AnimeNation Anime News Blog

AD Vision affiliated licensor Sentai Filmworks has announced its acquisition of the Daphne in the Brilliant Blue, Kannazuki no Miko, and Dokkoida?! anime television series formerly distributed in America by Geneon.

The first half of Daphne in the Brilliant Blue will be released in a 13 episode bilingual two-disc DVD collection on August 18th. The release will retail at $39.98.

Kannazuki no Miko will be re-released under the new American title “Destiny of the Shrine Maiden” in a bilingual double disc set that contains the entire 12 episode series. The release will retail at $39.98 beginning August 25.

Dokkoida?! will also be re-released on August 25 as a bilingual $39.98 double disc set containing the entire 12 episode series.

So, three more mediocre re-releases from a distributor that’s trying its hardest to convince everyone that it’s not just ADV under a different name.

First the TBS television network reported that Japan’s Ethics Organization of Computer Software (EOCS) would institute a ban on adult computer games revolving around rape themes beginning June 2. Then board members of the EOCS stated that no such decision had been made. Now the June 2 EOCS meeting has occurred, and the organization had decided to implement a ban on the production and sale of “rape games.” International pressure and media attention on Japan’s adult PC game industry have practically forced the EOCS decision. As such, the ban was mutually agreed upon by the members of the EOCS without a formal vote. The precise details of the ban, including exactly what game content will be restricted, has not been determined yet.

This is a self-imposed ban originating from and affecting Japan’s commercial computer game production industry. The ban does not have legal status. It will affect roughly 200 professional commercial game production companies but will not extend to independently produced and distributed or “doujin” computer games.

Source: Canned Dogs

The official homepage for the St. Seiya: The Lost Canvas OVA series has added a new 60 second streaming trailer. The first DVD & Blu-ray volume of the series is scheduled for Japanese release on the 24th.

Source: Anime News Network

FUNimation has confirmed plans to reactivate streaming distribution of the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood anime series after implementation of new security measures preventing unauthorized public access to unreleased video content. FUNimation, however, did not mention plans to restore streaming of the One Piece anime series.

Source: Anime News Network

The Sports Hochi newspaper reports that 20th Century Boys trilogy director Yukihiko Tsutsumi will helm a feature film adaptation of Harold Sakuishi’s coming-of-age rock & roll manga series Beck. The original 2000-2008 manga and its 2004 anime TV series adaptation revolved around guitarist/vocalist “Koyuki” Tanaka. The live action film will revolve around band leader Ryusuke Minami, played by Hiro Mizushima, star of the live action Zettai Kareshi and Love Com. Takeru Satoh (Kamen Rider Denno, Rookies), Kenta Kiritani (Crows Zero, Rookies), Aoi Nakamura (Shinigami no Ballad, Q.E.D.), and Osamu Mukai (Honey and Clover, Nodame Cantabile) will co-star.

30 original songs are being written for the film, and the actors are presently undergoing a month of extensive training to enable them to actually play their respective instruments during filming. The movie is scheduled to begin shooting next month for a Japanese theatrical release in fall 2010.

Source: Tokyograph

Crunchyroll has added streaming of four more live action films from Kadokawa Pictures

A Lustful Man, the 1961 film adaptation of Saikaku Ihara’s lighthearted drama novel Koshoku Ichidai Otoko
All Mixed Up, Japan’s first film to deal explicitly with homosexuality
The Inugami Family, acclaimed director Kon Ichikawa’s 1976 horror film
The Quiet Duel, Akira Kurosawa’s 1949 drama starring Toshiro Mifune

Crunchyroll has announced a distribution partnership with Tai Seng Entertainment, North America¹s largest Asian entertainment distributor and content provider. Crunchyroll will provide online streaming for a variety of modern dramas, kung fu series, celebrity shows and beauty pageants distributed by Tai Seng. The initial offerings available now include:

Legend of the Condor Heroes
The Duke of the Mount Deer
Chiseen
The 2008 Miss Hong Kong Pageant
The 2008 Mr. Hong Kong Contest

Get your adorable Lucky Star thumbdrive to compliment a new pair of Lucky Star underwear.

This past Saturday, the day FUNimation was scheduled to begin simulcasting Japanese One Piece TV episodes, FUNimation instead announced an indefinite hiatus on One Piece streaming in response to this week’s episode being discovered to be publicly accessible from FUNimation’s website and summarily distributed online without authorization prior to its official public premiere. Toei Animation appears to have responded immediately to the episode leak by ordering a halt to all official One Piece episode streaming in America from the FUNimation, Hulu, and Joost websites.

FUNimation has also ceased streaming the current Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood television series without public explanation, although the series remains legitimately available from Hulu and YouTube. FUNimation is still streaming episodes of Phantom ~Requiem for the Phantom~, the third of three current Japanese TV anime that FUNimation simulcasts online.

Source: Anime News Network

The cover of the July issue of Dengeki Bunko Magazine, which goes on sale in Japan on the 10th, reveals the development of a new Shakugan no Shana anime project. No other details are available yet.

Source: Canned Dogs

The official website for Key & Aniplex’s recently announced bishoujo action TV anime production Angel Beats! has added a second and third streaming teaser trailers announcing the production.

Source: Anime News Network

Square Enix has released a press announcement revealing the game titles it will be promoting at this week’s E3 Expo.

Article provided by Daniel Zelter

Question:
Does “-maru” have some kind of special meaning? Why is it so common in characters’ name, such as “Shikamaru,” “Orochimaru,” “Zabimaru,” and “Yadoumaru” to name the few that I know of?

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