AnimeNation Anime News Blog

The advertising obi on new copies of the fourth volume of Toru Honda’s light novel series Light Novel no Tanoshii Kakikata (Writing Light Novels is Fun) reveals that a movie adaptation of the series is in development. The announcement doesn’t specify if the movie will be anime or live action.

The novel series that premiered in February 2008 is the romantic comedy story of high school boy Atae Yakumo who knows that his strictly disciplined classmate Tsurugi Yabusame secretly writes light novels. When Yabusame suffers a creative slump, her editor suggests that Yakumo & Yabusame try dating so Yabusame can get some first hand inspiration for writing romance.

Source: Anime News Network

For those who haven’t yet burnt out on the blitz of Astro Boy movie promotion, Ain’t It Cool News has published an exclusive interview with movie cast leads Freddie Highmore & Kristen Bell.

Question:
Interestingly otaku themselves don’t agree on what constitutes moe. Japan’s male otaku mostly believe moe characters must be female – therefore they considered Mamoru-kun ni Megami no Shukufuku wo’s Ayako a moe character and Mamoru not for SaiMoe. I thought that was ass backwards. Some maintain moe characters must not be sexualized, but I think that’s unrealistic; even if moe was initially based on completely “pure” feelings, otaku sexualize everything. Still others insist “true” moe characters must be drawn in a POP-like style.

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We’ve been working on adding more figures lately, and today they’re finally up. Over 400 anime figures added to the site today and marked at 10% off! Girls, Mecha, Final Fantasy, and much more. Whew… It’s time for a well-deserved drink. Cheers!

An anime television series of five minute episodes based on the 2006 “live-action science-fiction/fantasy romance” film Kotatsu Neko (Heated Table Cats) will premiere in October. (A kotatsu is a short table with a heater underneath its center to keep people’s legs warm.) The 2006 movie is a story about Shito, a white cat, and Zero, a black cat, that live in an apartment with middle-school hikikomori (introverted shut-in) Rei “Junior” Fujisaki. Both Shito and Junior have loves that they can’t bring themselves to confess.

Voice actress Sakura Nogawa (Hinaichigo in Rozen Maiden, Erica Hartmann in Strike Witches) has revealed that she will play the white cat Shito-chan in the anime, a role played in the live action film by Serena. Nogawa will also sing the anime series’ ending theme song.

Source: Anime News Network

Kodansha’s homepage for the Maho Sensei Negima! ~Mou Hitotsu no Sekai~ OAD series has formally announced plans to release a Negima feature anime film in 2011. The movie is being produced in response to especially strong sales of the OAD releases. The 3 episode Shiroki Tsubasa Ala Alba OAD series reportedly sold a combined 242,000 copies. Demand for the upcoming 4 episode Mou Hitotsu no Sekai series is so strong that the first episode will have an initial production run of 70,000 copies. The first DVD volume of the Mou Hitotsu no Sekai series will be included in limited edition copies of Negima manga volume 27 that go on sale September 17th.

Source: Moon Phase

Reportedly this week’s new issue of Young Animal Magazine will formally confirm that the film adaptation of Shigemitsu Harada & Nobuto Hagio sex comedy manga series Yuria 100-shiki will be a live action feature premiering on November 20th.

Hideo Jojo (Gachi-ban) is credited with screenplay, editing, and directing. Yuria Type 100 will be played by adult video actress Fujii Shelly.

Guess it’s going to be a quick and cheap straight-to-video movie.

Source: Moon Phase Diary

In June, Bloody Disgusting reported that Warner Bros.’ Akira live action film project was “dead as a doornail.” The following month film producer Andrew Lazar told iFMagazine that the project was not dead, and that Warner had writers actively working on a script. Now, Collider reveals that the screenwriters at work on the Akira script are Children of Men screenwriters Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby. The Collider report supports Lazar’s earlier claim that the movie, “is a real priority project for Warner Bros.” Collider continues to state that the film begin filming as early as next year for a 2011 release as a major event movie.

Source: Ain’t It Cool News

Article provided by Daniel Zelter

Entertainment Weekly has named its picks for the 20 best animated feature films ever made. Anime is well represented.

Source: Ain’t It Cool News

Article provided by Daniel Zelter

Question:
What are the chances of Pixar doing a CG remake of Grave of the Fireflies for kids?

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Dengeki Bunko books has formally announced an anime adaptation of Tsukasa Kozuki’s romantic comedy light novel series Ladies Versus Butlers! (Lady x Butto). The story stars high school boy Akiharu Hino, who’s drafted into his new school’s training program for maids & butlers. The novel series premiered in 2006 and presently has nine volumes, a manga adaptation, and drama CDs.

Atsushi Ootsuki (Kanokon) will direct the animators of studio Xebec. Tsuyoshi Tamai (Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu, Strike Witches) will write while Akio Takami (Kanokon, Shaman King) will provide animation character design. The cast of the drama CDs will reprise their roles in the anime.

I don’t want to be entirely dismissive of this before even giving it a chance, but didn’t we already see this last year as KimiAru?

Source: Anime News Network

Veteran director Rintaro (Galaxy Express 999, X movie) has announced plans to direct a Korean/Japanese co-produced 3D animated film about a Caucasian mother trying to rescue children that have been transported to an alternate world of Asian myth. Rintaro stated that his goal on the picture is to “defeat Hollywood” by making a work that will “express characteristically Asian feelings.”

The Rintaro directed 3D anime film Yona Yona Penguin will hit Japanese theaters in December. Rintaro also directed the Wolverine pilot anime that premiered this past July.

Source: Anime News Network

Animator Yasuomi Umetsu (Kite, Mezzo) has stated in a personal blog entry that he’s now attending daily meetings related to the revival of an original anime project that was previously put on hiatus. Since the revival hasn’t been formally announced to the public yet, Umetsu states that he can’t reveal specific details.

Umetsu’s most prominent unproduced original project is the 90 minute feature film Kiss And Cry. The Japanese/Korean/American produced “horror x action x suspense x sci-fi x drama” was first announced in 2003. Japan’s SF MOVIE DataBank now lists the film as a 2010 release. Certain? No. Possible? Certainly.

Source: Anime News Network

Ain’t It Cool News has published a new, exclusive interview with David Bowers, director of the upcoming Astro Boy motion picture.

The first internet dating network for anime/manga fans has officially opened. Fan Crush Network, LLC. has launched Otaku Crush, a worldwide on-line dating site that connects anime and manga fans and serves as a source for news, reviews and interviews. Current Otaku Crush members and fans including Evan Okada say, “Otaku Crush is a totally rad site! I can keep in touch with all my friends and make new friends, and possible dates, along the way! Membership is free. You can’t beat a deal like this!”

Heh. “Totally rad”