AnimeNation Anime News Blog

Media Blasters has announced its acquisition of translation & distribution rights to the 2003 Yami to Boushi to Hon no Tabibito (The Traveller Yami, the Hat, and the Book) television series. The 13-episode adaptation of the adult PC game by developer Root revolves around a quest to find Eve, the caretaker of the universe’s great library, as she travels through the worlds contained in books. The show has been widely recognized for its heavy yuri overtones. Media Blasters has not yet announced language or format options for its domestic release.

The homepage for next February’s Buddha 2: Tezuka Osamu no Buddha ~Owarinaki Tabi~ movie has released an English subtitled 10-minute long trailer. The film is the second of Toei & Tezuka Productions’ planned three films adaptating the late Osamu Tezuka’s 1972-1983 manga biography of Siddhartha Buddha.

Source: Anime News Network

The first TV spot for the anime adaptation of Ruri Miyahara’s four-panel school comedy manga Renai Lab has appeared online. The Love Lab slice-of-life bishoujo television series will be animated by studio Dogakobo (Yuruyuri, GJ Club) with Masahiko Ohta (Yuruyuri, Mitsudomoe) directing, Takashi Aoshima (Yuruyuri, Mitsudomoe) writing, and Chiaki Nakajima (Yuruyuri) providing animation character design. The show will tentatively premiere in July.

Source: Anime News Network

Japanese publisher Shogakukan has formally announced word that Koroku Inumura’s 2009 light novel series Toaru Hikushi e no Koiuta (A Love Song to a Certain Airship Pilot) will be getting an anime adaptation. The five-volume wartime romance story occurs in the same setting as Inumura’s 2008 light novel Toaru Hikushi e no Tsuioku (Recollection of a Certain Airship Pilot), which was adapted into an anime feature film in 2011; however, the characters in “Koiuta” and “Tsuioku” are unrelated.

Source: Anime News Network

Question:
I finally was able to see Asura for the first time and I absolutely loved it. I came across a very negative review online which really bothered me. I don’t often agree with your opinions, but I think you give strong reasons for why you feel the way you do. I would appreciate knowing your opinion. If you have seen it, what did you think about Asura?

(more…)

The first five minutes of director Makoto Shinkai’s latest short film Kotonoha no Niwa has appeared on YouTube after being broadcast on Japanese television two days ago. The 46-minute-long romance film will premiere in Japanese theaters on the 31st. Sentai Filmworks has announced plans to release the film on bilingual domestic home video later this year.

Source: Anime News Network

Production IG has released a 90-second theatrical trailer for the upcoming Ghost in the Shell Arise: border:1 Ghost Pain short film. The first of four 50-minute prequel films that detail how Motoko Kusanagi, employed by the 501st Secret Unit, transitioned to employment with Public Security Section 9. The first movie will hit Japanese theaters on June 22 before being released to home video on July 26. Veteran animation director Kazuchika Kise is serving as the film series’ chief director and character designer. Tow Ubukata (Le Chevalier D’Eon, Mardock Scramble) is composing the screenplays.

Part of me thinks that this looks like smart, exciting entertainment. My conflicting reaction is that I would have been entirely happy to never see a younger, impulsive, unconfident Motoko Kusanagi.

Source: Anime News Network

The homepage for creator/director Hiroyuki Imaishi’s next anime television series, Kill la Kill, has added a new, second teaser trailer. The schoolgirl battle action anime will be the first original series developed by Imaishi’s animation studio Trigger. Kill la Kill director & screenwriter Hiroyuki Imaishi & Kazuki Nakashima previously worked together on Gainax’s 2007 television series Gurren Lagann.

Source: Anime News Network

Kadokawa Shoten has confirmed the development of an anime based on Hajime Segawa’s ongoing “afterschool psychic action” manga series Tokyo ESP. Segawa launched the current manga in 2010 after concluding his supernatural action manga series Enchained Spiritual Beast Ga-Rei. Tokyo ESP revolves around a schoolgirl who mysteriously gains the ability to walk through solid matter.

Source: Anime News Network

A full theatrical trailer for director Katsuhiro Otomo’s latest anime anthology film, Short Piece, has appeared online. The film, opening July 20th, will consist of an opening animation directed by Koji Morimoto (Genius Party), Otomo’s own “Hi no Youjin” (“Combustible”), “Tsukumo,” directed by Shuhei Morita (Kakurenbo, Freedom), “Gambo,” directed by Hiroaki Ando (Norageki!) from a screenplay by Katsuhito Ishii (Redline), and “Buki yo Saraba,” (“A Farewell to Arms”) directed by Hajime Katoki from a story concept by Otomo.

Katsuhiro Otomo has previously directed or contributed to the anime anthology films Robot Carnival, Meikyuu Monogatari, and Memories.

Source: Anime News Network

The current issue of Newtype magazine includes an official confirmation of a second season for last year’s Chuunibyo Demo Koi ga Shitai television series. Studio Kyoto Animation produced the first series based on the light novel by author Torako that won an Honorable Mention award in the 2010 Kyoto Animation Awards competition.

Source: Anime News Network

The official website for Dead Leaves and Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt creator Hiroyuki Imaishi’s next anime series has officially opened. Last February, Newtype Magazine first revealed word that Imaishi was moving forward with a new TV anime production at Studio Trigger. The schoolgirl-battle-action anime will be titled “Kill La Kill.” Oh! Edo Rocket creator and Gurren Lagann co-creator Kazuki Nakashima will write the series. Kissdum -Engage Planet- character designer Sushio will provide the character designs.

Source: Anime News Network

Media Blasters has revealed its acquisition of the 2011 Rio – Rainbow Gate! anime television series. The 13-episode adventure comedy from studio Xebec is based on the 2003 Super Black Jack game franchise from the pachi-slo developer Net. The anime series simulcast on Crunchyroll.

And the show isn’t as bad as could be expected. It’s actually a pretty fun watch.

Shogakukan-Shueisha is officially streaming the ten-minute-long Chocotan! OVA based on Kozue Takeuchi’s Chocotan! ~ Chocolate & Tan! shoujo manga. The anime short from studio J.C. Staff illustrates schoolgirl Nao and her talking pet miniature dachshund named “Chocotan.”

Source: Anime News Network

The Kyoto Animation studio has revealed its development of “Free!,” an anime TV series based on author Kouji Ouji’s novel High Speed!, recepient of an honorable mention award in the 2011 Kyoto Animation Awards competition. Hyoka & Nichijou episode director Hiroko Utsumi will direct the anime. K-On second season screenwriter Masahiro Yokotani will write the TV series. Hyoka & Nichijou character designer Futoshi Nishiya will provide the character designs. The TV series will premiere in July.

This looks exactly like Kimi to Boku with swimming.

Source: Anime News Network