AnimeNation Blog

Sovereign Media Inc., the publisher of SCI FI Magazine, has announced plans to launch a new magazine titled “Otaku USA” throughout North America this June. “Each issue of Otaku USA will be oversized 9 x 10 7/8, with a poster bound in the center spread, and a DVD inserted onto the front cover, with full-length Anime features and game demos.” In addition, each issue of Otaku USA will include a full manga feature, printed as a pull-out section.” The typical issue of Otaku USA will have a cover price of $9.99 ($11.99 in Canada) and will be at least 150 pages long and printed in full color on glossy paper. The bimonthly magazine will cover manga, anime, computer games and J-Pop, and it will be written by an American staff from an American point of view. Japanese pop culture expert Patrick Macias will serve as the magazine’s editor in chief.

Source: ICv2

According to Anime News Network, Dark Horse Comics has acquired translation rights to Hideyuki Kikuchi’s novel “A Wind Named Amnesia.” The book will be released in America with its original Yoshitaka Amano illustrations which were only included in the earliest Japanese publications of the novel.

The official Bokurano homepage now hosts a new teaser trailer for the upcoming sci-fi horror anime television series. The series is scheduled to premier in April.

Source: Moon Phase

Japanese adult anime & PC game new site Getchu has reported that plans are underway for a second Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru anime television series.

Source: Moon Phase

The cover of the April issue of The Sneaker Magazine includes a confirmation that author Iwai Kyouhei and illustrator Ruroo’s series of “Mushiuta” fantasy lite novels will be adapted into an anime television series.

Source: Moon Phase

Question:
Do you think that licensors are in a trend of picking up more niche, “fan-friendly” titles since supposedly unlikely titles like The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, Rozen Maiden, Strawberry Marshmallow, and Ayakashi have been licensed? (I’m crossing my fingers for Air, KyoAni’s Kanon, and Aria.)

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Question:
If Japan can hold on to its economy recovery, do you think we will see the OVA format become the heart and core of the industry as it was in the 80s and early 90s?

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Bandai Entertainment has announced that its first domestic DVD volume of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya will retail at $29.99 (or $64.98 for the special edition) beginning May 29th.

The special edition release includes a custom series artbox, a Haruhi-ism iron-on, double-sided pencil board, cosplay ribbon/headband, and the “Hare Hare Yukai” opening theme song CD single.

Source: Anime on DVD

The official Ikkitousen homepage now hosts a new streaming trailer for the upcoming Ikkitousen: Dragon Destiny television series. The series is scheduled to premier on the 26th.

Source: Rakuga Kidou

At this past weekend’s New York Comic Con, Bandai Entertainment announced its acquisition of North American distribution rights to the anime series Flag.

Source: Anime News Network

At this past weekend’s New York Comic Con, Right Stuf International formally announced its plans to distribute the sci-fi action anime television series The Third on American DVD.

Source: Anime News Network

At this past weekend’s New York Comic Con, Viz announced that the Mar Heaven and Prince of Tennis anime series will premier on the Cartoon Network this fall. Mar will debut on domestic DVD on June 12.

The Naruto: Lost Story OVA will be released on domestic DVD on May 22nd. The first Naruto movie will have a one night only theatrical screening in nationwide limited release this June, followed by a DVD release in September.

Viz confirmed that the forthcoming domestic Death Note DVD release will be bilingual.

Source: Anime News Network

At this past weekend’s New York Comic Con, Blu Manga announced its acquisition of translation rights to Ooya Kazumi & Gotou Shinobu yaoi “Takumi-kun” series.

CMX announced its acquisition of 5 new manga titles:

I Hate You More than Anyone, by Hidaka Banri
King of Cards, by Tateno Makoto
Tears of a Lamb, by Hidaka Banri
Two Flowers of the Dragon, by Kusakawa Nari
Venus in Love, by Nakaji Yuuki

Dark Horse Comics announced its acquisition of translation and publication rights to Yumi Touma’s Oh! My Goddess: First End novel.

Del Rey announced its acquisition of:

Aventura, by Midorikawa Shin
Psycho Busters, by Aoki Yuuya
Pumpkin Scissors, by Iwanaga Ryoutarou
Shiki Tsukai, Zekuu Tooru

Go Comi! announced its acquisition of:

Hikkatsu!, by Yagami Yu
Kanna, by Kirishima Takeru
Lamp no Ou-sama, by Shigematsu Takako
Love Master A, by Hashimoto Kyouko

Newtype Magazine announced plans to begin serializing CLAMP’s current manga serial Kobato later this year.

TOKYOPOP announced a number of new acquisitions:

Baku, by Mizuki Hakase
Cherry Juice, by Fukushima Haruka
KuruiZaki no Hana, by Mizuki Hakase
Pick of the Litter!, by Suda Yuriko

Full Metal Panic! novels by Shouji Gatou & Shiki Doji
Welcome to the NHK novels by Takimoto Tatsuhiko

Viz Media announced its acquisition of:

Dragon Sword and Wind Child, by Ogiwara Noriko
Gintama, by Sorachi Hideaki
Hoshin Engi, by Fujisaki Ryu
Ichigo 100%, by Kawashita Mizuki
Love Com, by Nakahara Aya
Millenium Snowby, Hatori Bisco
Muhyo and Rosie’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation, by Nishi Yoshiyuki
Portus
Pretty Face, by Kano Yasuhiro
Togari, by Yoshinori Natsume
Yurara, by Shiomi Chika

Viz also announced plans to re-release Junji Ito’s horror manga series Gyo and Uzumaki.

Yen Press announced its acquisition of:

Alice on Deadlines, by Shiro Ihara
Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna, by Ky Shirodaira & Eita Mizuno
Zombie-Loan, by Peach-Pit

Black God manhwa by Dall-Young Lim & Sung-Woo Park

Source: Manga Jouhou

TV Tokyo has opened its official homepage for the upcoming Blue Dragon anime television series, revealing the first look at the 2D anime based on the Xbox RPG. The series is scheduled to premier on April 7th.

Source: Rakuga Kidou

The latest Geneon Podcast features an audio interview with American voice actor and ADR director Taliesin Jaffe.