AnimeNation Anime News Blog

Production studio Bones (Fullmetal Alchemist, Heroman) is now developing an original mecha series titled “Star Driver: Kagayaki no Takuto” (Star Driver: Radiant Takuto). Takuya Igarashi (Soul Eater, Ouran High School Host Club) is directing with Yoji Enokido (Utena, Gunbuster 2) composing the script and Yoshiyuki Ito (Fullmetal Alchemist, Soul Eater) providing the anime character designs based on original designs by Misa and Hiroka Mizuya.

Source: Anime News Network

The homepage for next month’s vampire horror anime series Shiki has added a new 15 second TV spot. The series will air in the Fuji TV network’s “Noitamina” late-night timeslot beginning July 8.

Monthly Shonen Magazine has formally announced the cancellation of plans for an anime adaptation of writer Tadashi Kawashima and illustrator Adachitoka’s sci-fi suspense manga series Alive: Saishu Shinkateki Shounen (Alive: Final Evolution Boy), known in English as “Alive: The Final Evolution.” Gonzo announced plans to adapt the manga in June 2008; however, those plans were scrapped after Gonzo encountered serious financial difficulties in 2009. Reportedly interested parties unsuccessfully tried to relaunch the production with another studio before finally giving up. The 21 volume manga series premiered in 2003 and concluded serialization in February 2010.

Source: Anime News Network

Reportedly the Tales of Symphonia anime series, based on Namco’s RPG, will conclude in the Tales of Symphonia: Sekai Togo-hen (Tales of Symphonia: United World story arc) OVA series. The anime adaptation launched in 2007 with a 4 episode OVA series. The 4 episode Tales of Symphonia the Animation: Tethe’alla hen OAV will conclude this winter.

Source: Anime News Network

The current issue of Feel Young Magazine has revealed word that Yumi Unita’s dramatic manga series Usagi Drop (Bunny Drop) will be adapted into a live action feature film. The ongoing manga has been serialized in Feel Young Magazine since 2005. The domestic drama stars a 30 year-old bachelor who takes in his grandfather’s disregarded 6 year-old illegitimate daughter.

The manga is distributed in English by Yen Press.

Source: Anime News Network

The Canned Dogs blog has published a partial translation of Angel Beats! writer/creator Maeda Jun’s thoughts on episodes 7 & 10 of the current anime series. The comments revolve around spoilers.

I may be wrong, or may be jumping to conclusions based on out-of-context comments, but these excerpts certainly don’t suggest that Maeda was consciously trying to satirize eroge or otaku anime conventions.

Gainax has officially unveiled the first promotional image of its upcoming anime television series Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt.

Source: Moon Phase

To refresh your memory or introduce you to an interesting opening animation sequence, I submit to you the opening of the 1998 cult favorite Fushigi Mahou Fun Fun Pharmacy television series.

Question:
I hear that the anime industry in America is in bad financial shape. I personally buy an anime DVD or manga whenever I can, but what else can a fan do to help the anime industry in the U.S.A.?

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Japanese licensor Bandai Visual has informed the public that due to a “clerical error” it accidentally granted distribution rights to the sola anime television series to Sentai Filmworks while American distributor Bandai Entertainment’s distribution license to the series is still in effect. Sentai Filmworks has voluntarily agreed to not release the series. Bandai Entertainment will continue to distribute its currently available release.

To celebrate the recent domestic broadcast premiere of the Kekkaishi anime television series on Adult Swim, Viz has made the series’ first episode a free download-to-own video from iTunes, Xbox Live’s Zune Marketplace, the PlayStation Network, and Amazon Video on Demand. The episode will be available for free download until June 17.

The homepage for this July’s Seitokai Yakuindomo school comedy television series has added three streaming trailers. The 77 second long promotional video and 30 second spot contain some different animation. The 15 second spot does not include any exclusive footage.

Animate.tv now hosts a streaming trailer for the third Utawarerumono OVA, which is scheduled for Japanese release on June June 23. The two-minute trailer is available in 1mb and 500kbs bandwidth sizes.

Is it just my mistaken impression or is this series taking an awful long time to get released?

Source: Moon Phase

Anime News Network has published an exclusive interview with Gainax co-founder and current president Hiroyuki Yamaga.

The homepage for the upcoming Welcome to the Space Show motion picture has announced that the Tokyo MX television network will air the movie’s first 22 minutes as a preview special on June 13 with a repeat broadcast on June 16. The preview will also air on Animax on June 26 and 27. The Tokyo MX network will broadcast a “Making of ‘Uchuu Show e Youkoso’” TV special on June 20 with a repeat broadcast on June 23 and June 30. The movie opens theatrically in Japan on June 26.

Source: Moon Phase