Theatrical Release in 2014 Source: Madman Entertainment Official Site: dragonball2013.com (Japan) Special Thanks to Ben Pollock Madman is proud to announce the acquisition of the latest feature in the evergreen DRAGON BALL Z franchise, DRAGON BALL Z: BATTLE OF GODS (???????Z ???, Doragon Booru Zetto: Kami to Kami, 2013). DRAGON BALL Z: BATTLE OF GODS is the first DRAGON BALL Z movie to receive a Japanese theatrical release in 17 years, and with original manga creator, Akira Toriyama heavily involved, the first film in the series to be considered an official part of the original DRAGON BALL manga storyline. When Birus, The God of Destruction awakes from a long slumber, he learns of the defeat of the galactic overlord Freeza by the hands of Son Goku.

Read more ...

New Option on 24/7 Anime Channel Permits Members to Access and Watch Recent Episodes Whenever They Want Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: NeonAlley.com Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC, the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, has unveiled a new “Catch-Up” feature available now for the web-based version of Neon Alley, the company’s 24/7 anime channel. With this new expanded feature, Neon Alley members may select either a “Watch Live” or “Catch Up” option upon logging onto the service. The “Watch Live” option provides fans with the 24/7 linear English-dubbed channel that the network has come to be known for, and with the addition of the Video-On Demand “Catch Up” option, fans now have the flexibility to watch shows at their convenience. The “Catch Up” option also allows viewers to search for

Read more ...

From the Director of DURARARA!! Comes an Original Anime Series about Truth, Justice and Superheroes! Source: AniplexUSA Official Site: samumenco.com (Japan), AniplexUSA.com/samuraiflamenco (US) Special Thanks to Joanna Metoki Aniplex of America Inc. has announced today that they have acquired the highly-anticipated title, SAMURAI FLAMENCO (?????????, 2013) for this fall season. SAMURAI FLAMENCO will begin its streaming schedule this October. This brand new series features an all-star staff including director Takahiro Omori, whose previous works include popular titles such as DURARARA!! and BACCANO! along with Hideyuki Kurata whose previous works include titles such as R.O.D. –THE TV- and OREIMO 2 for the chief screenplay. The studio that will be producing SAMURAI FLAMENCO will be manglobe, the anime studio that brought popular titles such as SAMURAI CHAMPLOO and MICHIKO & HATCHIN. SAMURAI FLAMENCO will be available for streaming just hours following its initial air time in Japan. In

Read more ...

Lineup Includes THE FAKE, 009 RE:CYBORG and the Eagerly Awaited EVANGELION: 3.0 YOU CAN (NOT) REDO Source: Sitges – International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia press release Official Site: sitgesfilmfestival.com Animated movies will be one of the main focuses at the upcoming Sitges – International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia (Barcelona, Spain), to be held from October 11 to 20. SPACE PIRATE CAPTAIN HARLOCK (??????????, Kyaputen Haarokku, 2013), by Shinji Arakami, a spectacular version of Leiji Matsumoto’s famous manga, produced by Toei Animation and the biggest production to come out of this legendary studio -- with a budget of over 30 million dollars -- will be one of the animated films competing in the Official Fantàstic Selection. The movie is the result of the most modern animation techniques, captured in one of the very best

Read more ...

Source: Toei Co., Ltd., GFM Films, FilmPressPlus Official Site: harlock-movie.com (Japan) SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from a new movie. Toei Animation`s CG anime feature film SPACE PIRATE CAPTAIN HARLOCK (??????????, Kyaputen Haarokku, 2013) is now being offered for international sales under the English title HARLOCK: SPACE PIRATE. The following English production notes and high-res images are courtesy of Toei, international sales agent GFM Films, and press office FilmPressPlus. THE LEGENDARY SPACE PIRATE IS REBORN LEIJI MATSUMOTO’S MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTER, CAPTAIN HARLOCK, MAKES A GLOBALLY-ANTICIPATED REVIVAL AFTER 30 YEARS HARLOCK: SPACE PIRATE is truly an epoch-making CG animation which has been created by a team of Japan’s top animators & CG specialists over the last five years. Avatar director James Cameron has described it as ‘Mythic, epic and visually unprecedented’. This action adventure is based on Space

Read more ...

Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: harlock-movie.com (Japan) Translations: John Paul Cassidy Based on original characters and stories created by Leiji Matsumoto, the feature film SPACE PIRATE CAPTAIN HARLOCK (??????????, Kyaputen Haarokku) opens in Japan on September 7, 2013. The latest movie by anime director Shinji Aramaki (APPLESEED) boasts "state-of-the-art CG motion capture animation" and will be released in both 3D and 2D formats. The following press notes are courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd... INTRODUCTION Leiji Matsumoto’s legendary character, “Captain Harlock,” is being resurrected for this reboot after 30 years. At last, it will set sail to the whole world! The sci-fi anime works of Leiji Matsumoto -- a shining epoch among masters of Japanese animation history who brought you classics such as GALAXY EXPRESS 999 (???????, Ginga Tetsudoo Surii Nai, 1978-1981) that caused a huge boom in the 1970s and `80s --

Read more ...

Source: Madman Entertainment press release Official Site: reelanime.com Special Thanks to Ben Pollock Madman Entertainment are proud to announce final dates and cinema details for the REEL ANIME 2013 theatrical festival. Opening September 26 in Adelaide, then followed closely on October 3 in all other states, REEL ANIME 2013 will showcase a stellar line-up of the finest animated features, direct from Japan, including EVANGELION: 3.0 YOU CAN (NOT) REDO (?????????????Q, Evangerion Shin Gekijooban: Kyuu, 2012), 009 RE: CYBORG (??????? ???????, Zero-Zero-Nine Re: Cyborg, 2012), A LETTER TO MOMO (??????, Momo e no Tegami, 2012) and a double-bill of THE GARDEN OF WORDS (?????, Kotonoha no Niwa, 2013) and GHOST IN THE SHELL: ARISE (?????ARISE -GHOST IN THE SHELL-, Kookaku Kidootai Araizu -Goosuto In Za Sheru-, 2013). Australian cinema locations will include:

Read more ...

Creators of GURREN LAGANN Reunite for Smashing Original Series this Fall! Source: AniplexUSA Official Site: kill-la-kill.jp (Japan), KilllaKill.com (US) Special Thanks to Emmanuel Rivera Recently at their panel at the Otakon anime convention in Baltimore, Aniplex of America Inc. announced their the acquisition of the new animation series KILL LA KILL (?????, Kiru ra Kiru, 2013). The duo that brought us the fan favorite GURREN LAGANN, director Hiroyuki Imaishi and script writer Kazuki Nakashima, team up once again to bring fans this brand new series. KILL LA KILL will be streaming online starting in October 2013. In addition to their streaming plans, Aniplex of America is also planning on a home video release of KILL LA KILL on disc. Details will be announced at a later date. About Aniplex of America Inc. Aniplex of America Inc. (Santa Monica, California) is a subsidiary

Read more ...

Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan Official Site: warnerbros.co.jp/budori (Japan) Additional Material: Nippon Connection SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from a new Japanese movie not yet released in the United States. Following the Japanese theatrical run and several international festival screenings, the anime feature THE LIFE OF BUDORI GUSUKO (??????????, Gusuko Budori no Denki, 2012) made its North American premiere June 16, 2013 at the Toronto Japanese Film Festival and Comic Con International. The film was directed by acclaimed animator Gisaburo Sugii with character designs by Masumura Hiroshi, and is based on the classic fairy tale A Biography of Gusuko Budori by poet and author Kenji Miyazawa, first published in the April 1932 edition of Japan Children’s Literature (??????, Nihon Jido Bungaku). The same creative team was responsible for the award-winning box office hit NIGHT ON THE GALACTIC RAILROAD

Read more ...

Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: asura-movie.com (Japan) Additional Material: Nippon Connection Abandoned in the barren wasteland of Kyoto, an abandoned boy does whatever it takes to survive in the wild -- until he is confronted by humanity. Toei`s anime feature ASURA (????, Ashura, 2012) is based on George Akiyama`s legendary banned manga (originally serialized in Kodansha`s Weekly Young Magazine in 1970-1971). Directed by anime veteran Keiichi Sato (TIGER & BUNNY, KARAS) and featuring two legendary Japanese voice actresses, Masako Nozawa (DRAGON BALL, GALAXY EXPRESS 999) and Megumi Hayashibara (COWBOY BEBOP, NEON GENESIS EVANGELION), the film made its North American premiere at the New York Asian Film Festival/Japan Cuts in July 2012 and began its Japanese theatrical run last September 29th. Toei is now offering ASURA for foreign distribution. The following text was prepared by the company for international sales and publicity... SYNOPSIS

Read more ...

Final Films Announced for Anime Film Festival Touring Australia Source: Madman Entertainment press release Official Site: reelanime.com Special Thanks to Ben Pollock Madman Entertainment are proud to announce the final two films in the REEL ANIME 2013 program -- GHOST IN THE SHELL: ARISE and THE GARDEN OF WORDS. GHOST IN THE SHELL: ARISE (?????ARISE -GHOST IN THE SHELL-, Kookaku Kidootai Araizu -Goosuto In Za Sheru-, 2013) In GHOST IN THE SHELL: ARISE, Motoko Kusanagi -- cyborg and hacker extraordinaire from the military’s 501st Secret Unit -- finds herself wrapped up in the investigation of a devastating bombing. In the first of four all-new OVA (original video animation) installments from the renowned Production I.G. -- caretakers of the GHOST IN

Read more ...

Aniplex of America and Eleven Arts Partner for Theatrical Run Source: AniplexUSA press release Official Site: madoka-magica.com (Japan), MadokaMagicaUSA.com (US) Special Thanks to Emmanuel Rivera Aniplex of America and ELEVEN ARTS are proud to announce they are bringing the highly anticipated feature length film, PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA THE MOVIE -REBELLION- (??? ????????????????????, Gekijoo-ban Mahoo Shojo Madoka Magica Shinpen: Hangyaku no Monogatari, 2013), to the big screen across the US this Winter. Aniplex of America and ELEVEN ARTS have brought several popular movie titles to theaters across the U.S. and Canada including the Puella Magi Madoka Magica Movies PART 1 -BEGINNINGS- (??? ??????????? ??: ??????, Gekijoo-ban Maho Shojo Madoka Magika Zenpen: Hajimari no Monogatari, 2012) and PART 2 -ETERNAL- (??? ????????????????????, Gekijoo-ban Maho Shojo Madoka Magika Shinpen: Hangyaku no Monogatari, 2012). Most Recently Aniplex of America

Read more ...

Promotional Campaign and Exhibit for Upcoming Katsuhiro Otomo Film Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: shortpeace-movie.com (Japan), tokyo-monorail.co.jp Shochiku Co., Ltd. has announced the "SHORT PEACE × Tokyo Monorail" (SHORT PEACE×???????) promotional campaign for their upcoming anime omnibus, SHORT PEACE (????????, Shooto Piisu). Led by Katsuhiro Otomo (AKIRA, STEAMBOY), the film is a collaboration between directors Shuhei Morita (FREEDOM), Hiroaki Ando (TEKKONKINKREET) and Hajime Katoki (MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM). The campaign kicks off with a revised SHORT PEACE poster design by collage artist Kosuke Kawamura (HEAVEN`S LOST PROPERTY, STRIKE WITCHES 2, THUNDERCATS). Previously used for the film`s second theatrical poster, the artwork has been updated with an illustration of monorail. The new posters will be displayed at Tokyo Monorail stations and inside some train cars. An exhibition of SHORT PEACE production materials and

Read more ...

Anime Film Plays in Australia Source: Madman Entertainment press release Official Site: reelanime.com Special Thanks to Ben Pollock Madman Entertainment have announced the launch of one day REEL ANIME special screening events, the first of which will feature BERSERK MOVIE 2: THE BATTLE FOR DOLDREY (????? ?????? ???????, Berserk Oogon Jidai-Hen II: Doldrey Kooryaku, 2012). This sequel to BESERK MOVIE 1: THE EGG OF THE KING (????? ?????? ????, Berserk Oogon Jidai-Hen I: Haoo no Tamago, 2012) sees the bloody adventures of Guts, Griffith and the Band of the Hawk continue as Guts comes to terms with the realization he will have to part ways with Griffith and the Band of the Hawk. Meanwhile, a battle to capture the impenetrable Fortress of Doldrey from the Empire of Chuder is about to begin. Before the

Read more ...

Fullmetal Alchemist Author and SWORD ART ONLINE Director Bring Award-Winning Coming-of-Age Manga to Life Source: AniplexUSA Official Site: ginsaji-anime.com (Japan), AniplexUSA.com/silverspoon (US) Special Thanks to Joanna Metoki Aniplex of America announced that they have acquired one of the most anticipated titles this season, SILVER SPOON (???, Gin no Saji, 2013). SILVER SPOON will be available for streaming this summer only a few hours following the original airtime in Japan. The series is an adaptation of the popular manga series originally written by author Hiromu Arakawa (Fullmetal Alchemist). The studio bringing this highly anticipated series to life is the equally acclaimed A-1 Pictures, which produced countless hits like SWORD ART ONLINE, MAGI: THE LABYRINTH OF MAGIC, OREIMO 2, and BLUE EXORCIST. Tomohiko Ito will be the director of SILVER SPOON who is highly notable for his recent work with the anime series SWORD ART ONLINE. The Silver

Read more ...

MONOGATARI SERIES Will Stream Just Hours After Initial Airings in Japan Source: AniplexUSA Official Site: monogatari-series.com (Japan), AniplexUSA.com/monogatari (US) Special Thanks to Emmanuel Rivera Following its recent release of the BAKEMONOGATARI and NISEMONOGATARI Blu-ray Sets earlier this year, Aniplex of America Inc. has announced the acquisition of both the MONOGATARI SERIES SECOND SEASON (???????? ????????, < Monogatari > Shiriizu Sekandoshiizun, 2013) and NEKOMONOGATARI BLACK (???(?) Nekomonogatari (Kuro), 2012). Both titles will be available for streaming this summer. The highly anticipated MONOGATARI SERIES SECOND SEASON will be available streaming just hours after its initial airing in Japan. Immediately following the events in NISEMONOGATARI, the second season of the MONOGATARI SERIESis a collection of stories featuring the entire MONOGATARI cast. With so many questions left unanswered from NISEMONOGATARI, what will Koyomi Araragi, Senjyogahara and the others get into next? NEKOMONOGATARI BLACK will also be available streaming this summer.

Read more ...

ACCEL WORLD, BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC TRILOGY, ‘K’ and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN to be Showcased Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: Licensing Expo Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, returns to Las Vegas for the 2013 Licensing Expo with a robust catalog of some of the world’s top anime properties. The 2013 Licensing Expo is the world’s largest and most influential licensing industry event and takes place June 18th-20th at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. VIZ Media will be located in Booth # A137. The annual Licensing Expo is the licensing industry`s premier trade event for leveraging properties and brand equity to develop merchandise, Licensing Expo attracts more than 400 exhibitors representing more than

Read more ...

The Students of True Cross Acadamy Hit the Big Screen this August Source: AniplexUSA Official Site: ao-ex.com (Japan), BlueExorcist.com/themovie (US) Special Thanks to Emmanuel Rivera This August, BLUE EXORCIST fans will be treated to something special. Following their release announcement of the entire television series on video, Aniplex of America has announced that BLUE EXORCIST THE MOVIE (??? ?????????????, Gekijoo-ban Ao no Futsumashi, 2012) will debut in the US this August with English dialogue. Rin Okumura, Yukio Okumura and the rest of their friends return in this original story by Kazue Kato. The movie features Rin and his friends in the midst of preparing for a festival which is celebrated once every 11 years in True Cross Academy Town. As everyone in town is busy arranging for the festival, a “ghost train” goes berserk

Read more ...

Source: Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation press release Official Site: anime-expo.org Anime Expo proudly announces character designer Ryohei "huke" Fuke as a Guest of Honor for AX2013! Best known for works such as BLACK?ROCK SHOOTER and STEINS;GATE, he has also contributed character designs to METAL GEAR SOLID: PORTABLE OPS and METAL GEAR SOLID 4. After huke graduated from an animation college, huke started his career as a professional illustrator in the gaming industry, and then moved into freelance work in order to focus on more original art, creating the wildly popular character Black?Rock Shooter, and collaborating with the doujin group supercell. huke will be participating in the panel “huke, Good Smile Company, Ultra Super Pictures and Max Factory", where he will be live drawing for the audience!

Read more ...

Source: Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation press release Official Site: anime-expo.org Anime Expo proudly announces Voice Actor Vic Mignogna as a Guest of Honor for AX2013! Known for popular roles including Edward Elric in FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, Tamaki Suou in OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB, and Zero in VAMPIRE KNIGHT, Mr. Mignogna has also voiced many video games roles and is active as a producer, director and musician. Mr. Mignogna has been acting for stage and screen since he was eight years old. He started his career in anime a little over ten years ago as Vega in STREETFIGHTER II. Since then, he has been in more than two hundred shows and video games, with additional credits including Yoshimori in Adult Swim’s KEKKAISHI, Death Scythe in SOUL EATER, Fai in TSUBASA CHRONICLE, Dark in DNAngel, Kurz

Read more ...