We have news, it's not much news but it's something. The film's producer Erwin Stoff talked with iFMagazine

about the film and released a couple of very small tidbits. When he was asked about the story of the film: “It’s not an origin story,” says Stoff. “We start with him, when he is in his present life already.” Later in the interview he talks about keeping things faithful to the series, “First of all, we’re honoring the series,” says Stoff. “I don’t know how many people can say this, but the first thing we did was go over and meet with Watanabe. We started there. He will be the first guy to read a script when it’s done. We’ll discuss directors with him." He doesn't say much more after that. Asked about the cast he didn't have any names available though he mentions wanting to have a full multi ethnic cast.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Winter Anime Review: Chrome Shelled Regios ::

Just have a couple of more episodes to get through from various series but this weekend I will be diving back into my DVD reviews so those of you who are waiting for those updates, thank you for your patience. Anyways, today I have posted my thoughts on Chrome Shelled Regios - Ep 2

I'm actually a little late with this one. Work has been slamming me this week but here it is none the less...

Basquash

- a robot series that combines robots with basketball. The tone is said to be deliberately light in its nature and premieres in April. The link goes to a special page that has been created to feature all 10 of the promotional videos that have been released so far.

Taisho Yakyu Musume (Taisho Era Baseball Girls)

- The first promotional vid for this series has finally been released in streaming format. Unfortunately I don't know what any of the Japanese means on it. If you can translate it, leave a message on the blog and I'll post it as soon as I can. The series follows a couple of girls in the Tasiho era who form their own baseball team despite there being very few other teams to play against and despite further not even knowing how to play. J.C. Staff is animating it and it looks decently animated, the music kind of sounds like it belongs on an American 70's sitcom though so that puts me on guard. It will premiere sometime before the end of the year.

The latest in the winter anime reviews has been posted with my thoughts on the slightly better than the first episode harem comedy Asu no Yoichi - Ep 2

from AIC.

I've started the latest batch of reviews of the new season taking a look at the hilarious Maria Holic - Ep 2

and the not so hilarious Sora Kake Girl - Ep 2

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Best Buy to Discontinue Anime Sales by Fall 09 ::

Animenews.biz

has confirmed that the national retail chain Best Buy will be discontinuing anime sales by Fall of 09 in all of their stores. Instead the chain will only sell anime through an online storefront as more consumers have begun to shift their shopping preferences to online outlets.

Dragon Ball: Evolution

: It doesn't really show much that's new and isn't going to fill fans with a new sense of confidence but it's there for you to see none the less. Reminder: it drops in American theaters in early Aril of this year.

Kodomo no Jikan Nigakki

: A new trailer has surfaced for the OVA that drops next month.

Yoku Wakaru Gendai Maho

: Adapted from the light novels, this TV anime will air this summer. The story follows a first year high school girl who becomes a student of one of the most powerful magic users in Japan. Click the circular button at the bottom right to see the trailer. The trailer itself is a little bright but the series still looks cute.

Just a quickie note to post on this but a writer has been attached

to the upcoming live action 'Cowboy Bebop' movie by the name of Peter Craig. If you're unfamilar with him don't feel too bad since he doesn't seem to have a lot of credits to his name at the moment. More info as it becomes available.

Finishing off the better than average mech series released last year by Funimation, I've posted my thoughts on Aquarion Season 1, Part 2

Multiple

sources

are now confirming

that a live action 'Cowboy Bebop' (complete with Keanu Reeves in the role of Spike) has been official confirmed by Sunrise. There aren't a lot of details available so far but a few names have been revealed as attached to the project including: Joshua Long (Production Supervisor), Erwin Stoff, Kenji Uchida (Sunrise President), Shinichiro Watanabe (original series director) and Keiko Nobumoto (original series script supervisor). IMDB has the film listed as being released in 2011 but that date could always change.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Mysterious Cities of Gold to Get April US Release ::

DVD Distributors Arts Alliance America and Fabulous Films have announced via press release

that they will be releasing the 80's series 'Mysterious Cities of Gold' to DVD in April. The series aired in the US via DiC on Nickelodeon but has never been released to DVD in the US until now. The series will drop on store shelves April 7th.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

'20th Century Boys', 'Eva 1.0' to Screen in Santa Barbara ::

ANN

has posted that Santa Barbara Film Festival

in CA will be screening the live action '20th Century Boys' live action film along with 'Evangelion 1.0: You Are [Not] Alone'. The festival will take place from Jan 22nd - Feb 1st. This isn't the first time for either film to be screened in the US as '20th Century Boys' was first screened in November 08 while 'Eva 1.0' had it's premiere at last year's AX.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Funimation Has Fullmetal Alchemist Premium Collection? ::

Fanboy Review

posted a few tidbits to the site this morning which included the news that Funimation has acquired the FMA Premium Collection OVA. According to their anonymous sources, dubbing for that project began before the new year began along with dubbing for the upcoming 'Eva 1.0'. In a statement to ANN

, Funimation said they hope to be able to make a FMA related announcement later this month at Ohayocon.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

New Dates Announced for 'Pumpkin Scissors', 'Red Garden' and 'Welcome to the NHK' :: Right Stuf

just put up a notice stating that the final limited copies of 'Pumpkin Scissors', 'Red Garden' and 'Welcome to the NHK' will be released on 2/10.

In a post to the Mania

forums, ADV has confirmed that their upcoming release of 'Indian Summer' will also be released with no English track.

Calling it a day with this but I've managed to get my review of RideBack - Episode 1

from Madhouse and calling it the most boring premiere of the new season.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Winter Anime Review: White Album - Episode 2 ::

I completely spaced on adding this link earlier today but I have posted my review of 'White Album' - Episode 2

earlier today. If you haven't checked out this series yet I urge you to do so!

There really haven't been too many trailers released since the new season started. That's to be expected but a couple managed to make their way out into the light of day today...

Kupu! Memegoma!

- The anime series about a palm sized seal and the family that takes care of it and other seals has a new 16 second PV out. I haven't seen the first episode but it does look impossibly cute.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Right Stuf/Nozomi Re-Launch Official ARIA site at aria.rightstuf.com ::

RIGHT STUF’S NOZOMI ENTERTAINMENT Launches Series Site for
ARIA The NATURAL at aria.rightstuf.com
ARIA The NATURAL – Pt. 1 DVD Collection to be released January 27, 2009

GRIMES, IA, January 13, 2009 – Anime producer and distributor Right Stuf, Inc. and its Nozomi Entertainment division are gearing up for the January 27 release of the ARIA The NATURAL – Part 1 DVD Collection with the launch of an all-new set of “virtual postcards” at the series’ official site, aria.rightstuf.com ( http://aria.rightstuf.com

).

At aria.rightstuf.com, visitors can:

Read the latest news about ARIA’s North American release, plus reviews;
Check out in-depth character profiles;
Watch trailers for both ARIA The NATURAL and the anime’s first season, ARIA The ANIMATION; and
Download new wallpapers and avatars featuring artwork from ARIA The NATURAL.

While supplies last, customers who pre-order the ARIA The NATURAL – Part 1 DVD Collection from RightStuf.com will receive an exclusive President Aria squeeze toy.

The ARIA The NATURAL – Part 1 DVD Collection will contain the first half of the ARIA anime’s second television season. (The box set with the remaining 13 episodes of the season will be available on March 24, 2009.)

“a whimsical ride” – Active Anime
“simply magical” - Protoculture Addicts
“anime’s answer to poetry” – DVD Talk
“a richly-realized sci-fi celebration of life”– Anime News Network
“the latest crown jewel in [Nozomi and Right Stuf’s] catalog and deservedly so.”
– AnimeOnDVD at Mania.com
“a major phenomenon among fans attendant to slice-of-life series.” – Otaku USA

Based on Kozue Amano’s best-selling ARIA manga, the ARIA anime consists of three television seasons – ARIA The ANIMATION, ARIA The NATURAL and ARIA The ORIGINATION – plus an OVA (original video animation). The entire anime adaptation features direction by Junichi Sato (Princess Tutu, Sgt. Frog, Sailor Moon/ Sailor Moon R) and animation by Hal Film Maker (Boys Be…, Pretear, Slayers Premium, Sketchbook ~full color’S~).

The ARIA The ANIMATION DVD Collection – containing the franchise’s complete 13-episode first season – is currently available from Right Stuf and Nozomi Entertainment and was voted a “Pick of the Week” by the readers of AnimeOnDVD at Mania.com.

Amano’s 12-volume ARIA manga and its two-volume prequel, AQUA, are both published in North America by TOKYOPOP. In Japan, the ARIA manga was originally serialized in MAG Garden’s Comic Blade magazine.

Akari, Aika and Alice are three girls who share a single dream: to become the most talented gondoliers in all of Neo-Venezia! Every day they train toward their goal, exploring all the wondrous sights that the water-covered planet Aqua has to offer. Whether it’s spending a wild day at Carnevale, sharing a beautiful sunset, or even crossing paths with the mysterious spirits that dwell in Aqua’s shadows, for these three friends, each day is a new adventure! Contains episodes 1-13 of the second ARIA television season.

ABOUT RIGHT STUF, INC.
Currently celebrating its 21st year in business, Right Stuf, Inc. was one of the first players in the U.S. Japanese Animation ("anime") industry, as both an anime producer/distributor and a retailer. Right Stuf works to promote knowledge of its own products, as well as the anime and manga industry, in general, through its online storefront at RightStuf.com and a variety of media including podcasts and special publications.

Nozomi Entertainment, Right Stuf’s production division, is dedicated to the highest quality releases. True to the Japanese word that inspired its name, Nozomi’s focus is on “what fans want.” By focusing on a limited number of anime properties each year, the Nozomi production team ensures each release receives the care and attention to detail it deserves.

From anime classics like Astro Boy, Kimba and Gigantor to modern comedies, dramas and favorites such as The Irresponsible Captain Tylor, His and Her Circumstances, Gravitation, Shingu: Secret of the Stellar Wars, Ninja Nonsense, To Heart, The Third: The Girl With the Blue Eye, Emma: A Victorian Romance, Maria Watches Over Us and ARIA, Right Stuf and Nozomi Entertainment produce quality programming for fans of all ages and interests. For more information, visit www.rightstuf.com

and www.nozomient.com

Monday, January 12, 2009

Winter Anime Season Review: Kurokami - Ep 1 ::

Even if it is licensed by Bandai, it's still a new series so I've posted my thoughts on Kurokami the Animation - Episode 1

from Sunrise. Since Imaginasian isn't available in my area though, I will be reviewing the original Japanese versions.

Despite a report yesterday on The Fanboy Review

, ANN

has gotten word from Bandai that they do not have the license to the former ADV title. In an update to the report however, Fanboy Review does say that they have an anonymous source that says the title is definitely being done for Bandai. Further updates as more info is released. '5cm Per Second' is another of the titles that ADV lost last year in the Sojitz fallout.

Monday, January 12, 2009

ADV Changes Plans for 'Princess Resurrection', 'Clannad' ::

In a statement to ANN

, Chris Oarr has said that ADV will be changing the release plans for the series 'Princess Resurrection' and 'Clannad'. Originally the two series were set to be released as singles but in the statement, Oarr says that ADV will release them as half season sets instead, "After careful consideration and talking with fans, we decided to release these series as quickly and inexpensively as possible. This kind of release pattern is new for us. We'll be watching carefully to see how it is received by the marketplace."

'Clannad' will be the first series to drop with a release date of 3/7 while 'Princess Resurrection' will be released on 3/17. Both sets carry an MSRP of 39.98.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Winter Season Anime Review: Akikan - Episode 2 ::

It's been a very long day but finally I have posted my review of progressively worse harem comedy from Brains Base; Akikan - Episode 2

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Winter Anime Review: Sora Kake Girl - Episode 1 ::

Only a few days into the season and I'm already falling behind but I've managed to post my review of Sora Kake Girl - Episode 1

from Sunrise.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Winter Anime Review: Chrome Shelled Regios - Episode 1 ::

While I was at it, I published my review of Chrome Shelled Regios - Episode 1

from ZEXCS as well. Tomorrow you can expect reviews of Kurokami the Animation - Episode 1 along with Akikan! - Episode 2

Continuing with my reviews of the new anime season, I've posted my thoughts on the premiere episode of 'Asu no Yoichi' - Episode 1

, a harem comedy from AIC.

Wow, just past 9am here on the west coast and the trailers are just flying in today so let's get started quickly...

Tetsujin 28

- The CG animation remake of the manga series may or may not be happening. But if it is happening, Imagi has created a website for it regardless. The website features footage that was created more than a year ago for the project with animation studio Hikari Productions that may or may not happen. The trailer itself took forever to load (on my laptop at least) but from what I saw, it already looks very interesting. There's even a place after the trailer where you can submit your comments to Imagi re: the movie.

Hatsukoi Limited

- Visit the site and the button you want to push is the one right above the button advertising the CD release in the lower right hand corner. The slice of life anime is based on the manga of the same name which follows a girl named Ayumi and seven other girls in their everyday lives. The series will be animated by J.C. Staff and premieres in April.

Denpa Teki na Kanojo

- Based on the light novels by Kentaro Katayama (who also does Kure-nai), this 40 minute OVA will be released this summer along with the third manga volume of Kure-nai. The trailer itself looks good with some nice animation samples for fans to take in. To find the trailer look in the lower right hand corner of the website, the video is small though and doesn't autoload so careful not to miss it.

Pandora Hearts

- Based on the manga of the same name by Jun Mochizuki, this fantasy series follows a hero named Oz who is locked into an 'abyss' after his coming of age ceremony. Animated by Xebec, the series is set to premiere sometime in 2009. The trailer is short but gives has some amazing clips from the upcoming series and if this trailer is any indication, it's going to look amazing at the very least.

Real life kept me from posting these two reviews up in a timely manner but I have sprinted to catch up. Two more reviews have been posted to the site with my thoughts on the hilarious otaku comedy; Lucky Star Vol. 4

and Lucky Star Vol. 5

distributed by Bandai.

The Anime Network revealed today via their Twitter

that they have opened a new beta page. They are inviting everyone to check it out

and send them feedback.

Gurren Lagann: Regen-hen (Lagann Chapter):

The 26 second trailer shows scenes from the next movie. The movie premieres on April 25th in Japan and will complete the theatrical remake. Yes, you may touch it. It requires Windows Media Player and IE in order to view it though.

Sora o Miageru Shōjo no Hitomi ni Utsuru Sekai

: So, did you hear that Kyoto Animation is remaking the Munto OVA series into a TV series? No, I don't have any idea why either. The fifteen second trailer is hosted on Kadokawa Animation's YouTube channel.

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Geneon Releases Anime Music to 22 Countries via Itunes ::

ANN

reported today that Geneon will be releasing anime music globally, well to 22 countries around North America, Europe and the Oceanian region. The selection is going to begin with music from 'Shakugan no Shana' but more is coming.

Starting the new year off right with my first DVD review being the incredible conclusion of this series with 'When They Cry Vol. 6'

from Geneon.

Readers over at Mania

have noticed via a solicitation that Viz has acquired the series 'I's' and the sequel 'I's Pure'. 'I's' was released first in 2002 as a two episode OVA while 'I's Pure' is a six episode OVA that aired in 2005. The series is adapted from the manga of the same name by Masakazu Katsura. The two series will be released as a box set on 3/24 with an MSRP of 29.98.

Three new trailers have been posted via ANN and AnimeNation

so let's get started right away...

Monogatari Sennenki Genji

- The upcoming retelling of one of the oldest novels ever written. The trailer is only fourteen seconds long and is in a tiny window but it's a trailer. A quick reminder from what I wrote in the season preview:

"Based on one of the oldest novels known to man, Genji is about the son of an emporer who falls in love with one of his father's concubines because she looks like his mother. After that he tries to find other lovers eventually deciding to raise his own ideal wife."

From what I can see in the trailer, it's going to have to have some pretty animation to look at as a bare minimum.

Kodomo no Jikan Nigakki

- A 4:43 preview has been posted to the official site for the upcoming OVA complete with cast interviews and footage from the upcoming release. The loli comedy will release an episode telling one of the short manga story arcs this month before releasing the first episode of the main OVA story next month.

Monday, January 05, 2009

Winter Season Review: White Album - Episode 1 ::

And thus the winter season of anime officially begins for me! I have posted the first review of the new season to the blog with my thoughts on the romantic drama, 'White Album' - Episode 1

The Imagi International website

has uploaded new images from their upcoming CG 'Astroboy' film. The film will premiere in US theaters in October of 2009 and features cast members such as Nicholas Cage and Nathan Lane. After clicking the link, go to 'our movies' - 'Astroboy' and then 'view images'.

I've covered most of the new series that are premiering this season but in all the shuffle I didn't cover any of the OVAs. I've fixed that with a blog post

that previews all of the OVAs that will be premiering during the first quarter of 2009.

A couple of new US premieres were announced today. The first came from Nikkei

(translated by ANN

) who reports that the newest Studio Ghibli film will be released to US theaters in the summer of 2009 (no exact date was given). The latest film will be handled on this side of the Pacific by John Lasseter who has worked on previous Ghibli productions such as 'Castle in the Sky', 'Howl's Moving Castle' and many others.

In a second announcement via a press release

from SpikeTV that slipped past my radar late last month, it was revealed that 'Afro Samurai: Resurrection' will premiere on the station on 1/30. The OVA is a sequel to the hit release from last year that starred Samuel L. Jackson in the lead role. In the sequel, Jackson reprises his role to take on evil forces (led by Sio, played by Lucy Liu) who have stolen his father's body from the grave.

Big news out of Crunchyroll this morning as they have sent out an annoucement

already stating that they will be streaming both seasons of the supernatural series 'Natsume Yujincho'. The second season will premiere in Japan on Monday and then be uploaded to the Crunchyroll site for fans to see within one hour of the broadcast ending.

Thursday, January 01, 2009

'Sword of the Stranger' Pre-Sale Reminder ::

Just wanted to post up a note to remind everyone that tickets for Bandai's theatrical screening of 'Sword of the Stranger' begins tomorrow on Fathom Events. The anime film will screen in 360 theaters around the country and will include special behind the scenes features and interviews. All of the details for the event can be found at the Fathom Events

website though I suggest you wait a little bit. For some reason everytime I've tried to visit the site this morning it's given me odd messages asking for a username and password.

Yups, that's right I'm sitting here closing out 2008 by getting another review posted. I'm just that kind of wild and crazy guy. Anyway, I've posted my review of the laughably bad Nighthead Genesis Vol. 2: Regret

from Media Blasters. Hope everyone is having a happy and safe new year's eve out there!

Oh you know that someone at Funimation was enjoying watching all of us running around trying to figure out what was going on exactly but after announcing Soul Eater earlier today, Funimation has also announced

the license of 'Evangelion 1.0: You Are [Not] Alone'

. The film premiered in Japan this past September and began a four movie release schedule that completely retells the Evangelion saga. The first movie set up the same basic story but has a new ending and hints very strongly at the story being altered in the next three films (perhaps they made Shinji likeable in this one). The second film of the series, 'Evangelion 2.0: You Can [Not] Advance, premieres in Japanese theaters in summer 2009.

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Discotek Licenses Fist of the North Star ::

In somewhat less exciting anime news, Discotek announced

today that they will be releasing the first 'Fist of the North Star' film. The film is the original from 1986 and will feature an English dub and the original Japanese soundtrack. It is currently scheduled for a release in 5/09.

Got called in for a surprise shift at work today so I gotta make this fast. Crunchyroll has announced

that they will be streaming the series 'Eyeshield 21' on the site. The first eight episodes of the football (and that's American football style) series will be streaming for free (via ad support) starting January 2nd. Paid subscribers will be able to see the episodes ad-free.

And the big New Year's Eve announcement from Funimation is... Samurai Champloo

. Funimation has acquired the rights to another former Geneon title and will be re-releasing it as a complete box set in 2009. Funimation also announced on their twitter tonight that they will be making another annoucement on New Year's Day, so stay tuned for that.

So a couple of interesting new trailers have been released today including one that isn't entirely anime related but close enough that I thought it was worth sharing. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out which one that is when you get to it but on with the trailers:

Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li

: Figure it out yet? This is a live action release that is supposed to tell the origin of the Street Fighter character Chun-Li. Gia over at AnimeVice

translates the narration as essentially "The basic gist of the narration is that the reason that this girl has become a street fighter is because it's her fate. Yeehaw." Still, it's an interesting project. It premieres in the US on 2/27.

Isekai no Seikishi Monogatari

: A spinoff of the Tenchi Muyo-verse, the fourth trailer is 61 seconds long. The new series takes place in an alternate universe that will eventually summon the half brother of Tenchi.

In kind of a surprise twist, Funimation has announced

tonight that they will be distrubing the 26 episode Madhouse series, 'Gungrave' another Geneon title. Geneon originally released the series in the US during 2004-2005 and Funimation will re-release the entire series in 2009.

It's going to be a slow news day I think but there is already another trailer ready for fans to check out:

'Sora o Miageru Shōjo no Hitomi ni Utsuru Sekai' - a TV remake of the Munto

OVA series from Kyoto Animation. A 27 second trailer has begun streaming

from the official website (require window media player). The series premieres next month.

'Tower of Druaga - Sword of Uruk' - Gonzo has launched an English language channel

for the upcoming series 'Tower of Druaga - Sword of Uruk' (to be subbed and streamed on Crunchyroll starting next month). The YouTube channel comes complete with a subtitled version

of the promotional video released a few days ago. So if you saw the original and want to know what all the text said, now is your chance.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Early Winter Anime Review: Maria Holic - Episode 1 ::

I've got another early preview up on the blog today for everyone to check out. Today I'm posting my advance thoughts on the new yuri comedy from Shaft, Maria Holic - Episode 1

. The series premieres January 5th, 2009.

Now that's what I'm talking about! Funimation has announced

tonight the license of 'Slayers Revolution'

. The latest in the Slayers fantasy comedy franchise premiered just this past fall and will be continuing this season with a second half. The full series will be released to DVD in 2009.

I've posted my daily blog entry to the Otaku Review blog

; today I am giving my thoughts on the court ruling that orders manga artist Leiji Matsumoto to pay 2.2 million yen to the singer-songwriter that he accused of stealing lines from his manga in a song.

Wow, talk about a complete and utter turn around! I've posted my thoughts tonight on the absolutely phenominal conclusion of Emma: A Victorian Romance Season 2

from Right Stuf.

License number seven from Funimation has been announced: Gankutsuou: Count of Monte Cristo

. Another former Geneon title, the GONZO animated title originally premiered in the fall of 2004 before being released in the US a year later in the fall of 2005. The 24 episode series is a re-telling of the novel by Alexandre Dumas. The series will be re-released to US audiences in 2009.

The sixth license that Funimation has announced this week is the comedy series based on the stage play (which eventually spawned a manga, novel and obviously an anime) is 'Oh! Edo Rocket'

. The comedy series takes place in the Edo period of Japan and follows a young fireworks maker named Seikichi. Seikichi is having issues with the government and their harsh laws but has his life changed when after he sees humans and monsters fighting in the forest he is approached by a young girl who asks him to build a firework that can reach the moon.

The 26 episode Madhouse animated series originally aired earlier this year from April to September and will drop on US shelves sometime in 2009.

Funimation announced

tonight that their fifth license of the week is the former Geneon title 'Last Exile'

. The GONZO animated series was originally released to Japanese audiences in 2003 and US audiences in 2003-2004. The plot synopsis on the release reads in part:

"Claus Valca – a flyboy born with the right stuff – and his fiery navigator Lavie are fearless racers obsessed with becoming the first sky couriers to cross the Grand Stream in a vanship. But when the high-flying duo encounters a mysterious girl named Alvis, they are thrust into the middle of an endless battle between Anatoray and Disith – two countries systematically destroying each other according to the code of chivalric warfare. Lives will be lost and legacies determined as Claus and Lavie attempt to bring peace to their world by solving the riddle of its chaotic core."

In a press release

sent out today, Crunchyroll has confirmed that they will be streaming the upcoming series 'The Tower of Druaga - The Sword of Uruk' on their website for free (though paying site subscribers will be offered special features that were not specified in the release). The series is a sequel to the 'The Aegis of Uruk' which aired in Japan earlier this year. The sequel series will premiere on Japanese television starting January 8th.

Switch OVA 2 - Animate.tv has uploaded the trailer for the second (and final) OVA based on the crime drama manga. The trailer is available in both narrowband

and broadband

formats and the DVD drops in Japan 2/25/09.

To Heart 2ad Plus - Also uploaded to animate.tv today is the trailer for the upcoming ToHeart 2ad Plus OVA which drops on store shelves 2/24/09. This trailer is also available in both narrowband

and broadband

formats.

RideBack - A new promotional video has been posted to the official RideBack

site (though it's a little difficult to find). To see the new vid, visit the official website

and wait for the old pv to finish. After that, click on the red diamond below 'staff/cast' to open a new menu. Click on TAF2008-PV and a new 2 minute, 40 second pv will open.

Tayutama ~ Kiss On My Deity ~ - Also posted today by MediaFactory is the first pv for the upcoming eroge based series, 'Tayutama ~ Kiss On My Deity ~

'. The trailer lasts 1:46 and mostly features the various female characters that will be making up the series.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Advance Winter Anime Review: Akikan - Episode 1 ::

Anyways, I have posted a special advanced review of Akikan - Episode 1

to the blog today. The harem fantasy series premieres next week.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Interview with Executive Producer Jimmy Taylor ::

Recently I had the chance to exchange a few emails with Jimmy Taylor, the US executive producer for the upcoming release of 'Raijin Oh' from the new anime upstart 'Anime Midstream'. In the interview

, Taylor talked with me about the birth of 'Anime Midstream', their current plans for their first license and some of their goals for the upcoming year.

This is purely rumor and speculative at best right now but some eagle eyed Mania

readers found some

images

on the Funimation website that may point to their license of the upcoming 'Evangelion 1.0: You Are [Not] Alone' movie. If this is indeed true, this would be a huge boost to Funimation in the closing days of 2008 and something for fans to get genuinely excited about.

Funimation has announced

that the fourth license they are revealing this week is the series 'Narbari no Ou'

animated by J.C. Staff. The series first premiered in April of this year and follows the story of a high school boy who discovers powers within himself. Forced to join the school's martial arts club for his own safety, he relies on the club's advisor to help him cope and how to use his powers properly. The series will drop on store shelves in 2009 as two thirteen episode box sets.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Crunchyroll Licenses Fifth TV Tokyo Series ::

Crunchyroll sent out a press release

tonight revealing the fifth license that the website has acquired from TV Tokyo. In the release, Crunchyroll revealed that they have acquired the license to the series 'Web Ghost PipoPa' (Japanese title: Net Ghost PiPoPa). The series will premiere in January on the website along with the four other series that they have acquired: Naruto Shippūden, Gintama, Skip Beat!, and Shugo Chara!

The second license to be revealed

by Funimation in their ten day announcement blitz is the former Geneon title 'Gad-Guard'. The 26 episode mech series is another title originally licensed and released in the US by Geneon in 2006. Animated by GONZO in 2003, the futuristic mech series stars a character named Hajiki who, after accidently activating a robot called a GAD, is forced to defend himself against others who possess similar GADs.

It's a little early but Funimation has announced

the license 'Vanguard

'. The series is another former Geneon title that was originally released in the US in 2002. The sci-fi series follows the story of a futuristic society where men and women are seperated on entirely different planets and the war that erupts between the two genders.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Live-Action City Hunter TV Series in the Works ::

I wanted to wait until I had some more details to report on this one but Fox Television has signed a deal

to help create a live action TV series of 'City Hunter' that will air on American TV. Originally set to be a multi season series that had different casts and settings for the various seasons, the project has evolved into a multi season series that will star Korean celebrity Jung Woo-sung as the lead character. ANN also reports that the series will begin filming next year in Seoul and Tokyo.