Viz Media has formally announced its acquisition of distribution rights to the first Bleach motion picture, “Bleach the Movie: Memories of Nobody.” The film will receive a limited North American theatrical release this summer followed by a DVD release this winter.
The official Japanese homepage for the upcoming Blade of the Immortal anime television series is now open.
Source: Anime News Network
Question:
Will anime always be original and traditional? Like for another generation, new anime will remain similar to live action movies and reality based? None will ever be fantasy like Looney Tunes or Tom and Jerry? I think they’ll all be just like the ones today. What do you think?
At this past weekend’s Anime Boston convention, AD Vision revealed its acquisition of distribution rights to the 51 episode fantasy anime series Kiba. However, ADV is currently involved in ongoing negotiations to secure North American distribution for the Gurren Lagann and Keroro Gunso anime series.
Reportedly AD Vision presently does not have “firm plans to embrace the Blu-Ray format,” a statement which contradicts last month’s announcement that ADV would begin releasing Blu-ray discs in America as early as this spring.
Apparently AD Vision is not interested in persuing any of the anime series formerly distributed by or licensed for American release by Geneon USA.
Source: Anime News Network
At this past weekend’s Anime Boston convention, Bandai Entertainment revealed its acquisition of distribution rights to the 12 episode Rocket Girls television series from last year. Bandai also confirmed plans for domestic releases of the Ayakashi Ayashi Divine Comedy and My Otome Zwei OVA series. (Bandai announced its acquisition of the Ayakashi Ayashi television series last year.)
Bandai Entertainment also stated that the company has not yet made any decisions regarding Blu-ray disc releases.
Source: Anime News Network
The current issue of Japan’s Gekkan Afternoon Magazine has confirmed rumors from last December that Hiroaki Samura’s Mugen no Jyuunin manga series, known in America as “Blade of the Immortal,” will debut in anime television series form this summer. The anime will be produced by Bee Train (.Hack, Noir) with direction from Koichi Mashimo (Noir) and animation character designs by Yoshimitsu Yamashita (Murder Princess, Samurai Champloo).
Source: Anime News Network
The official Wagaya no Oinarisama anime television series homepage now hosts a small resolution streaming trailer on the top right corner of its front page. The series is scheduled to premier on April 6th.
The official homepage of the Vampire Knight anime television series now hosts a teaser trailer for the upcoming series, which is scheduled to debut on April 7th.
The official homepage of the Junjo Romantica anime television series now hosts a streaming trailer. The “boys love” comedy is scheduled to premier on April 10th.
Source: Anime News Network
Question:
Since the release of the last part of the Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki series, and the fact Pioneer/Geneon has stopped their distribution of anime, what do you see in the future for the Tenchi Muyo! franchise? And in your opinion, should it be put to bed after so many years?
Gonzo Digimation Holdings has formally announced that two new Gonzo anime television series productions will be made available online for viewers overseas simultaneously with their Japanese television broadcast. YouTube, Crunchyroll, and BOST TV will offer English subtitled episodes of The Tower of DRUAGA -the Aegis of URUK- and BLASSREITER the same day the episodes are broadcast on Japanese television, in methods ranging from free streaming to fee-based download of high-resolution movie files. GDH’s decision to provide its content globally in parallel with Japanese broadcast is an effort to offer equal accessibility and new viewing opportunities to fans around the world, while at the same time showcasing a legal online alternative to illegal file-sharing and downloading.
The Tower of DRUAGA is scheduled to premier on April 4th. BLASSREITER is scheduled to premier on April 5th.
FUNimation has confirmed its acquisition of domestic distribution rights to the 2006 Negima!? Spring and Summer OVAs animated by Shaft. FUNimation announced its acquisition of distribution rights to Shaft’s Negima!? television series last year.
Source: Anime News Network
ICv2 now hosts a lengthy interview with Joseph Chou, one of the producers behind the Appleseed: Ex Machina motion picture.
The Nikkan Sports newspaper reports that Yoshiaki Kawajiri’s director’s cut of the Highlander: Search for Vengeance anime movie will be released in Japan this summer, including a Japanese langauge dub staring Shun Oguri (Shinichi Kudo in the live action Detective Conan, Rui Hanazawa in the live action Hana Yori Dango). While Highlander: The Search for Vengeance was released in America last year, the film has not yet been released in Japan.
In June 2007, Highlander anime movie producer Galen Walker revealed plans for an eventual American release of a director’s cut of the film.
Source: Tokyograph
Question:
What happened to quality, plot driven, adult oriented anime like Wicked City, Demon City Shinjuku, Crying Freeman, Mermaid Scar, etc. Why is there so little adult oriented anime out there. Surely by now there must be a demand for more than just big eyes and fan service. I’ve seen Eva, Paranoia Agent, Appleseed, Death Note and all the other recent favorites, but even they were so reserved/conservative. I understand that TV shows are under more content constraints than OAVs but where have the OAVs of this kind gone? When did this shift happen and why? Where have my ‘adult situations and violence’ gone?
Bandai Visual USA has indefinitely delayed the planned North American release of the Shigofumi: Letters from the Departed, true tears, and sola anime television series. All other Bandai Visual USA scheduled releases will be released as previously announced.
Bandai Visual USA President Tatsunori Konno has explained that, “Bandai Visual (Japan) and Bandai Visual USA are now rushing to reschedule all future releases, focusing on Blu-Ray. Due to the recent quiet market, we will postpone standard single DVDs for TV series. We are assuming that the market does not prefer that format.”
Source: Anime on DVD
Digital Manga has announced its acquisition of translation rights to five Japanese yaoi novels.
Passion - Forbidden Lovers, by Shinobu Gotoh and Shoko Takaku; The Guilty, by Katsura Izumi and Hinako Takanaga; and All You Need is Love, by Jinko Fuyuno and Noboru Takatsuki, will be released on October 21.
Hikaru Yura and Hirotaka Kisaragi’s novel Dark Walker will be released on November 18.
Secret Moon, by Siira Gou and Sato Tomoe, will go on sale on December 2.
