Ryuuko Matoi Makes a Special Appearance in Yama no Susume

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November 9, 2014

Assassination Classroom‘s official website recently released the third promotional video for the series, which is as follows;

This is the first promotional video to date for Assassination Classroom (Ansatsu Kyoushitsu) to display actual animated footage of the series. The website also announced that the first episode of the series, Episode 0, “Deai no Jikan” translated as Encounter Time would be aired at the Jump Special Anime Festa Event 2014.

Assassination Classroom will premiere in Japan on January 9th, 2015. The cast is as follows:

Jun Fukuyama (Lelouch Lamperouge in Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch) will voice the teacher Koro-sensei
Mai Fuchigami (Miho Nishizumi from Girls und Panzer) as Nagisa Shota
Nobuhiko Okamoto (Rin Okumura in Ao no Exorcist) will voice Karma Akabane
Miho Hino (Toki from Seitokai Yakuindomo) voices Sumire Hara
Kouki Harasawa (Hesma in Fantastic Children) voicing as Takuya Muramatsu
Ryota Osaka (Haruto Tokishima in Kakumeiki Valvrave) voices Yuma Isogai
Shizuka Itou (Luviagelita Edelfelt in Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya) will be voicing Irina Jelavic
Aya Suzaki (Tamako Kitashirakawa from Tamako Market) as Kaede Kayano
Subaru Kimura (Takeshi Gouda from Doraemon) will voice Ryouma Terasaka

ジャンプスペシャルアニメフェスタ2014お疲れ様でした！TVアニメ追加情報！！公式サイトにて、本日より配信開始！！動く殺せんせー＆E組生徒達の最新映像を初お披露目！最新PV「3年E組！殺せんせー！」ぜひごらんください♪　http://t.co/r20fzcFtXK　#暗殺教室

— アニメ『暗殺教室』劇場版DVDBD発売！ (@ansatsu_anime) November 9, 2014

Assassination Classroom (Ansatsu Kyoushitsu) synopsis from Haruhichan.

The students of class 3-E have a mission: kill their teacher before graduation. He has already destroyed the moon, and has promised to destroy the Earth if he can not be killed within a year. But how can this class of misfits kill a tentacled monster, capable of reaching Mach 20 speed, who may be the best teacher any of them have ever had?

Source: Official website, Twitter, Crunchyroll

Final Fantasy Type-0 Might Get Sequels

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November 9, 2014

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The upcoming Final Fantasy game Type-0 was playable for European customers during the French Paris Gamers Week, and its creator, also responsible for the actual next Final Fantasy game, numbered XV, was interviewed there. The director for these two games, Hajime Tabata was interviewed by Square Enix Europe.

“I would like to make more Type games and make them into a Final Fantasy series.” Tabata stated. “I’d like to make the Type series the kind of series where we can do the kind of stuff that we really can’t do in the mainline numbered series, so make it a really alternative kind of Final Fantasy.”

The interview also says that the official game’s main theme song “ZERO” by Bump of Chicken will remain the same in both Japanese and European versions. “We discussed it with Bump of Chicken and the final verdict is that we’re going to keep the original Japanese version as it is, included in the European version too. […] Obviously there will be subtitles for the lyrics of the song so you can understand its meaning.” Tabata says.

For those who don’t know about Type-0, it’s a more action and combat-oriented approach of the Final Fantasy saga, originally created for the PlayStation Portable. In this game, you must defend “Suzaku” from the assault of the neighbouring country, “Milites.”

http://youtu.be/5fgcRXhBTZA

Final Fantasy Type-0 HD gets released in North America for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on March 17, and March 20 in Europe.

Source: Crunchyroll, Square Enix Europe

Top Ten Pixiv Artworks of the Week #1

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November 9, 2014

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We will be starting a new weekly series, taking a look at the top 10 ranking Pixiv artworks of the week, from the 3rd of November to the 9th. The criteria for the top 10 artworks includes: it must be in the top weekly rankings and the artwork being one image (no multiple illustration artworks or comics). Of course, don’t forget to visit the artists’ page for more fantastic artworks.

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

10. Saber

Artist: saberiii

Link: http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=46905105

Starting off our list this week is this powerful and epic image of Saber, from ufotable’s current Fate/stay night anime. Here we see Saber in all her might wielding the legendary sword Excalibur. This image itself uses a lot of brush techniques that resembles a water colour painting.

9. waiter & waitress

Artist: ダエ

Link: http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=46893627

The 9th best Pixiv illustration of the week is this artwork of the two main characters of Tokyo Ghoul, Ken Kaneki and Touka Kirishima. This artwork isn’t as busy as the previous and focuses on the two characters with the lack of a background. More detail and attention has been used on the characters’ posture, easily expressing their personality, and detailed clothes.

8. 浮遊遺跡ライトアップ (The Floating Ruins Light Up)

Artist: K,Kanehira

Link: http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=46905476

The next image is this amazing original artwork of a futuristic, science fiction floating city. The image itself gives a warm vibe with all the yellow lighting, yet a sprinkle of neon lights and contrasting colours ties it nicely together. Though, a future city like this would be hard to navigate around.

7. ❀❀❀❀❀❀

Artist: RAN

Link: http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=46861577

#7 of the week is this colourful piece of art. A fair maiden in a field of flowers being enticed by a white glowing butterfly. And the title of the artwork itself is aptly named. This image uses a lot of soft, bright colours to give off an innocent and endearing feeling.

6. キリッ (Kiritsu)

Artist: jusc0

Link: http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=46890055

Fate/stay night is surely popular this season and in contrast to the Saber artwork, is this cute image of Saber and Shirou Emiya. The image itself was created in response to last week’s episode of the anime, so if you haven’t seen it yet you are missing out. Of course, nothing beats a caring, protective and adorable Saber. Except the following images.

5. 赤ずきん (Little Red Riding Hood)

Artist: しょういん

Link: http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=46885094

The first image in the top half of the list is this original small twist on the Little Red Riding Hood fairytale. Little red herself is using a little bit of magic to make her way to her grandmother’s house and seems to have tamed the big bad wolf. It doesn’t seem that scary anymore.

4. UBW

Artist: もちだのお手洗い

Link: http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=46894517

Another image for Fate/stay night, but this time focusing on the Unlimited Blade Works arc with characters Archer and Rin Tohsaka. This amazing stylised image actually represents the pairing of two, and you can see that with the small subtles in the image, such as the position of Archer’s arm on Rin. If you do want more, try searching 弓凛 on Pixiv.

3. リリス (Lilith)

Artist: 米っち

Link: http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=46883480

The third top Pixiv artwork of the week is of the enticing demon Lilith. It may seem like a nice romantic dinner with her, but one wrong move could prove fatal. There is a lot of detail in this image, especially in all the scales of the snakes and Lilith’s armour. And of course Lilith herself is looking mighty detailed.

2. 白雪 (Snow White)

Artist: Aちき@お仕事募集中

Link: http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=46902217

The second top image of the week is another original take on a classic fairytale, this time of Snow White. This adorable rendition of the classic is well detailed and conveys the bright contrasting colours of the princess’s dress. Everything about this image oozes the innocence of the princess, including her innocence of about to bite into the infamous apple.

1. Unlimited Blade Works

Artist: Ask

Link: http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=46861162

And at number 1 for this week is this jaw dropping artwork of Rin and Archer. Everything about this image is amazing, from the strong dominant posture of Rin to the realistic Tokyo background. This image itself is part of a fan artbook that focuses on Rin, and comes with lots of optional goodies such as a dakimakura cover and tapestry of Rin. You can find more information here.

So that is our first weekly Top 10 Pixiv Artworks of the week. Which artwork was your favourite?

Ketsuekigata-kun 2 Will Premiere This Winter 2015

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Hanase

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November 9, 2014

It was announced that the comedy blood type anime, Ketsuekigata-kun!, will receive a sequel set to premiere on January 8, 2015. The previous cast of the first season will still reprise their roles in the second season. The show will air on TOKYO MX, KBS Kyoto and on Japanese video-sharing website, Nico Nico Douga. Also, more female characters will appear in the second season. The voice actors of the characters are chosen with the same blood type as their role.

Cast:

Jun Fukuyama (Code Geass‘s Lelouch Lamperouge, Nanatsu no Taizai‘s King) voices A-Gata
Yuuichi Nakamura (Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun‘s Nozaki Umetarou, Donten ni Warau‘s Tenka Kumou) as B-Gata
Akira Ishida (Naruto‘s Gaara, Terra Formars‘ Joseph Gustav Newton) voicing O-Gata
Tetsuya Kakihara (Fairy Tail‘s Natsu Dragneel, Yowamushi Pedal‘s Jinpachi Toudou) as AB-Gata

Staff:

Original Creator: “Real Crazy Man”
Director: Yoshihisa Ooyama (Detroit Metal City)
Series Composition: Kenichi Yamashita (Minna Atsumare! Falcom Gakuen, Ishida and Asakura)
Studio: Assez Finaud Fabric. and Studio Feel (Futsuu no Joshikousei ga [Locodol] Yatte Mita., Minami-ke Tadaima)

Second season visual:

Watch the whole series in English subtitles:

Visit their official Twitter page, their official Facebook page and their Nico Nico Douga channel.

The first season was aired last April 7, 2013 – June 23, 2013 and it comprises 12 2-5 minute short episodes. It also has a short special that advertises the series and Teekyuu!‘s DVD release that was aired a week after episode 12. The anime is about four different blood types who interact with each other in their stereotypical blood type attitude.

Synopsis of Ketsuekigata-kun! from Haruhichan:

The anime adapted from the manga remake version of the Korean webtoon “A Simple Thinking about Bloodtypes” involving the faceless and nameless characters of four different blood types to discuss about popular anthropomorphized blood types (the stereotypes about the blood types) in Japan and Korea.

Source – Official Site of Ketsuekigata-kun!

High School DxD 3rd Season Information to Be Revealed at Fujimi Fantasia Bunko

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November 9, 2014

Japanese light novel publisher Fujimi Shobo will be hosting the 2014 Fujimi Fantasia Bunko event on December 6th, where a special conference for High School DxD will be hosted. The panel itself will be discussing information about the current light novels and the upcoming third season.

Fujimi Fantasia Bunko 2014 will be held on December 6th at the Belle Salle event centre in Akihabara, Tokyo. The event itself will have panels for many of the imprint’s popular series, such as Amagi Brilliant Park and Trinity Seven. The High school DxD panel will be the last panel for the day and will be hosted from 5:30pm JST till 6:00pm JST.

High School DxD is a light novel series written by Ichiei Ishibumi and illustrated by Miyama-Zero. The series began serialization in 2008 in Fujimi Shobo’s Dragon Magazine, before being published in their Fujimi Fantasia Bunko imprint. To date, there has been 18 compiled volumes. Three manga adaptation of the series have been published in 2010, 2012 and 2013, all of which have been written by Ishibumi. An anime adaptation was produced in 2012. It was animated by TNK (School Days) and directed by Tetsuya Yanagisawa (Sora no Otoshimono: Tokeijikake no Angeloid, Kyoshiro to Towa no Sora). Two OADs were then released, and were then followed by the second season of the anime in 2013. A Nintendo 3DS game was also released later that year.

Here is a synopsis of the series from Haruhichan:

Issei Hyodo is your average perverted high school student whose one wish in life is to have his own harem, but he’s got to be one of the unluckiest guys around. He goes on his first date with a girl only to get brutally attacked and killed when it turns out the girl is really a vicious fallen angel. To top it all off, he’s later reincarnated as a devil by his gorgeous senpai who tells him that she is also a devil and now his master! One thing’s for sure, his peaceful days are over. In a battle between devils and angels, who will win?

More information about the third season of the anime adaptation of High school DxD will be revealed at the series’ panel at the 2014 Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, on December 6th.

Visit the anime’s website here: http://www.haremking.tv/
You can also follow the anime’s Twitter: @hdd_anime

Source – Fujimi Fantasia Bunko 2014

Digimon Adventure Sequel Anime Character Silhouettes Released

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November 9, 2014

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The official website of the 2015 Digimon Adventure sequel anime has released a teaser that shows all the characters from the original series in silhouettes in their new designs for the upcoming anticipated series. The speculated characters, from left to right, include: Joe Kido, Izzy Izumi, Kari Kamiya, Tai Kamiya, Matt Ishida, Sora Takenouchi, TK Takaishi, and Mimi Tachikawa.

The site itself has a host of mini games where users need to click on a digiegg once a day to hatch it and unlock new content for the anime. The Spring 2015 anime itself will be set 6 years after the end of the original series, and 3 years after Digimon Adventure 02. The newly announced anime will be produced by Toei Animation (Sailor Moon Crystal, One Piece )and follow 17 year old Tai who is currently in high school with Agumon. Toei Animation released the first teaser video about the new series:

Digimon (Digital Monsters in Japan) is a large multimedia franchise that was based on Bandai’s Digivice products, which first released in 1997. The toys were based on Tamagotchis, which were also produced by Bandai. The toys were seen as more female orientated products, so Bandai created a new line of products for a male equivalent. .The first anime adaptation, Digimon Adventure, was produced in 1999 by Toei Animation. A film and TV anime were released alongside each other in 1999, the movie being a 20 minute anime produced by Mamoru Hosoda (Wolf Children, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time). Since then there has been numerous anime series, toys, figures, manga, video games and trading card games in the franchise. And this year, will mark the 15th anniversary of Digimon Adventure.

Here is a synopsis of the series from Haruhichan:

Fifteen years after the summer vacation.

If we didn’t go to the Digital World. If I didn’t make this trip with others. If we didn’t change at all like this.

These Digimon were always with us. We’ve been friends all the time. We learned the importance of helping each other. All the things have made us what we are!

New stories for all the “DigiDestined” in the world. Taichi, seventeen, high school days.

The upcoming Digimon Adventure anime will be airing during the Spring 2015 anime season. Further information about the series will be released soon.

You can also visit the 15th Anniversary website here: http://digimon-adventure.net/
And follow the campaign on Twitter: @Digi_advntr15th

Source – Digimon Adventure 15th Anniversary Project Website, Anime News Network

WORKING!! Special Edition Announced for 2015

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November 8, 2014

The cooking/ slice of life manga WORKING!!, which was supposedly to be finished with the upcoming release of the thirteenth and final volume on December 25th of this year, apparently gets something new in 2015. In fact, WORKING!! Special Edition has been announced for 2015. Little to nothing is known about it, save for the fact that it will release in January next year.

For those unfamiliar with WORKING!!, it’s been released as a 4-koma (four-panel strip) manga and then has been adapted in two anime series, WORKING!! and WORKING’!!, also known in the USA as Wagnaria!! The manga series was created by Karino Takatsu. It has 13 volumes and was adapted in two anime seasons, the third one being on its way. The first season aired during spring 2010 anime season from April 4 to June 27. The second season aired during the fall 2011 anime season from October 1 to December 24.

Here is a synopsis of the series from Haruhichan:

Takanashi Souta is an high-school student, minicon, and gets recruited by the mini-girl Taneshima Popura to work at the Wagnaria family restaurant. The series follows the daily work and life of its very unusual employees, such as the androphobic Inami Mahiru, the delinquent manager Shirafuji Kyouko, the katana-wielder chef Todoroki Yachiyo and whatnot.

Source: Seventhstyle

Uncensored vs Censored – Gokukoku no Brynhildr [NSFW]

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November 8, 2014

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It has been a small while since we had did a TV and Blu-ray Comparison post, and this time we have a series that ticks all the changes needed. Studio Arms’ (Elfen Lied, Genshiken) anime adaptation of Lynn Okamoto’s Gokukoku no Brynhildr (Brynhildr in the Darkness) manga had a fair bit of censorship on its original broadcast. 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. It’s always interesting to see what animation studios change for their “director’s cut” of the series.

This time there will be a comparison of the first 6 episodes of Gokukoku no Brynhildr. We will be looking at the censored and uncensored versions for the anime’s gore and nudity, and taking a general look at fixes and quality comparisons.

Note: There are spoilers for the first 6 episodes of Gokukoku no Brynhildr

First up are the comparisons for the gory sections of the anime. In the original TV broadcast for Gokukoku no Brynhildr, many of the more graphic scenes have been censored by a variety of ways, from black bars to the studio taking advice from Hollywood with lens flare. The original TV broadcast version is on the left and the Blu-ray version on the right.

Click on the images for the full resolution to take a closer look.

The next set of images are about the comparisons of the nudity scenes in the series. Like with the gore, they have been censored in the TV broadcast and uncensored in the Blu-ray release. Once again, the nudity might be too glorious for TV with all the lens flare, and zooming techniques to hide some of the nudity.

Another major part of the Blu-ray release is fixing up mistakes and generally improving on the quality of the anime. In the Gokukoku no Brynhildr Blu-ray release, you can see that a fair amount of small detailed changes have been made, mostly on the faces of the main characters.

And for our final comparisons, sometimes the studio makes a few questionable choices for the Blu-ray release. Studio Arms have made a few changes that may have not improved the quality of the anime, such as removing blood in one scene that appears in the next – which is in the TV release – making a continuity error, and a change to a scene of main protagonist Ryouta Murakami where his mouth doesn’t move even when speaking.

Gokukoku no Brynhildr (Brynhildr in the Darkness) is a science fiction manga written and illustrated by Lynn Okamoto. The series began serialization in January 2012 in Shueisha’s Weekly Young Jump magazine. To date a total of 11 compiled volumes have released in Japan. An anime adaptation of the series was produced in April this year, during the Spring 2014 anime season, and ran for a total of 13 episodes. It was produced by Studio Arms (Elfen Lied, Genshiken) and directed by Kenichi Imaizumi (Katekyo Hitman Reborn!).

Here is a synopsis of the series from Haruhichan:

When he was a child, Murakami was infatuated with a girl he called Kuroneko. She insisted on knowing about aliens and having met them, but no one believed her, even young Murakami was skeptical. One day, she decides to show him the aliens, but an accident occurs and Kuroneko dies while Murakami is left seriously wounded in the hospital.

Years go by and Murakami obsesses on finding proof of the existence of aliens because of a promise he had made with Kuroneko. Then, one day, a new transfer student comes to his class, who not only looks a lot like Kuroneko, but is named Kurohaneko!

All images come from the first Blu-ray boxset of Gokukoku no Brynhildr, which is currently available on Amazon Japan for ￥11,800 (~ $118.00 USD).

You can visit the anime’s website here: http://www.vap.co.jp/gokukoku/
And follow the anime’s Twitter here: @gokukoku_anime

So what do you think about the Blu-ray release? Did the changes benefit the series?

Assassination Classroom Will Have Two Seasons

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November 8, 2014

There’s been a listing showing that Assassination Classroom (Ansatsu Kyoushitsu) will be adapted as part as a two cour series, meaning the series will be adapted not in one season but two. The aforementioned listing also states that CG has been used for the animation.

The listing is as follows:

The series’ main cast were announced previously in a PV video and are as follows:

Jun Fukuyama (Lelouch Lamperouge in Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch) will voice the teacher Koro-sensei
Mai Fuchigami (Miho Nishizumi from Girls und Panzer) as Nagisa Shota
Nobuhiko Okamoto (Rin Okumura in Ao no Exorcist) will voice Karma Akabane
Miho Hino (Toki from Seitokai Yakuindomo) voices Sumire Hara
Kouki Harasawa (Hesma in Fantastic Children) voicing as Takuya Muramatsu
Ryota Osaka (Haruto Tokishima in Kakumeiki Valvrave) voices Yuma Isogai
Shizuka Itou (Luviagelita Edelfelt in Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya) will be voicing Irina Jelavic
Aya Suzaki (Tamako Kitashirakawa from Tamako Market) as Kaede Kayano
Subaru Kimura (Takeshi Gouda from Doraemon) will voice Ryouma Terasaka

Assassination Classroom is a comical manga that’s first appeared in 2012 and ran for eleven volumes ever since then. Thanks to the success of the series, it has been announced that an anime adaptation will follow.

Assassination Classroom (Ansatsu Kyoushitsu) synopsis from Haruhichan.

The students of class 3-E have a mission: kill their teacher before graduation. He has already destroyed the moon, and has promised to destroy the Earth if he can not be killed within a year. But how can this class of misfits kill a tentacled monster, capable of reaching Mach 20 speed, who may be the best teacher any of them have ever had?

Source: Crunchyroll, Zerochan

J-Pop Idol Unit ClariS’ Restarts with New Member Karen

By

Hanase

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November 8, 2014

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As Alice, the other half of ClariS along with Clara, departed from the J-pop duo and idol unit this May to focus on her studies, just today it was announced on the nineteenth volume of M-ON! Entertainment’s LisAni! magazine that Karen will replace her. Along with the magazine is an attached CD with a new original song “Clear Sky” that was sung by the new ClariS, both Clara and Karen. They will also sing the ending theme of the anime, Tsukimonogatari, named “Border” which will be the 11th single of the idol unit and will be released on January 7, 2015. Karen is an active high school student just like Clara.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2LQbQF5p1A

It has not yet been decided if the idol unit will change their name or remain it as ClariS since it was formed from the two singer’s name with hidden meaning as “clear” and “bright”.

It has also been decided that the duo will show their appearances on LisAni Live-5 Music Festival to be held on January 25, 2015 at Nippon Budokan, Central Tokyo, Japan along with Kalafina (First opening theme singer for Aldnoah.Zero), KOTOKO (First opening theme singer for Shirogane no Ishi: Argevollen), ZAQ (First opening theme singer for Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!), fripside (First opening theme singer for Black Bullet), Suzuko Mimori (Love Live! School Idol Project‘s Umi Sonoda) and LiSA (Opening theme singer for Sword Art Online). It will be their first attendance to perform in a music festival. However, the duo composed of Clara and Alice has already made a live appearance on Roppongi nicofarre last June 24 to commemorate their second album “SECOND STORY”, but only their silhouettes behind the curtain was seen. Instead, their appearances were portrayed as illustrations with Clara having slightly curly hair without bangs, Karen having a straight long hair with slightly-curled ends and half-bangs while Alice having straight long hair with bangs.

ClariS debuted with their first single, “irony,” which was used as Oreimo‘s opening theme. Then they started making more covers and songs like Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica‘s opening theme, Connect and Nisekoi‘s first and second opening theme, CLICK and STEP. Alice’s last contribution to the unit is their third studio album, “Party Time,” that was released on June 4, 2014.

Current illustrations of ClariS (Clara and Karen):

Former ClariS illustration (Clara and Alice):

What do you think about the member change and their upcoming live appearance? Let us know in the comments section below!

Source – ClariS Official Site, LisAni Magazine

Tsukimonogatari TV Commercial Streamed

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November 8, 2014

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The first TV commercial for the upcoming anime adaptation of Nisio Isin’s 13th book in the Monogatari light novel series Tsukimonogatari has been streamed. Tsukimonogatari will have a total of 4 episodes and to be aired on December 31, 2014 starting at 22:00 (10:00 pm). All 4 episodes will be shown in a row on TV stations Tokyo MX, BS11, and streamed on Niconico Douga.

ClariS will sing the ending theme, named “Border” which will be the 11th single of the idol unit and will be released on January 7, 2015.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2_6DNW74_M

Back in October Aniplex released the first promotional video of Tsukimonogatari with English subtitles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaB69GZfXcI

The first visual was also revealed:

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.

Tsukimonogatari synopsis from Haruhichan:

“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.

Psycho-Pass 2 Promotional Video 2

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November 8, 2014

With episode 5 airing yesterday on Fuji TV at 0:50, a second preview for the Sci-Fi Action Psycho-Pass 2 anime was streamed today. If you’re a fan of the series and can’t wait for episode 6, check out this promotional video:

Character designer Kyoji Asano has also been tweeting art he has done:

https://twitter.com/asanovic7/status/530278289311399936

https://twitter.com/asanovic7/status/527876649660858368

https://twitter.com/asanovic7/status/527735071382331392

https://twitter.com/asanovic7/status/525292634428809216

https://twitter.com/asanovic7/status/522721538609782784

Psycho-Pass 2 key visual:

Psycho-Pass 2 synopsis from Haruhichan:

Sequel to the Psycho-Pass series, taking place one-and-a-half years later.

Having learned the true nature of the Sibyl System, Akane Tsunemori chose to obey the system, believing in both humanity and the legal order. She’s part of a new police section and spends her everyday life facing down criminals. Unbeknownst to Akane, however, a monster who will shake the system to its core is about to appear before her.

Source: Crunchyroll

Manga Authors from Weekly Shonen Jump Pay Tribute to Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto

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November 7, 2014

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In this year’s 50th issue of Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, various manga authors have paid respect to Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto series which recently ended on chapter 700. Normally manga authors leave silly or honest comments in the boxes at the end of an issue of Weekly Shonen Jump. This week each of them is praising and congratulating Masashi Kisimoto on the end of Naruto instead.

Notes: Otsukaresama is a phrase to praise someone who is a hardworking, tired person as a form of appreciation for their job well done. As in you would say this at the end of the day to be like “Awesome job/Great work! You worked so diligently today! Have a rest!”. Otsukaresama Deshita means the same as noted above.

Masashi Kisimoto – Naruto

In accepting the final story, there are both happy and sorrowful (mixed feelings/a complicated mental state). Nevertheless, I’m able to speak clearly(/bluntly), thank you to all the readers. To the end, I truly thank you. Otsukaresama dattebayo!!

Yusei Matsui – Assassination Classroom

It’s been an honour to be present/witness to the end of great footprints. Masashi Kishimoto, truly, Otsukaresama Deshita.

Yuji Kimura – Garden

I ought to be able to commemorate and honor this issue of Weekly Shonen Jump by garnishing it with flowers. I await your thoughts/impressions.

Eiichihiro Oda – One Piece – Eiichihiro Oda also dedicated One Piece chapter 766’s cover to Naruto.

Both my friend and rival. Thank you for 15 years of cheerful/heartfelt serialization!! Kishimoto-san, Otsukaresama!!

Kohei Hirikoshi – My Hero Academia

Naruto was my youth (/springtime of adolescence) itself. Thank you for the greatest Shonen manga.

Yuto Tsukuda and Shun Saeki – Shokugeki no Soma

During middle/junior high school, the work that (we) came across (by chance) is finally…! Kishimoto-sensei, Otsukaresama Deshita! We both really agree! (followed by the author names)

Kawada – Hinomaru Sumo

Ever since the time I was a student, I really enjoyed (myself) reading it. I admired (you). Kishimoto-sensei, Otsukaresama Deshita!

Hideaki Sorachi – Gintama

When Shinobi pass by, as I expected, the wind/breeze was refreshing. Kishimoto-Sensei, A resounding farewell, dattebayo

Shuichi Aso – Flame of Saiki Kusunoki Takeshi

This week’s end of serialization, became an amazing (can mean dreadful) thing. (laughs) Kishimoto-Sensei, Otsukaresama Deshita!

Haruichi Furudate – Haikyuu!!

I was very honored to have collaborated at Anime Festa. I’m always aspiring to be as cool/attractive/stylish as Naruto.

Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro – Toriko

Uooh! Kishimoto-san, for 15 years, truly Otsukaresama Deshita! Naruto, Thank you!

Naoshi Komi – Nisekoi

To be witnessing/present for such a great conclusion of a serialization, I feel happy! Truly, Otsukaresama Deshita!

Daisuke Ashihara – World Trigger

Closing one of Jump’s histories, Kishimoto-Sensei, a long serialization for 15 years, Otsukaresama Deshita.

Shinsuke Kondo – Juudouzu

15 years of Jump’s supporting and continued great undertaking. Respectfully from the bottom of my heart, Kishimoto-sensei, Otsukaresama Deshita!

Ippei Goto – Hi-Fi Cluster

Kishimoto-sensei, for a while now, Otsukaresama Deshita. I ought to, and am honored, to be able to commemorate and be involved (with you) in this issue Weekly Shonen Jump.

Ryo Nakama – Isobe Iso Hyoe Monogatari

To come after Naruto, as a young mangaka, Now, I’m fired up and dreaming/looking forward. I’ll also do my best.

Tite Kubo – Bleach

Kishimoto-san, Otsukaresama Deshita! Although I believe it’s been busy to finish up, For now, please rest well!

Osamu Akimoto – Kochira Katsushikaku Kameari Kouenmae Hashutsujo

Kishimoto-san, for 15 years of long serialization, Otsukaresama Deshita I await the comeback of your new work.

Yuto Kubota – Sporting Salt

Kishimoto-Sensei, Otsukaresamadesu. I have been reading since my childhood. I love Rock Lee!

Yusaku Shibata – Yoakemono

Kishimoto-sensei, Otsukaresama Deshita. On your own, come back with a fresh start from training/learning. Thank you.

That wraps up this heart warming issue of Weekly Shonen Jump #50. How do you feel about these heart warming comments various authors left?

Source: OrganicDinosaur on Reddit.

Gintama OVA to Be Bundled with the 58th Manga Volume

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November 7, 2014

This year’s 50th issue of Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine will be announcing on Monday that the 58th limited edition manga volume of Gintama will bundle an anime DVD. The bundle will ship on April 3, 2015 with an original anime (OVA) that has not aired on television. The bundle will also include an exclusive original volume cover as well as an exclusive anime bookmark and an exclusive anime postcard.

The tagline for the bundled anime reads, "It's time for all the Yorozuya members … to wake up just one more time." — The tagline for the bundled anime reads: “It’s time for all the Yorozuya members … to wake up just one more time.”

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

Hideaki Sorachi’s Gintama action comedy manga inspired a television anime 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: ANN

Migi from Parasyte Gets a Battle Mode Figure and More

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November 7, 2014

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I’m sure you’re all enjoying the anime adaptation of Iwaki Hitoshi’s popular Sci-Fi Horror 1990’s manga Parasyte. Check out this awesome figure of the Parasite which lives in Shinichi’s right hand, Migi. This figure is 15cm (5.9in) in height and is by Takara Tomy A.R.T.S.

Parasyte – Migi Sofubi Figure – Preorders are available on JList and are scheduled to be released in November 2014.

From the excellent anime and manga series Parasyte comes this wonderful soft vinyl figure featuring Migi, the Parasite that lives in Shinichi’s right hand. Migi is displayed in his battle mode and you can pose him in all sorts of ways. He is beautifully crafted to look exactly the same as the anime. Ready for display on your desk or shelf, this is a great item to add to your Parasyte collection. By Takara Tomy A.R.T.S.

Below is a cute real size plush of Migi which is 28cm (11in) in height and by Takara Tomy A.R.T.S.

Parasyte – Migi Real Size Plush – Available for purchase on JList.

From the excellent anime and manga series Kiseiju aka Parasyte comes this kawaii plush toy of Migi, the Parasite that lives in Shinichi’s right hand. Soft and huggable, this large plush would impress even the most hardcore Parasyte fan with its high-quality design. Great as a decoration, or as a gag gift to your friends! Enjoy this plush by Takara Tomy A.R.T.S.

Finally we have a cute Migi mascot plush strap by Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. which is also in battle mode and will look great on your phone or 3DS!

Parasyte – Migi Mascot Plush Strap (Battle Mode) – Available for purchase on JList.

For all you fans of the excellent anime and manga series Parasyte, here’s the lovable Migi for you. This is a simple keychain plush mascot that you can hang on your bag or keychain. Made of a soft plush material that’s satisfying to touch and hug, and features Migi in his battle mode, ready to protect you from other Parasites. Brought to you by Takara Tomy A.R.T.S.

Nisekoi Christmas Cake Features the Four Main Heroines

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November 7, 2014

Earlier this week we made a post about the Madoka Magica, Kuroshitsuji: Book of Circus and Aldnoah.Zero Christmas cakes that AniSugar were rolling out. Today a Christmas cake featuring the four heroines from the Nisekoi TV Anime series was revealed.

The cake features Chitoge Kirisaki, Kosaki Onodera, Seishirou Tsugumi, and Marika Tachibana dressed up in a cute Santa Claus costume, drawn by the anime’s production company Shaft. The cake is filled with a fresh strawberry cream filling, and is topped with a whipped cream frosting and glazed fresh berries. The cakes are delivered frozen right before Christmas in a special illustrated box as shown above, and come with collectable plates. The price for the cake is 4,980 yen (about US$45) and its scheduled delivery day is December 23.

Source: AniSugar, Crunchyroll

Persona 3 the Movie #3: Falling down Slated for Spring 2015 + First Key Visual Released

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November 7, 2014

The official website of the Persona 3 anime films have revealed the title to the third, Persona 3 The Movie #3: Falling Down. The site has also revealed that the movie will be releasing in Japanese theatres next Spring. The reveal was accompanied by the first visual of the film:

The new visual itself features a brand new character to the film series, Ryoji Mochizuki. He is a mysterious transfer student enrolled in Gekkoukan High School. In addition to the visual, the anime’s official website has released new character designs for Ryoji, who will be a major part of the upcoming 2015 film.

The film itself will feature the return of the cast from the 2nd film, Midsummer Knight’s Dream. A new director will be helming helming the production of the film. Keitaro Motonaga (Date A Live, Jormungand) will be replacing Tomohisa Taguchi (Persona 4 the Golden Animation) who directed the second film. The anime’s website has also revealed the staff members producing the film:

Supervisor: Seiji Kishi (Persona 4 The Animation, Angel Beats!)

Script Writer: Jun Kumagai (Persona 3 Movies, Hamatora the Animation)

Anime Character Designer and Animation Director: Keisuke Watabe (Persona 3 Movies, Seikai no Senki)

Art Director: Toshihiro Kohama (Persona 3 Movies, Spice and Wolf)

Chief Animation Directors: Tomomi Ishikawa (Persona 3 Movies, Haganai), Yae Ootsuka (Persona 3 Movies, Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie)

Art Designer: Kaoru Aoki (Persona 3 Movies, Toriko)

Sound Director: Tomohisa Taguchi (Persona 3 Movies, Persona 4 the Golden Animation Director)

Music: Shoji Meguro (Persona 3 and Persona 4 Composer), Tetsuya Kobayashi (Persona 3 Movies, Blood+ Storyboard Artist)

Animation Studio: AIC (Sora no Otoshimono, Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita)

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

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

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

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

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

Persona 3 The Movie #3: Falling Down will be releasing in Japanese theatres in Spring 2015. The Blu-ray and DVD release of the second film, Persona 3 The Movie #3: Midsummer Knight’s Dream will release in Japan on March 11th.

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

So how do the players feel about the upcoming film? Did you enjoy the previous two films?

Source –Persona 3 Movie Website, Anime News Network, Crunchyroll, Moca News

Second Kantai Collection Anime Promotional Video Streamed

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November 7, 2014

Today, KADOKAWA anime have released the second promotional video for the upcoming Kantai Collection: Kan Colle anime, an adaptation of the popular Japanese mobile social card game Kantai Collection. The game and anime follows World War II warships reimagined as moe girls. Kantai Collection: Kan Colle will be premiering in Japan in January next year, during the Winter 2014/2015 anime season. More information on the series will be revealed at a special event on December 27th.

Key Visual:

Kantai Collection: Kan Colle 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: Kan Colle synopsis from Haruhichan:

TV adaptation of the online browser card battle game.

Sword Art Online II – Episode 18 Preview Streamed

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