Source: Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation press release Official Site: anime-expo.org Anime Expo announces character designer and illustrator Noizi Ito as a Guest of Honor for AX2013! Ms. Ito began her career as a graphic designer, illustrator and character designer. Her work includes “Shakugan no Shana” by Dengeki Bunko, the “Haruhi Suzumiya” series by Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko, and most recently,“The Guided Fate Paradox” by Nippon Ichi Software, Inc. Anime Expo is thrilled to welcome Noizi Ito as a Guest of Honor to AX 2013, where attendees can connect with their favorite artists, voice actors, and musicians from Japan, share the amazing cosplay, art, and AMVs that they create, and enjoy the best in Japanese anime and pop culture. This July, join us at the Los Angeles Convention Center for our twenty-second year!

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Source: Japan Foundation, Sydney press release Official Movie Site: evangelion.co.jp (Japan), madman.com.au/nge (Aus) Special Thanks to Evon Fung and Amanda Thompson In collaboration with Madman Entertainment and NTV Films, The Japan Foundation, Sydney is pleased to host the 2013 EVANGELION ART EXHIBITION from Friday May 10 to Saturday May 18 at the Japan Foundation Gallery. This exhibition will offer a rare glimpse into the renowned EVANGELION franchise. In the exhibition, a collection of original concept and production art, character drawings and key artifacts will be on display, offering an insider’s view into Japanese anime film production. A limited selection of exclusive merchandise will also be available. In conjunction with the exhibition, the Japan Foundation is excited to welcome guest Yuko Miyamura, an anime voice actress best known for her

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Source: Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation press release Official Site: anime-expo.org Anime Expo proudly reveals the cover to our 2013 program guide! Max, the official mascot of Anime Expo, is depicted in a boldly energetic piece illustrated by our artists in Japan and evokes the exciting experience awaiting attendees at our annual convention. Our current Guest of Honor lineup for AX 2013 includes: Voice Actors Eric Vale, Kyle Hebert, Christopher Sabat, and Johnny Yong Bosch with his band Eyeshine, Screenwriter Mari Okada, and Japanese electro/club scene DJ Ram Rider. We also welcome as industry guests J-Pop group Starmarie. Be sure to follow us on our social media channels, because we have more guest announcements on the way! Fan favorites such as Masquerade, AX Dance, Karaoke, Table Top and eGaming,

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Second Chapter of Anime Film Trilogy to Screen on May 11th Source: Warner Bros. Pictures Japan, VIZ Media Official Site: berserkfilm.com (Japan), facebook.com/BerserkFilm (US) Special Thanks to Jane Lui This is a tale of lustful men... On May 11, 2013, BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC II - THE BATTLE FOR DOLDREY (????? ?????? ???????, Berserk Oogon Jidai-Hen II: Doldrey Kooryaku, 2012) will have its North American theatrical premiere at NEW PEOPLE Cinema in San Francisco, courtesy of VIZ Media. That same day, the movie will air on the 24-hour, subscription-based anime channel, Neon Alley. Additional screenings and events will follow, leading up THE BATTLE FOR DOLDREY`s release on DVD and Blu-ray. The BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC (????? ?????) anime film trilogy was produced in Japan by Studio 4ºC and is based on the Berserk manga by Kentarou Miura, serialized in Hakusensha`s Young

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Top Anime Creators Team Up for New Film Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Site: shortpeace-movie.com (Japan) Publicity Materials Translated by: Elliot Gay Nine years following STEAMBOY (???????, Suchiimubooi, 2004)... twenty-five years after AKIRA (???, 1988)... Katsuhiro Otomo is back at the forefront of Japanese animation with SHORT PEACE (????????, Shooto Piisu), a new omnibus film of four short stories depicting Japan`s unique culture, history and future. The film takes its title from Otomo`s 1976-79 manga series, Short Peace. SHORT PEACE brings together a mix of top creators and up-and-coming talents in the anime field to demonstrate the potential of animation to visually express the themes of each short story. Studio 4°C founder Koji Morimoto rose to international prominence for directing segments of ROBOT CARNIVAL (??????????, Robotto Kaanibaru, 1987), MEMORIES (?????, Memoriizu, 1995) and THE ANIMATRIX (????????, Animatorikkusu, 2003). Shuhei Morita, director of the

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Director of WOLF CHILDREN, SUMMER WARS and THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME Source: Madman Entertainment Special Thanks to Ben Pollock Madman Entertainment, in conjunction with NTV Films are pleased to announce multiple award-winning filmmaker, Mamoru Hosoda (WOLF CHILDREN, SUMMER WARS, THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME) will tour Australia this month. Joined by his long-time collaborator, Yuchiro Saito, animation producer and co-founder of Studio Chizu with Mamoru Hosoda -- the studio responsible for WOLF CHILDREN -- Hosoda-san will be coming to Australia in mid-April, appearing at very special event screening and Q&A sessions for WOLF CHILDREN in Sydney (Dendy Newtown, April 15) and Melbourne (Cinema Nova, April 17). Tickets are on sale now and strictly limited. Hosoda-san will also be appearing at Supanova Pop Culture Expo on the

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VIZ Media Brings a Double Dose of Medieval Action on May 11th Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: berserkfilm.com (Japan) Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, brings a very special anime theatrical presentation with a double-feature premiere of BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC I – THE EGG OF THE KING (????? ?????? ????, Berserk Oogon Jidai-Hen I: Haoo no Tamago, 2012) and the North American theatrical premiere of BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC II - THE BATTLE FOR DOLDREY (????? ?????? ???????, Berserk Oogon Jidai-Hen II: Doldrey Kooryaku, 2012). The double feature event will be held on Saturday, May 11th at the NEW PEOPLE Cinema, located inside the dynamic Japanese pop culture

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Source: FUNimation Entertainment press release Official Site: ookamikodomo.jp (Japan), funimation.com/wolf-children (US) Special Thanks to Scott Lonski FUNimation Entertainment has announced the following US screenings for WOLF CHILDREN (???????????, Ookami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki, 2012), the latest film directed by Mamoru Hosoda (SUMMER WARS). WOLF CHILDREN has won the 2013 Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year, the 2012 Mainichi Film Award for Best Animation Film and the 2013 Animation of the Year award at TAF. It has also won two awards at the Oslo Films from the South festival in Norway: the main award, the Silver Mirror, and the audience award. Most recently in 2013 it won the Audience Award at New York International Children`s Film Festival. Screening dates, times & locations are listed below...

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Opens March 15 in New York, March 22 in Los Angeles and Toronto, Additional Cities on March 29 Source: GKIDS Inc. press release Official Site: gkids.tv/intheaters GKIDS is extremely proud to present FROM UP ON POPPY HILL (???????, Kokuriko-Zaka Kara, 2011), the highly anticipated new film from Studio Ghibli, creators of SPIRITED AWAY, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, KIKI`S DELIVERY SERVICE, PONYO, THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY and many other animated masterpieces. Written by legendary studio founder Hayao Miyazaki and directed by Goro Miyazaki, FROM UP ON POPPY HILL marks the first feature film collaboration between father and son. The results are stunning -- a pure, sincere, nuanced and heartfelt film that signals yet another triumph for the esteemed studio. The top-grossing Japanese film of 2011 and winner of the Japan Academy Prize for

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Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: dragonball2013.com (Japan) Toei has just released several high-res images from their new movie, DRAGON BALL Z: BATTLE OF GODS (???????Z ???, Doragon Booru Zetto: Kami to Kami), opening in theaters across Japan on March 30th. For more information and pics from the film, please see the previous coverage on SciFi Japan.

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Latest Installment of Multi-Part Interview with Famed FINAL FANTASY Character Designer Source: MediaLab press release Official Site: newpeople.jp/travel/eng Special Thanks to Erik Jansen NEW PEOPLE, Inc, a San Francisco-based entertainment company bringing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture to North American shores, has just posted its latest edition of NEW PEOPLE Travel, an intriguing free Japanese pop culture web magazine. Readers are invited to catch the latest installment of an ongoing multi-segment interview with famed anime creator, character designer, and pop culture artist Yoskitaka Amano. The interview is available now at newpeople.jp/travel/eng/amano.html. NEW PEOPLE Travel is a unique web magazine that introduces Western audiences to a variety of Japanese creators that work across borders and the diverse scenery of Japan and journeys they have experienced. It provides an opportunity to see Japan through the eyes of artistic visionaries recognized around the world. In the latest

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Source: Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation press release Official Site: anime-expo.org Anime Expo is happy to announce our first Guest of Honor from Japan: Mari Okada! As an award-winning screenwriter, Ms. Okada has helped contribute to the world of anime since 1998 and worked on some of our favorite titles, from TORADORA! and BLACK BUTLER to our newest love, AKB0048! You should recognize a couple of the other anime she’s worked on: BASILISK, anohana: THE FLOWER WE SAW THAT DAY, CANAAN, DARKER THAN BLACK, ROZEN MAIDEN, TRUE TEARS, VAMPIRE KNIGHT, and the increasingly popular HANASAKU IROHA ~ BLOSSOMS FOR TOMORROW ~. If you don’t recognize these titles, be sure to come by our film rooms and introduce yourself to the work of the lovely Mari Okada! So join us

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Source: Nikkatsu, IRH Press Official Movie Site: shinpi2012.com (Japan), mystical-laws.com (International) THE MYSTICAL LAWS (????, Shinpi no Hoo, 2012) is an odd new anime feature film conceived by religious leader Ryuho Okawa to promote the teachings and philosophies of his controversial Happy Science organization. Following close on the heels of the live action film THE FINAL JUDGEMENT (?????????????, Fuuinaru Jajjimento, 2012), THE MYSTICAL LAWS is Ozawa`s second movie prophesying a near future Japan under siege from foreign invaders. Released in Japan by Nikkatsu, THE MYSTICAL LAWS was given a limited US theatrical run last November by distributor Eleven Arts in a failed bid to qualify for a 2013 "Best Animated Feature" Oscar nomination. Official Plot Description Year 202X. A military and economic superpower of Asia is rocked by coup. Tathagata Killer, a man from the military division, has assumed the position of emperor

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Source: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Official Movie Site: neragaku.com (Japan) SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from a new anime movie. From the young and talented director Ryosuke Nakamura of the BOX OF GOBLINS television animation series comes PSYCHIC SCHOOL WARS (???????, Nerawareta Gakuen), a new feature animation based on a popular Sci-Fi novel. It’s spring which is a start of the new school year at a junior high school in Kamakura (Kanagawa Prefecture). A new transfer student, the handsome boy Ryoichi Kyogoku, joins the 8th grade class. He has a mission ordered by his father... to take over the school, using his "telepathy" to read other people`s mind. Kyogoku instantly gains popularity at school from his charismatic character and presence, and also provides his followers with "telepathy", which strengthens the solidarity among his group, just as he intends. As

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Source: Sentai Filmworks press release Special Thanks to David Williams This Saturday, December 29th through Monday, December 31st, Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) will be hosting an animation booth at Comic Market 83, to be held at Tokyo Big Sight (Tokyo International Exhibition Center). TBS and Sentai Filmworks cordially invite you to stop by Booth 341 in the Corporate Dealer Area, West Hall 4F for the latest news and information on all of TBS’ popular animation series. Rikka and Yuta from this season’s hit show LOVE, CHUNIBYO & OTHER DELUSIONS (??????????, Chuunibyoo demo Koi ga Shitai!) will be at the booth to meet fans and provide them with flyers and merchandise* for popular titles. In addition, TBS will be holding special presentations for overseas customers of their upcoming titles TAMAKO MARKET (????????, Tamako Maaketto)

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Source: Toei Co., Ltd. Official Site: dragonball2013.com (Japan) SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details and images from an upcoming movie. On December 3, 1984, Weekly Shonen Jump (????????, Shuukan Shonen Janpu) debuted the manga Dragon Ball (???????, Doragon Booru). Created by Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball`s battle action and flashy, compelling characters quickly built up a strong and devoted fanbase, making the series a top draw throughout it`s 10 year run. It also became tremendously popular overseas, with the collected editions having sold more than 230 million volumes worldwide. In 1986, Toei Animation began their DRAGON BALL anime television and movie series, which also became an international hit. Seventeen years after the manga ended, Dragon Ball continues to entertain a new generation of enthusiastic fans. And in 2013, DRAGON BALL will be revived on the big screen with a brand-new story... DRAGON

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Latest Studio Ghibli Hit Debuts in Australian Cinemas Source: Madman Entertainment press release Official Site: reelanime.com Special Thanks to Ben Pollock Madman proudly presents the world premiere of the English language version of Studio Ghibli’s FROM UP ON POPPY HILL (???????, Kokuriko-Zaka Kara, 2011), in Australian cinemas for a limited time from December 20, 2012. From the highly celebrated studio that gave us SPIRITED AWAY, PONYO and ARRIETTY, comes the highly anticipated English language version of FROM UP ON POPPY HILL, a uniquely inspired coming-of-age story from Goro Miyazaki and Hayao Miyazaki. Set in Yokohama in 1963, this lovingly hand-drawn film centers on Umi (voiced by Sarah Bolger, ONCE UPON A TIME) and Shun (voiced by Anton Yelchin, STAR TREK) and the budding romance that develops as they

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Australian Anime Festival Runs December 6-9 Source: Madman Entertainment press release Official Site: reelanime.com Special Thanks to Ben Pollock Following a successful summer tour, the Australian label Madman Entertainment proudly brings the REEL ANIME festival to Wellington (Reading Cinemas, Wellington) and Christchurch (Hoyts Cinemas, Westfield Riccarton). Showcasing four of the freshest anime feature films this side of Japan, REEL ANIME will screen from December 6th to December 9th. REEL ANIME brings the spectacle of Japanese animation back to the big screen, providing hardcore fans, cinephiles and casual crowds alike the rare opportunity to relish the eye-popping action, masterful storytelling and moving moments that anime has to offer. All films in the REEL ANIME program will screen in original Japanese language with English subtitles. The hand-picked suite of cutting-edge films selected for the

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Films Premiering in Australian Cinemas in December Source: Madman Entertainment press release Official Site: madoka-magica.com (Japan), MadokaMagicaUSA.com (US), madman.com.au/puella-magi-madoka-magica (Australia) Special Thanks to Ben Pollock Madman Entertainment, in collaboration with Aniplex of America, are proud to announce the acquisition of 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). Both films will premiere in cinemas across four states on December 9th, 2012. The exclusive, one day only screenings will take place in Sydney (Dendy Newtown), Melbourne (Cinema Nova), Brisbane (Dendy Portside) and Canberra (Dendy Canberra) on December 9th, 2012. Tickets to the double-feature screenings will be available to purchase from the venues. PUELLA

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New Anime Feature Film also Launching on DVD and Blu-ray Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: bleach.viz.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, delivers the supernatural anime action of the latest BLEACH feature film to fans with the premiere of BLEACH THE MOVIE: HELL VERSE (???BLEACH ???, Buriichi Jigoku-Hen, 2010) on Neon Alley on Sunday, November 25th at 8:00pm EST / 5:00pm PST. The film will repeat 12:00am EST November 26th / 9:00pm PST November 25th, and will air again throughout the week. BLEACH THE MOVIE: HELL VERSE will also be released on DVD and Blu-ray on December 4th with both English-subtitled and dubbed dialogue options. The new film carries a DVD MSRP of

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