Question:
What are the longest and shortest openings and closings ever produced for an anime TV series? And for an OVA series? I know it’s a really weird question, but it’s something I’ve been curious about for some time since I really love those long anime OPs and EDs they do in Japan.
Last night the Japanese homepage for the Kara no Kyokai anime franchise announced that the complete series Blu-ray boxed set will contain a previously unreleased 30 minute final episode, and the entire collection will include optional English subtitles.
The anime film adaptation of author Kinoko Nasu’s seven Kara no Kyokai supernatural mystery/horror novels consisted of 7 primary feature films and the Kara no Kyokai Remix -Gate of seventh heaven- recap movie released from December 2007 through August 2009. The BD collection will include all 8 theatrical films, the introductory TV special, and the new 30 minute OVA. The set will retail at 52,500 yen (about $620 USD) beginning February 2, 2011.
I really haven’t been onboard the Blu-ray train, but this is the sort of release that could convince me to hitch a ride. I’m not a big fan of the second movie, but the rest of them are pretty good.
Source: Anime News Network
To refresh your memory or introduce you to an interesting opening animation sequence, I offer the opening of the very amusing Kiko-chan Smile TV series from 1998. The theme song is “Super Love” performed by SO-FI.
Acclaimed animator and anime film director Satoshi Kon passed away on August 24 at 6:20 a.m. due to pancreatic cancer. He was 46 and leaves behind his wife Kyoko. At the time of his death, Kon was directing the original children’s sci-fi adventure anime film Yume-Miru Kikai (The Dreaming Machine). Tentatively the Madhouse animation studio will continue production and completion of the film. Evidently Kon learned that his cancer was terminal this past May.
While Satoshi Kon is most recognized for his anime productions that feature alternate realities and states of consciousness, including Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress, Paprika, and Paranoia Agent, Kon also helmed the acclaimed anime drama Tokyo Godfathers, which contains none of his trademark reality bending.
Source: Anime News Network
Writer/director Akitaro Daichi has confirmed that veteran animator Shojuro Yamauchi passed away yesterday. Yamauchi served as a key animator for prominent anime including Graveyard of Fireflies, Cagliostro’s Castle, and Spirited Away. He served as animation director for the Ojarumaru television anime, under series director Akitaro Daichi. As recently as last year Yamauchi was drawing for the Mainichi Kaasan television series and Kawa no Hikari TV special.
Source: Anime News Network
The homepage for the upcoming Otome Yokai Zakuro television series has added a second streaming trailer. The adaptation of Lily Hoshino’s historical fantasy manga about a government agency staffed by humans and yokai monsters will premiere on October 4.
Not that they’re even remotely identical, but this trailer does reinforce my impression that this looks and feels similar to Sakura Taisen.
Source: Anime News Network
The homepage for the upcoming Togainu no Chi post-apocalyptic yaoi action anime TV series has added a second streaming trailer and a short TV spot. The show will premiere in October.
Source: Anime News Network
The homepage for the Cheburashka & Kuma no Gakko (Bears School) movies double feature has added a streaming trailer. Click the navigation button second from the top on the site’s main page to watch the trailer. According to distributor Toho, Japanese animation studio Fanworks animated the stop-motion Cheburashka, and collaborated with Charaken on the animation of The Bears School. The double feature hits Japanese theaters on December 18.
Source: Anime News Network
AV Watch reports that the rare 2008 It’s a Rumic World exhibition films will be released on individual DVDs and Blu-ray discs for the first time on October 20. The 30 minute Urusei Yatsura: Shougaibutsu Suieitaikai (Obstacle Course Swim Meet), Ranma ½: Okumu! Shunmin Kou (Nightmare! Incense of Deep Sleep), and Inuyasha: Kuroi Tetsusaiga (Black Tetsusaiga) movies were initially released to DVD in a limited edition boxed set this past January. The homepage for the three films features a streaming trailer for the now sold-out boxed set.
The individual movies will retail at 3,675 each on DVD and 4,725 each on BD.
In loving memory of the late Satoshi Kon, today’s outstanding opening sequence comes from Kon’s 2006 film Paprika. The theme song is Susumu Hirasawa’s “Mediational Field.”
Question:
Do you think there’s a possibility that we might finally get the newer Hokuto no Ken movies/OVAs or the Souten no Ken TV series in a US release? According to Blockbuster.com the PS3/X360 “Hokuto Musou” game is getting a US release on January 5, 2011 under the title “Fist of the North Star: Ken’s Rage.” It looks to me like Fist of the North Star is gaining popularity in America since Discotek put out the first 36 eps and the 1986 movie on DVD and Sentai Filmworks released the Raoh side-story series in 2009. What do you think?
Shun Oguri and Mao Inoue, co-stars in the 2005 Hana Yori Dango live action television series, will appear together again this October in a live action TV adaptation of Midori Natsu and Kiyoshi Chikuyama’s manga series Veterinarian Dolittle (Jyuui Dolittle). The ongoing manga, which debuted in 2002, stars a foul-mouthed, stingy, but skilled veterinarian and his female rival veterinarian.
Source: Anime News Network
To refresh your memory or introduce you to an interesting opening animation sequence, I offer the opening of the 2001 Vampiyan Kids TV series. The theme song is “Frustration Music” performed by Hysteric Blue.
Shonen Ace magazine has revealed word that a Baka to Test to Shokanjyu OVA is in production for release prior to next year’s second TV series.
More of this wonderfully wacky show is absolutely appreciated.
Source: Anime News Network
