AnimeNation Anime News Blog

The Mainichi Daily News reports that during the pre-dawn hours of Tuesday, September 18th, a 45 year old police sergeant employed by the Minami Police Depeartment in Kyoto, Japan, was murdered by his 16 year old daughter, who attacked him with an axe. In response to the shocking crime, the TV Kanagawa, Chiba TV, and Aichi TV networks canceled their broadcasts of the final episode of the School Days anime television series because the episode depicted a high school age girl committing an act of bloody violence.

The episode had already been partially censored before its planned TV broadcast. Animation studio TNK apparently made the blood depicted in the episode black instead of bright red; however, for reasons of tact, the censoring was not deemed sufficient. Reportedly satellite TV network AT-X, which airs anime with age appropriate advisory messages, has not yet decided if it will broadcast the episode.

Source: Mainichi Daily News

CMX has revealed its acquisition of translation and distribution rights to Yu Yagami’s four volume “Go West,” and three volume “Dokkoida?!” comedy manga series. The first volume of Dokkoida will be released next February. The first volume of Go West will debut in November 2008.

CMX has also announced plans to distribute American editions of Daisuke Torii’s “Zombie Fairy” manga, and Arashi Shindo’s “Leader’s High!” manga. Both titles are published in Japan by DC Comics’ partner company Flex Comics.

Source: Publisher’s Weekly

Viz Pictures has formally announced its acquisition of North American distribution rights to the two live action Death Note motion pictures, based on the successful manga by Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata. Death Note and Death Note: The Last Name will premier at the Austin, Texas Fantastic Fest film festival held from September 20-27, and at the 2007 Vancouver Asian Film Festival, November 1-4. Limited theatrical screenings will continue throughout 2008 with a DVD release of both films coming next summer.

Yuricon has announced that Media Blasters’ English translation of the Simoun sci-fi adventure anime television series will premier at the 2007 “Yurisai” event held on Sept. 29th at the Newark, NJ Gateway Hilton Hotel.

Question:
(Yeah here’s a doozy for ya mr.john better anwser it. Sure you had same questions like this over and over.)

I got total respect for you otakus and animefreaks (ANime fans) but I get tired of wapanese (wannabe white people trying to be chinks) think whenever americans make cartoons they assume to think it looks like a ripped off, so whats up with that? Are they blind and they jack off to hentai cause you recommended to them? Or they’re just brain-dead losers who hang out here to ask your almighty wisdom to further there hatred because they live in a country that give them freedom of speech and does not force things on them?

(Editor’s Note: Question presented exactly as it was received.)

(more…)

Japan’s Yahoo News has reported that the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, regarded as one of Japan’s finest schools for the arts, is developing a curriculum specializing in anime production and research.

While other Japanese universities including the Kyoto Seika University offer courses in manga and anime study and production, and the Bunkyo Gakuin University, Hongo Campus currently offers public seminars on anime history and production, this new curriculum at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music will be Japan’s first university to offer a major in the study of anime.

Source: Canned Dogs

Question:
Do you think it is possible that there will be a U.S. version of Japan’s National General Anime Culture Knowledge Certification Exam? Should all of the American anime companies get involved in this?

(more…)

The official Japanese homepage for the upcoming Hoshi no Umi no Amuri ~ Amuri in Star Ocean full CG anime sci-fi/action/adventure OVA series is now online. The website’s “intro” and “story” sections feature streaming footage from the anime.

The 30 minute long first episode is scheduled for Japanese DVD release on November 13th. The second episode will be released on February 22, 2008, and the third episode on June 27, 2008.

Source: Moon Phase

The official Kite Liberator homepage now hosts a streaming trailer for the upcoming OVA. Please note that the trailer contains graphic violence. The Kite Liberator teaser footage appears in the final quarter of the trailer.

Source: Moon Phase

Comic Blade Avarus Magazine has formally announced that Sorano Kairi’s supernatural fantasy manga series Monochrome Factor will be adapted into an anime. No further details are available yet.

Source: Moon Phase

An official announcement that a Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 3: Kurenai no Tsuki TV special will air on the Japanese Kids Station television network in December has appeared online.

Source: Moon Phase

CyberConnect2 and Bandai Visual have announced development of a new full 3D CG OVA titled .hack//G.U. Trilogy. The 85 minute long OVA will be released on Japanese DVD and Blu-ray on January 25, 2008, and will feature a bonus 10 minute long “Parody Mode” bonus feature that replaces serious & touching scenes from the film with comical punchlines.

Source: AV Watch

Although first announced over a year ago, the anime television series adaptation of Shimizu Yoshinori’s “Yattokame Tanteidan” (At Last! Turtle Detective Agency) mystery novel series will premier as a two-season long anime television series airing at 7 AM on Sunday mornings on Nogoya area television stations beginning October 7th.

Source: Sanyutei Enjou Rakugo no Sekai

The official Japanese homepage for the upcoming live action adventure comedy movie Robo Rock now hosts a streaming trailer. (Click on the flying robot to access the trailer.) The movie features a full CG giant robot animated by Japanese anime production studio Gonzo. The movie is scheduled to open in Japanese theaters in November.

Source: Twitch

Question:
Is Latin America ever featured in anime, or is it mostly overlooked?

(more…)