The official website for the TV anime adaptation of Nisio Isin and Vofan’s 13th light novel Tsukimonogataribegan streaming the opening theme on Saturday. The opening theme is performed by voice actress and singer Saori Hayami (Miyuki Shiba from Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei) as Yotsugi Ononoki from the series and is titled Orange Mint.
Tsukimonogatariwill be a 4 episode special that will air on December 31st on Tokyo MX, BS11, and Niconico, during the Winter 2014/2015 anime season.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2cz1o1
In addition to this, the second promotional video was recently released with English subtitles:
Tsukimonogatari is the 13th book in Ishin’s Monogatari light novel series and is the first novel in the third season story arc, following the end of the second season with Koimonogatari. The light novel itself was released in September 2012 and contains the Yotsugi Doll story.
The Monogatari series is a collection of light novels, created by Nisio Isin and illustrated by Vofan. The novels started in late 2005 and published under Kodansha’s Box imprint, where there has been a total of 16 volumes to date. The 17th volume will release on April 3rd, and the 18th and final volume releasing later this year. The light novels first received an anime adaptation titled Bakemonogatari, after the first volume, in 2009 from the animation studio Shaft (Nisekoi,Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica). Since then a total of 12 novels has been animated by the same studio. The most recent adaptation,Hanamonogatari, aired on August 16th. In addition, a drama CD, a PlayStation Portable game and many figures and figurines have been made based on the series. The final book of the Monogatari series,Zokuowarimonogatari, released on September 17th.
“Please!—Do it, and get it over with.” Slowly but surely, Koyomi Araragi, who “has been averting his eyes from reality”, has no choice but to face it. February comes, and the college entrance exam is approaching. What is this “change” that is happening to his body that cannot be overlooked? The “Monogatari” begins to sprint towards its conclusion. This is Oddity taking place in the modern world! In a story of youth, a word of farewell is inevitable.
Monster Hunter is no stranger to in-game inspired figurines. Berio (Barioth) Armor is the new addition to E2046’s totally radical Monster Hunter Gathering Collection. With this new addition, your typical cute female warrior is equipped from her head to her feet with the hides of this spooky Wyvern, making her look both cute and fierce.
Monster Hunter – Berio Armor – Pre-orders are currently available for the pre-painted version and the garage-kit version on E2046. This figurine is expected to be released Decemeber 22, 2014.
This brand new trailer for Final Fantasy XV from Jump Festa 2015 reveals a brand new character with a familiar name that you will you meet on your long car trip. The video also gives a glimpse into the open world mechanic and the towns you can visit throughout the game, and also contains both English and Japanese versions of the trailer. Final Fantasy XV set in a near future world based on modern Earth, with various countries and continents that have engaged in war over the crystals. Only one crystal remains and is located in Lucis. Players will be playing as Noctis Lucis Caelum, the prince of Lucis who has a strange mystical power. The game itself will deviate greatly from past Final Fantasy titles, with the game being a full Action Role Playing Game, created by Tetsuya Nomura, known for the Kingdom Hearts series.
Final Fantasy XV will be releasing on Sony’s PlayStation 4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One. No release date has been announced so far. The game’s first demo will be bundled with the release of Final Fantasy Type-0 HD.
According to the official anime website of Tesagure! Bukatsumono and on a special 10-page chapter (in-between chapter 65 and 66) of Ryuu Jikou, K dani L and Maruino’s Minarai Megami: Puru Purun Sharumu 4-koma manga, the short anime will receive a 30-minute time-slot on Nippon TV compared to its usual 10-minute episode air. The website also updated that will be titled as Tesagure! Bukatsumono Spin-off Purupurun Sharumu to Asobou. The third season will be a collaboration with the said manga. The sequel for the anime has been hinted on an event last September 2014 and it will premiere on January 2015.
Announcements from the website:
Minarai Megami: Puru Purun Sharumu‘s writer, K dani L has also announced the collaboration on his Twitter account:
The Goddess-in-Training from Minarai Megami: Puru Purun Sharumu:
Shiori Mikami as Rin Arisugawa
Rumi Ookubo as Kanon Izayoi
Mikako Komatsu as Hina Usami
Natsumi Takamori as Yui Enjoji
Sumire Uesaka as Tomomi Okonogi
The original Tesagure! Bukatsumono characters reprising their roles:
Asuka Nishi as Yua Suzuki
Satomi Akesaka as Hina Satō
Karin Ogino as Aoi Takahashi
Ayaka Ohashi as Koharu Tanaka
Reina Ueda as Mobuko Sonota
Anime Visual:
Tesagure! Bukatsumono is a 3DCG (3-dimensional computer generated) TV anime series that has two completed seasons. The series is animated using the CG freeware MikuMikuDance. It was produced by the Tesagure! Production Committee and was directed by Koutarou Ishidate (Minarai Diva, series composer for gdgd Fairies). The first season aired on October 5, 2013 – December 29, 2013. The second season aired on January 12, 2014 – March 29, 2014. Both seasons have 12 10-minute episodes. A manga illustrated by Kotora Suzune was published on Takeshobo’s Manga Life Win website on October 30, 2013. The manga ended on the same year, December 20, 2013.
Minarai Megami: Puru Purun Sharumu is a multimedia project and an ongoing 4-koma manga that was serialized in Kodansha’s Shonen Sirius magazine on November 2012. There is currently one 144-page compiled manga volume (attached with the DVD program) that was released on April 9, 2014. A Drama CD was released last year on June 26, 2013.
Volume 1 Manga Cover
DVD Insert
Read the first few chapters of Minarai Megami: Puru Purun Sharumu in Japanese here.
At the picnic scene on the last episode of Denki-gai no Honya-san, the characters had cosplayed different characters from other anime shows. These characters are not just random characters based on popularity or familiarity, it’s based on the characters’ voice actors’ past roles.
Umio cosplays as Sadao Maou from Hataraku Maou-sama! (both voiced by Ryota Osaka)
Sensei cosplays as Yui Funami from Yuru Yuri (both voiced by Minami Tsuda)
Kantoku cosplays Kirigaya Kazuto (Kirito) from Sword Art Online (both voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka)
Hio-tan cosplays Saki Sakimori from Acchi Kocchi (both voiced by Natsumi Takamori)
Sommelier cosplays Brooke Darwin (Lizardman) from Outbreak Company (both voiced by Takahiro Tomita)
Fu Girl cosplays Azusa Nakano from K-On! (both voiced by Ayana Taketatsu)
Kameko cosplays Mio Naganohara from Nichijou (both voiced by Mai Aizawa)
Erobon G-Men cosplays as Misaki Hijiri from Saint October (both voiced by Yuu Kobayashi)
Haruka Tsumori (Tsumorin) cosplays as Chiya Ujimatsu from Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka? (both voiced by Satomi Sato)
Denki-gai no Honya-san is one of the anime shows that was released this Fall 2014 and it just ended yesterday. The anime is known for it’s lighthearted and hilarious scenes concerning the industrial doujin-bookstore workplace. It is a Seinen show (targeted for older male audiences) that is a mix of comedy, slice-of-life, a dash of romance, some mature languages and amazing display of parody from other anime shows, manga and games. (To read Haruhichan’s “Big Sister” Rii’s review of Denki-gai no Honya-san, view it here).
Synopsis of Denki-gai no Honya-san from Haruhichan:
Umio is a shy kid who just started his part time job at a manga store smack dab in the middle of the city. But his lifestyle isn’t as glamorous as the neon lights that illuminate the city. Umio’s closest friends are his co-workers who are all unique characters, to say the least, and although they’re nice people, they have their quirks. They are a tight knit group of friends, have nicknames for each other and spend their weekends inside, sheltered from the extravagant scene happening on the outside.
The official website of the anime adaptation of Masaki Tsuzuki’s manga Dog Days 3 began streaming the fourth commercial on Friday. The video introduces the new character Sharu who will be voiced by Sumire Uesaka (Momoka from Cross Ange).
The commercial proclaims, “The three heroes are coming back to Flonyard for the third time. This time the stage is autumn. The new-generation hero entertainment returns for a repeat performance!”
Nana Mizuki is performing the opening theme song titled No Limit. Yui Horie returns again to perform the ending theme, the ending theme song name has yet to be announced.
Sharu’s character designs were also previewed in a magazine:
Dog Days 3 Commercial 3:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2cxl01
Dog Days 3 Commercial 2 introduces the two new characters, Leo and Nanami:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2bt767
Dog Days 3 Commercial 1 features Kuberu and Rebecca:
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.
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.
Tokyo MX have just updated their anime listings for January 2015 and have revealed that the Angel Beats! anime will be rebroadcasted on the network from January 8.
The listing reveals that the Angel Beats! anime will return on Tokyo MX on Wednesdays from the 8th of January from 11:00pm JST till 11:30pm JST. The listing also reveals that Sakura Trick will also be rebroadcast in the timeslot earlier from 10:30pm till 11:00pm on Wednesdays.
Two mysterious projects were earlier announced after a countdown of the Angel Beats! website, which will be unveiled at a conference on December 22 titled Aniplex X Key Presents The New Project. The first project is a collaboration anime distributor Aniplex and visual novel developer Key. The event will also reveal some information about an upcoming Angel Beats! project in time for the 5th anniversary of the series and the 15th anniversary for Key. The conference will feature producers Hironori Toba and Yuma Takahashi from Aniplex, with Visual Arts (publisher of Key’s Visual Novels) representative Baba Takahiro and Director Kai.
Angel Beats! is a series created by Jun Maeda, which started off as a light novel series in 2009 that ran for half a year in ASCII Media Works’ Dengeki G’s Magazine. A 4-koma manga series was also created by Maeda that ran in the same magazine in the same year. In 2010, an anime adaptation was created by P.A. Works (Hanasaku Iroha, Another), which was also written by Maeda himself and directed by. The series received high praise and gained popularity, but was criticised for the lack of character development for many stories. A manga was adapted in 2010 titled Angel Beats! Heaven’s Door, which is an adaptation of the prequel light novel Angel Beats! Track Zero. Jun Maeda and Key, who are known for producing acclaimed and popular visual novels, announced that they were producing a visual novel on Angel Beats!, expanding many of the character’s backstory. Angel Beats! -1st Beat- and its subsequent releases, will be written by Jun Maeda. A mobile game based on the series was also produced.
Here is a synopsis of the series from Haruhichan:
Otonashi awakens only to learn he is dead. A rifle-toting girl named Yuri explains that they are in the afterlife, and Otonashi realizes the only thing he can remember about himself is his name. Yuri tells him that she leads the Shinda Sekai Sensen (Afterlife Battlefront) and wages war against a girl named Tenshi. Unable to believe Yuri’s claims that Tenshi is evil, Otonashi attempts to speak with her, but the encounter doesn’t go as he intended.
Otonashi decides to join the SSS and battle Tenshi, but he finds himself oddly drawn to her. While trying to regain his memories and understand Tenshi, he gradually unravels the mysteries of the afterlife.
Angel Beats! will be rebroadcasted on Tokyo MX from January 8th at 11:00pm every Wednesday. And with the recent Angel Beats! project announcement, the rebroadcast is no mere coincidence and could be directly related to the new project.
Aniplex have released the second TV commercial of Aldnoah.Zero 2nd Season on Friday with subtitles. The second commercial gives us a preview of the opening theme song &Z by SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]:mizuki.
The first commercial was streamed last November and features spoilers for the first season and also gives us a sneak peak at the ending theme song GENESIS by Eir Aor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fc8LYlX0Pc4
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.
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.
Just two days away from release and the official website for the Sword Art Online series has released the preview video for the upcoming 24th episode of Sword Art Online II titled “Mother’s Rosario”. Episode 24 is the last episode of the series and will air on Saturday the 20th of December at 11:30pm JST on Tokyo MX.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WsMa_ZCUiI
Sword Art Online II Episode 24 preview screenshots:
One year after the SAO incident, Kirito is approached by Seijiro Kikuoka from Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Department “VR Division” with a rather peculiar request.
That was an investigation on the “Death Gun” incident that occurred in the gun and steel filled VRMMO called Gun Gale Online (GGO). “Players who are shot by a mysterious avatar with a jet black gun lose their lives even in the real world…” Failing to turn down Kikuoka’s bizarre request, Kirito logs in to GGO even though he is not completely convinced that the virtual world could physically affect the real world.
Kirito wanders in an unfamiliar world in order to gain any clues about the “Death Gun.” Then, a female sniper named Sinon who owns a gigantic “Hecate II” rifle extends Kirito a helping hand. With Sinon’s help, Kirito decides to enter the “Bullet of Bullets,” a large tournament to choose the most powerful gunner within the realm of GGO, in hopes to become the target of the “Death Gun” and make direct contact with the mysterious avatar.
Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri (Gate: The Self-Defense Forces Fight Like This in Another Land)is a Japanese light novel series written by Takumi Yanai and originally illustrated by Daisuke Izuka. AlphaPolis published five volumes and three side-story collections from April 2010 to April 2014. AlphaPolis began publishing an expanded edition of the main series with illustrations by Kuroshishi in December 2012. A manga adaptation illustrated by Satoru Sao began in July 2011. An anime television series has been announced.
In August of 20XX, a portal to a parallel world, known as the “Gate,” suddenly appeared in Ginza, Tokyo. Monsters and troops poured out of the portal, turning the shopping district into a bloody inferno.
The Japan Ground-Self Defence Force immediately took action and pushed the fantasy creatures back to the “Gate.” To facilitate negotiations and prepare for future fights, the JGSDF dispatched the Third Reconnaissance Team to the “Special Region” at the other side of the Gate.
Youji Itami, a JSDF officer as well as a 33-year-old otaku, was appointed as the leader of the Team. Amid attacks from enemy troops the team visited a variety of places and learnt a lot about the local culture and geography.
Thanks to their efforts in humanitarian relief, although with some difficulties they were gradually able to reach out to the locals. They even had a cute elf, a sorceress and a demigoddess in their circle of new friends. On the other hand, the major powers outside the Gate such as the United States,China and Russia were extremely interested in the abundant resources available in the Special Region. They began to exert diplomatic pressure over Japan.
A suddenly appearing portal to an unknown world—to the major powers it may be no more than a mere asset for toppling the international order. But to our protagonists it is an invaluable opportunity to broaden knowledge, friendship, and ultimately their perspective towards the world.
The third key visual has been released online for the 2015 Kantai Collection TV anime adaptation. In addition to the new visual, information about an advanced screening and a new 2015 anime event has also been revealed.
There will be an advanced screening of the first episode of the anime on December 27 at the Shinjuku Piccadilly theatre in Tokyo. The screening will also be taking reservations for the first Blu-ray and DVD volume of the Kantai Collection: Kan Colle anime that will release on March 27 next year. There will also be a draw for attendees for a B2 Poster prize that commemorate you being at the screening. There will be limited quantites of the poster in the lottery. Here is a preview of the poster:
It has also been announced that there will be another anime event next year. The 1st Yokohama Naval Review Rehearsal was held earlier this year in August, which revealed new information about the upcoming anime. The 2nd Yokohama Naval Review Rehearsal, which will be held at the same venue at the Pacifico Yokohama National Convention Hall, will be held on the 9th of August, 2015. The main voice actresses of the anime and card game will be present that the event. More information about it will release soon.
Planning: Takeshi Yasuda (Steins Gate Movie, Strike Witches The Movie, Tokyo ESP)
Story concept: Kensuke Tanaka
Producer: Shinichiro Inoue (Another)
Character Designer & Chief Animation Director: Naomi Ide (Akuma no Riddle, Gingitsune, Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sou Desu yo?), Mayuko Matsumoto (Arakawa Under the Bridge, Astarotte no Omocha!, Senhime Zesshou Symphogear)
Character Designs assistance: Yoshinori Shizuma, Shibafu, Konishi
Mechanical Design: Tsutomu Miyazawa (Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS, Zone of the Enders: Dolores, I, Zone of the Enders: Idolo) , Kōta Morishi
Creature Design: Tsubasa Shimizu
Effects Director: Takashi Hashimoto
Art Director: Maho Takahashi (Amagami SS/Amagami SS+ Plus, Nobunagun, Seto no Hanayome)
Color Design: Shuji Kameimura
CG Director: Eiji Inomoto (Accel World, Black Lagoon, Infinite Stratos)
CG Modeling Director: Hideki Kawabata
CG Production: Orange
Director of Photography: Yasuyuki Itou (Black Rock Shooter (TV), NouCome, Akuma no Riddle)
Editing: Yuuji Oka (Campione!, Fairy Tail, Grenadier)
Sound Director: Toshiki Kameyama (Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu / Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu Ni!, Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko, Kokoro Connect)
Sound Production: Glovision (Another, Blood-C, Date A Live)
Music: Kameoka Natsumi (Inazuma Eleven Go vs Danball Senki W Movie, Inazuma Eleven Go: Chrono Stone)
Music Production: Flying Dog (Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha., Date A Live, Space Dandy)
The anime’s Opening theme and Ending theme were also revealed. The OP will be Miiro performed by AKINO from the band bless4 (Amagi Brilliant Park OP) and the anime’s ED will be Fubuki by Shiena Nishizawa.
The first full promotional video of Kantai Collection was also released:
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. Additional information about the series will be revealed in the upcoming weeks.
A brand new promotional video has released for the Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu Love! anime that shows off the main characters’ transformation scenes into magical boys. The anime will be produced by Diomedea (Shinryaku! Ika Musume, Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sou Desu yo?) and directed by Shinji Takamatsu (Gintama, Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou). The Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu Love! anime will debut on January 6th next year at 25:40 (effectively January 7th, 1:40am) on TV Tokyo, during the Winter 2014/2015 Anime Season.
Here is the latest key visual of the anime:
Here is a synopsis of the series from Haruhichan:
This is the story of how five high school boys affiliated with the “Binan High School Earth Defense Club” aka the “Do Nothing Club” are charged by a weird pink wombat creature with protecting the world.
The official website for the Code Geass: Akito the Exiled series began streaming the promotional video for the 3rd episode titled Code Geass: Akito the Exiled 3 – The Brightness Falls on Friday. The new promotional video gives us a preview of the opening theme song More Than Words by Maaya Sakamoto who is also a voice actress and voices Leila Malkal in the series.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2cvrzp
Yukana (Ai Nanasaki from Amagami SS, Cecilia Alcott from Infinite Stratos) will return to reprise her role as C.C. in the third episode.
The third episode, Code Geass: Akito the Exiled 3 – The Brightness Falls, will premiere on May 2. The fourth and final episode, Code Geass: Akito the Exiled 4, will premiere on July 4.
In addition to this, a new visual was also revealed:
Code Geass: Akito the Exiled is a theatrical OVA. It was officially announced in the bonus materials of Code Geass: The Miraculous Birthday. The new theatrical OVA is directed by Kazuki Akane (of Vision of Escaflowne and Noein: Mou Hitori no Kimi e fame) and once again features original character designs by CLAMP. It is a side-story that occurs between seasons one and two of Code Geass.
A preview for all 19 tracks that will be featured in the upcoming Parasyte Original Soundtrack has been posted online. The Original Soundtrack will cost 2,700 yen (about $22.6) and is scheduled to be released on December 24th, 2014. All music featured in the OST is by Ken Arai.
Parasyte is a science fiction horror manga series written and illustrated by Hitoshi Iwaaki, and published in Kodansha’s Afternoon magazine from 1990 to 1995. The manga was published in North America by first Tokyopop, then Del Rey, and finally Kodansha Comics USA. The manga is being adapted into two live-action films in Japan in 2014 and 2015. An anime television series adaptation is currently airing
Based on Iwaaki Hitoshi’s science-fiction horror manga by the same name.
The 17-year-old Izumi Shinichi lives with his mother and father in a quiet neighborhood in Tokyo. One night, worm-like aliens called Parasytes invade Earth, taking over the brains of human hosts by entering through their ears or noses. One Parasyte attempts to crawl into Shinichi’s ear while he sleeps, but fails since he is wearing headphones, and enters his body by burrowing into his arm instead, taking over his right hand and is named Migi.
Because Shinichi was able to prevent Migi from traveling further up into his brain, both beings retain their separate intellect and personality. As the duo encounter other Parasytes, they capitalize on their strange situation and gradually form a strong bond, working together to survive. This gives them an edge in battling other Parasytes, who frequently attack the pair upon realization that Shinichi’s human brain is still intact. Shinichi feels compelled to fight other Parasytes, who devour humans as food, while enlisting Migi’s help.
As we all know, Japan loves manga. They have whole stores dedicated to manga. Then of course there are doujinshi, works made by independent artists using source material by other artists. Denki-Gai no Honya-san takes place at Umanohone, a doujin shop. Seven employees run the store, each with their own unique personalities. Welcome to Denki-Gai no Honya-san!
Story and Characters:
The story of Denki-Gai no Honya-san is quite simple really. It follows the daily lives of the employees of Umanohone as they work together and build their relationships with each other. If you watch the first couple of episodes, you may not think much of this show unless you’re big on comedy. Even then, the first couple of episodes had a lot of fan service scenes with jokes that probably only the people with perverted senses of humour would understand and enjoy. After they’ve hooked you with its wild first episodes (or pushed you away, depending on how well you handle crazy perverted fan service) then they delve into its seinen roots, and start developing the characters. Its quite a dramatic shift away from the humour of the first couple of episodes, since now there isn’t a lot of emphasis placed on it. Sure, the show remains comedic, but now it’s about the characters rather than the humour. I feel like it is better that way, because now there’s more of a reason to care about the show rather than just plain humour.
Since this show is about developing the characters and their relationships with each other, naturally they become the strong point of the show. All the characters are different from each other, which prevents the characters from becoming stale as you watch it. First, there’s your regular everyday otaku, Umio. He’s the most knowledgeable about manga, anime, video games, etc. Then there’s his polar opposite, Hio-tan. She knows very little about otaku culture (in fact her name is derived from the Japanese abbreviation for non-otakus “hi-ota”), so she has to learn about it for her job. Sensei is a mangaka and she works at the store to support herself until she hits her stride. Although she wants to achieve her dream of becoming a true mangaka, she doesn’t cope well with pressure and her work habits of made her sloppy with how she lives her life. There’s the zombie-obsessed Fu-Girl, who is often seen hanging around the silent Sommelier who, as his name implies, is an expert at finding the best ero books for people. The shop is run by Kantoku, the laid-back senior employee who runs the store in the Manager’s absence (who never appears on-screen). Kantoku, despite being a pervert, is an expert with girls. These main characters are supported by only a few supporting characters. Kameko is another employee of the shop and she is the photographer of the group, Erobon G-Men, a government employee whose job is to make sure that ero books are properly placed away from regular books, and Haruka “Tsumorin” Tsumori who is a former employee of the store and currently successful writer in the industry.
The character development as the series goes on gets better and better, especially when they start diving into romance. While I wouldn’t go so far as to call the anime a romance, it comes pretty close with the way it handles the relationships between some of the characters. While it would have been nice to see them delve more into the romance part of this anime, it was nice to see it at all and it made the anime more interesting. The small cast of characters really gave them time to develop everyone, even the supporting cast, and you’re left with great characters that you can relate to.
Visuals and Animation:
When it comes to the visuals and animation, there isn’t anything that special here. It’s par for the course for regular slice of life anime. Nothing in particular really stands out in my mind as being bad or particularly good. I don’t have any complaints about the art and animation but I also don’t have any compliments. Maybe perhaps one compliment: the characters were drawn nicely. However, that’s it.
Poor Hio-tan… She has so much to learn.
Sound and Music:
The music of Denki-Gai no Honya-san is all right. Nothing in particular really stands out except the OP and ED. The OP, 齧りかけの林檎 (Kajirikake no Ringo), and ED, two-Dimension’s Love, are nice catchy tunes that help set the mood of the anime with their upbeat and cheerful tones. A few of veteran voice actors also make their way into this anime to help give their characters an added punch. Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Kirito from Sword Art Online), Ayana Taketatsu (Azusa Nakano from K-On!), and rising star Ryota Osaka (Sadao Maou from Hataraku Maou-sama!), lend their voices to Kantoku, Fu-Girl and Umio respectively. While I like their performances, I preferred the jobs done by a couple of the lesser-known voice actors. Natsumi Takamori (Mei Misaki from Another), and Minami Tsuda (Yui Funami from Yuru Yuri) as Hio-tan and Sensei did their best to make these two girls lovable as the main romance interests of Kantoku and Umio, and that’s what they did. The voice acting cast really helped out in the sound department.
Final Verdict:
Denki-Gai no Honya-san wound up being quite a surprisingly good watch. I wasn’t a huge fan after the first couple of episodes of crazy fan service, but the shift to the characters really made the anime for me. I enjoyed the way the anime split up the episodes in a way that each half of an episode focused on a specific characters and their relationship with another character or the rest of the cast. It made you care more about the individual characters and their lives, and that to me made the anime a lot of fun to watch week after week. If you enjoy seeing a focus on characters in anime, this one’s for you.
+ Great characters and character development
+ Strong voice acting
– Initial fan service may turn some off
What did you guys think of Denki-Gai no Honya-san? Let me know in the comments below!
The late Project Itoh (birth name Satoshi Ito) was a renowned sci-fi author in Japan, famed for – among others – his work on his original story Harmony. Noitamina recently aired a promotional video for the anime film adaptation of the story. It is being worked on by creative geniuses of the industry – the production is in the hands of Studio4℃ while redjuice provides a hand with character designs.
Visual:
This story seems reminiscent of the popular recent anime Psycho Pass fans of science fiction will be sure to enjoy this. If you’re a fan of Japanese science fiction in anime, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for more news on Harmony! Any thoughts on this film adaptation? Feel free to let us know in the comments below!
Harmony synopsis from Haruhichan:
In the future, Utopia has finally been achieved thanks to medical nanotechnology and a powerful ethic of social welfare and mutual consideration. This perfect world isn’t that perfect though, and three young girls stand up to totalitarian kindness and super-medicine by attempting suicide via starvation. It doesn’t work, but one of the girls—Tuan Kirie—grows up to be a member of the World Health Organization. As a crisis threatens the harmony of the new world, Tuan rediscovers another member of her suicide pact, and together they must help save the planet…from itself.
Media factory began streaming a promotional video on Wednesday for the upcoming anime adaptation of Chuugaku Akamatsu’s and Shogako Tachibana’s spin-off manga series, Hidan no Aria AA. Hidan no Aria AA is a spin-off of the Hidan no Aria light novel series.
A teaser was also released back in July which was hinting at the project:
Visual of the announcement:
Hidan no Aria AA synopsis from Haruhichan:
A young girl idolizes the world-renowned S-ranked butei Kanzaki H. Aria and plans to follow in her footsteps. However, her test grades her out as only an E-rank! All is not lost, however, as Aria agrees to give her some pointers. Can Aria help this newcomer become a first-rate butei?
The original magical girl, Usagi Tsukino, gets an awesome figurine. The visual presentation is sure to send the viewers back through time, as it stays truthful to the original design – her bright colored outfit and 90’s character visuals are stunningly on point. She’s confidently doing her iconic pose while in her infamous attention-getting short-skirted magical girl attire, resulting in a must get for the fans of the series and figurines.
Sailor Moon – Usagi Tsukino – A limited supply of Pre-orders are available for this pre-painted and garage kit version of this figurine on E2046.
The voice of the eccentric Haruhi Suzumiya, Aya Hirano, has leaked on Twitter that the anime adaptation of Nagaru Tanigawa and Puyo’s The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-Chan (The Vanishing of Nagato Yuki-Chan) manga will be airing from the Spring 2015 anime season. She will reprise her role as Haruhi in the upcoming series.
The original cast from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya series also return:
Minori Chihara as Yuki Nagato
Tomokazu Sugita as Kyon
Natsuko Kuwatani as Ryouko Asakura
Yuko Goto as Mikuru Asahina
Yuki Matsuoka as Tsuruya-san
Taniguchi: Minoru Shiraishi as Taniguchi
Megumi Matsumoto as Kunikida
Daisuke Ono as Itsuki Koizumi
Aya Hirano as Haruhi Suzumiya
In addition to this, a new visual was also revealed on the website:
Past visuals:
The anime adaptation of the spin-off manga was announced last year. Anime store Docomo was revealed to be streaming the upcoming series, as well as the two other spin-off shows in the Haruhi franchise, The Melancholy of Haruhi-chan Suzumiya and Nyoron Churuya-san.
The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan is a spin-off manga in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya franchise, where it stars the eponymous character Yuki Nagato. The series takes place in the alternate universe established in The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya. The series is written and drawn by Puyo, which started in February 2010. To date, the series has a total of 5 volumes with the 6th volume releasing on December 26th this year.
There is very little information regarding the anime announcement of The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan, including whether or no Kyoto Animation will produce it. Two other spin-off manga were also produced into anime: The Melancholy of Haruhi-chan Suzumiya and Nyoron Churuya-san.
Yuki Nagato, the shy president of the literature club, has never been very sure of herself around other people. But around Kyon, the only boy in the tiny, three-person club, Yuki finds herself faltering even more than usual. For Kyon, and for her precious club, Yuki must find her confidence and let her true personality shine! Enjoy taking a fresh look at your favorite characters in this brand-new story set in the world of The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya!
The first commercial has been released has been released for Tokyo Ghoul √A, the second season of Sui Ishida’s Tokyo Ghoul anime. This new commercial recaps a few scenes from the first anime as well as giving the smallest glimpse what the upcoming series will be about. The new season will follow an original story written and overseen by Ishida himself. 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 anime’s Ending theme song will be performed by amazarashi. The series has been reported to have a total of 24 episodes, spanning two seasons; from the Winter 2014/2015 anime season till the end of the Spring 2015 anime season.
Tokyo Ghoul √A will air from January 8 next year on Tokyo MX during the Winter 2014/2015 anime season. There will also be an advanced screening session of the first episode on January 4 at the Toho Cinemas in Nihonbashi.
Additionally the first promotional video for the upcoming series was earlier released:
Swaps4 Productions and Big Bang Studio are excited to unveil the highly anticipated launch of Melody's Melon Mania, featuring Projekt Melody! This captivating, free-to-play...
