Toaru Majutsu no Index/Shakugan no Shana Singer Mami Kawada Announces Retirement

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January 25, 2016

It has been revealed in this year’s eighth issue of Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine that the Boku no Hero Academia: Gekitotsu! Heroes Battle (My Hero Academia: Clash! Heroes Battle) arcade card game based on Kouhei Horikoshi’s Boku no Hero Academia (My Hero Academia) manga will launch in arcades in Japan in April.

Takara Tomy Arts will be developing the Boku no Hero Academia arcade game. In the game, players will be able to make three-person teams made up their favorite characters from the series. Players can collect hero cards and use them for battle. Each play on the game will cost 100 yen ($0.85 USD). Confirmed playable characters include Izuku Midoriya, Katsuki Bakugou, and Ochako Uraraka.

The card game also has an accompanying smartphone app for Android and iOS devices that is available now.

Boku no Hero Academia (My Hero Academia) is an action adventure manga series written and illustrated by Kouhei Horikoshi. The series began in July 2014 under Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, where a total of 6 volumes have been compiled. The series has had good reception selling over 200,000 copies in 4 months, with the first volume selling out in short time. An anime adaptation of the series was announced in the November 2nd issue of Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine.

Source: ANN

World Trigger Anime Casts Tomokazu Sugita as Masato Kageura

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January 24, 2016

It has been revealed in this year’s eighth issue of Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine that Tomokazu Sugita (Gintama’s Gintoki Sakata, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya’s Kyon) will play Masato Kageura in the anime adaptation of Daisuke Ashihara’s Sci-Fi World Trigger. Kageura is the leader of the B-class #2 unit called Kageura Unit.

The magazine also announced that Junichi Suwabe (Kuroko no Basketball’s Daiki Aomine) will reprise his role of Masataka Ninomiya from the anime’s first season. Ninomiya is the leader of the B-class #1 unit called Ninomiya Unit.

The magazine also revealed that the anime will feature the original manga’s “B-Class Rank Battles” story arc, starting with the 64th episode on January 31. In the anime’s story, Kageura and Ninomiya will face off for a chance for their units to become A-class.

The main cast of the anime includes:

Tomo Muranaka (Jolly from Arcana Famiglia) will voice the main protagonist Yuuma Kuga
Yuki Kaji (Eren Yeager in Attack on Titan) voices protagonist Osamu Mikumo
Yuuichi Nakamura (Kyousuke Kousaka in Oreimo) as the main character Yuuichi Jin
Nao Tamura (Ayuko Uehara in Aiura) voices the female lead character Chika Amatori
Hideyuki Tanaka (Doflamingo Donquixote from One Piece) will be voicing Replica

The production staff of the anime was also revealed and includes:

Director: Mitsuru Hongo (Seihou Bukyou Outlaw Star, Battle Spirits: Shounen Toppa Version)
Series Composer: Hiroyuki Yoshino (Accel World, Strike the Blood)
Anime Character Designer and Animation Director: Toshihisa Kaiya (IGPX Immortal Grand Prix, Haikyuu!!)
Music Composer: Kenji Kawai (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, Fate/stay night)
Animation Studio: Toei Animation (Sailor Moon Crystal, One Piece)

Anime visual:

World Trigger is a Sci-Fi manga written and illustrated by Daisuke Ashihara. The series began early last year in Shueisha’s Weekly Shounnen Jump magazine. To date there has been a total of 11 volumes released. The manga is also currently available on Viz Media’s digital Weekly Shonen Jump. An anime adaptation of the series began in October 2014.

World Trigger synopsis from Haruhichan:

A gate to another dimension has burst open, and from it emerge gigantic invincible creatures that threaten all of humanity. Earth’s only defense is a mysterious group of warriors who have co-opted the alien technology in order to fight back!

You can visit the anime’s website here: http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/wt/
Follow the official anime Twitter here: @Anime_W_Trigger

Source: ANN

Twenty Lucky Winners Have a Chance to Own a Life-Sized Megumi Katou Figure

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January 24, 2016

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Aniplex have revealed that due to popular demand, the production run for the life-sized figure of Megumi Katou has been doubled from a total of 10 figures to a total of 20. The figure costs 1,980,000 (about $16738.46 USD) yen and as only 20 of them will be made, a lottery will be held, and the chosen twenty participants will get the right to purchase these statues. The drawing will happen after 6:00PM JST on February 29, 2016, with the final products shipping in June of 2016.

The figure weighs about 28kg (about 61 lbs), has a body of steel and is painted with urethane paint while measuring H1580 x W569 x D500mm.

Here’s some pictures of the figure which we reported on previously.

In addition to this, Japanese Twitter user IoryHamon has given us a chance to see the life-sized statue of Saekano‘s Megumi Katou displayed in Saekano Shop 2016 Exhibition at Tokyo Anime Center.

Source: Aniplex, IoryHamon

Japanese Broadcast Details for Bungo Stray Dogs TV Anime Announced

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January 24, 2016

New information regarding the upcoming anime adaptation of Kafka Asagiri (Shionomiya Ayane wa Machigaenai.) and Hirukawa35’s supernatural manga, Bungou Stray Dogs, has been revealed. Although the exact scheduling dates and times have not been revealed yet, it has been announced that the Bungo Stray Dogs TV anime will broadcast on Tokyo MX, Teletama, Chiba TV, tvk, Gifu Broadcasting (GBS), Mie TV Broadcasting, Sun TV, TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting, and BS11.

It was also revealed that the ending theme for the series will be titled”Namae wo Yobu yo” and performed by Luck Life.

In addition to this, a new visual has been revealed in the February 2016 issue of NewType. You can purchase this issue here (get 5% off with coupon code MOE-N3Y-4YW0QK).

Here’s the most recent visual for the anime:

Staff:

Director: Takuya Igarashi (Soul Eater, Ouran Koukou Host Club)
Script: Yoji Enokido (FLCL, Captain Earth)
Animation Studio: BONES (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Darker than Black: Kuro no Keiyakusha, Noragami)

The cast includes:

Yuto Uemura (Tsukito Totsuka from Kamigami no Asobi) will voice Atsushi Nakajima
Mamoru Miyano (Taichi Mashima from Chihayafuru) as Osamu Dazai
Yoshimasa Hosoya (Daryun from Arslan Senki) as Doppo Kunikida
Hiroshi Kamiya (Yato from Noragami) as Ranpo Edogawa
Toshiyuki Toyonaga (Mikado Ryuugamine from Durarara!!) as Junichirou Tanizaki
Hiroyuki Kagura (Shouta from Turnover) as Kenji Miyazawa
Yuu Shimamura (Aida Surugan from Gundam: G no Reconguista) as Akiko Yosano
Chiaki Omigawa (Maka Albarn from Soul Eater) as Naomi Tanizaki
Rikiya Koyama (Kiritsugu Emiya from Fate/stay night) as Yukichi Fukuzawa
Kensho Ono (Slaine Troyard from Aldnoah.Zero) as Ryuunosuke Akutagawa

Visual:

Bungou Stray Dogs is a Japanese manga written by Kafka Asagiri and illustrated by Harukawa35, follows a detective agency whose members are modeled after great writers in Japanese history and have supernatural powers. The series has been serialized in Young Ace since 2012, and there are currently eight volumes in print. Bungou Stray Dogs has more than 1.7 million copies of its volumes in circulation.

Synopsis of Bungou Stray Dogs from Haruhichan:

Nakajima Atsushi was kicked out of his orphanage, and now he has no place to go and no food. While he is standing by a river, on the brink of starvation, he rescues a man whimsically attempting suicide. That man is Dazai Osamu, and he and his partner Kunikida are members of a very special detective agency. They have supernatural powers, and deal with cases that are too dangerous for the police or the military. They’re tracking down a tiger that has appeared in the area recently, around the time Atsushi came to the area. The tiger seems to have a connection to Atsushi, and by the time the case is solved, it is clear that Atsushi’s future will involve much more of Dazai and the rest of the detectives!

Source: Crunchyroll, MoCa

Top 10 Most Charming Siblings in Anime According to Male Fans

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January 24, 2016

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Charapedia recently asked male anime fans the question: Which anime characters are the most pure and innocent? You can view the female results here and the full results for this poll here.

Here are the male results:

10) The Minami Sisters (Minami-ke!)
9) The Doma Siblings (Himouto! Umaru-chan)
8) The Blank Siblings (No Game No Life)
6) The Araragi Siblings (Monogatari)
5) The Kirigaya Siblings (Sword Art Online)
4) The Elric Brothers (Full Metal Alchemist)
3) The Shiba Siblings (Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei)
2) The Kousaka Siblings (OreImo)
1) The Hirasawa Sisters (K-On!)

First Impressions: Musaigen no Phantom World

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"Big Sister" Rii

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January 24, 2016

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Title (English): Myriad Colors Phantom World

Title (Japanese): 無際限のファントム・ワールド

Animation Studio: Kyoto Animation

Genres: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural

Episodes: 3/?

Ever since Kyoto Animation did Kyoukai no Kanata, which had some pretty great looking fight scenes, I had wondered how an action anime from them might look like. Given how well animated their anime are when they do slice of life, action anime from them was an enticing prospect. This winter season, they delivered on my wish by providing me with this anime: Musaigen no Phantom World. Following Kyoto Animation this season has brought me outside of my usual comedy/slice of life bubble, which will give me something new to review. Here’s my thoughts on it so far.

An accident at a chemical factory more than a decade before the anime started caused the molecular structure of human brains to change. As a result, fantastical creatures previously invisible to the human eye, Phantoms, emerged into the human world. While the majority of Phantoms are harmless and even help humans, others are more rambunctious or dangerous. In addition to being able to perceive Phantoms, some humans were born with special abilities as a result of the chemical accident. The story follows a group of teens with these abilities. The protagonist, Haruhiko Ichijou, is part of a group of students who hunt down Phantoms causing mischief. He and his partner, Mai Kawasumi, are one of the lowest-ranking teams due to their terrible co-ordination while hunting Phantoms. In order to augment their team better, they recruit Reina Izumi, a girl with the ability to eat stunned Phantoms. The three of them start their training to become a better team.

Almost as expected out of a Kyoto Animation anime, Musaigen no Phantom World is off to a bit of a slow start. The episodes haven’t been much more than find a phantom, figure out how to beat it, then seal it away. The most recent episode had some character development for Mai which was nice. I’m sure more of the story will come later as they typically do in Kyoto Animation work. It has also been unspecified if this anime is a 1-cour or 2-cour anime, but it’s likely to be 1-cour. I’m expecting the story to pick up within a couple of episodes.

There’s nothing to really complain about when it comes to the art and animation. This is still typical Kyoto Animation quality. However, comparing it to Hibike! Euphonium, which was the last anime KyoAni made, the animation isn’t as good. Given the fantasy setting, the art is very similar to Amagi Brilliant Park in the way everything is drawn.

For the first time in a while, Kyoto Animation chose to go with established voice actors for their characters. They picked out quite a few big names: Hiro Shimono voices Haruhiko Ichijou, Sumire Uesaka provides the voice of Mai Kawasumi, and Saori Hayami does Reina Izumi. While the former two perform their roles decently, Saori Hayami sticks out in particular. She’s a perfect fit for her character, in my opinion. There’s only been a few times that I can say that a voice actor suited a character as perfectly as this. We’ll see if my opinion changes later in the show, but it’s spot on right now. I’ve never been a fan of rap in any way shape or form, which makes me biased against even just the 15 seconds of it in the opening. Even without counting the rap portion, I only really like the first 20 seconds of the opening and the rest of the song is just decent. The ending song continues KyoAni’s tradition of using their voice actors to do it. This is a good song that fits the current, relatively happy-go-lucky mood of the anime.

As of right now, Musaigen no Phantom World is fulfilling my personal goal of giving me a good-looking anime, and being able to listen to these great voice actors do their work. I’m waiting to see if the story will pick up and the characters can get some more backstory or development. There’s still the potential for Musaigen no Phantom World to be good, but it needs to pick up the pace a bit. That being said, everything up to this point is typical for Kyoto Animation as it takes a few episodes for their shows to develop.

What are your thoughts on Musaigen no Phantom World so far? Let’s hear it in the comments!

Amazon Japan Listing Hints at Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans Season Two

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January 24, 2016

Amazon Japan have released their listing for the upcoming OST release for the Mobile Suit Gundam: Tekketsu no Orphans (Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans) TV anime. The online commerce site has referred to the current anime as the first season.

The listing mentions that the OST is for the Mobile Suit Gundam: Tekketsu no Orphans TV anime, the first season of which is airing from October, 2015 till March, 2016. The OST is currently listed for ¥3,780 ($31.80 USD) and scheduled for March 23, 2016.

The main cast of the anime includes:

Kengo Kawanishi (Tobirama Senju in Naruto) voices Mikazuki Augus
Yuka Terasaki (Tenma Matsukaze from Inazuma Eleven Go) as Kudelia Aina Bernstein
Yoshimasa Hosoya (Sousuke Yamazaki from Free!) is voicing Olga Itsuka
Natsuki Hanae (Shoutarou Torii in Saikin, Imouto no Yousu ga Chotto Okashiinda ga.) will voice Biscuit Griffon
Yuuichirou Umehara (En Yufuin in Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu LOVE!) voicing the role of Eugene Sevenstark
Yasuaki Takumi (Tsukasa Mizugaki in Plastic Memories) as Akihiro Altland
Taishi Murata Eiichirou Maruo in Baby Steps) voices Noruba Shino

The main staff includes:

Director: Tatsuyuki Nagai (Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai, Toradora!)
Series Composer: Mari Okada (Toradora!, AKB0048)
Anime Character Designer: Michinori Chiba (Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Mobile Suit Gundam AGE)
Mecha Designers: Naohiro Washio (Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Kakumeiki Valvrave), Kanetake Ebikawa (Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Mobile Suit Gundam AGE), Ippei Gyoubu (Gundam Reconguista in G), Kenji Teraoka (Code Geass, Gundam Build Fighters), and Tamotsu Shonohara (Rean no Tsubasa)
Art Designer: Kusanagi (Code Geass: Boukoku no Akito, High School of the Dead )
Music Composer: Masaru Yokoyama (Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso, Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo)
Animation Studio: Sunrise (Mobile Suit Gundam, Love Live! School Idol Project)

Here is the most recent promotional video for the anime:

Gundam is one of Japan’s largest and most iconic franchise. The franchise is mostly set in a science fiction future that focuses on giant mechanical robots. The franchise was created by Hajime Yatate, a group of animators from the studio Sunrise, lead by Yoshiyuki Tomino. It began in 1979 with the release of the anime series Mobile Suit Gundam, though while the anime itself did not receive high praise and viewings, the eventual gunpla models from Bandai launched the series into popularity. Since then, there has been a plethora of anime series, OVAs, films, manga, light novels, games and merchandise based on the franchise. It has become an iconic symbol of Japanese pop culture where Bandai make over 50 billion yen per fiscal year on the models alone. The franchise hit its 35th anniversary on April 7th last year with the release of Gundam: The Origin.

Here is the synopsis of the series:

The show is set 300 years after a great conflict between Earth and Mars known as the “Calamity War.” A woman named Cordelia sets out on a journey to Earth to speak for the independence of the Martian city of Chryse, which is under the control of the Earth government. Escorting her is the private security company CGS, which protagonists Mikazuki Augus and Orga Itsuka are members of. When a group named Gjallarhorn attacks CGS and Cordelia, Orga sees this as a chance to rebel against CGS and launch a coup. Mikazuki and Orga are thrust into a new conflict. To fend off Gjallarhorn, Mikazuki rides an old mobile suit from the Calamity War, powered by a nuclear reactor, the Gundam Barbatos; a mobile suit that steals weapons, armor, and parts from enemies to become stronger.

Mobile Suit Gundam: Tekketsu no Orphans is airing every Sunday at 5:00am JST during the Fall/Autumn 2015 anime season. Further information about the new anime will be revealed soon.

You can visit the new project’s site now: http://g-tekketsu.com/
And follow the series on Twitter: @g_tekketsu

Source: Amazon Japan, Otakomu

Yukikaze’s Half-Damage Version Figma Is Adorable

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January 24, 2016

Yukikaze can be pre-ordered here.

From the popular web browser game and TV anime KanColle, comes this new figure for the cute Kagerou Class Destroyer Yukikaze! She is shown in her standard costume equipped with her standard load out of ship cannons that you can also remove to get a better view of Yukikaze. This is her half-damage version as seen in the KanColle game. Another excellent figure by Max Factory.

Kantai Collection – Yukikaze figFIX Figure Half-damage ver. – Pre-orders available on JList here (get 5% off with coupon code MOE-N3Y-4YW0QK).

Top 10 Most Charming Siblings in Anime According to Female Fans

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January 24, 2016

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Charapedia recently asked female anime fans the question: Which anime characters are the most pure and innocent? You can view the full results for this poll here.

Here are the female results:

10) The Hirasawa Sisters (K-On!)
9) The Okita Siblings (Gintama)
8) The Araragi Siblings (Monogatari)
7) The Orihara Siblings (Durarara!!)
6) The Uchiha Brothers (Naruto)
5) The Matsuoka Siblings (Free!)
4) The Shimura Siblings (Gintama)
3) Kamui and Kagura (Gintama)
2) The Elric Brothers (Full Metal Alchemist)
1) The Matsuno Sextuplets (Osomatsu-san)

Mega Man / Rockman LINE Stickers Released

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January 24, 2016

Japanese and South Korean social media app LINE has released a new series of stickers, based on Capcom’s Mega Man / Rockman.

LINE users can purchase this sticker collection of Mega Man / Rockman where they’ll be able to attach them to messages and send to friends who also use the app. The sticker set retails for $1.99 and can be purchased here. LINE itself is one of East Asia’s most popular social media apps, with over 400 million users.

Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt Second Episode Promo Video Streamed

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January 24, 2016

Bandai Visual began streaming a 22-second promotional video for the second episode of the upcoming four-episode anime adaptation of Yasuo Ohtagaki’s Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt manga on Thursday. They also announced that the new anime’s second episode will be available for sale or rental starting February 12, while early access will be available starting January 29.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwM8MieMCI4

Here’s a 90-second promotional video for the first episode:

The main staff consist of:

Scenario Writer/Director: Ko Matsuo (Rozen Maiden, Valvrave the Liberator, Yozakura Quartet)
Anime Character Design: Hirotoshi Takaya (Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal, Mugen Senki Portriss, Zetman)
Original Mobile Suit Design: Kunio Okawara (Gundam Build Fighters, Mobile Suit Gundam, Space Dandy)
Animation Mechanical Design: Morifumi Naka (Gundam Unicorn), Seiichi Nakatani (Gundam Reconguista in G)
Hajime Katoki (Victory Gundam, Crossbone Gundam, Gundam Unicorn, and many other Gundam series)
Art Director: Hideki Nakamura (Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis)
Color Design: Takako Suzuki (Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn)
CG Director: Tomohiro Fujie (Gundam Unicorn, Gundam Reconguista in G)
Monitor Design: Takashi Aoki (Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – Heaven and Earth)
Director of Photography: Taro Wakiakira (God Eater)
Editor: Daisuke Imai (Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri)
Music: Naruyoshi Kikuchi (Lupin the Third: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna)
Sound Director: Eriko Imai (Tiger & Bunny)
Sound Effect: Mutsuhiro Nishimura (Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199)
Production Sunrise (1st Studio/Gundam Unicorn)

The voice cast includes:

Yuuichi Nakamura (Gray Fullbuster from Fairy Tail) will voice Io Fleming
Ryohei Kimura (Hideki Hinata from Angel Beats!) as Daryl Lorentz
Toa Yukinari (Casca from Berserk: Ougon Jidaihen) as Claudia Palh
Sayaka Ohara (Irisviel von Einzbern from Fate/Zero) as Kara Mitchum
Daisuke Hirakawa (Laito Sakamaki from Diabolik Lovers) as Cornelius Caca
Shunsuke Sakuya (Kenjirou Shibazaki from Zankyou no Terror) as Graham
Mutsumi Sasaki (Grandfather Mikage from Gin no Saji) as Burroughs
Hiroshi Tsuchida (Daikichi Kawachi from Usagi Drop) as J.J. Sexton

Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt anime visual:

Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yasuo Ohtagaki. The manga takes place in the Universal Century timeline during the events of Mobile Suit Gundam. An Original net animation adaptation by Sunrise is currently in development, with the release of the first episode on December 25, 2015 via EST (Electronic Sell Through) service.

Here is the synopsis of the series from MAL:

The Universal Century began with mankind moving its burgeoning population into outer space. The year is UC0079. The cluster of colonies furthest from the Earth, Side 3, proclaim themselves the Principality of Zeon and launch a war of independence against the Earth Federation. Now, it is nearly one year since the war broke out. In the “Thunderbolt sector”, a reef section of space where a large quantity of wreckage from battleships and destroyed space colonies from the war lies, a violent battle plays out as the Earth Federation Forces set their sights on recapturing the Zeon controlled sector.

You can visit the anime’s website here: http://gundam-tb.net/
And follow them on Twitter: @gundam_tb

New Game! Anime Staff Announced – Shirobako but with Video Games

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January 24, 2016

The official website for the upcoming anime adaptation of of Shoutarou Tokunou’s New Game! manga has revealed the production staff for the series.

The staff consist of:

Director: Yoshiyuki Fujiwara (Plastic Memories)
Series Composition: Fumihiko Shimo (Hidan no Aria AA)
Character Design: Ai Kikuchi (Mikakunin de Shinkoukei)
Studio: Doga Kobo (Yuru Yuri, Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun, GJ-bu)

The voice cast members of the series have yet to be announced but will appear at a stage event at AnimeJapan 2016, which will be held on March 25-27 at Tokyo Big Sight.

The website also recently revealed a new visual:

The television anime adaptation of Shoutarou Tokunou’s New Game! manga was revealed to be green-lit in the December issue of Houbunsha’s Manga Time Kirara Charat magazine. The series itself features cute girls working in a video game company, in a similar fashion to Shirobako‘s depiction of working at an anime company.

New Game! is a 4koma manga written and illustrated by Shoutarou Tokunou. The series began in 2013 in Houbunsha’s Manga Time Kirara Carat magazine, where a total of 2 volumes have been published.

New Game! synopsis from MAL:

Follow Aoba Suzukaze, a fresh highschool graduate that is easily mistaken as a middle school student, as she joins the game company that produced her favorite game as a 3D artist and her cute antics in this story told through 4-koma.

Source: New Game official website, Yaraon

ReLIFE Anime Adaptation Slated to Air in 2016

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January 24, 2016

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The official website for the anime adaptation of Sou Yayoi’s ReLIFE web manga has revealed that it is currently in production for this year. It has also been revealed that TMS Entertainment (Yowamushi Pedal, Detective Conan) will produce the upcoming anime. The first members of the anime’s voice cast will be revealed in the manga’s 5th volume, which will be released in Japan on February 12. The cast for main characters Arata Kaizaki and Chizuru Hishiro will be announced in the volume. Additional information will also be revealed at the series’ event on Anime Japan, on March 26.

In addition, a new visual has been revealed for the series:

Announcement video for the anime:

ReLIFE is an ongoing Japanese fantasy drama seinen web manga series written and illustrated by Sou Yayoi. It’s published by NHN PlayArt on comico website since October 12, 2013 and has three volumes compiling the chapters published by Earth Star Entertainment released so far. It has been announced that a television anime adaptation has been greenlit and will air in 2016.

Here is the series synopsis from MAL:

The story follows Kaizaki Arata, a 27-year-old jobless man, who fails at every job interview he had after quitting his last company. His life changes after he met Yoake Ryou of the ReLife Research Institute, who offered him a drug that can change his appearance to 17-years-old and to become a subject in an experiment for one year. Thus, he begins his life as a high school student once more.

The ReLIFE anime adaptation is currently scheduled to be broadcasted this year. Additional information will be revealed with the manga’s 5th volume and at the live event at Anime Japan on March 26.

You can visit the anime’s website here: http://www.comico.jp/special/index.nhn?docno=2

Source: ReLIFE Anime Website

Censored Cosplay Tights Help Cosplayers Keep Their Plot Safe for Conventions

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Seiba

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January 23, 2016

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A big issue cosplayers face in this day and age is costume restrictions. While some conventions are fairly lenient on who passes the registration line, you can be sent home wearing anything from Kill la Kill’s nudest beach to something symbolizing lingerie. However, many cosplayers also fear the issue of “overly short skirts.” Thanks to the creative mind of twitter user torikara_no_su, this issue can easily be eliminated for the cosplayer’s comfortability with transparent tights with a black gradient beginning at the upper thigh to resemble anime censoring.

コスプレ用の肌色タイツで腰から足の付け根までが黒くなってる物があれば地上波規制されたスカートの中身のコスプレができるような気がした。 pic.twitter.com/sUoAdoeZcb

— とりから＠2/21新刊出ます (@torikara_no_su) January 20, 2016

While unfortunately, twitter user @torikara_no_su is no seamstress and does not plan on actually creating the tights, this could trend in the cosplay community to give some wholesale shops a run for their money. Transparent tights are already a big trend in japanese fashion, including the famous kitty mock thigh high tights that would be made out of the same material. Tattoo tights are also a popular apparel item, featuring Tokyo street fashion model Juria Nakagawa wearing them below.

Thankfully, twitter user @tomochi555 responded to the idea with “This sounds like a good idea. I’m thinking of producing a small lot of them and seeing what kind of reaction they get.” along with the OP giving them permission to use the design, responding “By all means, feel free to use this idea in any way you’d like.”

@tomochi555 このネタは使用フリーなのでどんどん使ってください。

— とりから＠2/21新刊出ます (@torikara_no_su) January 21, 2016

Could this be the beginning of a revolutionary cosplay item?

Source – Rocketnews24

Index Bunny Version Figure by FREEing

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January 23, 2016

Index can be pre-ordered here.

Here’s a new 1/4th scale of Index Librorum Prohibitorum from Toaru Majutsu no Index series. She’s dressed in a bunny girl costume. Her cuteness, petite body and bunny girl costume makes for a unique visual plus the fishnet stockings are made from actual materials for a realistic look. This figure is by FREEing.

Toaru Majutsu no Index: Endymion no Kiseki – Index Bunny Ver. – Pre-orders available on JList here (get 5% off with coupon code MOE-N3Y-4YW0QK).

Hai to Gensou no Grimgar First Blu-Ray & DVD Volume to Bundle Original Anime

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January 23, 2016

The official website of the anime adaptation of Ao Jumonji and Eiri Shirai’s Hai to Gensou no Grimgar (Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash) light novel series has revealed that the first Blu-ray and DVD volume will contain a 10-minute episode titled Episode 2.5. The first volume will also include episode one and two of the series.

The first Blu-ray and DVD volume is scheduled go on sale on March 16. The cover art of the limited edition release is drawn by character designer Mieko Hosoi. Six Blu-ray and DVD volumes are scheduled for release through August 17, but it is not known if the remaining five volumes will also contain anime specials.

The Blu-rays and DVDs will also include one-hour variety shows hosted by the cast of the series, as well as original stories written by author Jyumonji Ao. Guidebooks to the world of Hai to Gensou no Grimgar are also included as bonuses. Each Blu-ray volume retails for ¥6,800 ($57.2) plus tax, while the DVD volume retails for ¥5,800 ($48.8) plus tax.

The main cast of the anime includes:

Yoshimasa Hosoya (Junpei Hyuuga in Kuroko no Basket) leads the cast as Haruhiro
Nobunaga Shimazaki (Haruka Nanase from Free!) is voicing Manato
Hiroyuki Yoshino (Allelujah Haptism in Mobile Suit Gundam 00) will voice Ranta
Fukushi Ochiai (First Major Anime Role) as Moguzo
Mikako Komatsu (Neko in K) voices Yume
Haruka Terui (Yuuna Yuuki from Yuuki Yuuna wa Yuusha de Aru) will play Shihoru

The supporting cast includes:

Tomokazu Seki (Itaru Hashida from Steins;Gate) will voice Renji
Daisuke Namikawa (Rokuro Okajima in Black Lagoon) as Kikkawa
Hiroki Yasumoto (Germany from Hetalia) voices Britney
Mamiko Noto (Kotomi Ichinose in Clannad) portrays Barbara

The first members of the anime’s production staff includes:

Director and Series Composer: Ryosuke Nakamura (Aiura, Aoi Bungaku Series)
Anime Character Designer: Mieko Hosoi (Aiura, Aoi Bungaku Series)
Animation Studio: A-1 Pictures (Sword Art Online, Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso)

Here is the first promotional video for the anime:

Anime visual:

Hai to Gensou no Grimgar (Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash) is a fantasy light novel series written by Ao Jumonji and features illustrations from Eiri Shirai. The series began in 2013 and is being published under Overlap Bunko. To date a total of 6 volumes have been released. The series also inspired a manga adaptation by Mutsumi Okubashi, which is being serialized in Square Enix’s Gangan Joker magazine since April this year.

Here is the series synopsis from MAL:

Why are we here? Why are we doing this?

Before Haruhiro had realized what happened, he was surrounded by darkness. Why was he here? Where was here? Even now, he still didn’t know. Those around him were the same as him, no one remembered anything other than their own names. And when they emerged from the darkness, the world that awaited them seemed like something out of a video game.

In order to survive, Haruhiro forms a party with the others, learns fighting skills, and as a soldier in the reserve force, takes his first steps into the world of Grimgar. What awaits him there, he doesn’t know…

This the story of an adventure born from the ashes.

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

Source: Hai to Gensou no Grimgar Website

Boku dake da Inai Machi Anime Will Adapt the Manga’s Original Ending

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January 23, 2016

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The director of the anime adaptation of Kei Sanbe’s Boku dake ga Inai Machi (ERASED) manga, Tomohiko Ito (Sword Art Online, Silver Spoon), has announced on the anime’s official Twitter account that the series will adapt the manga’s original ending.

The Boku dake ga Inai Machi manga itself has yet to end, where a total of 7 volumes has been released. The next chapter of the manga will release in Kadokawa’s Young Ace magazine on March 4. The anime itself will run for a total of 12 episodes, finishing its broadcast on March 24th.

In related news, a new visual for the the TV anime adaptation has been revealed in the February 2016 issue of NewType as a double page spread. You can purchase this issue here (get 5% off with coupon code MOE-N3Y-4YW0QK).

The main cast of the anime includes:

Shinnosuke Mitsushima (Ryotaro in the Fu-Zoku Changed My Life movie) will have his anime debut role voicing 29 year old Satoru Fujinuma
Tao Tsuchiya (Mare Tsumura in the Mare live action TV drama) makes her anime debut as 10 year old Satoru Fujinuma
Aoi Yuuki (Madoka Kaname in Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica) will voice Kayo Hinadzuki
Chinatsu Akasaki (Shinka Nibutani from Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!) as Airi Katagiri
You Taichi (Sayori Mizushima from Love Lab) will voice Kenya Kobayashi
Akari Kito (Maki Aika in Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!?) as Hiromi Sugita
Ayaka Nanase (First Major Role) voices Osamu
Yukitoshi Kikuchi (Noboru Maruyama from Gin no Saji) is going to voice Kazu
Takahiro Mizushima (Taichi Yaegashi from Kokoro Connect) as Jun Shiratori
Minami Takayama (Conan Edogawa in Detective Conan) is voicing Sachiko Fujinuma
Mitsuru Miyamoto (Maiza Avaro in Baccano!) Gaku Yashiro

The staff includes:

Director: Tomohiko Itou (Gin no Saji, Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin, Sword Art Online 2)
Script: Kishimoto Taku (Gin no Saji, Haikyuu!!, Magi: Sinbad no Bouken)
Character Designs: Keigo Sasaki (Nanatsu no Taizai, Ao no Exorcist, Senkou no Night Raid)
Animation Studio: A-1 Pictures (Aldnoah.Zero, Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso, Sword Art Online)

Anime visual:

Boku Dake ga Inai Machi is an ongoing Japanese fantasy suspense seinen manga series written and illustrated by Kei Sanbe and serialized on Kadokawa Shoten’s Young Ace magazine since 2012. Volume 1 was released on January 26, 2013 and 5 volumes have been published so far. It’s published in French by Ki-oon. An anime adaptation has been announced and is scheduled to air in January 2016.

Boku Dake ga Inai Machi synopsis from MAL:

Struggling manga author Satoru Fujinuma is beset by his fear to express himself. However, he has a supernatural ability of being forced to prevent deaths and catastrophes by being sent back in time before the incident occurred, repeating time until the accident is prevented. One day, he gets involved in an accident that has him framed as a murderer. Desperate to save the victim, he sends himself back in time only to find himself as a grade-schooler one month before fellow classmate Kayo Hinadzuki went missing. Satoru now embarks on a new quest: to save Kayo and solve the mystery behind her disappearance.

The Boku dake ga Inai Machi anime adaptation currently airs every Friday at 12:55am JST on Fuji TV’s Noitamina block.

Visit the anime’s website: http://bokumachi-anime.com/
And follow their Twitter: @bokumachi_anime

Source: Boku dake ga Inai Machi Anime Twitter, ANN

Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso English Dub Trailer Streamed

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January 23, 2016

Aniplex USA began streaming the first trailer for their upcoming English release for the anime adaptation of Naoshi Arakawa’s Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso (Your Lie in April) manga last week. The trailer itself introduces us to the main characters of the series and also previews the voice cast of the English voice cast, who are directed by Patrick Seitz (BlazBlue Alter Memory).

The English dub of the Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso (Your Lie in April) anime will be available with the International Blu-ray release. Volume 1 will be out on March 29 and 2nd volume out on May 31st. Both volumes are retailing for $129.98 USD each.

The English cast of the Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso (Your Lie in April) anime consists of:

Max Mittelman (Inaho Kaizuka in Aldnoah.Zero) voicing as Kousei Arima
Erica Lindbeck ( Yuki Kaizuka from Aldnoah.Zero) will voice Kaori Miyazono
Erica Mendez (Sailor Uranus from Sailor Moon Crystal) is voicing Tsubaki Sawabe
Kyle McCarley (Aoba Kuronuma in Durarara!! x2) as Ryouta Watari

The Japanese production staff of the anime includes:

Director: Kyohei Ishiguro (Debut directing role)
Series Composer and Script Writer: Takao Yoshioka (WataMote, High School DxD)
Art Director: Hisayo Usui (The iDOLM@STER Movie: Kagayaki no Mukougawa e!, Angel Beats! Background Artist)
Sound Director: Jin Aketagawa (Aldnoah.Zero, AnoHana)
Music Composer: Masaru Yokoyama (Freezing, Queen’s Blade)
Animation Studio: A-1 Pictures (Sword Art Online, Aldnoah.Zero)

The Japanese cast consisted of:

Natsuki Hanae (Ken Kaneki from Tokyo Ghoul, Inaho Kaizuka from Aldnoah.Zero) as Kousei Arima, the fallen prodigy.
Risa Taneda (Yukari Hinata from Yuyushiki, Mirai Kuriyama from Kyoukai no Kanata) as Kaori Miyazono, the wild violinist.
Ayane Sakura (Anzu Kiriyama from Kokoro Connect, Gasper Vladi from Highschool DxD) as Tsubaki Sawabe, the caring childhood friend.
Ryota Ousaka (Mao Sadao from Hataraku Maou-sama!, Marco Bodt from Attack on Titan) as Ryota Watari, the playboy athlete.
Yuki Kaji (Eren Jaeger from Attack on Titan, Alibaba Saluja from Magi) as Takeshi Aiza, the hairdo rival.
Saori Hayama (Yukino Yukinoshita from Oregairu, Ayase Aragaki from Oreimo) as Emi Igawa, the cool and composed pianist.

Here is a synopsis of the series from Haruhichan:

Piano prodigy Arima Kosei dominated the competition and all child musicians knew his name. But after his mother, who was also his instructor, passed away, he had a mental breakdown while performing at a recital that resulted in him no longer being able to hear the sound of his piano even though his hearing was perfectly fine. Even two years later, Kosei hasn’t touched the piano and views the world in monotone, and without any flair or color. He was content at living out his life with his good friends Tsubaki and Watari until, one day, a girl changed everything. Miyazono Kaori is a pretty, free spirited violinist whose playing style reflects her personality. Kaori helps Kosei return to the music world and show that it should be free and mold breaking unlike the structured and rigid style Kosei was used to.

Visit the International website here: http://www.yourlieinapril.com/
And their Twitter: @YourlieinApril

You can visit the anime’s Japanese website here: http://www.kimiuso.jp/
And follow the Japanese Twitter here: @shigatsuhakimi

Third Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin OVA Screening Slated for May

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January 23, 2016