Publishers Weekly has published an introduction to the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya novel and manga franchise and Yen Press & Little, Brown Books for Young Readers plans for the domestic distribution of the manga and novel series.
The official homepage for the upcoming Kurokami television series now hosts a selection of screenshots from the series’ first episode. The series is scheduled to premier in January.
Source: Moon Phase
Reportedly next month’s issue of Comic Gum Magazine will include a major announcement regarding Bow Ditama’s Fight Ippatsu! Jyuuden-chan manga series. Japanese fan speculation seems to be anticipating the announcement of an anime production.
Creator Bow Ditama’s Mahoromatic and KissxSis manga have both been adapted into anime.
Source: Moon Phase Diary
Ain’t It Cool News has published a purported review of a full length but unfinished print of director James Wong’s upcoming live action Dragonball motion picture. The review contains some profanity and mild spoilers.
Twitch has secured the theatrical trailer for Neko Rahmen Taisho, director Minoru Kawasaki’s live action film adaptation of Kenji Sonishi’s manga about a cat’s effort to become a successful ramen noodle restaurant proprietor. The movie is scheduled to open in Japanese theatrical release on November 29th.
The Hachette Book Group has announced immediate plans to merge its Yen Press manga and graphic novel imprint into its Orbit line of sci-fi and fantasy publishing. Yen Press Publishing Director Kurt Hassler will manage the Yen Press line under the supervision of Orbit Vice President Tim Holman. Yen Press’ Publishing Director, Rich Johnson, will leave the company at the end of the month. While Orbit and Yen Press will share management and marketing personnel, the two lines will “develop independently.”
Source: Anime News Network
Question:
Will Vampire Knight and Rosario+Vampire be released in America? They seem to be similar (vampire high school titles with manga series that have been selling well in America) with their differences lying in which gender demographic they appeal to. And if they are released, which series do you believe would be more successful?
The official homepage for Nozomi Entertainment’s forthcoming remastered DVD release of the 1980 Toward the Terra (Terra E…) motion picture now hosts a streaming trailer. Nozomi Entertainment parent company Right Stuf International first released the film on American VHS in 1994. The November 25th DVD release will be the film’s first North American DVD release.
Vertical currently distributes Keiko Takemiya’s original Toward the Terra manga in English, and Bandai Entertainment currently distributes the 2007 Toward the Terra television series adaptation.
The New York Times newspaper has published a feature article profiling “Tadashi Agi’s” wine appreciation manga series Kami no Shizuku (The Drops of God).
The Asahi newspaper published a similar article in November 2007 that pointed out the affect the popularity of the manga was having on Japanese consumer demand for particular varieties of French wine.
Source: Anime News Network
Japanese trading company Sojitz Corporation has announced plans to disolve the two year old ARM licensing management firm that was established in 2006 as a subsidiary of Japan Content Investments (JCI), Development Bank of Japan, and film distribution company KlockWorx. ARM was established to manage North American anime licensing, and assisted AD Vision in the acquisition of more than 30 anime series. ARM will be disolved and its management resources redistributed by February 2009 because the North American licensing revenue is not expected to grow at the rate that was anticipated when ARM was established in 2006.
FUNimation has confirmed that the disolution of ARM will not have any impact on the domestic distribution of titles which FUNimation acquired through ARM.
Source: Anime News Network article one, article two
Since this seems to be a bit of a trend in Japanese DVD releases lately, fan blog Earl.Box has published a selection of screenshots of the uncensored Strike Witches DVD volume 2. The images do feature nudity.
Japanese publisher Kodansha has announced that Production I.G (Seirei no Moribito) and Transarts (Prince of Tennis) will produce a 50 episode anime television series adaptation of Seirei no Moribito author Nahoko Uehashi’s 2006 Kemono no Soja (Beast Player) fantasy novel series.
Takayuki Hamana, who has worked for Production I.G directing the Library War television series and for Transarts, directing the Prince of Tennis anime, will direct. Jun’ichi Fujisaku (Blood+, RD Sennou Chousashitsu) will write the series screenplay. Takayuki Goto (Hunter X Hunter, Please Save My Earth) will provide character design.
The Beast Player Erin fantasy series about a young woman with the ability to command animals, including dragons, as if she was playing a musical instrument and the war between kingdoms she becomes drawn into will premier on the NHK television network on January 10 at 6:25 pm.
Source: Anime News Network & Moon Phase Diary
The official Japanese homepage for the Kodomo no Jikan anime series has announced that the series’ forthcoming anime will be released in OVA format. The sixth volume of Kaworu Watashiya’s Kodomo no Jikan manga will go on sale January 21, 2009 with a limited edition release that includes a new 25 minute OVA adapting the manga’s popular “Shiro-chan, Kuro-chan” story.
The first of three 55 minute long Kodomo no Jikan Second Term OVAs will premier on February 20. The second and third OVAs detailing Rin, Kuro, and Mimi’s time in fourth grade, will be released on April 24 and June 26.
Source: Anime News Network
Although it’s presently just a placeholder image, the official Japanese homepage for the upcoming 428 the Animation television series is now online.
Source: Rakugakidou
The Japanese Akai Suisei 3 Goukan blog has published an extensive collection of screenshot comparisons between the original censored TV broadcast of Sekirei episodes 1 & 2 and the just released Japanese DVD version episodes. Please note that the comparison shots contain graphic nudity.
