On the official Aniplex email newsletter and official website for the 2011 Fullmetal Alchemist film, Fullmetal Alchemist: Milos no Sei-Naru Hoshi will open in Japanese theaters on July 2, 2011!
This new film is said to be about, "Edward Elric and his younger brother Alphonse — tossed by the waves of destiny, the two are still on their journey…." And according to its teaser's tagline, that it will "finally tell the story of forbidden bonds."
Aniplex also announced that there will be a Fullmetal Alchemist Festival 2011 event on May 22 in Tokyo. The voice cast and the musical artists behind the theme songs (such as SCANDAL, Chemistry, Yui and Nico Touches the Walls) are slated to appear.
On February issue of Gundam Ace magazine reports that BONES is producing a new mecha anime project called Towa no Kuon. The director was Umanosuke Iida (Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, Hellsing), who passed away in November.
Takeshi Mori (Otaku no Video, Gunsmith Cats, Vandread) is serving as the "collaborative director" in Iida's place, and Saizo Nemoto (Tokyo Majin Gakuen Kenpucho: Tou 2nd Act, Shangri-La script writer) is supervising the scripts.
Toshihiro Kawamoto (Gundam 0083, Cowboy Bebop, Wolf's Rain) is designing the characters and overseeing the animation process. Yutaka Izubuchi (Gundam: Char's Counterattack, Gundam 0080, Patlabor) is credited for the concept designs, while his frequent collaborator Shingo Takeba (Gasaraki, RahXephon, Patlabor WXIII) is also credited for "design works."
Iho Narita and Takashi Aoi are designing the background art, and Yutaka Nakamura (Escaflowne TV's opening, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie - Conqueror of Shamballa) is serving as the "special effects director." The other main staff members include Kenji Mizuhata, Tsunenori Saito, and Takeshi Yoshioka.
BONES aims to finish the first episode by next summer. While Gundam Ace has not provided specifics on the anime's story, it does present several sketches that Iida himself drew of an alternate-dimension gate and other elements.
Online magazine, Business Media Makoto released a report on a symposium Expanding Contents held on November 21st. At the symposium, Matsu Tomohiro, the author of Mayoi Neko Overrun! novel and the series composer of Queen's Blade anime, lectured about the problems of the current anime industry.
1. High speed consumption of light novels
Due to the increase in the number of anime aired late at night, light novels get anime adaptations soon after they acquire certain level of popularity. Anime producers prefer light novels to manga because even a single volume of novel provide sufficient amount of story and characters to produce an anime. The Light novel industry is under pressure to supply large amount of works enough to maintain the programming blocks of the TV.
2. Low quality anime can terminate the original novel/manga
Light novel authors feel happy about the increased opportunity to have their work animated, but that's double-edged sword. Authors can gain money and popularity if the anime is successful, but failed anime adaptations deject them and could lead to the termination of the novel/manga. Even if the anime brings about a rise in the popularity, a short-term boom will also shorten the lifetime of the work. The worst thing is that the authors are often blamed for the failure of the anime. It's really hard to start a new series following an anime because of the pressure and anxiety.
3. Reproduction in reduced quality
The business model of novel/manga-derived anime relies on the expectation that some percentage of the novel/manga readers will purchase the DVD/Blu-ray of the anime. If we too much care about the core fans of the original works, the resultant anime will be a reduced reproduction. On the other hand, some young novel authors are affected by the anime because they are aware of possible anime adaptation. It could result in another reduced reproduction. Anime producers have to adapt novel and manga in a style suitable to anime and establish a reciprocal relationship with the original authors.
Based on the points mentioned by Matsu Tomohiro, I kinda agree with the guy. I mean, considering the amount of light novel adaptations that increased in the past few years, he has every right to get worried regarding the industry considering that some light novel adaptations works felt a little lacking in some various points.
With the year 2010 about to take its final bow, let's take a look back on what I think, made the top 5 headlines in terms of anime and tokusatsu this year.
Anime News (Philippines)
5. TV5's "Endless Eight" ends, and they aired quite a number of prominent anime titles... namely, D. Gray-man, Lucky Star(that replaced Haruhi which is still not yet over), Clannad, finished Toradora!, continued FMA: B, and aired Gundam 00.
2. Studio 23airsdozens of animetitlesthisyear which includes titles that didn't aired on HEROtv nor ABS-CBN. Also, QTV gave us quite a teaser for their treat for anime fans next year!
On the 16th episode of Kamen Rider OOO, the rumor regarding Mezool absorbing Gamel happened. Just recently, the website of Japan Action Enterprise has just revealed its January appearance line-up which includes some hints regarding the reappearance of these two.
Here's the list of those stunt actors that will be involved in episodes 17-18 of Kamen Rider OOO.
The bolded ones are the respective suit actors for Mezool and Gamel. It is not sure if these two will appear in the series proper or just flashbacks of these two characters.I guess we should wait for January 9 for the answer!
With Goseiger almost over and the cast of next year's Super Sentai 35th Anniversary revealed, more rumors regarding the staff and the possible theme songs of the series has just surfaced online!
The series producer is rumored to be Takaaki Utsunomiya, who is responsible in producing the following Super Sentai shows: Ninpu Sentai Hurricanger, Mahou Sentai Magiranger, Go Go Sentai Boukenger, Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger, Samurai Sentai Shinkenger. He also produced these Kamen Rider shows: Kamen Rider 555, Kamen Rider Blade, Kamen Rider Kiva, and Shinkenger's World in Kamen Rider Decade.
The scripts are said to be done by Ryunosuke Kingetsu, who mostly write for anime and drama CDs for the Tales of franchise. His works in anime includes: Tales of Phantasia: The Animation, Tales of Symphonia: The Animation and Shugo Chara! and Hyakka RyÅran Samurai Girls. You can check more of his works here.
The opening theme is rumored to be called Kaizoku Sentai Goukaiger which will be sung by Yukio Yamagata, the one who sang the opening theme song of the 25th Super Sentai Anniversary series, Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger!
The ending theme is rumored to be called GO! Kai! which will be sung by Kouji Wada who did most of the theme songs for the Digimon franchise. If you are familiar with Digimon, I guess this song might be quite familiar.
Take these rumors as a grain of salt. Let's wait for official confirmation coming from Toei or any official source such as magazine scans and the like.
Noboru Kawasaki, the artist of the classic baseball manga, Kyojin no Hoshi (Star of the Giants) has just refused to received the Tokyo Anime Award (an award that recognizes his contribution in manga and anime) according to Takeshi Nogami's Twitter account!
This award is planned to be given at the Tokyo International Anime Fair (TAF) and he was able to made this decision of not receiving this award after consulting Machiko Satonaka (Lady Ann), the executive director of the Japan Cartoonist Association and decided to turn it down considering the issue regarding the Youth Ordinance Bill.
Because of this refusal, the people from Tokyo proposed to give the award to him any other day asides from TAF but he still refused. Nogami said Tokyo officials got flurried by his unexpected refusal.
It seems that next year's Tokyo International Fair will not be that successful considering that a legend has just refused to receive an award to recognize his achievement. Here's a little trivia, Kyojin no Hoshi is the first sports anime and it has three anime adaptations!
While watching the Dragon Ball run on QTV, during the commercial break, I spotted the TV ad for Kaichou wa Maid-sama, which will be called as Maid Sama! (with no dash!) yup, QTV has just got one of Spring 2010's most watched title will hit free TV screens next year!
Based on the ad, Takumi Usui will be voiced by someone familiar while Misaki will be voiced by an unfamiliar VA (I will not mention names to prevent misinformation)!
Kaichou wa Maid-sama has just ended in Japan last September 23, 2010, and Maid Sama! will premiere on QTV this January 6, 2011, making it almost more than 3 months after it ended in Japan! If my memory serves me correctly, this is the second fastest acquired anime title in TV! With Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood on TV5 on the first place with seven weeks after it premiered in Japan!
Kaichou wa Maid-sama premieres on QTV this January 6, 2011 at 4pm, replacing Shin Mazinger Edition Z on the timeslot. Now, how can I watch this title on TV considering that QTV is not available in the place that I am staying!
Sunrise announced in a banner displayed at a railway station next to Comiket 79 (Comic Market) a new anime called Sacred Seven!
Not much is known with this new anime but so far, the only thing we know that this anime is a "school battle action" anime and this show is set to be released in 2011. This show's tagline is: People's memories change the world!
Considering the amount of really good Sunrise produced titles ranging from Gundam, Cowoby Bebop and the really popular, Code Geass, hopefully, this title won't disappoint fans.
Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt has just ended (I guess it is time for me to finish it!) and at the end of the series, they posted a "to be continued in next season" sign.
On the 20th track of the show's OST, Panty implied the second season of Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt. However, Stocking denied it saying, "No, no, it hasn't been fixed yet!" at the end of the track and added, "But practically speaking, it may be up to the director Imaishi?"
Here is the full excerpt of Panty and Stocking's conversation in regards of a sequel!
Panty: Hey Stocking! I heard our anime Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt has got the green light for a sequel thanks to the big hit! Stocking: What? Who the hell did decide that? Panty: Speaking of a sequel .... (Blah-blah-blah) How about a trilogy? (Blah-blah-blah) let's go into the one hundredth season!! Hollywood remake is not a dream! Stocking: Hey wait, Panty! Panty: This planet is too small for us! Panty in the Space! (Blah-blah-blah) Stocking: Shit! Panty: So when will it start? Stocking: How should I know, shitty bitch! Panty: The next episode, Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt Season two! Stocking: Hey hey hey, wait! I told you it hasn't been decided yet! But, practically speaking, it could be up to the director Imanishi?
It is not yet officially announced if there would be a sequel for this show. Remember those Western cartoons in which at the end of a season, they will promise for a second season but it never happened? Also, remember the Youth Ordinance Bill and this show doesn't conform with the bill.
Will we see a second season of Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt? That is for us to find out next year!
Anime producer, Kadokawa Shoten and Japanese media company, ANIMATEannounced a new event to rival Tokyo International Anime Fair (TAF) called Anime Contents Expo!
This event will be held at the Makuhari Messe event center in Chiba Prefecture from March 26 to 27 of next year. Meanwhile, TAF will be held from March 24-27, two days earlier than the said event.
The companies in the new event's executive committee include asides from ANIMATE (CLAMP in Wonderland) and Kadokawa Shoten (Azumanga Daioh: The Very Short Movie, D.N. Angel, Full Metal Panic!) are: Aniplex (Angel Beats!, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Durarara!!), King Records (Arakawa Under the Bridge), Geneon Universal Entertainment Japan (Black Lagoon, Cardcaptor Sakura), Frontier Works (Amatsuki, Fate/stay night), Marvelous Entertainment (Gunslinger Girl, School Days), and Media Factory (Devil May Cry, Gankutsuou).
The committee cites Tokyo's recently passed amendment to its Youth Healthy Development Ordinance as the reason for boycotting TAF and holding a new event. The amendment will expand the number of manga and anime that fall under "harmful publications," the legal category of works that must not be sold or rented to people under the age of 18.
The announcement also noted that the committee supports The Japan Cartoonist Association, Copyright Network for Comic Authors in the 21st Century, Manga Japan, Comic 10-Shakai, and Association of Japanese Animations in their opposition to the amendment. Comic 10-Shakai, a industry group of 10 manga publishers including Kadokawa Shoten, had already announced its plans to boycott TAF next year. Thus this event will be their alternative outlet to showcase their recent anime ventures and the like.
More details regarding this event will be announced in January.
It seems that even though TAF will be held in a longer time, it seems that this new event will have more visitors compared to TAF once it opens considering the major organizers!
The 40th AnniversaryKamen Rider movie presentation is finally confirmed! It will be entitled OOO - Den-O - All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Rider, and scheduled to be shown on April 1 of 2011.
Aside from being a 40th Anniversary Kamen Rider movie, OOO - Den-O - All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Rider is also said to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of TOEI.
And aside from the titular Kamen Rider OOO and Den-O, OOO - Den-O - All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Rider movie will feature Kamen Rider 1. This would be his first decent Kamen Rider appearance after many years which is not a cameo. The story will involve traveling through space and time to Kamen Rider 1's World, and it appears that all of the past Kamen Riders will be making an appearance.
As for rumors circulating a few weeks ago, original actors for Kamen Rider Kabuto, Den-O, V3, X and Black will each reprise their roles. Although as of now, nothing is confirmed.
According to NeonZ of HJU, there have been some rumors regarding the staffs for the OOO - Den-O - All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Rider movie which includes Kenji Konuta, writer of Kamen Rider Decade's Kabuto World, as the writer; Yasuko Kobayashi (Kamen Rider OOO, Kamen Rider Den-O, Kamen Rider Ryuki) for setting cooperation; and Taro Sakamoto as the director.
In addition, the official site for OOO - Den-O - All Riders: Let's Go Kamen Rider movie opened last December 18 and features a teaser for the movie.
Just recently, asides from the full scale information regarding OOO's currently strongest form, we now have more info regarding this Combo which includes proper terms on some weapons and OOO Tajadoru Combo's stats!
+ This Combo is the result after gathering the Taka (Hawk), Kujaku (Peafowl) and Condor Medals, OOO will finally be able to transform into the complete bird combo.
+ He's equipped with the TaJaSpinner on his left hand which utilizes the energy residing in O Medals.
+ On his back he has wings that he can fold out which allows supersonic flight.
+ This combo is really different from the other combos. It even turns the usual Hawk head into Hawk Head Brave. The crest on the chest turns into a peafowl and it's the only combo that does this.
+ The TaJaDoru in the movie is slightly different.
The website, Dengeki has just posted results of the poll they have conducted regarding the anime titles airing next Winter 2011 that the Japanese are anticipated to see! And it seems that sequels and moe titles are still top of the list!
Leading the list is the second season of Kimi ni Todoke, followed by the mecha anime, IS: Infinite Stratos, the moe-tastic sequel of Mitsudmoe, a zombie with a mix of moe anime called, Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? and on top 5 is an adaptation of Beelzebub.
And the rest of the titles that the Japanese are as follows:
6. Yumekui Merry
7. Onii-chan no Koto nanka Zenzen Suki Janain Dakara ne!!
It seems that most Japanese are anticipating sequels of their favorite titles! I guess I should try watching the first season of Kimi no Todoke to prepare myself for the second season. I still find this surprising, Wolverine is rank 10 while Togashi-sensei's Level E is rank 15?! Weird.
To those who don't know Togashi-sensei, he is the one who made Yu Yu Hakusho and Hunter x Hunter. A title that I can watch whule waiting for Hunter x Hunter!
The clearer scan of the upcoming V-Cinema spin-offs of Kamen Rider W has just been released by ModXToys, and so, DecaEnd translated once blurry text!
The contents of the scan is still the same from the previous post about it, but this new translation reveals more details about the two spin-offs. Here's the breakdown: Kamen Rider W RETURNS: Kamen Rider Accel Asides from the debut of Kamen Rider Accel Booster, assaults incidents are happening in Futo. It seems that the threat of the Dopants is not yet over. Ryu investigates a group that calls themselves as Masked Soldiers (Kamen Heishi) and this group has control over the Dopants.
Kamen Rider W RETURNS: Kamen Rider Eternal Asides from the secrets behind the birth of Kamen Rider Eternal, we will learn the battle between Utopia Dopant and Eternal that happened in the past. So far, not much has been revealed in the scan.
Asides from the clearer scan, Netarider, DecaEnd's own Kamen Rider Rumor page has revealed more details regarding Accel!
On the left is a clearer full body shot of Kamen Rider Accel Booster. Using the Gaia Memory Enhancement Adapter, a device that is circulating around Futo, this form is makes the user three times stronger compared to its previous form! This form is accordingly, stronger that Accel Trail and as you can see, he already ditched the default wheels of the regular form and now donning a new visor!
On the right is Akiko, worried on trivial matters and is upset that even after their marriage, Ryu is still calling her, "Chief."
The text on the pictures says: A sinister shadow behind the newly married couple!?
Akiko and Terui live together as two newlyweds. However, Terui gets dragged into a case revolving a Dopant.
Suddenly, Terui appears on the news after he shot Jinno. He's seen fleeing together with a woman called Aoi Kuzuki (played by Yukari Tani). What exactly happened? Was Ryu framed up or did he shot Jin? What will happen to the newlywed couple?
That is what we will learn once Kamen Rider W RETURNS: Kamen Rider Accel V-Cinema will be released!
Here is the latest trailer coming from the Jump Fiesta of the upcoming sequel of Dissidia: Final Fantasy, Dissidia Duodecim [012]: Final Fantasy!
In this latest trailer, we have seen the new Assist feature in which we saw Tifa and Cloud beat Sephy and Squall and his dad, Laguna fighting Ultimencia. Also, we have the glimpse of the classic world wandering that Final Fantasy is known for with Vaan (which is not voiced by Otoya *sad*) and Terra in one party. For FFX fans out there, there is a major surprise for you guys in the trailer!
Weird, I was talking about this Combo with my lil' bro yesterday... while throwing Meet the Robinsons references!
Anyways, coming from the same guy who posted the recent rumors has posted his drawings regarding to OOO's dinosaur Combo, ToPuTerano (Triceratops, Pterodactyl and T-Rex)!
On the left is the Triceratops head of the Combo while on the right is the rumored all CGI Berserk Mode, in which we can clearly see the T-Rex legs and Pterodactyl wings.
Besides this text is the full body shot of OOO Toputerano Combo and accordingly, he can use the T-Rex tail as a sword!
The poster drew these pictures by memory and so, he made some notes regarding the dino combo design. Like what is stated earlier that this Combo is purple in color and not red like what he drew. Also, this said Combo has gold linings in it and the eyes will be purple as well. Since these images are hand drawn, he promised that he will bring solid photographs of the said combo this January.
Take these rumors as a grain of salt. Let us wait for official confirmation coming from TOEI or any official source such as scans and the like.
If you have checked TV-Nihon's website, you would be surprised when you saw a logo of Power Rangers being placed. Actually, they have just released the first episode of Zyuranger!
To those who don't know, Zyuranger is the first Super Sentai series that Saban adapted into their long running superhero franchise, Power Rangers! To those who are curious how Zyuranger goes, the Witch Bandora (you remember her as Rita Repulsa) has just been released from her long slumber and now, five warriors (not teenagers with attitude called by one giant head) who have just awaken from their suspended animation will stop her!
This is the second time that Zyuranger was subbed. The first one was subbed by Elite Justice Fansubs in which they stopped until episode 9 and with Grown Ups in Spandex subbing only episode 10 (eps 1-9 on their page are the ones subbed by Elite Justice). Hope that TV-Nihon will able to finish this series!
Kamen Rider Birth has officially made his TV debut! On the 16th episode of the series called, An End, the Greeed, and a New Rider, we saw Birth use his Breast Cannon and reverts back to his human form, Akira Date!
Is it me, or Akira is much more of a hobo compared to Eiji? Seriously, carrying his Cell Medals inside a freakin' old milk can! What the?!
Anyways, here is the latest stream of rumors coming from Toku Insider and DecaEnd!
- Korakawani Combo (Cobra, Turtle, Crocodile) will not appear in the TV series. It seems to be a special form OOO will get in the Summer movie.
-The 3rd Rider will utilize Un-Combo Forms. They seem to be animals that are opposites to each other. The rider's man form will be using the Ari (Ant) Medal and Ushi (Buffalo) Medal. When changing forms, the Rider's externals do not change, but clear parts over his armor change patterns, and the rider only has 2-medal based form. One medal for the upper body, one for the lower body. The belt's voice seems to be a woman, in English.
- The Anffalo Combo (Ari + Ushi) is incredibly strong, and able to oppose OOO Gatakiriba Combo, is the main form. He also has Anzelle Combo (Ari + Gazelle) which can oppose OOO Tatoba Combo.
- OOO's final form will be based around the Dinosaur Core Medals. The combo will have two forms, one as a normal Rider, and one known as Complete Full Body which will be something animated in CG. It's possible OOO actually grows into some kind of monster/dinosaur form.
- Giru has the ability to create 2 Yummys, one male and one feamale which came from the same species... which was confirmed in Movie Wars Core.
- Gamel and Mezool somehow comes back.
- During April, Birth's eyes will open up from the line in the middle and the suit will enter Rebirth Mode.
Take these rumors as a grain of salt. Let's wait for official confirmation coming from official sources regarding these rumors.
The promo of the 35th Anniversary Super Sentai Show, Goukaiger has been aired after the 45th episode of Goseiger! Also, the official cast members are revealed, confirming the previous rumor about the cast!
So far, I am loving the suits and the human form uniforms! These pirates came from various dimensions and will visit other Super Sentai worlds and as the series progress, can transform into the other Super Sentai heroes!
UPDATED: Placed confirmed human form names of GoukaiRed and GoukaiPink. GoukaiYellow's actress, Ichimichi Mao hasn't confirmed it yet in her official blog.
This. This is one hell of a Christmas gift. Anyways, as we all know, FFIV was remade for the DS two years ago and later, its sequel FFIV: The After Years which is first available for mobile phones was released, and in the US, for the Wii. Now, we have this.
Yep, you are not blinded, the CGI sequences from the FFIV DS remake are back, and this time, part of this bundle is FFIV: The After Years, with CGI sequences and more love for Ceodore and Dark Kain! Now, how does my Rydia look like after 17 years, same case with Palom. Also, the return of the retro fight screen, this really screams the PSOne remake of FFI and FFII!
Since today is Christmas Eve (if you are somewhere in Asia that is), one of my plans is to review the Christmas episode of Toradora!
But due to the lack of resources (to be exact, my dinosaur PC decided to go "blue screen of death" mode), I decided to just do the next best thing, post the complete music video of Holy Night, the song sang by Taiga and Ami during their Christmas party... and its in Spanish subs! Feliz Navitad!
Okay, to sum up the entire episode, Takasu slowly realizes his feelings for Taiga, got dumped by Minori, Taiga is having a rough day ahead of her and she learned that Takasu is pedobear. :P Merry Christmas everybody!
The February issue of The Sneaker Magazine is announcing that the two volumes of Nagaru Tanigawa's The Surprise of Haruhi Suzumiya light novel will ship on May 25, 2011! According to the announcement, the two volumes will ship simultaneously in Japan and "the world (outside Japan?)."
This new volume of the light novels will be the first new one in four years. The last story in the series was The Dissociation of Haruhi Suzumiya, which shipped last April 2007. The 10th volume was initially announced to be released on June 1, 2007 but the release of a notice of delay with Haruhi saying "Gomene..." surprised fans. I guess we should wait a little more for this volume!
The Sneaker had said in April that the Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko imprint would publish the next novel within the year. They later clarified that "within the year" meant within 12 months of the announcement, not within the year 2010. However, the new May 2011 date is after even the clarified schedule Kadokawa had laid out for itself.
Go! Go! Samurai! You can think of it as either a pun for the Japanese word for "five" or either a throwback to the original Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers theme song, but anyways, here is the morphing sequence of the Samurai Rangers and their fight against an army of Nanashi... I mean, Moogers first found in PRS' official page on Nick!
Let me say from the start: I love the new morphers. Sure, they eliminated the brush point from Shinkenger but they replaced it with digital pointers and since they are the new generation of Rangers, it worked!
As for the morphing sequence, I am quite bothered with the ninja mask since it clearly shows how cultural blind the producers of PRS. Seriously, if they will make this show as close as Shinkenger as possible, retain the traditional Japanese clothing.
Since the next part is Shinkenger footage, I will not comment on this but I will comment on the dubbing. For starters, it is a little... off. Asides from the return of the cheesy dialogue and the puns, which returned the fun but it made the show a little noisy and rather ruined the supposed disciplined Samurais into those cheesy teens from Angel Grove, but hey, they are still rookies so I can let that pass.
Overall, the new morphing sequence reminded me of the situation back in Jungle Fury in which the Solar Morphers ruined the epic morphing sequence, in this case, the ninja mask. It is still too early to decide if PR Samurai will be as good as Shinkenger (like most people say), but hey, at least they teased us on signs of things to come.
