecting their lives in inexplicable ways.

The one who connects the world of “Mushi” to the world of humans — they were called the “Mushi-shi.”

All life exists not to hinder others in this world.
They are simply there to live as they were meant to.

Mushishi Zoku Shou: Suzu no Shizuku will be airing as an anime special sometime in the Summer 2015 anime season. Further information about the film will release in the near future.

You can visit the anime’s website: http://www.mushishi-anime.com/
And follow their Twitter: @mushishi_anime

Source – Mushishi Anime Website, Otakomu

Nisekoi Second Season Slated for April 2015

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December 21, 2014

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The official Nisekoi anime twitter account has released the air date for the recently announced second season. The second season is slated to air from April next year.

It has also been revealed that Ayane Sakura (Yozora Mikazuki from Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai) will be voicing Haru Onodera who is the younger sister of Kosaki Onodera. A new visual for Haru Onodera was also revealed:

Visual:

Nisekoi is a manga series that originally started off as a one shot from Naoshi Komi that released in January 2011. Komi then released the manga as a full series later on in the year, when it appeared in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump. Since 2011, 12 volumes have been released for the romantic comedy. Additionally a voiced comic has also been published and a light novel series. Viz Manga has also picked up the series late 2013 for English localisation, announcing that the chapters would be translated and released in Viz’s Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha. A anime adaptation of the manga aired from January this year and ended in May. The anime is produced by studio Shaft (Bakemonogatari, Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica).

Nisekoi synopsis from Haruhichan:

“Raku Ichijou is an average high school student. He also happens to be the sole heir to the head of a Yakuza Family called the Shuei-gumi. Ten years ago, Raku made a promise… a secret promise with a girl he met. They promised one another that they will “get married when they reunite.” Since then, Raku never let go of the pendant the girl gave him.

Then one day, a beautiful girl named Chitoge Kirisaki transfers into Raku’s class. Their chemistry was more than off. There was not a moment where they were not fighting. But by a weird turn of events, Raku and Chitoge agree to become fake lovers. Although his heart is really interested in his classmate Kosaki Onodera, Raku must continue pretending to be Chitoge’s boyfriend.”

Source: Nisekoi Twitter Account

Kuroko no Basket 3rd Season Ending Theme Song PV by Fo’xTails

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December 21, 2014

The official website for Fo’xTails have posted the full version promotional video for their major debut single from Lantis, Glitter Days. The song will be featured as the ending theme song for the upcoming third season of Kuroko no Basket TV anime.

Fo’xTails are a five-member band who formed in November 2013 and has released two indie mini-albums which were available only at their concert venues. Their 1st major single will be released in Japan on February 4, 2015.

Kuroko no Basket 3rd Season will be premiering from January 10th next year. The first commercial was streamed earlier this month which gives us a sneak peak of the opening theme song Punky Funky Love by GRANRODEO:

Visual:

Kuroko no Basket, known in Japan as Kuroko no Basuke, is a Japanese sports manga series written and illustrated by Tadatoshi Fujimaki. The rendering The Basketball Which Kuroko Plays also appears in the artwork of the Japanese version. It has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since December 2008; the individual chapters are being published in tankobon volumes by Shueisha, with the first released on April 3, 2009, and the 29th volume released as of October 2014. The series concluded on September 1, 2014, however a sequel to the manga will appear in Jump Next starting on December 2014.

Kuroko no Basket synopsis from Haruhichan.

The Teiko Middle School Basketball Team. The class that produced three perfect seasons in a row, with five once-in-a generation players, called “The Generation of Miracles”. There was another player who all of them respected… A legendary 6th player. An up-and-coming power player, Taiga Kagami, is just back from America. When he comes to Seirin High School, he meets the super-ordinary boy, Tetsuya Kuroko. Kagami is shocked to find that Kuroko isn’t good at basketball, in fact, he’s bad! And he’s so plain that he’s impossible to see. But Kuroko’s plainness lets him pass the ball around without the other team noticing him, and he’s none other than the sixth member of the Miracle Generation. Kuroko makes a pact with Kagami to defeat the other members of the Miracle Generation, who have all played basketball at other schools. A battle of light (Kagami) and shadow (Kuroko) begins!

Source: Fo’xTails official website, Crunchyroll

Owari no Seraph Split into Two Cours, English Subtitled Trailer and More Cast Revealed

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