New Michiko to Hatchin Trailer Online

August 19th, 2008 by John

The official homepage for the upcoming Michiko to Hatchin anime television series now hosts a new streaming trailer, the first trailer to reveal extensive footage from the show. The series is scheduled to premier in October.

Source: Anime News Network

Taisho Yakyuu Musume Anime Announced

August 19th, 2008 by John

Japanese publisher Tokuma Shoten has formally announced that author Kagurazaka Atsushi & illustrator Koike Sadaji’s light novel series Taisho Yakyuu Musume (Taisho Era Baseball Daughter) will be adapted into anime.

Source: Moon Phase Diary

NY Anime Fest to Debut Vampire Hunter D Short Story

August 19th, 2008 by John

The New York Anime Fest, scheduled for September 26-28, has announced that its weekend program book will include the world premier of the Vampire Hunter D short story “Vampire Hunter D: The Wanderer’s Ship,” written by franchise creator Hideyuki Kikuchi.

The story is one of three existing Vampire Hunter D short stories written by Kikuchi and awarded to random prize drawing winners that attend Kikuchi’s regular “Talk Live” public discussion group gatherings held in Tokyo. The owner of the “Wanderer’s Ship” story, Ms. Hitomi Yasue, consented to the English language premier publication because of her desire to encourage increased international awareness of the literary origin of the Vampire Hunter D franchise.

Source: Anime News Network

New Anime Series Websites Launched

August 19th, 2008 by John

The official homepage for the upcoming Akikan! anime television series - an adaptation of Riku Ranjo’s light novel series about soda cans that magically transform into human girls - is now online. The series is scheduled to premier next year. The series will be animated by Brains Base (Kurenai, Kamichu, Innocent Venus).

TBS has “pre-opened” its official site for the 2009 Tonari no 801-chan television series. Yaoi-chan is pink now?

TBS has also “pre-opened” its official site for the Asu no Yoichi! martial arts harem anime.

Source: Moon Phase Diary

Ask John: Should Fans Wait for HD Releases?

August 19th, 2008 by John

Question:
With shows like Code Geass and Gundam 00 airing in HD in Japan, US DVD releases feel like a downgrade from the HD fansubs that are now posted on the ‘net. With Code Geass, I am torn between going ahead and purchasing the DVDs and holding out for the Blu-ray discs. Is there any hope that HD versions of popular shows like Code Geass will see light of day in America? Or am I simply hurting the already limping anime industry with my desire to have the best possible legitimate copy of an anime that I can get?

Read the rest of this entry »

Cosmode Sanjou!

August 18th, 2008 by John

Cosmode Sanjou!

I’m not a cosplayer myself, but even I’m impressed by the debut volume of Cosmode USA. Despite being solicited as a domestic magazine, the premier volume of Cosmode USA is actually an archival photo collection and reference manual - 200 glossy full color pages in hardcover edition that will last a lifetime! If you’ve ever wanted to see what anime characters would look like if they were real people, an extensive photo gallery of Japan’s best costumers will show you. These folks get every detail exact, from the hair to the shoes, including even colored contact lenses! Photos profile costumers representing Gurren Lagann, Five Star Stories, Violinst of Hameln, Code Geass, Tsubasa Chronicle, Dino Crisis, Dragon Quest, Odin Sphere, and more!

But don’t feel left out! American cosplayers also get photographs and profiles. And aspiring & active cosplayers will appreciate this volume’s extensive illustrated guides to designing anime character wigs and hair styles, patterns and guides for creating anime footwear and form-fitting bodysuits, and even detailed instructions for the proper way to put on a traditional Japanese kimono!

This is a lot more than a mere monthly magazine. Cosmode volume 1 is a stunning, archival book that you’ll appreciate having on your shelf for years and years!

New Clannad After Story Trailer Online

August 18th, 2008 by John

New Clannad After Story Trailer Online

The official Japanese homepage for the Clannad TV anime series now hosts a new, 30 second long streaming trailer for the Clannad After Story television series. The sequel to the 2007 Clannad television series is scheduled to premier in October.

Source: Anime News Network

Chaos;Head Teaser Online

August 18th, 2008 by John

Chaos;Head Teaser Online

The official homepage for the upcoming Chaos;Head anime television series now hosts a streaming teaser trailer. To watch the trailer, click the main page’s “20080818 PR eizou up shimashita” link, then on the following page, click the topmost yellow link. The Chaos;Head anime is scheduled to premier in October.

The website’s primary image is also available as a downloadable wallpaper. Click Rimi Sakihata’s face to access the hidden wallpaper.

Source: Moon Phase

Second Tetsuwan Birdy TV Series Announced

August 18th, 2008 by John

Second Tetsuwan Birdy TV Series Announced

The official production staff blog for the current Tetsuwan Birdy: Decode anime television series has announced that a second season of the series will begin in January.

Source: Anime News Network

Yoshitoshi ABe Releases Doujinshi Online

August 18th, 2008 by John

Yoshitoshi ABe Releases Doujinshi Online

Acclaimed manga artist and character designer Yoshitoshi ABe has formally released his 2006 doujinshi (self-published comic) Pochiyama at the Pharmacy (Yakkyoku no Pochiyama-san) on the iTunes App Store in 20 countries, including the United States and Canada. The iPod & iPhone compatible 53 page manga story retails at $4.99 and offers multiple selectable language displays.

It remains to be seen if this will be a singular, exceptional situation, or if other Japanese manga artists and publishers will follow suit with online distribution of manga with multiple, selectable translations.

Source: Anime News Network

Kyoto Animation to Produce the 801-chan Series

August 18th, 2008 by John

kyoto-animation-to-produce-the-801-chan-series

Japan’s Ohzora Publishing has announced that Kyoto Animation will produce the Tonari no 801-chan anime television series that was initially announced last month. The Tonari no 801-chan anime is an adaptation of Ajico Kojima’s romantic comedy manga about a young woman whose obsession with yaoi manga literally takes a physical form (that of a furry green monster). Kyoto Animation has previously produced anime series including Lucky Star, Suzumiya Haruhi, and Clannad.

Source: Anime News Network

L.A. Weekly Covers AMVs

August 18th, 2008 by John

The latest issue of the L.A. Weekly newspaper has published a story on anime music videos.

Article provided by Liz Ohanesian

BLAZBLUE Trailer Online

August 18th, 2008 by John

BLAZBLUE Trailer Online

Famitsu Magazine now hosts a streaming 4:20 trailer for Arc System Works’ new 2D fighting game Guil… er, BLAZBLUE -Calamity Trigger-. The game is scheduled for Japanese release in November.

Ask John: Will Twilight Q Ever Reach America?

August 18th, 2008 by John

Question:
Will Twilight Q ever be dubbed?

Read the rest of this entry »

Kannagi Trailer Online

August 15th, 2008 by John

Kannagi Trailer Online

The official website for the upcoming Kannagi ~ Crazy Shrine Maiden anime television series now hosts a streaming trailer. The trailer is DRM encoded for compatibility with Windows Media Player only. The show is scheduled to premier in October.

The next Suzumiya Haruhi? Could be.

Source: Moon Phase Diary