Source: Aniplex of America press release Official Site: sao-alicization.net (Japan), swordart-onlineusa.com/alicization (US) Special Thanks to Aiko Makino Tickets for the special premiere event of SWORD ART ONLINE -ALICIZATION- (???????????? ????????, Soodo Aato Onrain Arishizeeshon) are now on sale as Aniplex of America hosts a special one-night event ahead of the highly anticipated mega hit anime series’ third season. Part of a worldwide celebration alongside six other countries including Japan, Australia, France, Germany, Russia, and Korea, the U.S. special premiere event will be held on Saturday, September 15th at the stunning Montalbán Theatre in Hollywood, California. Fans will receive an original illustration board at the event and be treated to a special English subtitled screening of a supersized one hour first episode of SWORD ART ONLINE -ALICIZATION-, several weeks in advance of the series’ premiere in October.

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Source: HIDIVE press release Official Site: ngnl.jp (Japan), nogamenolifezero.com (US) HIDIVE has announced that it acquired streaming rights to NO GAME, NO LIFE ZERO (??????????? ??, Noogeemu Nooraifu Zero, 2017), the feature-length film and prequel to the wildly popular NO GAME, NO LIFE anime series. Beginning September 1, 2018 (16:30 UTC), HIDIVE subscribers in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and other select territories can experience what audiences described as the perfect, action-packed adaptation to the light novel during its hugely successful theatrical release. HIDIVE subscribers can also experience the film with English and Spanish dubs as well as English and Spanish subtitles. Travel 6,000 years before Shiro and Sora’s epic journey through Disboard and witness humanity’s struggle to survive as other more powerful races battle for dominance. Despite being on the edge of extinction, a young man named Riku holds on to the

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Source: HIDIVE press release HIDIVE has acquired the streaming rights to YONA YONA PENGUIN (????????, 2009), Madhouse’s (CARDCAPTOR SAKURA, MY LOVE STORY!!) first fully 3D CGI feature-length film. HIDIVE subscribers in the USA and Canada can now enjoy the English-language dub of this delightfully charming feature. Directed and created by iconic director, Rintaro (METROPOLIS, GALAXY EXPRESS 999, SPACE CAPTAIN HARLOCK TV Series), YONA YONA PENGUIN follows the adventurous Coco who, armed with an enchanted penguin suit her late father gifted her, wanders out each night to explore, play and make new friends. After accidentally ending up in a new realm inhabited by friendly goblins, Coco is mistaken for the fabled “Valiant Flightless Bird” and asked to help her new friends fight the evil Emperor of Darkness. Will she be able to vanquish the evil emperor who wishes to enslave her goblin friends? For more information, a full

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Source: HIDIVE press release Official Site: machiavellism-anime.jp (Japan) HIDIVE has announced that it acquired the streaming rights to the English-language dub of ARMED GIRL`S MACHIAVELLISM (????????????, Busoo Shojo Makyaverizumu, 2017) for subscribers in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland and other select territories. The first dubbed episode premieres August 18, 2018 at 16:00 UTC with a new episode added every Saturday. After being expelled from his old high school, the headstrong and hot-headed Nomura is sent to the Aichi Coexistence Academy where he learns, that as a problematic student, he has to dress and act like a girl! He refuses to give in to the rules and ends up facing the wrath of the Supreme Five Swords, an all-female group well versed in weaponry. Despite decades of subduing even the most stubborn student, the Supreme Five Swords face a true challenge. For more information,

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Source: Funimation Entertainment Official Site: funimationfilms.com/cowboybebop (US) Special Thanks to Scott Barretto Funimation Films is offering SciFi Japan readers in the United States and Canada a chance to win a 27" x 36" North American theatrical poster for the anime feature film COWBOY BEBOP: THE MOVIE – KNOCKIN’ ON HEAVEN’S DOOR (????????? ????, Kaubooi Bibappu: Tengoku no Tobira, 2001). The pop cultural phenomenon returns to theaters for two days, August 15th (Japanese with English subtitles) and August 16th (English dubbed). Don’t miss out on this piece of heaven. In COWBOY BEBOP: THE MOVIE – KNOCKIN’ ON HEAVEN’S DOOR, what should have been an easy bounty turns into biological war after a terrorist gets ahold of a deadly virus. Drawn in by the pretty price on the mastermind’s head, Spike and the Bebop crew are

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Partners With Fathom Events To Bring New Digital Transfer To Cinemas Across the U.S. Only For 20th Anniversary Source: GKIDS Inc., Fathom Events press release Official Site: PerfectBlueMovie.com GKIDS, the acclaimed producer and distributor of animation for adult and family audiences, announced that it is has acquired the theatrical distribution rights to PERFECT BLUE (?????????, Paafekuto Buruu, 1997), the legendary first film from the late auteur director Satoshi Kon. GKIDS and Fathom Events will continue their extended partnership and bring the feature to U.S. cinemas only in a brand-new digital transfer for a special two-night event pm September 6 and 10. In addition to the full feature, attendees will view exclusive bonus content to be announced closer to the event date. PERFECT BLUE, celebrating its 20th anniversary, is the

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Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: 7-taizai-movie.net (Japan) A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE Distributor Toei Co., Ltd. has provided press notes and high-res imagess from THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS -PRISONERS OF THE SKY- (??? ????? ???????, Nanatsu no Taizai Tenk? no Torawarebito), the first feature film spin-off from the anime series based on Nakaba Suzuki`s manga. Featuring animation by A-1 Pictures (SWORD ART ONLINE), the movie is directed by Noriyuki Abe and Yasuto Nishikata (BLEACH, BLACK BUTLER: BOOK OF THE ATLANTIC), written by Makoto Uezu (ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM), features character designs by Keigo Sasaki (THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS series, BLUE EXORCIST) and music by Hiroyuki Sawano (ATTACK ON TITAN, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM UC) and Ttakafumi Wada (TERRAFORMARS: REVENGE). THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS -PRISONERS OF THE SKY- opens in Japanese cinemas on August 18th. STORY This is the world where

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Source: HIDIVE press release Official Site: revuestarlight.com (Japan) HIDIVE announced that the DUBCAST edition of the immensely popular, enchanting series, REVUE STARLIGHT (????? ??????????, Shojo ? Kageki Revuyuu Sutaaraito), will premiere August 4, 2018. New episodes of the early-access English dub will be added every Saturday for subscribers in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Ireland and other select territories. This coming-of-age story steeped in magical realism focuses on childhood friends, Karen and Hikari, who’ve dreamt of becoming stars together but instead have to compete against each other alongside other passionate and talented girls for the lead role in the popular Starlight play. For more information on upcoming shows, visit HIDIVE at HIDIVE.com and follow them on social media: Twitter: twitter.com/hidiveofficial Facebook: facebook.com/hidiveofficial Instagram: instagram.com/hidiveofficial About HIDIVE LLC HIDIVE is a streaming service offering subscribers hit titles and a catalog

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It’s Lights, Camera, Action for New Anime Film Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Official Site: anime-chu-2.com (Japan) Sentai Filmworks has announced the USA premiere of LOVE, CHUNIBYO AND OTHER DELUSIONS! TAKE ON ME (?? ?????????? -Take On Me-, Eiga Chuunibyoo Demo Koi Ga Shitai -Take On Me-, 2018), the highly anticipated feature-length film from beloved Kyoto Animation franchise, at the Los Angeles Anime Film Festival. Attendees can experience the exclusive English-dub or subtitled versions of the film on September 21, 2018. Love takes an adorably strange turn as Rikka and Yuta, now in their final year of high school, decide to take their relationship to the next level and elope! With Yuta letting Rikka grow out of her chunibyo syndrome, where she believes she has magical powers, at her own pace, it sets

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Source: HIDIVE press release HIDIVE announced today it has acquired the streaming rights to the classic slice-of-life animated movie, THE LIFE OF BUDORI GUSUKO (??????????, Gusuko Budori no Denki, 2012), premiering on July 21, 2018, at 17:00 UTC for subscribers in the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the UK and other select territories. Based on a beloved novel, Night on the Galactic Railroad by Kenji Miyazawa, THE LIFE OF BUDORI GUSUKO explores the story of Gusuko as he tries to find his place in the world after suffering the loss of his home to a natural disaster. As he wanders the countryside, contemplating what his future holds, the beauty of the landscape reflects Gusuko’s thoughts and feelings, creating a dynamic setting which mesmerizes and enthralls. Mixing otherworldly elements with a melancholic story, THE LIFE OF BUDORI GUSUKO touches the philosophical topics of destiny, free will and

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New York Comic Con and Anime Expo Join Forces Source: Anime Expo press release Official Site: Anime-Fest-At-NYCC-x-Anime-Expo Join Anime Expo in New York at Pier 94 October 4-7, 2018 for Japanese guests, prolific artists, and other New York Otaku at a festival of autograph signings, cosplay, Instagram-worthy activations, a curated Artist Alley, live music, and creative Japanese pop culture classes. More surprises will be revealed in the coming months as Anime Fest @ NYCC x Anime Expo creates programming and content that brings the best of both worlds into one major anime festival. Tickets for Anime Fest @ NYCC x Anime Expo will go on sale on July 15. Tickets are available to fans with Fan Verification accounts at a discounted rate when they purchase their New York Comic Con badges (or if

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Source: Aniplex of America press release Official Site: kimisui-anime.com (Japan), Iwanttoeatyourpancreas.com (US) Special Thanks to Aiko Makino Aniplex of America revealed at their industry panel at Anime Expo 2018 (Los Angeles, CA) that they will be bringing anime film, I want to eat your pancreas (?????????, Kimi no Suizoo o Tabetai, 2018), to theaters in the near future. Based on Yoru Sumino’s award winning novel by the same name, I want to eat your pancreas will be produced by Studio VOLN (IDOL INCIDENTS, USHIO & TORA) and directed by Shinichiro Ushijima (HUNTER x HUNTER, ONE PUNCH MAN) with Yuichi Oka (EROMANGA SENSEI, TO-LOVE RU) serving as both character designer and chief animation director. The two title characters will be voiced by popular actor and 72nd Mainichi Film Awards Best New Actor winner, Mahiro Takasugi, who will voice the unnamed protagonist, “me,” while veteran voice actress, Lynn

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It’s the oddly relatable and interesting story that is the life of cells! Source: Aniplex of America press release Official Site: hataraku-saibou.com (Japan), cellsatwork-anime.com (US) Special Thanks to Aiko Makino Aniplex of America announced on their Aniplex Live! show on Facebook that the highly anticipated summer anime series, CELLS AT WORK! (??????, Hataraku Saibou, 2018), will be premiering on Crunchyroll, the world’s largest destination for anime and manga in the world, on July 7th at 9:30 AM PDT. The series is an anime adaptation of a popular manga by Akane Shimizu from publisher Kodansha’s Monthly Shonen Sirius. CELLS AT WORK! takes viewers to an interesting world featuring anthropomorphized cells as blue collar workers hard at work within the human body. Throughout the series, the workforce, which includes characters like red blood cells, white blood

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Celebrate Japan’s Venerable Sci-Fi Giant Robot Property With An Interactive Booth Showcasing Video Games, Anime And GunPla Model Fandom; Win Free Prizes And Catch Model Building Tutorials Source: Bluefin Corp., MediaLab press release Special Thanks to Erik Jansen Bluefin, the leading North American distributor of toys, collectibles, and hobby merchandise from Japan and Asia, celebrates one of the biggest and most popular entertainment properties to ever come out of Japan -- MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM -- in a special expansive booth display presented in partnership with Sunrise, Inc. and Bandai Spirits Hobby at the 2018 Anime Expo. Anime Expo is the largest dedicated anime/manga fan convention in North America and will take place July 5th–8th at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. Tickets and full

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Source: Source: DreamWorks Animation Television, Click Communications press release Official Site: voltron.com/legendary Special Thanks to Greg McDonald DreamWorks VOLTRON LEGENDARY DEFENDER Season 6 is available now on Netflix! In celebration of this seven-episode action-packed season DreamWorks has shared a gallery of images from the show. Suspicious of Lotor`s alliance with Voltron, Galra oppressors continue to invade and conquer vulnerable planets throughout the universe. A hyper-focused Team Voltron feels the need to liberate helpless planets and begins a massive campaign to save millions of lives. But after the Paladins uncover some troubling information, they must engage in their most epic battle yet.

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Source: Aniplex of America press release Special Thanks to Aiko Makino At their Industry Panel at A-Kon (Fort Worth, TX) on June 8, Aniplex of America announced their schedule of events and special guests for Anime Expo 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The announcement revealed that they would be hosting panels and events for many of their popular shows including PERSONA5 THE ANIMATION, CELLS AT WORK!, SWORD ART ONLINE ALTERNATIVE: GUN GALE ONLINE, and the highly anticipated SWORD ART ONLINE -ALICIZATION-. Furthermore, following last year’s successful event, the immensely popular FATE/GRAND ORDER returns with their first anniversary celebration event at Petree Hall. In the SWORD ART ONLINE corner, the many special guests scheduled to appear include Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (VA for Kirito for SAO -ALICIZATION-), Ai Kayano (VA for Alice of SAO -ALICIZATION-), Tomori Kusunoki (VA for LLENN of SAO ALTERNATIVE: GUN GALE ONLINE), Keiichi Sigsawa (Creator of

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Source: HIDIVE press release Official Site: fukumenkei-anime.jp (Japan) HIDIVE has announced that it acquired exclusive streaming rights to the ANONYMOUS NOISE (??????, Fukumenkei Noizu, 2017) English-language dub, premiering on June 8, 2018, with weekly episodes released every Friday at 12:00 p.m. CDT. HIDIVE will offer the English-language dubbed version of the series to subscribers in USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other select territories. As children, Momo taught Nino the joy of singing from her heart. When Momo suddenly moved away, Nino found herself lost, until she met Yuzu. He shared his musical gifts with her until he suddenly vanished, too, leaving nothing but the memory of his music. Before disappearing, Momo and Yuzu said the same thing- that she promises to keep singing because that was how they’d find her. As the trio starts high school, their paths cross again. And while Nino has kept

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Source: HIDIVE press release Official Site: land-of-the-lustrous.com (Japan) HIDIVE has announced that it acquired the streaming rights to LAND OF THE LUSTROUS (????, Hooseki no Kuni), the Fall 2017 season breakout-hit, for the U.S. and Canada territories. HIDIVE members will be able to stream the series every Sunday starting on June 17, 2018. Catch up on the series that has left everyone speechless for its refined and poignant storyline! In the distant future, new life forms known as Gems inhabit the Earth. These immortal beings find themselves under attack by the Lunarians, who use the shattered bodies of the Gems as decorations. For this reason, each of the Gems are assigned a purpose. However, being one of the frailest of the group and with no particular skill, Phos is assigned by Kong?, the master of Gems, to create an encyclopedia of natural history. The mission to

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Aspiring Voice Actor Auditions at Anime Central as Uplifting Series is Green-lit for a Season 2 English Dub Source: Aniplex of America press release Official Site: 3lion-anime.com (Japan), 3lion-usa.com (US) Special Thanks to Aiko Makino Attendees at Bang Zoom! Entertainment’s panel were thrilled as Aniplex of America announced their plans to produce the English dub of the second season for the heartfelt TV series MARCH COMES IN LIKE A LION (???????, 3 Tsuki no Raion) at Anime Central in Rosemont, Illinois. The announcement also revealed that the Open Auditions hosted by both companies at Anime Central would be for the beloved, heartwarming series’ second season. Now in its sixth year, the Open Auditions provide a unique opportunity for fans to test out their skills as a voice actor and be in an anime series. The winner of the Open Auditions will be featured

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Source: HIDIVE press release HIDIVE announced today it partnered with AnimeNEXT to deliver exclusive “Powered By HIDIVE” promotions, anime keepsakes and special access-events for attendees. AnimeNEXT kicks off June 8 – 10 at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey. “Creating exciting, meaningful experiences through direct engagement of fans is at the core of HIDIVE’s strategic vision,” said Founder and President of HIDIVE, John Ledford. “Partnering with AnimeNEXT enables us to execute on that vision and promote an unforgettable experience for attendees of the event.” Vince Averello, Convention Chairman of AnimeNEXT, said, “AnimeNEXT is always trying to find creative connections that will bring new, exclusive content and guests to our attendees and partnering with HIDIVE gave us a means by which to do so. I`ve been a subscriber since

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