AnimeNation Anime News Blog

The San Francisco Chronicle has published a lengthy personal interview with Viz Media founder Seiji Horibuchi.

Article provided by Daniel Zelter

During a press interview for his latest film, Inglourious Basterds, director Quentin Tarantino discussed his work with anime studio Production I.G on anime sequences produced for Kill Bill. Tarantino confirmed that I.G has completed an additional anime segment depicting O-ren Ishii taking revenge on the man who killed her father. Tarantino states that he originally wanted to include this scene in the 2003 film, but including more than 8 minutes of anime in Kill Bill volume 1, “may be not the wisest move.” However, the freshly produced anime sequence will be included in Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair, which Tarantino expects to focus on after finishing the promotional junket for Inglourious Basterds.

Just as a reminder, the original anime sequence in the Japanese release of Kill Bill vol. 1 is a few seconds longer and contains slightly more graphic violence than the cut released to American theaters and DVD. Furthermore, America has still never gotten an official release of the fully uncut and uncensored version of Kill Bill volume 1.

Source: /Film

Moviehole reports that director Wolfgang Peterson (Troy, Air Force One) is eager to develop a live action feature film based on Yasutaka Tsutsui’s 1993 sci-fi novel Paprika. Director Satoshi Kon adapted the novel into a celebrated anime film in 2006.

The official homepage for the Princess Lover anime is now streaming a 15 second live action commercial for the series’ first DVD volume. The spot features gravure idol Morishita Yuuri cosplaying as Charlotte Hazellink.

Source: Moon Phase

Question:
What are the chances we will have a U.S. release of Ga-Rei Zero? Personally, I’m surprised it hasn’t already been licensed given that it has many features American fans like: smooth animation, slick action, and a dark and emotional plot.

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Visual novel game developer minori has released the beautiful 3:28 anime promotion video for its latest PC game eden*. As a result of Equality Now’s campaign against the Japanese adult PC game industry, minori now restricts access to its homepage to Japanese residents only. For the benefit of foreigners, minori has officially added the anime PV to YouTube. The game is scheduled for release on September 18.

Previous games developed by minori have been adapted into anime TV series and OVAs, including Wind: A Breath of Heart, Haru no Ashioto, and ef.

TV Tokyo’s official web page for the new Uchurei anime television series is now streaming the show’s 3 minute long first episode.

Keep that inside where it belongs! And I like the way the show adds a disclaimer that the depicted events are 100% fiction.

Source: Anime News Network

The official Japanese website for the upcoming Darker Than Black: Ryusei no Gemini TV anime is streaming a 15 second teaser trailer on its front page and a 91 second trailer in the site’s gallery section. The new series picks up with first series protagonist Hiei two years later when he encounters Russian-Japanese girl Suo Pavlichenko. The show will premiere in October.

With a cute schoolgirl, a pet hamster, and bouncing breasts, it certainly looks like the second series is trying harder to appeal to the fan service otaku audience. I’m not saying that’s bad, just a noteworthy change from the first series.

Source: Anime News Network

Fresh off co-creating the concept for the original anime series Basquash, Shouji Kawamori now has another original anime TV series in development for an October premiere. Anymal Tantei Kiruminzuu will be a cute “heartwarming comedy” about the Mikogami sisters – Riko, Rimu, and Nagisa – who enjoy cosplaying as animals until they find a “Kirumin compact” which magically allows them to physically transform into real animals.

The series title is a complex pun. “Anymal” is evidently a combination of the English words “any” and “animal.” “Tantei” is the Japanese word for “detective.” “Kiruminzuu” is a combination of the Japanese word “kigurumi” (stuffed animal toy) and the English word “zoo.”

The anime will be collaboratively produced by Satelight, Hal Film Maker, and Korean studio JM Animation. Kawamori routinely works with Satelight. Hal Film Maker animated Oban Star Racer, which was partially directed by Basquash co-creator Thomas Romain. JM Animation is currently assisting in the animation production for Basquash. Soichi Masui (Scrapped Princess) will direct. Hal Film Maker’s Sumie Aizawa (Kemeko-DX) will provide character designs. Eriko Matsuda (Itazura na Kiss screenwriter) and Yosuke Yuki will write the scripts.

Source: Anime News Network

The Young Gangan Fes. Anime no Okage Summer 2009 publicity event has revealed the development of an anime adaptation of Hikaru Nakamura’s romantic comedy manga Arakawa under the Bridge. The manga about a well-off young man who picks up an odd homeless girl falls into the “denpa-kei” genre of slice-of-life stories about people with odd ideosynchracies. The Denpa Teki na Kanojo novels, which have already been adapted into anime, are also from the “denpa-kei” genre.

Manga creator Hikaru Nakamura may be better known as the creator of the ongoing Saint Young Men gag manga.

Reportedly the Arakawa Under the Bridge anime will be produced by Shaft, under the direction of Akiyuki Shinbo (Bakemonogatari, Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei).

At least for me, this sounds like something to salivate in anticipation for.

Source: Anime News Network

An official website has launched to announce a TV anime adaptation of Karino Takatsu’s four panel comic strip Working!! A-1 Pictures (Kuroshitsuji, Kannagi) will produce with Yoshimasa Hiraike (Kaleido Star, Sketchbook ~full color’S~) directing and Shingo Adachi (Ryusei no Rockman) providing chara design and serving as animation director. The 2005 and ongoing manga is a lighthearted slice-of-life story set in the Wagnaria family resturant in Hokkaido, Japan.

Source: Anime News Network

Japanese software, game and anime retailer chain Sofmap is now accepting pre-orders for a GA: Geijutsuka Art Design Class OVA scheduled for release on April 2, 2010. The OVA is a separate release from the TV series’ six DVD volumes. The series’ official site has not mentioned any plans for an OVA.

Source: Anime News Network

Japanese anime retailer Animate reports that the fifth volume of Haruaki Katoh’s school comedy manga series Hyakko will be released in a standard edition and a limited edition that includes a new 10 minute anime episode on DVD. The voice cast of the 2008 TV anime adaptation will reprise their roles. The limited edition manga will retail at 1,980 yen beginning October 12.

Source: Anime News Network

The official homepage for the Sekirei TV anime has formally announced development of a sequel series, Sekirei ~Pure Engagement~. The primary staff and cast from the 2008 first series will reunite for the second series.

Source: Anime News Network

Animation World Magazine has published an exclusive interview with veteran Ghibli animator Katsuya Kondo regarding his latest work on Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea.