Haruhichan Network – Anime news and more!

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March 9, 2016

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The 19th volume of Satou Tsutomu’s Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei (The Irregular at Magic High School) light novel series will be announcing on Thursday that a theatrical film has been green-lit. The announcement proclaims that “Tatsuya Shiba will become a legend.”

Visual:

Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei is a Japanese light novel series written by Tsutomu Sato, with illustrations by Kana Ishida. ASCII Media Works has published 14 novels under their Dengeki Bunko imprint since July 2011. There have been five manga adaptations published by ASCII Media Works and Square Enix. An anime television series adaptation by Madhouse began airing April 5, 2014. A mobile game titled Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei: School Magicus Battle and a PlayStation Vita game titled Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei: Out of Order by Namco Bandai Games were both announced at Dengeki Game Festival 2014 on March 16, 2014.

Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei synopsis from Haruhichan:

Magic—A century has passed since this concept has been recognized as a formal technology instead of the product of the occult or folklore.

The season is spring and it is time for a brand new school year.
At the National Magic University First Affiliate High School, A.K.A Magic High School, students are divided into two distinct groups according to their academic performances. The “Bloom,” who demonstrate the highest grades and are enrolled in the “First Course,” and the “Weed,” who have a poor academic record and are enrolled in the “Second Course.”

This spring, a very peculiar brother and sister enroll as new students.

The brother is an under achiever with some deficiencies and enrolls as a “Weed,” while his younger sister is an honor student, who enrolls as a “Bloom.”

The brother, with a somewhat philosophical expression, and the younger sister who holds feelings a little stronger than sibling love for him…

Ever since these two have entered through the gates of this prestigious school, the calm campus was beginning to change…

Source: IEEE802.11

Gintama 2015 Anime to End This Month

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March 8, 2016

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During the “Gintama Haru Matsuri 2016” event on Sunday the staff confirmed that the currently running Gintama anime will end this month.

The anime is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary. The cast, who were present during the event, offered their comments.

Tomokazu Sugita (Gintoki) stated:

A lot of things are celebrating anniversaries. Congratulations to Sengoku Basara for its 10th anniversary, Cardcaptor Sakura for its 20th anniversary, and the Gintama anime for its 10th anniversary. The first step to the 11th year has already begun.

Daisuke Sakaguchi (Shinpachi):

I don’t really feel like 10 years have passed. My feelings and mental age haven’t really progressed since that first recording session. I’m sure the next 10 years would be the same.

Rie Kugimiya (Kagura):

I’m really happy I was able to celebrate the 10th anniversary with everyone here. It’s been 10 years I’ve spent with people I love and all of you, and the roller coaster of emotions that comes from the fraudulent ‘the series is ending’ announcements. Here’s to more Gintama in the future!

In addition to this, in the 63rd volume of Hideaki Sorachi’s Gintama manga on Friday that the manga will enter the final arc this year. He also added that he does not know himself if the manga will end this year or next.

Sorachi had mentioned at last year’s Jump Festa event that the manga would enter its final arc this year. Afterward he received various worried letters from fans, so he clarified in this volume that he did not say whether or not the manga was ending this year.

Anime visual:

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

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

In Japan, the Gintama manga has been popular, selling over 46 million copies. The anime and its DVDs have been featured, at various time, in Top Ten of their respective media, while TV Tokyo has announced that the first Gintamaanime was responsible for high sales overseas along with the anime adaptation from Naruto. Publications for manga, anime and others have commented on the Gintama manga. Positive response have focused on the comedy and characters from the series, while negative responses concern the manga’s artwork.

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, Comic Natalie

Love Live! Sunshine!! Anime Trailer Streamed

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March 8, 2016

The first trailer has been streamed for the upcoming Love Live! Sunshine!! anime. This 10 minute lengthy trailer shows off the idols’ first single, as well as introducing them throughout the video and giving background details about the upcoming anime.

The Love Live! Sunshine!! anime is currently in production and is slated for July, during the Summer 2016 anime season.

The cast consist of:

Anju Inami (Ino Yamanaka in the Naruto Stage Play) will voice Chika Takami

Rikako Aida (Poona in Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart) voices Riko Sakurauchi

Nanaka Suwa (Yaya in Aoi Sekai no Chuushin de) as Kanan Matsuura

Arisa Komiya (Gravure Idol and Yoko Usami/Yellow Buster from Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters) is voicing Dia Kurosawa

Shuka Saito (Unknown) will join the cast as You Watanabe

Aika Kobayashi (Singer of Freezing ED) will voice Yoshiko Tsushima

Kanako Takatsuki (Cover Artist, Part of AnisongCollab) as Hanamaru Kunikida

Aina Suzuki (Contestant in the 2013 Anison Grand Prix) voices Mari Ohara

Ai Furihata (Various Game Voices) is voicing Ruby Kurosawa

Lantia also posted the full music video for “Kimi no Kokoro wa Kagayaiteru kai?” (Is Your Heart Sparkling?), the idols’ first single which went on sale on October 7:

In addition to this, new character designs for the upcoming Love Live! Sunshine!! anime project have recently been revealed. The new character designs with their cast members and names include:

Aika Kobayashi (Singer of Freezing ED) will voice Yoshiko Tsushima
Shuka Saito (First Major Role) will join the cast as You Watanabe
Arisa Komiya (Gravure Idol and Yoko Usami/Yellow Buster from Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters) is voicing Kurosawa Dia
Nanaka Suwa (Yaya in Aoi Sekai no Chuushin de) as Kanan Matsuura
Rikako Aida (Poona in Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart) voices Riko Sakurauchi
Anju Inami (Ino Yamanaka in the Naruto Stage Play) will voice Chika Takami

Visual:

Love Live! School Idol Project is an original anime produced by Sunrise studios that aired in January 2013. The conception of the anime project started in 2010 by Dengeki G’s Magazine. The editors wanted the project to be heavily influenced by fans, such as the costumes, hairstyles and names. Throughout this process, a manga of the project simply called Love Live! began in early 2012 by Sakurako Kimino and Arumi Tokita. The next part in the project was the anime series, followed by this app and an OVA. The second season of Love Live! School Idol Project aired last year and an anime film will be released this Summer.

Here is a synopsis of the series from Haruhichan:

Otonokizaka High School stands on the border of three cities: Akihabara—a pop culture mecca that’s evolving by the minute; Kanda—a conservative, cultured city where history and tradition reign supreme; and Jinbo—a quiet area reserved for a more mature, sophisticated population. Amidst this culture clash, the school now faces closure due to the enrollment of fewer and fewer students.

With the school planning to close within three years, nine female students come together with one thing in mind—form a pop idol group to revive the school’s popularity and keep it from shutting down. “In order to protect our beloved school, there’s only one thing we can do… become pop stars!”

You can visit the proejct’s website for more information: http://www.lovelive-anime.jp/sp_sunshine.html
And follow their Twitter as well: @LoveLive_staff

Source: Love Live Sunshine!! English Website

Mami Takes Center Position in New Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Poster

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March 8, 2016

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A new visual for the Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica franchise has been revealed in the April 2016 issue of NewType as a poster. The poster features God Madoka, Devil Homura, and Tomoe Mami in the center.

The series was also featured in the January 2016 issue of NewType as a poster.

Also in the January issue featured an interview with SHAFT representative director and president Mitsutoshi Kuboto and it unveils more details on the Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica concept movie which was recently shown at SHAFT’s 40th anniversary “Madogatari” exhibit last month. Kubota is credited as the producer for the project. He confirms that the project will not end with just the concept movie, but will launch a brand new Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica project.

Magica Quartet – the team behind the Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica anime series, consisting of director Akiyuki Simbo, character designer Ume Aoki, scriptwriter Gen Urobuchi (Nitroplus), and animation studio Shaft – have continued plans for a new work since the Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica The Movie Part 3: Rebellion film opened in October 2013. The concept movie was born from their meetings.

Simbo created the storyboards and served as chief director for the short, while series director Yukihiro Miyamoto returned to direct. Composer Yuki Kajiura contributed a new musical piece. Other returning staff members include:

Alternate Space Design: Gekidan Inu Curry (Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica)
Animation director: Junichiro Taniguchi (Genshiken Nidaime)
Sound Director: Yota Tsuruoka (Clannad)
Sound Production: Rakuonsha
Animation Production: SHAFT (Bakemonogatari, Nisekoi, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei)

The following cast members from previous anime recorded new lines for the concept movie:

Aoi Yuuki (Yuuki Konno from Sword Art Online II) as Madoka Kaname
Chiwa Saito (Yona from Akatsuki no Yona) as Homura Akemi
Kaori Mizuhashi (Minami Shimada from Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu) as Mami Tomoe
Eri Kitamura (Kana from Fairy Tail) as Sayaka Miki
Ai Nonaka (Konoka Konoe from Mahou Sensei Negima!) as Kyouko Sakura
Emiri Katou (Hideyoshi Kinoshita from Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu) as Kyubey
Kana Asumi (Mio Kitahara from Ano Natsu de Matteru) as Nagisa Momoe

Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica synopsis from Haruhichan:

She has a loving family and best friends, laughs and cries from time to time… Madoka Kaname, an eighth grader of Mitakihara middle school, is one of those who lives such a life. One day, she had a very magical encounter. She doesn’t know if it happened by chance or by fate yet. This is a fateful encounter that can change her destiny—this is a beginning of the new story of the magical girls.

Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica is a Japanese anime television series produced by Shaft and Aniplex. It was directed by Akiyuki Shinbo and written by Gen Urobuchi, with original character designs by Ume Aoki, character design adaptation by Takahiro Kishida, and music by Yuki Kajiura. The story follows a group of female middle school students who choose to become magical girls and must battle surreal enemies called witches. However, they consequently learn of the anguish and perils associated with their newfound roles.

The first ten episodes of the series aired in Japan on TBS and MBS between January and March 2011, while the final two episodes were delayed until April 2011 due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. A manga adaptation of the series and various spin-off manga series have been published by Houbunsha and licensed in North America by Yen Press. A novelisation by Nitroplus was released in August 2011, and a dedicated magazine, Manga Time Kirara Magica, was launched by Houbunsha in June 2012. A video game for the PlayStation Portable was released in March 2012, with another for PlayStation Vita released in December 2013. A film series has also been produced, consisting of two films recapping the anime series, released in October 2012, and a third film featuring an original story which was released on October 26, 2013.

Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica has received widespread critical acclaim, with critics praising the writing, visuals and soundtrack of the series, as well as its approach to the magical girl subgenre. It has also been a commercial success, with each BD volume selling more than 50,000 copies. The series won several awards in Japan, such as the Television Award at the 16th Animation Kobe Awards, as well as 12 Newtype Anime Awards and the Grand Prize for animation in the 2011 Japan Media Arts awards.

Mahouka Koukou No Rettousei Season 2? Light Novel Volume 19 to Announce Something Big on March 10

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March 8, 2016

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The official Twitter account for Satou Tsutomu’s Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei (The Irregular at Magic High School) light-novel has announced that volume 19 will announcement something big for the series. The volume is scheduled to release on March 10, 2016.

[お知らせ]電撃文庫の三木です。来る3/10に電撃文庫『魔法科高校の劣等生』最新第19巻発売です！　七賢人の一人、グ・ジーを巡るUSNA軍との攻防が決着、師族会議編＜下＞をお楽しみに。さらにオビで重大発表あります！#mahouka　https://t.co/glb3aYbYcZ

— 電撃文庫『魔法科高校の劣等生』 (@dengeki_mahouka) March 7, 2016

Visual:

Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei is a Japanese light novel series written by Tsutomu Sato, with illustrations by Kana Ishida. ASCII Media Works has published 14 novels under their Dengeki Bunko imprint since July 2011. There have been five manga adaptations published by ASCII Media Works and Square Enix. An anime television series adaptation by Madhouse began airing April 5, 2014. A mobile game titled Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei: School Magicus Battle and a PlayStation Vita game titled Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei: Out of Order by Namco Bandai Games were both announced at Dengeki Game Festival 2014 on March 16, 2014.

Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei synopsis from Haruhichan:

Magic—A century has passed since this concept has been recognized as a formal technology instead of the product of the occult or folklore.

The season is spring and it is time for a brand new school year.
At the National Magic University First Affiliate High School, A.K.A Magic High School, students are divided into two distinct groups according to their academic performances. The “Bloom,” who demonstrate the highest grades and are enrolled in the “First Course,” and the “Weed,” who have a poor academic record and are enrolled in the “Second Course.”

This spring, a very peculiar brother and sister enroll as new students.

The brother is an under achiever with some deficiencies and enrolls as a “Weed,” while his younger sister is an honor student, who enrolls as a “Bloom.”

The brother, with a somewhat philosophical expression, and the younger sister who holds feelings a little stronger than sibling love for him…

Ever since these two have entered through the gates of this prestigious school, the calm campus was beginning to change…

Source: Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei official Twitter

Aoi Tenjiku Gets Nude in Latest Figure by Tony Taka [NSFW]

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Aoi Tenjiku can be pre-ordered here.

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March 8, 2016

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Tony Taka is back once again with this awesome cast-off figure of Aoi Tenjiku. Inspired by Tony’s original illustration series T2 Art Girls, Aoi is shown in a laying pose wearing her school uniform but without a skirt making her panties exposed. She comes with an alternate face part plus her uniform and panties can be cast-off! The figure is carefully sculpted to recreate Tony’s unique character design and Yae’s original look, fans will not be disappointed. Brought to you by SkyTube.

T2 Art Girls Ojousama no Hanazono – Aoi Tenjiku 1/6 Complete Figure – This figure is currently available on JList here (get 5% off with coupon code MOE-N3Y-4YW0QK).

God Eater Livie Collete Figure Revealed

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Livie can be pre-ordered here.

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March 8, 2016

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From popular action game God Eater 2 Rage Burst comes a sexy figure of the red hooded god eater Livie Collete. This figure presents Livie in her signature red hood while carrying her massive God Arc. You’ll love her cute features and the amazing detail on her dress and giant scythe. Another awesome figure by Good Smile Company.

GOD EATER 2 RAGE BURST – Livie Collete 1/7 Figure – This figure is currently available on JList here (get 5% off with coupon code MOE-N3Y-4YW0QK).

Love Live! Sunshine!! Anime Character Preview Videos Streamed

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March 8, 2016

With the recent announcement of television anime adaptation of Love Live! Sunshine!!, a new series of videos have been released and introduce the main idols of Aqours. The videos, currently at 4, each shows off voice samples from the character’s’ voice actresses. Further videos for the remaining idols will release at a later date.

The Love Live! Sunshine!! anime is currently in production and will air this July, during the Summer 2016 anime season.

Chika Takami, voiced by Anju Inami (Ino Yamanaka in the Naruto Stage Play

Riko Sakurauchi, voiced by Rikako Aida (Poona in Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart)

Kanan Matsuura, voiced by Nanaka Suwa (Yaya in Aoi Sekai no Chuushin de)

Dia Kurosawa, voiced by Arisa Komiya (Gravure Idol and Yoko Usami/Yellow Buster from Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters)

The cast consist of:

Anju Inami (Ino Yamanaka in the Naruto Stage Play) will voice Chika Takami

Rikako Aida (Poona in Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart) voices Riko Sakurauchi

Nanaka Suwa (Yaya in Aoi Sekai no Chuushin de) as Kanan Matsuura

Arisa Komiya (Gravure Idol and Yoko Usami/Yellow Buster from Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters) is voicing Dia Kurosawa

Shuka Saito (Unknown) will join the cast as You Watanabe

Aika Kobayashi (Singer of Freezing ED) will voice Yoshiko Tsushima

Kanako Takatsuki (Cover Artist, Part of AnisongCollab) as Hanamaru Kunikida

Aina Suzuki (Contestant in the 2013 Anison Grand Prix) voices Mari Ohara

Ai Furihata (Various Game Voices) is voicing Ruby Kurosawa

Lantia also posted the full music video for “Kimi no Kokoro wa Kagayaiteru kai?” (Is Your Heart Sparkling?), the idols’ first single which went on sale on October 7:

In addition to this, new character designs for the upcoming Love Live! Sunshine!! anime project have recently been revealed. The new character designs with their cast members and names include:

Aika Kobayashi (Singer of Freezing ED) will voice Yoshiko Tsushima
Shuka Saito (First Major Role) will join the cast as You Watanabe
Arisa Komiya (Gravure Idol and Yoko Usami/Yellow Buster from Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters) is voicing Kurosawa Dia
Nanaka Suwa (Yaya in Aoi Sekai no Chuushin de) as Kanan Matsuura
Rikako Aida (Poona in Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart) voices Riko Sakurauchi
Anju Inami (Ino Yamanaka in the Naruto Stage Play) will voice Chika Takami

Visual:

Love Live! School Idol Project is an original anime produced by Sunrise studios that aired in January 2013. The conception of the anime project started in 2010 by Dengeki G’s Magazine. The editors wanted the project to be heavily influenced by fans, such as the costumes, hairstyles and names. Throughout this process, a manga of the project simply called Love Live! began in early 2012 by Sakurako Kimino and Arumi Tokita. The next part in the project was the anime series, followed by this app and an OVA. The second season of Love Live! School Idol Project aired last year and an anime film will be released this Summer.

Here is a synopsis of the series from Haruhichan:

Otonokizaka High School stands on the border of three cities: Akihabara—a pop culture mecca that’s evolving by the minute; Kanda—a conservative, cultured city where history and tradition reign supreme; and Jinbo—a quiet area reserved for a more mature, sophisticated population. Amidst this culture clash, the school now faces closure due to the enrollment of fewer and fewer students.

With the school planning to close within three years, nine female students come together with one thing in mind—form a pop idol group to revive the school’s popularity and keep it from shutting down. “In order to protect our beloved school, there’s only one thing we can do… become pop stars!”

You can visit the proejct’s website for more information: http://www.lovelive-anime.jp/sp_sunshine.html
And follow their Twitter as well: @LoveLive_staff

Source: Love Live Sunshine!! English Website

Digimon’s Agumon as a Huggable PC Cushion

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March 8, 2016

The latest cutie to receive the PC cushion treatment is Digimon‘s beloved Agumon! This little fire-breathing Tyrannosaurus is absolutely huggable!

Bandai has delivered again with its cute stuffed animal-style PC wrist rests. Last month the line debuted with representatives of three of Japan’s most popular character merchandise plus one of the people who worked on Yokai Watch.

Agumon travels with his human companion, Taichi, in the Digiworld, but he can also be yours in plushie form sitting on your lap, helping you get through your work day or homework.

Agumon comes with his very own keyboard, although he can also sit upright on his own. In this way you can either huge Agumon, or set him aside and use his keyboard as a wrist rest.

The plush keyboard is detailed with Digimon‘s Dijimoji script and vibrant colors sure to keep your desk space cute.

You can order the Agumon PC cushion here through the Premium Bandai online store for 5,616 yen (US$50), with delivery scheduled for June.

Source: Rocket News 24

“What Do You Say When a Friend Critisizes an Anime You like?” Japanese Twitter Users Respond

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March 7, 2016

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We all know the big no-no’s and sensitive topics like politics and religion, but in the anime loving community another seriously dangerous topic is voicing your dislike for an anime your friend enjoys. It’s even worse if it’s their favorite anime.

Of course no one agrees on everything, and we all have different opinions. Typically we’re able to look past these disagreements and accept that everyone is different.

We’ve all gotten heated one time or another to defend what we believe to be our most cherished anime. Take a look at how these Japanese Twitter users respond to the hashtag #TheCorrectWayToDealWithAFriendCritizingAnimeYouLike (#好きなアニメを友達に批判されたときの正しい対応 ).

“Shut up! You Brat!”

“I don’t care.”

“The world you seek and the world I seek are different.”

“Please, choose whichever you prefer.”
“I am going to beat your face until it changes shape.”

“That’s just your opinion.”

“1. Understand the other person’s position.
2. Find the good and bad points in each other’s ideas, debate
them, and understand each other.
3.”
Image subtitle: “And then kill them.”

“Shut up. You piece of crap.” “Wha–?!”

“Uh-huh, okay, whatever.”

“Wherever you are on the planet, I will find and I will punish you.”

“I’ll skip the details and get right to the point. You are gonna die.”

Or you could just kick the mascot.

How do you deal with a friend disliking a favorite anime of yours? What do you tell them?

Source: Rocket News 24

Man at Arms Blacksmiths Recreate Asuna’s Rapier

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March 7, 2016

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Every other Monday, Man At Arms’ team of blacksmiths and craftsman will be build fans’ favorite weapons. This week they’ve recreated a real version of Sword Art Online‘s Asuna’s rapier. The team at Man at Arms: Reforged generally work on extravagant pieces, creating hybrids between various iconic weapons, but this time they want to finish off their Final Fantasy weapon collection. As usual, the video documents the processes used and explain the concepts of how the weapon is designed and forged.

Rock out with Good Smile’s New Cyan Nendoroid

By

Seiba

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March 7, 2016

Cyan Nendoroid Figure can be pre-ordered here.

With the second season of the idol anime, Show By Rock! to air in April of this year, figure company, Good Smile Company, has decided to celebrate in their own way – by releasing a long awaited nendoroid of the protagonist, Cyan.

Cyan’s nendoroid is #610 in Good Smile’s famous figure line that allows for switching of the heads and bodies. The figure is made of pure ABS and PCV, while it stands 100 mm high, or approximately 3.9 inches tall. While Good Smile manufactures the figure, artists Chen Tian and Nendoron are the artists behind its final product. Included is a removable Electric Guitar prop, including a fake leather strap to display it on the figure. For the time being, if you preorder off of the official Good Smile site before March 30th, an acrylic keychain of Cyan is included with the order.

SHOW BY ROCK!! – Cyan Nendoroid Figure – This figure is currently available on JList here (get 5% off with coupon code MOE-N3Y-4YW0QK).

Dungeon-Crawling JRPG Etrian Odyssey V’s First Trailer Streamed

By

Erik Hrothgar

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March 7, 2016

Atlus, whom many may recognize as the driving force behind the successful Shin Megami Tensei series, have released the first trailer for Etrian Odyssey V: The End of the Long Myth, the next entry in the publisher/developer’s flagship dungeon-crawling RPG series.

Taking place in a new world by the name “Arcadia,” players will have the option of choosing between four races: Earthrun, Lunaria, Therian, and Bronie. Customization is said to be a primary focus for the title, as noted by director Shigeo Komori in an interview with Weekly Famitsu. Along with hairstyles and an extensive, almost infinite color palette to choose from to edit your character’s hair, eyes, and skin, players will also have 22 different voices to model their ideal persona including Satomi Arai (Kuroko Shirai, A Certain Scientific Railgun) and the illustrious Yui Horie (Bakemonogatari, Toradora!).

The outline of Etrian Odyssey V‘s story is as follows, courtesy of Gematsu:

“Arcadia,” a land dominated by swords and magic. A huge tree from ancient times called “Yggdrasil” exists here and is to be the reason that peace visits the world.

There is a legend about that World Tree. If you can manage to reach its untrodden summit, it is said that your dreams will come true.

“The power to dominate the world.” “The most powerful.” “The world’s mysteries.” “Expensive treasures.”

Although there are four races that live in this land, each has a different legend, but no person has been able to confirm them.

From the city “Aolith” at the bottom of Yggdrasil, the official orders are issued. In pursuit of the legend, the courageous adventurers who will challenge Yggdrasil gather in Aolith. You’re one of the adventurers in response to the official orders.

Whether it’s for wealth and honor, or to satisfy your sense of adventure, you’ll challenge the labyrinths and aim for the top of the World Tree.

Furthermore, each race will have at least two classes each with only the Arslan race having four classes. This stands to reason that, possibly, more classes will be added to each race as development progress, as Etrian Odyssey V is only 60 percent complete as of this writing. Those ten classes are:

Fencer (Arslan)
Dragoon (Arslan)
Cestus (Arslan)
Reaper (Arslan)
Necromancer (Lunaria)
Warlock (Lunaria)
Warrior (Cerian)
Hound (Cerian)
Herbalist (Bronie)
Shaman (Bronie)

While the game’s director Shigeo Komori – who has experience directing the Etrian Odyssey series with both II and III – went on to say that Etrian Odyssey V is being aimed at the veteran players with more difficult team-building strategies, a new concept for the series is the inclusion of voice-over. However, those aforementioned long-time fans seem to have been kept in mind for this element as there will be the ability to shut off all voices – if desired.

Yuzo Koshiro and Yuji Himukai, who have both been with the series since its very beginning in 2007, will be returning once again to provide the soundtrack and character designs respectively.

Persona Central has been gracious enough to upload 25 minutes worth of gameplay footage from the Niconico broadcast that aired on March 5th.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4s1mXBT-pTpPiZmkoNRigiCt2VpWy_9d

Early adopters of Etrian Odyssey V will be able to net some fairly excellent first-print bonus items including a “rough sketch version” of the title’s soundtrack – presumably an assortment of songs, rather than the fully-fledged OST – as well as a nifty, collector’s edition box which will have an artbook and a downloadable code for additional content packaged in.

Japanese players and importers will be able to get their hands on Etrian Odyssey V on August 4th, exclusively on Nintendo 3DS. A North American release date has yet to be announced.

You can also check out a gallery with each and every scan from the Weekly Famitsu feature on Etrian Odyssey V, courtesy of Nintendo Everything.

Source: Gematsu (1), (2)

Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch Releases on May 24th

By

Erik Hrothgar

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March 7, 2016

Blizzard Entertainment, the developer behind such staple franchises as Diablo and Starcraft, will release Overwatch, their first foray into the frenetic FPS gaming genre, on May 24 according to a series of advertisements on IGN noticed by NeoGAF user, Sn4ke_911. No official announcement from Blizzard has been made as of yet, so it is believed that this ad campaign was leaked out ahead of schedule.

Whether you’ve already secured your pre-order for Overwatch or you’re still on the fence, those who purchase their copy early will have access to an open beta, starting on May 3. This will be the first-time console players will be able to enjoy early access until its official release.

Players will have 21 unique characters to choose from in a six-versus-six arena to carry out objectives such as carrying a payload to its destination. Teamwork is essential to victory, more so than other competitive titles, as an abundance of one type of character or the absence of one can end in defeat. Thankfully, however, if one character simply isn’t cutting it, players can swap at anytime to drastically change the flow of battle.

The story of Overwatch is as follows, as excerpted from the official website:

Soldiers. Scientists. Adventurers. Oddities.

In a time of global crisis, an international task force of heroes banded together to restore peace to a war-torn world:

OVERWATCH.

It ended the crisis and helped to maintain peace in the decades that followed, inspiring an era of exploration, innovation, and discovery. But after many years, Overwatch’s influence waned, and it was eventually disbanded.

Overwatch is gone… but the world still needs heroes.

For more information, check out Overwatch‘s official website and YouTube channel! If you like what you see from the legendary masterminds over at Blizzard, you should consider pre-ordering Overwatch for PC, PlayStation 4, or Xbox One through our Amazon affiliate link!

To get an even bigger taste on what’s to come, check out the latest gameplay trailer:

Disclosure: Haruhichan is not sponsored by Activision-Blizzard nor paid by the company to produce this article.

Source: Gematsu

Ni-Oh behind Closed Doors Screening Revealed

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March 7, 2016

KOEI Tecmo Games’ Team Ninja development studio began streaming a walk through video on Saturday for their Ni-Oh “dark-warring-states action RPG.” Having previously been screened behind closed doors at a presentation at Tokyo Game Show last September, this is the first time it’s being revealed to audiences worldwide.

We can see that you can wield a variety of different weapons as well as customize your character’s armor. In fact, you can hold several weapons at once to chose from during battle. It also seems like once you kill enough enemies you can unlock a limit breaker of sorts that makes your character stronger and attack with fire on their blade. Don’t even get me started on the cool bosses. We’re excited to dig into this fascinating samurai/fantasy world that is Ni-Oh.

Team Ninja, the brains behind series such as Dead or Alive and Dissidia Final Fantasy arcade, is developing the game. KOEI Tecmo Games announced Ni-Oh with a teaser trailer in September. The company then revealed that they will release the game in the West in December.

KOEI Tecmo Games will release Ni-Oh exclusively on the PlayStation 4 in 2016.

The game follows William, a blond-haired, blue-eyed samurai who arrived in Japan during the Age of Warring States, when the land was shrouded with supernatural entities.

KOEI Tecmo Games’ general producer Kou Shibusawa is working on the game. Before it merged with Tecmo, KOEI had previously announced the game, then Romanized as Ni-Oh, as a PlayStation 3 release in 2004. At the time, it was based on concepts from the late acclaimed film director Akira Kurosawa (The Seven Samurai, Rashomon, Ran).

Source: Anime News Network

Sailor Moon Crystal Season 3 New PV, Release Date, and Theme Song Artists

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March 7, 2016

The official website for Sailor Moon Crystal has updated with information about the upcoming third season including a new PV, which promises to show us the steamy romance of the stellar lesbian couple, Sailor Uranus and Neptune, a detail, which was censored in the 90’s anime, that many fans were anxious to see animated.

Tokyo MX will begin airing the new season on April 4, at 11:00pm. The opening song titled “New Moon ni Aishite,” will be performed by Etsuko Yakushimaru, and the Ending song titled “eternal eternity,” will be a duet performed by the voice actresses for Sailor Uranus and Neptune, Junko Minagawa and Sayaka Ohara.

The new cast consists of:

Junko Minagawa (Ryouma Echizen from Prince of Tennis) will voice Haruka Tenou (Sailor Uranus)
Sayaka Ohara (Urtori from Utawarerumono) as Michiru Kaiou (Sailor Neptune)
Yukiyo Fujii (Patema from Sakasama no Patema) as Hotaru Tomoe (Sailor Saturn)
Takuya Kirimoto (Gazelle from Eureka Seven AO) as Souichi Tomoe:
Hikari Yono (Yoshino Uehara from Gantz) as Kaolinite
Takaya Hashi (Sadri from Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam) as Pharaoh 90
Yuki Nagaku (Ichigo Moesaki from Sore ga Seiyuu!) as Mimete
Chiaki Takahashi (Azusa Miura from The iDOLM@STER) as Eudial
Rina Honnizumi (Rinne Rokudou from Kyoukai no Rinne (TV)) as Viluy
Naomi Oozora (Inari Fushimi from Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha.) as Tellu
Umeka Shouji (Inazuma from One Piece) as Cyprine

The anime will have a stage program at the AnimeJapan 2016 event on March 26. The stage program will announce more information on the third season, as well as a new project.

Chiaki Kon (Junjou Romantica, Golden Time) will be taking over for Munehisa Sakai in directing the anime, while Akira Takahashi (Dokidoki! Precure, Suite Precure) will take over for Yukie Sako in creating the character’s designs. Yuji Kobayashi will still be in charge of the script, so we can continue to expect wonderfully constructed writing, brilliantly sewn characters, and the overall great appeal of this favorite arc. Takashi Kurahashi is returning as art director, and Yasuharu Takanashi is returning to compose music for the series. King Records will produce the music, and Toei Animation will continue animation

Previous visual:

Sailor Moon Crystal, known in Japan as Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal, is a 2014 original net animation series produced in commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of the shoujo manga series Sailor Moon. Produced by Toei Animation and directed by Munehisa Sakai, the series was streamed worldwide on Niconico from July 5, 2014 to July 18, 2015, with new episodes being released twice a month. Instead of remaking the 1992–97 anime series preceding it, Toei produced Crystal as a reboot of Sailor Moon and was a more faithful adaptation of Naoko Takeuchi’s original manga, omitting much of the original material from the first series. The story focuses on Usagi Tsukino, a young girl who is granted the power to become the titular character and is joined by fellow Sailor Guardians in search of Princess Serenity and the Legendary Silver Crystal.

The first episode had an advanced screening on June 30, 2014 to celebrate Usagi’s birthday. The first limited edition Blu-ray box set was released in Japan on October 15, 2014, with the regular Blu-ray and DVD compilations set for release the following month; individual volumes are to be released monthly. In May 2014, Viz Media licensed Crystal for an English-language release in North America, and is simulcasting the series on Neon Alley and Hulu to coincide with the worldwide streaming. Crunchyroll is also simulcasting the series in a separate contract with Toei Animation. Viz also premiered the first episode as part of their “Sailor Moon Day” celebration at the Anime Expo Convention in Los Angeles.

The music for Sailor Moon Crystal is composed by Yasuharu Takanashi. The series uses two pieces of theme music: an opening theme and an ending theme. The opening theme is titled “Moon Pride”. The ending theme is “Gekko”. The opening and ending themes are performed by Momoiro Clover Z.

Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Crystal synopsis from Haruhichan:

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

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

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

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

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

Yukina Himeragi Becomes an Exotic Dancer in Latest Visual

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March 7, 2016

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Yukina Himeragi from Gakuto Mikumo’s popular Strike the Blood anime series has been has been featured as a 2 meter full sized pull out character poster in the April 2016 issue of Megami. This issue can be purchased here (get 5% off with coupon code MOE-N3Y-4YW0QK) and you can view the other posters included in this issue here.

Yukina Himeragi was also featured as a 2 meter full sized pull out character poster in the March 2016 issue of Megami. You can purchase this issue here (get 5% off with coupon code MOE-N3Y-4YW0QK).

She was also featured in the February 2016 issue of Megami as a poster. This issue can be purchased here (get 5% off with coupon code MOE-N3Y-4YW0QK) and you can view the other posters that came in this issue here.

In related news, Asagi Aiba, Nagisa Akatsuki and Nagisa Akatsuki has been featured as a poster in the January 2016 issue of Megami. This issue of Megami magazine here (get 5% off with coupon code MOE-N3Y-4YW0QK) and you can view the other posters that come in this issue here.

In addition to this, the second part of the OVAs released on December 23rd. Bonuses that was included for buying them at Animate, Gamers, Toranoana, Sofmap, TSUTAYA, HMV and Tower Records is a pair of interlocking clear posters, which the series site has previewed.

In other news, Japanese website Amiami have updated their website with a hug pillow of Yukina Himeragi from Gakuto Mikumo’s Strike the Blood anime series. The pillow cover will sell for 10,800 yen ($88.65), tax included.

Yukina Himeragi from the Strike the Blood anime series has also been featured as a poster visual again but this time in the December 2015 issue of Megami. You can purchase this issue of Megami magazine here and view the other posters that came in this issue here.

In addition to this, she was also featured as poster visual in the November 2015 issue of the Japanese anime magazineMegami. You can purchase this issue of Megami magazine here and view the other posters that came in this issue here.

In addition to this, a new promotional video for the OVA was streamed:

The OVA’s first part will be released via Blu-ray format priced at 5,900 ($47.5) yen and DVD format priced 4,900 ($39.48) yen. The second part of the OVA was released on December 23, 2015. It has also been announced that Yuka Iguchi (Toaru Majutsu no Index‘s Index Librorum Prohibitorum) will sing the OVA’s opening song, while Kanon Wakeshima will perform the ending song.

A new visual for the upcoming two-part Strike the Blood OVA was also revealed:

Strike the Blood, also known in short form as SutoBura, is a Japanese light novel series by Gakuto Mikumo with illustrations by Manyako. A manga adaptation began serialization in June 2012 in ASCII Media Works’s Dengeki Daioh. A 24-episode television anime adaptation by Silver Link and Connect aired between October 4, 2013 and March 28, 2014 in Japan.

Strike the Blood synopsis from Haruhichan:

The Fourth Progenitor—that’s the world’s strongest vampire that should only exist in legends. Accompanied by twelve Kenjuu and spreading calamity, this phantom vampire appeared in Japan. For the observation and obliteration of this Fourth Primogenitor, the government and Lion King decided to dispatch an attack mage known as a Sword Shaman. However, for some reason, the one chosen for the observation was a apprentice Sword Shaman girl, Himegari Yukina. Wielding the strongest anti-primogenitor spirit spear, Yukina arrived at Demon District, Itogami City. What is the true identity of the Fourth Primogenitor, Akatsuki Kojou, she encountered over there?!

Rize Tedeza Strikes a Pose with Her Gun in Latest Visual

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March 7, 2016

Rize Tedeza from the anime adaptation of Koi’s 4koma manga series Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka? (Is the order a rabbit?) has been featured as a 2 meter full sized pull out character poster in the April 2016 issue of Megami. This issue can be purchased here (get 5% off with coupon code MOE-N3Y-4YW0QK).

Chino Kafuu was recently featured as a magical girl in the March 2016 issue of Megami as a 2 meter full sized pull out character poster. This issue can be purchased here (get 5% off with coupon code MOE-N3Y-4YW0QK).

In related news, Moka Hoto and Midori Aoyama were also featured in the same issue as a poster.

In addition to this, Kokoa Hoto recently stole the spotlight as a poster in the February 2016 issue of Megami. This issue can be purchased here (get 5% off with coupon code MOE-N3Y-4YW0QK) and you can view the other posters that came in this issue here.

In related news, Chino Kafuu has been featured as a magical girl poster in the February 2016 issue of Megami. This issue can be purchased here (get 5% off with coupon code MOE-N3Y-4YW0QK) and you can view the other posters that came in this issue here.

The girls were also featured as a poster in the January 2016 issue of NewType.

The series has also been featured in the January 2016 issue of Megami as a poster. This issue of Megami magazine here (get 5% off with coupon code MOE-N3Y-4YW0QK) and you can view the other posters that come in this issue here.

Rize Tedeza, Chino Kafuu and Kokoa Hoto have recently been featured in the January 2016 issue of Dengeki G‘s Magazine as a festive double page spread. You can purchase this issue here (get 5% off with coupon code MOE-N3Y-4YW0QK).

Another festive poster of the cast has also been featured in the January 2016 issue of NyanType. This issue of NyanTypecan be purchased here and you can view the posters that came in this issue here.

In related news, Chino has also been getting festive and has been featured as a poster in the December 2015 issue of Animedia. This issue of Animedia can be purchased here and you can view the other posters that came in this issue here.

In addition to this, the girls have been featured as a poster in the December 2015 issue of Megami. You can purchase this issue of Megami magazine here and view the other posters that came in this issue here.

The girls were have been featured as a Halloween poster in the December 2015 issue of NyanType. You can purchase this issue of NyanType magazine here and view the other posters that came in this issue here.

In addition to this, another Halloween themed poster of the girls has been featured in the December 2015 issueof Megami. You can purchase this issue of Megami magazine here.

Another poster visual has been featured in the November 2015 issue of NyanType. You can purchase this issue of NyanType magazine here and you can view the other posters that come in this issue here.

In addition to this, Chino Kafuu and Kokoa Hoto were preparing for the sequel anime in a new poster visual in the October 2015 issue of Megami.

Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka?, also known in short form as GochiUsa, is a Japanese 4-panel comedy manga series by Koi, serialized in Houbunsha’s seinen manga magazine Manga Time Kirara Max since March 2011. It has been collected in three tankobon volumes as of March 2014. An anime television series adaptation by White Fox aired in Japan between April and June 2014. The second season is currently airing.

Synopsis of GochiUsa‘s first season from Haruhichan:

Cocoa arrives at the cafe Rabbit House one day, excited for rabbits. She actually all but lives in that cafe. She meets lots of different girls there, including a tiny and cool girl named Chino, a tough and soldier-esque girl named Rize, a spacey and quintessentially Japanese girl named Chiyo, and the ordinary but dignified Sharo.

You can visit the anime’s website here: http://www.gochiusa.com/
And follow the anime on Twitter: @usagi_anime

New Promo Video for School Battle Anime Hundred Reveals Air Date

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March 7, 2016