AnimeNation Anime News Blog

Eight members of the female idol group AKB48′s of Team B have announced plans to create an original anime short for broadcast during the AKB48 Kami TV Season 2 television program. Kazuno Urano, Aika Ota, Yuki Kashiwagi, Haruka Katayama, Rino Sashihara, Haruka Nakagawa, Sayaka Makaya, and Mayu Watanabe intend to create an original anime short about a mascot character by creating the characters and story, writing the script, drawing the storyboards and animation frames, creating sound effects, and performing the voice acting themselves. A two part “B Men yo, Anime o Kake!” (B Men, Draw Anime!) special chronicling the making of the anime will air on July 31 and August 7 on the CS Family Theater network.

As its name suggests, the AKB48 pop group draws its name and inspiration from Tokyo’s anime/game otaku district Akihabara. As AKB48 members come and go, the group has had as many as 51 simultaneous members divided into “teams” A, B, and K. AKB48 performed theme songs for the Deltora Quest TV anime and the ICE OVA series.

Source: Anime News Network

ICv2 hosts a brief exclusive interview with Yen Press co-founder Kurt Hassler on the subject of Yen Press’ acquisition of CLAMP’s current manga serial Kobato. Hassler reveals the the series first two volumes will be released simultaneously in May 2010.

Japanese mascot character merchandiser Sanrio has officially launched a “With Kitty” (Hello Kitty to Issho!) marketing campaign aimed squarely at moe fans. Popular illustrators OKAMA (Getsumen To Heiki Mina), POP (Moetan), and Kuroboshi Kouhaku (Kino no Tabi) have created original bishoujo illustrations featuring a Hello Kitty motif that will adorn official Sanrio licensed Hello Kitty merchandise sold at next month’s Comic Market 76 convention. A “Comiket Special Set” includes a cellphone cleaner (Kuroboshi Kouhaku ver.), a mini towel (OKAMA ver.), clear files by Kuroboshi Kouhaku and POP, and a hand towel (POP ver.) for only 2,000 yen. T-shirts and tote bags will also be available for purchase.

Must. Have.

Source: Canned Dogs

Japanese film distributor Pony Canyon has announced a January 29, 2010 release for a limited edition “It’s a Rumic World Special Anime Box” DVD collection. The 19,950 yen collection will include the Urusei Yatsura: Shougaibutsu Suieitaikai (Obstacle Course Swim Meet), Ranma ½: Okumu! Shunmin Kou (Nightmare! Incense of Deep Sleep), and Inuyasha: Kuroi Tetsusaiga (Black Tetsusaiga) 30 minute movies, the original opening animation clip, a 32 page booklet, and 12cm figures of Lum, female Ranma, and Inuyasha.

The films were exclusively screened during the “It’s a Rumic World” art exhibit held in Tokyo’s Ginza district from July 30 – August 11, 2008.

Source: Animate.tv

53 year old veteran actor Tatsuo Yamada passed away this past Sunday morning at a hospital in Tokyo. Yamada was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2005. Yamada made his acting debut in Sogo Ishii’s 1980 film “Kuruizaki Thunder Road” (“Crazy Thunder Road”). He went on to appear in over a hundred movies and television dramas, including Evil Dead Trap 3, Another Lonely Hitman, When the Last Sword Is Drawn, The Sinking of Japan, and the acclaimed drama Okuribito. Yamada also served as a voice actor in the memorable 1987 anime OVA To-Y.

Source: Tokyograph

Question:
What are the chances of a manga being licensed that currently has over 40 volumes in Japan?

(more…)

Last August, Marvel Comics announced that Tokyo anime studio Madhouse would animate four TV anime series based on Marvel comics characters, including Iron Man and Wolverine. During this past weekend’s San Diego Comic Con, Marvel revealed the other two properties to be adapted: Blade and X-Men. The Wolverine TV series will be based on comic writer Chris Claremont’s 1982 take on the character that depicted Logan’s life in Japan. The Iron Man TV series will, at least partially, depict Tony Stark visiting Tokyo.

The teaser trailers Madhouse produced for Iron Man and Wolverine are demonstration footage that will not be used in the TV anime productions.

Madhouse will also provide the animation for Marvel’s American Planet Hulk straight-to-video animated movie that will be released next year. Madhouse similarly animated Marvel’s two Hulk Vs. movies that were released domestically earlier this year.

Source: Anime News Network article one, article two

During this past weekend’s San Diego Comic Con, Viz Media announced its acquisition of domestic distribution rights to the upcoming Inuyasha: Kanketsu-hen (Inuyasha: Final Act) television anime along with the 2006 Kekkaishi TV anime and the 2008 Vampire Knight TV anime series. While the new Inuyasha doesn’t have a tentative American release date yet, the Kekkaishi and Vampire Knight anime are expected to premiere in America next year.

Viz acquiring the new Inuyasha anime should surprise no one. Since Viz already publishes the Kekkaishi and Vampire Knight manga, the only surprise about the anime licenses is how long Viz waited to get them.

Source: Anime News Network

During this past weekend’s San Diego Comic Con, CMX Manga formally announced domestic publication plans for a slew of manga titles.

(more…)

During this past weekend’s San Diego Comic Con, Yen Press announced its acquisition of a variety of new manga titles.

(more…)

During this past weekend’s San Diego Comic Con, Del Rey announced its acquisition of translation & publication rights to Samurai Deeper Kyo creator Akamine Kamijyo’s latest manga series Code:Breaker. The first volume will be released domestically next summer.

Source: Anime News Network

During this past weekend’s San Diego Comic Con, Dark Horse Comics revealed that Universal Pictures is developing American live action film adaptations of the Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service and MPD-Psycho manga series, and Universal is presently negotiating with Dark Horse to acquire film production rights for CLAMP’s manga series Clover.

Source: Anime News Network

Vertical’s domestic release of Osamu Tezuka’s samurai action/horror manga series Dororo was awarded the prestigious Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material this past weekend. The Eisner Award category was established three years ago, and Japanese manga titles have won the honor all three years. All of the nominees for the award this year were manga titles.

Source: Publishers Weekly

The official homepage for the current CANAAN anime television series has announced that the 13 episode series will be condensed into three theatrical motion pictures, the first of which will open in October.

Source: Anime News Network

During this past Sunday’s Otomate Party 2009 publicity event in Tokyo, video game publisher Idea Factory revealed that an anime adaptation of its 2008 PlayStation 2 game Hakuoki Shinsengumi Kitan is now in development. The game is a “reverse harem” historical adventure game that involves a female protagonist interacting with the handsome young swordsmen of the Shinsengumi.

Source: Anime News Network