J!NS PC Introduces Aikatsu! Eyewear

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November 18, 2014

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Some new character designs have released for the second season of the anime adaptation of Wataru Watari and Ponkan8’s Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. (My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU) light novel series. A new character designer has been revealed for the Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. Zoku (My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU 2) anime, which will be airing in April next year during the Spring 2015 anime season.

The original anime character designer for the first series was Yuu Shindou (Persona 4 The Golden Animation) and the new anime character designer for Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. Zoku will be Yuichi Tanaka (Toaru Majutsu no Index, Last Exile).

The new character designs have released for the three main characters of the series, and alongside their voice actors/actresses includes:

Takuya Eguchi (Kazuya Kujou in Gosick) will voice Hachiman Hikigaya

Saori Hayami (Ayase Aragaki from Oreimo) is back as Yukino Yukinoshita

Nao Touyama (Chitoge Kirisaki in Nisekoi) will return to voice Yui Yuigahama

A new design was also released for a new character that will be appearing in the upcoming series, who first appeared in the light novel’s 7th volume. It also reveals the character’s respective cast member:

Ayane Sakura (Kokoa Hoto in Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka?) will voice new character Iroha Isshiki

Another new character and cast member was also revealed:

Haruka Tomatsu (Asuna Yuuki from Sword Art Online) will be voicing Orimoto Kaori

The anime’s staff were also revealed. The series will feature new crew members, including a new director and animation studio. The staff are as follows:

Director: Kei Oikawa (Outbreak Company, Minami-ke: Okaeri) replaced Ai Yoshimura (Ao Haru Ride)
Character Designer: Yuichi Tanaka (Toaru Kagaku no Railgun, Natsuiro Kiseki) will replace Yuu Shindou (Persona 4 The Golden Animation)
Animation Studio: Studio Feel (Futsuu no Joshikousei ga [Locodol] Yatte Mita., Minami-ke Tadaima) will replace Brains Base (Baccano!, Durarara!!)

MONACA (Nisemonogatari, Wake Up, Girls!) will again be in charge of music and Satoshi Motoyama (Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai, Oreimo) will again serve as sound director.

Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. (My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU) is a light novel series written by Wataru Watari and illustrated by Ponkan8. The light novels began in March 2011 and is published in Shogakukan’s Gagaga Bunko imprint. To date there has been 9 volumes and 4 short stories published. There has been three spin-off manga adaptations written and illustrated by various people. The series also received an anime adaptation that aired in April 2012 that was animated by Brain’s Base (Baccano!, Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun). Additionally, a visual novel was developed by 5pb. for the PlayStation Vita that released on September 19th last year.

Here is a synopsis of the series from MAL:

This romantic comedy revolves around an antisocial high school student named Hikigaya Hachiman with a distorted view on life and no friends or girlfriend. When he sees his classmates talking excitedly about living their adolescent lives, he mutters: “They’re a bunch of liars.” When he is asked about his future dreams, he responds, “Not working.” A teacher gets Hachiman to join the “Volunteer Service” club, which happens to have the school’s prettiest girl, Yukinoshita Yukino.

You can visit the anime’s website here: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/oregairu/

And follow their Twitter here: @anime_oregairu

Source – Moca News

Girls und Panzer Movie Slated for Summer 2015

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November 18, 2014

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Earlier this week was the 18th annual Oarai Anglerfish Festival where it was announced that the upcoming Girls und Panzer movie will be releasing in Japan in Summer next year, (the film itself was scheduled to release this year). Additionally, the film’s first visual was also released.

The Oarai Anglerfish Festival is an annual event held in Oarai, Ibaraki celebrating the local marine industry. It is also the location of the setting of the Girls und Panzer anime. The new visual itself features the Oarai Marine Tower in the background. Since the anime’s release, the festival has been gaining more and more visitors with lots of merchandise being sold at the event. Other special anime products includes cutouts of the anime’s characters, anime themed cars – or itashas, anime themed tanks, and even a talk show from the anime’s main cast. The event also revealed that Tsutomu Mizushima (Another, Invader! Squid Girl), the director of the anime will return to direct the film.

The first promotional video for the film released in July this year:

Girls und Panzer is an original anime series that aired from October 2012 till March 2013. The series is produced by studio Actas (Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch Pure, Switch) and directed by Tsutomu Mizushima (Another, Shinryaku! Ika Musume). Four manga adaptations of the series were produced since 2012 and all of which are published by Media Factory. A light novel adaptation was also produced in 2012, as well as a video game based on the series that released on the PlayStation Vita in June this year.

Here is a synopsis of the series from Haruhichan:

You may have heard of kung fu, but the girls at Oarai High School practice gun-fu—really, really BIG 75mm gun-fu, in fact. It’s called Sensha-do, and it’s the martial art of operating armored tanks! They take it seriously too, and since winning the national Sensha-do championship is such a huge deal at Oarai, they sometimes go to extreme ends in order to get the best students from Panzer class to sign up. Which is how Miho Nishizumi, who HATES operating tanks, gets drafted to join doomsday-driven driver Mako, even-triggered gunner Hana, highly receptive radio operator Saori and combustible tank-fangirl and loader Yukari as the incomparable Anko Team. They may not be on the half-track to fame and fortune, and maybe a few of them would rather shop for tank tops than become tops in tanks, but once their focus is locked and loaded, they’re absolutely driven.

The Girls und Panzer movie will be releasing in Japanese theatres in Summer 2015. More information about the series will be released in the upcoming months.

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

Source – Anime News Network, Crunchyroll

Horrifying Mini-Titan Roams around Tokyo

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November 17, 2014

To help promote the Attack on Titan art exhibit, this little critter known as the mini-titan walked around Tokyo and roamed into book shops and manga sellers. Can you imagine how you would react if you saw a mini-titan with a big head and huge eyes? I’m sure some people will be having nightmares tonight.

The following photos are from the exhibition’s official Twitter account.

Source: Kotaku

New Dragon Ball Z 2015 Movie Visual Reveals Frieza

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November 17, 2014

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The upcoming January 2015 issue of Shueisha’s V Jump magazine will be revealing on Friday the first key visual for the upcoming 2015 Dragon Ball Z movie. The magazine also unveils the film’s title: Dragon Ball Z Movie 15: Fukkatsu no F (Dragon Ball Z Movie 15: F Is For Fukkatsu, or ‘resurrection’) and that Frieza will be making a return once again.

The new visual features not only Frieza, but Beerus, the villain from last year’s Dragon Ball Z Movie 14: Kami to Kami movie. The magazine also confirms that the movie will premiere in Japanese theaters on April 18 in both 2D and 3D.

The magazine also featured an interview with original creator Akira Toriyama, he says that the ‘F’ in the title in fact stands for “Frieza,” who will be revived in the movie. Toriyama noted that he thought of the title while listening to the song “F” by Band Maximum The Hormone, who he came to know personally through a friend. In fact, one of the members told him that they had been singing the song about Frieza.

The magazine gives a synopsis of the story:

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

Also two new characters were revealed who were designed by Akira Toriyama himself: Sorbet (seen left in the image above) and Tagoma (right). The characters are the survivors of the Frieza army and his servants.

Dragon Ball Z 2015 Movie 15 Teaser:

Text: The entire universe eagerly awaits
Text: Original concept, scripts, character design
Text: Akira Toriyama
Shenlong: Now, say your wish. I will grant you any one wish only.
Text: There’s someone I want you to revive.
Shenlong: Your wish has been granted.
Text: The worst wish in history. Now, despair begins.

Dragon Ball Z Movie 15 visuals:

Source: ANN

IS: Infinite Stratos – World Purge-Hen OVA Promotional Video 3

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November 17, 2014

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IS: Infinite Stratos 2 is getting a 50-minute OVA titled IS: Infinite Stratos – World Purge-hen. The third promotional video has been uploaded to Overlap’s official youtube channel. The opening theme for IS: Infinite Stratos 2 “True Blue Traveler” by Minami Kuribayashi is played during these promotional video which previews plenty of fan service.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PWJLi7Y7kg

IS: Infinite Stratos – World Purge-hen PV 2:

IS: Infinite Stratos – World Purge-hen PV 1:

The OVA will adapt the fan service arc from volume 8 of the IS: Infinite Stratos light novels. It will be available for both the Blu-ray and DVD and will be released November 26, 2014.

IS: Infinite Stratos – World Purge-hen synopsis from Haruhichan:

A program called “World Purge” sends illusions to all the girls about their ideal fantasies.

Various visuals of IS: Infinite Stratos have been revealed in recent issues of Megami and NyanType:

IS: Infinite Stratos is a light novel series by Izuru Yumizuru that was first released in 2009. The light novel was first published by Media Factory but issues between the author and publisher arose and ultimately Media Factory dropped the series. The series was picked up by Overlap, and with the change of publisher a change of artist was also issued. The first 7 volumes has been re-released under Overlap and the first new volume published was volume 8. Infinite Stratos was given an anime adaptation in 2011, which was produced by 8-Bit and ran for 12 episodes. An additional OVA and second season followed which produced by 8-Bit again and ran for 12 episodes, and a manga adaptation ran from mid 2010 to 2012.

IS: Infinite Stratos synopsis from Haruhichan:

Japan engineered an armed powered exoskeleton “Infinite Stratos” (IS) and it became the mainstream of weapons. Since only women can operate IS, women dominate the society over men. Orimura Ichika is a 15 year old boy and accidentally touches an IS placed in the IS pilot training school. He is found to be the only man who can operate IS and forced to enter the training school. Ichika’s busy school life surrounded by girls has begun.

Shokugeki no Souma Promotional Video

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November 17, 2014

The first promotional video for the upcoming TV anime adaptation of Yuuto Tsukuda and Shun Saeki’s manga Shokugeki no Souma (Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma) has been uploaded. The Shokugeki no Souma anime will be airing sometime during April 2015.

The main cast are as follows:

Makoto Furukawa (Kamito Kazehaya in Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance) voicing as Souma Yukihira
Sora Amamiya (Akame from Akame ga Kill!) will voice Erina Nakiri
Kana Hanazawa (Akane Tsunemori in Psycho-Pass) as Megumi Tadokoro

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

Director: Takashi Watanabe (Freezing, Shakugan no Shana)
Series Composer: Hiroyuki Yoshino (Black Butler: Book of Circus, Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch)
Animation Studio: J.C.Staff (Shakugan no Shana, Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S)

Key Visual:

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 Haruhichan:

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?

Koe no Katachi Anime Adaptation Has Been Green-Lit

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November 17, 2014

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The cover page of the final chapter of Yoshitoki Ooima’s Koe no Katachi (A Silent Voice, The Shape of Voice) in this year’s 51st issue of Kodansha’s Weekly Shounen Magazine is listing that the manga has an anime that is currently in the works. The final chapter will be published on Wednesday.

Koe no Katachi (A Silent Voice, The Shape of Voice) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yoshitoki Ooima. Koe no Katachi (A Silent Voice, The Shape of Voice) was originally published as a one-shot in the February 2011 issue of Bessatsu Shounen Magazine. A remake of the story began serialization in August 2013 in Weekly Shounen Magazine. The series has been green-lit for an anime adaptation.

Koe no Katachi one-shot synopsis from MAL

A one-shot about a grade school class that accepts a girl with impaired hearing. Although this one-shot won the 80th Weekly Shounen Magazine Newbie Best Mangaka Award, the vector of the content made it difficult for publication on any manga magazine, until it was picked up, after months of legal dispute, by the February edition of Bessatsu Shounen Magazine, where it got first place despite its being a one-shot. This one-shot was recently re-published in 12th issue of the 2013 Weekly Shounen Magazine.

Koe no Katachi synopsis from MAL

Ishida Shouya bullies a deaf girl, Nishimiya Shouko, to the point that she drops out of school. As a result, he is ostracized and bullied himself with no friends to speak of and no plans for the future.

This is the story of his path to redemption.

Source: ANN

Japan Takes Drawing on a Chalkboard to a New Level

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November 17, 2014

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I’m sure everyone has instantly wanted to draw on a chalkboard the moment they see their class has one, I mean who hasn’t? Japanese students take drawing on a chalkboard to a new level.

Here we can see Doraemon displayed as a Windows XP desktop which also includes program icons.

This drawing of Frozen’s Elsa was done during a school sports festival. (image by @Koreha_www)

Attack on Titan‘s opening ssequence logo. (Image by @waryaaaaaa)

Attack on Titan Colossal Titan. Image by (image by @chebrm)

Naruto’s Sasuke and Itachi. (Image by @lav_3310)

Slam Dunk’s coach and Robin from One Piece. (Image by @co7021)

The saddest scene from One Piece featuring Ace. (Image by @mkynxx)

Attack on Titan scene where Eren encountered the Colossal Titan. (Image by @mkynxx)

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’s Josuke Higashikata. (Image by @apple_0806)

Sasuke and Itachi taken from the scene where they fight. (Image by @hubuki_siro)

Robin from One Piece saying “I want to live!” while crying to Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates. (Image by @Kikirarara1166twi)

One Piece‘s Luffy.

Super Mario level. (Image by @warolintyo)

The Girl Who Leaped Through Time. (Image by @mmurock)

Twitter users @Matton627, @Bu_nobu_no, @Megumusugi, and @Butubutuwww showed some excellent Studio Ghibli classroom artworks found on their chalkboards.

This one is done by the art teacher to wish students a happy birthday. (Image by @rinkaneo)

Disney’s Monster University. (Image by @maki11141)

More Disney art. (Image by @maki11141)

The scene where the Straw Hat Pirates from One Piece bidding farewell to Vivi by using their X mark. (Image by @k_ami_c)

Luffy’s Gear Second. (Image by @k_ami_c)

Neon Genesis Evangelion. (Image by @k_ami_c)

Various anime characters from popular series, how many can you name? (Image by @k_ami_c)

Naruto and Sasuke. (Image by @k_ami_c)

Dragonball Z. (Image by @_wakuta)

Not only does anime chalkboard art get seen, but also real life events from celebrating graduation to birthday greetings and even Halloween (images from @Rinkaneo, @Syk_N155, @Hiromuouji, @A10ny6, @Ho_thhr, @Mossorisinsi, and @Rio310mink)

It’s a shame the amazing art most likely gets cleaned off the board at the end of the day. So what’s the most amazing chalkboard art you’ve seen in person? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: SGCafe

Pokemon Ruby Omega Alpha Sapphire Mega Evolution Special Animation

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November 17, 2014

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The official Pokemon YouTube channel has uploaded a 3 minutes 55 seconds long special animation in celebration of the upcoming Pokemon Ruby Omega and Pokemon Alpha Sapphire which will be hitting Nintendo 3DS systems in Japan, North America and Australia on November 21, 2014 and in Europe on November 28, 2014.

The video displays the latest mega evolutions and primal reversions in one scene and are in order: Mega Sceptile, Mega Blaziken, Mega Swampert, Mega Diancie, Mega Gallade, Mega Salamence, Mega Pidgeot, Mega Glalie, Mega Steelix, Mega Camerupt, Mega Beedrill, Mega Slowbro, Mega Sharpedo, Mega Lopunny, Mega Sableye, Mega Altaria, Mega Audino, Mega Metagross, Mega Latio, Mega Latia, Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre and finally Mega Rayquaza.

Here’s some screen-caps of the special video for your enjoyment:

Top Ten Pixiv Artworks of the Week #2 – Naruto Edition

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November 16, 2014

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It is time for another of our weekly Top Ten Pixiv Artworks of the Week, but this time it will be slightly different. This week Pixiv has been blanketed in one theme, Naruto. With the conclusion to Masashi Kishimoto’s 15th year long manga on the 10th, having a special Naruto edition of the top ten is very fitting. For 15 years the series itself has defined a new generation of anime and manga fans, not just in Japan but around the world.

Whether it was waking up early in the morning to watch a small bunch of untrained ninjas take on intense training and exams, or going to the library/internet for the latest manga volume, there is without a doubt that Naruto has inspired countless fans.

So here are the top 10 Naruto Pixiv artworks of the week:

Note: There are spoilers for the entirety of the Naruto manga

10. NARUTO完結 (The End of Naruto)

Artist: えんぎよしC87月曜A25b

Link: http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=47008409

After 15 long years it’s over. We start off this top ten with the end of Naruto, specially its happy ending. Naruto has his dream come true as he has become the 7th Hokage of Konoha and even has a son, Bolt Uzumaki. While Naruto is busy with his new role and responsibilities, Bolt even begins to act like when Naruto was a child, being a mischief to get attention.

9. さらば青春 (Farewell Youth)

Artist: 黒雷

Link: http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=47012254

The title of this artwork has two meanings: saying goodbye to Naruto and Hinata’s youth as they start spending time together, and saying goodbye to the 15 years spent growing up alongside them. This piece has a nice innocent feeling and also reminds us that it isn’t over yet, with the Naruto Shippuuden Movie 7 “The Last” movie releasing in a few weeks.

8. NARUTO

Artist: 治

Link: http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=47006226

Since its beginnings in 1999, many fans have grown up alongside the orange ninja and wanted to become like Naruto himself. A trustworthy friend who is willing to do anything to protect those he cherished. This artwork solidifies that even if Naruto is over, he will forever be with us as he has shaped many of us today.

7. NARUTO完結紀念！(Commemoration of Naruto’s End)

Artist: wusagi

Link: http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=47014103

This next image is this nice bright piece between Naruto and Hinata, who can both finally share a nice happy relationship. It has been a long time coming with these two, throughout the entire series we have seen Hinata being the shy girl but she has matured. Whether or not this is the right pairing, I will not comment.

6. NARUTO最終回記念 (Naruto’s Final Anniversary)

Artist: みか

Link: http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=47003115

For 15 years we have seen all the turmoil, the struggle, the battles and the friendship that Naruto and his friends endured throughout the series. Of course everything that Naruto feels so do we. This wonderful art sums up all of Naruto nicely. Sakura, Naruto and Sasuke together once again looking into the sky ready for a new adventure, and of course a nice big thank you to Kishimoto.

5. 完結おめでとう！そしてありがとう！ (One Last Congratulations! And Thank You!)

Artist: もさ

Link: http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=47007067

Rounding up the top half of our top ten this week is great art that shows something that could’ve been. What if Sasuke came back to the village? Since his departure, Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura were really never together until their recent fight against Madara. Maybe just one more mission as a team.

4. 幸せ③ -家に帰って (Happy 3 – Time to go Home)

Artist: HaneRu

Link: http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=46989084

From something in the past to something in the future, our #4 post is about Naruto and his new duties. Naruto and Hinata, with their children Bolt and Himawari. A nice evening family day out collecting flowers for Himawari, which means Sunflower, and Bolt going around catching bugs.

3. NARUTO FINAL COUNTDOWN

Artist: ErkeLee

Link: http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=47008984

And now out third best image has something different. How can we talk about the hero without mentioning his mentor. Jiraiya was a great legendary ninja and an even better teacher. This gallant, gutsy ninja shares many similarities with his student, they are both very carefree, but when the time comes they both drop everything to protect their friends and the village. And here in this beautiful image, is everything that define him. Sitting in an autumn village, by a statute of a toad and writing his next book.

2. この十五年間　ありがとうよ (Thank you for the 15 years)

Artist: 阪本製薬

Link: http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=47014855

#2 this week is this long image that showcases all the faces of Naruto. All his challenges, fights and victories over the 15 long years. It wasn’t all fun and games throughout the series, but Naruto has always managed to smile in the end. This is what defines Naruto as a person.

1. ある英雄の物語 (The Story of a Hero)

Artist: みずと▼

Link: http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=47019241

And our #1 artwork for this Naruto edition top ten is this adorable piece of Hinata reading a book to Bolt and Himawari about their father. This book recounts all the major events throughout his life. The beginning of being alone and ostracised. Joining team 7 and meeting his first ever friends, Sakura and Sasuke, and his teacher Kakashi. Taking their first mission together. Protecting the village and making a new friend from another village. Seeing his best friend leave. Vowing that he will make his friend return. Finding out about the death of his mentor. Saving the village and becoming a hero. Finding out that his best friend is now a criminal. Turning the side of a world war. Reuniting with his friends to take on the greatest foe and saving the world. Getting the final confession from his friend. Marrying Hinata, and finally becoming the hokage.Naruto throughout his life has established bonds with his friends. He has made countless new friends with his will alone. He has known love, pain and hatred, but he never gave up. He walked up a very steep hill to reach the top, to be loved as a hero by everyone. And to be loved by his closest friends. This is the story of your father and my most cherished love story.

This is the story of a hero, the Tale of Naruto Uzumaki.

And that is our Naruto edition top ten Pixiv artworks of the week dattebayo! Which piece was your favourite?

We will have our usual Top ten of the week for week #2 coming up soon.

Swimsuit Sinon Rides a Dolphin

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Sinon can be pre-ordered now.

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November 16, 2014

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Sinon the skilled VRMMO game player and heroine from the Gun Gale Online and ALfheim Online arc in the Sword Art Online II series gets a unique swimsuit edition figure. She’s wearing a cute blue two-piece swimsuit and is playing with a rubber dolphin toy.

This beautiful figure is made by Chara-ani and is a 1/10 scale figure which is approximately 8.5cm (3.3in) tall.

Sword Art Online II – Sinon 1/10 Figure Swimsuit ver. – Pre-orders are available on JList and are scheduled to be released in February 2015.

Second Aldnoah.Zero 2nd Season Visual Officially Released

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November 16, 2014

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The Aldnoah.Zero official website has finally released the second visual for the second season, which will be airing from January 2015 during the Winter 2014/2015 anime season.

The second visual featuring Asseylum Vers Allusia was earlier previewed as a banner at Shinjuku Station in Tokyo.

The first visual was released back in October:

Aniplex USA also released a teaser video for the second cour of Aldnoah.Zero a while ago:

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.

Aldnoah.Zero 2nd Season will return January during the Winter 2014/2015 anime season. Further information about the second cour of the anime will be revealed soon.

Source: Aldnoah.Zero official website

Playable Calculator Smash Bros. Fan-Made Game

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November 16, 2014

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Are you a fan of Smash Bros.? Then, this should interest you.

You might already know that it’s possible to program for the monochrome Texas Instruments calculators. In fact; there are a lot of people really invested in created stuff for TI calculators. Well, somemone decided that they’d make Smash Bros. on it. It’s called Super Smash Bros. Open, and that was created by Hayleia, who’s also made a Pokemon game for calculators.

Even if you don’t own a calculator, it’s still a pretty fascinating thing to see and to take a peak at. And it’s a pretty great achievement, programming-wise. Besides, if you know how to code with a calculator, then you can contribute in the game’s development, since it’s open-sourced.

You can download Super Smash Bros. Open in the author’s forum thread here.

Source: Crunchyroll

Attack on Titan Protect the Wall T-Shirt Goes on Sale

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November 16, 2014

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Are a fan of Wit Studio’s Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin)? Check out this awesome shirt design that has silhouettes of the main characters from the series standing in front of the walls ready to attack any humanoid giants that approach, who are also known as titans.

User Harantula from TeePublic has created this awesome design for all of you fans of the show. It is currently on sale for $14 for a limited time!

The design is available in Black as shown above. Like all TeePublic prints it is available in male sizes S-3XL and female S-2XL, is preshrunk and is printed on 100% cotton using Direct to Garment application. TeePublic ships domestic to the US via either USPS budget shipping or UPS 3 Days and also ships internationally to most countries via UPS Mail Innovations or USPS 1st Class.

Make sure to look through more anime t-shirt designs on offer at TeePublic here. Also make sure to check out Olipop‘s profile page for more of his great designs here if you like his styling and want to see what other designs he has available for print.

Kekkai Sensen Anime to Be Produced by BONES, Slated for 2015

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November 16, 2014

The official website for the TV anime adaptation of Yasuhiro Nightow’s Kekkai Sensen (Blood Blockade Battlefront) has officially launched and has revealed that the series will be airing next year and will be produced by studio BONES. The anime’s staff, cast and first promotional video, and first visual were also revealed:

The recent issue of Shueisha’s Jump Square magazine has revealed the cast and the staff of the upcoming series. The anime’s main cast members were revealed, but their respective characters that they would voice have not been revealed yet. The announced cast includes:

Akira Ishida (Kotaro Katsura in Gintama)
Unshou Ishizuka (Joseph Joestar from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders)
Akio Ohtsuka (Batou in Ghost in the Shell)
Shinji Ogawa (Franz von Stresemann from Nodame Cantabile)
Ai Orikasa (Ryouko Hakubi in Shin Tenchi Muyo!)
Rie Kugimiya (Alphonse Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist and Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood)
Yu Kobayashi (Sasha Blouse from Attack on Titan)
Rikiya Koyama (Kiritsugu Emiya in Fate/Zero and Fate/stay night)
Daisuke Sakaguchi (Shinpachi Shimura in Gintama)
Kazuya Nakai (Roronoa Zoro from One Piece)
Keiji Fujiwara (Tatsuya Kimura from Hajime no Ippo)
Hikaru Midorikawa (Lancer in Fate/zero)
Mamoru Miyano (Rintarou Okabe from Steins;Gate)
Mitsuru Miyamoto (Maiza Avaro in Baccano!)

The magazine has also revealed the staff members that will be producing the anime:

Director: Rie Matsumoto (Kyousogiga)
Script Writer: Kazunao Furuya (Debut role)
Anime Character Designer: Toshihiro Kawamoto (Cowboy Bebop, Gosick)
Art Director: Shinji Kimura (Ao no Exorcist Movie, Steamboy)
Animation Studio: BONES (Hitsugi no Chaika, Captain Earth)

The first promotional video for the Kekkai Sensen anime was also released:

Kekkai Sensen (Blood Blockade Battlefront) is a manga from Yasuhiro Nightow that began in 2008 as a one shot series. Nightow is most known for this other manga Trigun, which ended that year with Trigun Maximum, which also had a . Kekkai Sensen was published in Shueisha’s Jump Square magazine, with a 3 part special releasing in 2009. Since then the manga became a regular series in 2010 instead being published in Shueisha’s Jump SQ.19 magazine. To date the series has a total of 9 compiled volumes.

Here is a synopsis of the series from Haruhichan:

A breach between Earth and the netherworlds has opened up over the city of New York, trapping New Yorkers and creatures from other dimensions in an impenetrable bubble. They’ve lived together for years, in a world of crazy crime sci-fi sensibilities. Now someone is threatening to sever the bubble, and a group of stylish superhumans is working to keep it from happening.

The Kekkai Sensen anime will be produced by studio BONES and will air in 2015. Further information on the adaptation will be released at a later date.

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

Source – Anime News Network, Kekkai Sensen Anime Website

Uncensored vs Censored – Tokyo Ghoul [NSFW]

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November 16, 2014

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With the recent release of the first volume of the Tokyo Ghoul Blu-ray, this is an opportune time to have a comparison of the censored TV broadcast and the uncensored Blu-ray version. The adaptation of Sui Ishida’s horror dark fantasy manga was quite popular and somewhat well received. The manga itself is well known for its dark twisted art, but it was unable to be translated well into the anime’s initial broadcast and was censored in some of its gruesome scenes.

Since the Blu-rays are released after the original TV version, studios have additional time to reproduce scenes of the anime that may have been rushed to make schedules, deadlines and meet TV regulations. They may redraw scenes, add new ones, include flashier effects, remove censorship or just improve the general quality of the anime.

This time there will be a comparison of the first 3 episodes of Tokyo Ghoul. We will be looking at the TV and Blu-ray versions for the censorsed and uncensored versions of the anime.

Note: There are spoilers for the first 3 episodes of Tokyo Ghoul

The left side of the images are from the TV broadcast, and the right side is from the Blu-ray release. Click on the images for the full resolution to take a closer look.

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 tankōbon volumes as of August 2014. A sequel titled Tokyo Ghoul:re started on October 2014 and a prequel titled Tokyo Ghoul: JACK is running online on Jump Live. A 12-episode anime television series adaptation by studio Pierrot aired on Tokyo MX between July and September 2014 and a second season is in production.

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.

All images come from the first Blu-ray volume of Tokyo Ghoul, which is currently available on Amazon Japan for ￥7,032(~ $7.032USD). The anime’s second Blu-ray released last month on Amazon Japan and the third volume will be released on the 28th.

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

Source – Takamiya Reddit

Sword Art Online II Episode 19 Has a New Opening Theme Sequence

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November 15, 2014

With Sword Art Online II episode 19 titled “Absolute Sword” aired today on Tokyo MX at 11:30pm JST, a new opening theme sequence has been revealed. The new opening theme focuses on Yuuki Konno who is new player who appears in ALfeim Online in volume 7. She leads the Sleeping Knights guild and is currently one of the main characters for the Mother’s Rosario (Mother’s Rosary) arc.

Key Visual:

Sword Art Online II synopsis from Haruhichan:

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.

Source: AnimeSloveniji

Attack on Avengers Comic Images Revealed

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November 15, 2014

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Twitter user Dan Kawaguchi has tweeted images for the Attack on Titan and Marvel franchise crossover comic that Japanese culture magazine Brutus published on Saturday. The comic features characters from Guardians of the Galaxy, Spider-Man and The Avengers as they battle the Female Titan, Colossal Titan, Armored Titan, and others in New York City.

The crossover featured English dialogue but includes a Japanese translation guide. As stated earlier, Attack on Titan creator Hajime Isayama himself created the plot for the comic.

The comic is titled Attack on Avengers, and the full staff lineup includes:

Scenario: Hajime Isayama
Breakdown: C.B. Cebulski
Line Artist: Gerardo Sandoval
Color Artist: Dono Sanchez Almara
Assistant Editor: Jake Thomas
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Editor in Chief: Axel Alonso
Chief Creative Officer: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley
Executive Producer: Alan Fine

The issue also includes a short discussion with Marvel Comics Senior Vice President of Creative & Creator Development C.B. Cebulski titled “The Boom Has Landed in America. The Reason Is Because Americans Are Becoming Prisoners” that discusses Attack on Titan‘s popularity in America. Cebulski introduces the English phrase “Nothing Sacred” when discussing how major characters in the series will suddenly die. He also talks about how today’s youth in America live in uneasy times, with metal detectors at the entrances to high schools and children being banned from playing outside. He said people can feel like they are living within walled confines, and so perhaps American youths can emotionally invest in Eren and his friends’ fight with the Titans beyond the walls.

The same issue of Brutus features a cover drawn by Isayama, as well as an interview with Isayama, and a preview of the upcoming Attack on Titan art exhibit.

Source: Dan Kawaguchi, ANN

Goose House Perform the Opening of Shigatsu Wa Kimi no Uso in Person

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