SciFi Japan
    Brand New Anime Series to Premieres in North America on April 10th Source: Sentai Filmworks, Anime Network press releases Official Site: mariaholic.com (Japan) Special Thanks to David Williams and Christian Lopez This week, Sentai Filmworks announced its acquisition of MARIA HOLIC ALIVE! (???†???? ????), the follow up to the hit comedy and nosebleed bonanza MARIA HOLIC. The series is set to begin broadcast in Japan on April 7, and will be available in the U.S. on Anime Network Online starting April 10. From the anime studio SHAFT (HE IS MY MASTER, PANI PONI DASH) and director Shinbo Akiyuki (HIDAMARI SKETCH, SAYONARA, ZETSUBOU-SENSEI), MARIA HOLIC ALIVE! continues the hilariously perverse misadventures of Kanako and Mariya. Some things never change: Ame no Kisaki, that famous and extraordinarily exclusive boarding school, still doesn’t accept boys. And Kanako, Kisaki’s most romantically unfortunate student, still doesn’t accept them either. They give

    Simulcasting Exclusively on VIZAnime.com Starting April 2nd Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: tigerandbunny.net (Japanese) Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media, LLC invites fans to dive into the crime-fighting action of one of the most anticipated anime series of 2011 with the simulcast premiere of TIGER & BUNNY (????????, Taigaa & Banii) on Saturday, April 2nd. The new series launches on VIZAnime.com, the company’s exclusive web destination for anime, the same day it debuts in Japan! New FREE weekly episodes (subtitled) will be available to stream on VIZAnime beginning at 12:00pm (PST) each Saturday. TIGER & BUNNY (rated TV-14) is directed by Keiichi Sato (director of THE BIG O), with original character designs by Masakazu Katsura, creator of I”S and VIDEO GIRL AI (also released by VIZ Media). Stern Bild is a metropolitan city where superheroes called NEXT help to

    Source: Anime Network press release Official Site: geneonuniversal.jp/hotd (Japan) Special Thanks to Christian Lopez This March, the HIGH SCHOOL OF THE DEAD (aka HOTD) English dub will premiere on Anime Network Video On Demand. The highly acclaimed zombie survival anime will now be available with English voiceovers from some of the top voice actors in the business, only on Anime Network VOD. Stay tuned to Anime Network`s website, Twitter, and Facebook page for upcoming cast announcements and extras! From director Tetsuro Araki (DEATH NOTE, BLACK LAGOON), and adapted from the highly successful manga of the same name by Daisuke Sato, comes one of the hottest new shows of the Summer, HIGH SCHOOL OF THE DEAD. A deadly new disease is ravaging the world, turning the populace into mindless zombies, and the number of infected is skyrocketing by the second. As their fellow classmates and teachers succumb

    New Series Launches On VIZAnime.com and Hulu Today Source: VIZ Media, MediaLab press releases Official Site: VIZAnime.com Special Thanks to Jane Lui and Erik Jansen VIZ Media brings an exciting new animated series to North American audiences with the launch of NEURO: SUPERNATURAL DETECTIVE on Friday, February 18th on VIZAnime.com, the company’s own premier website for free anime, as well as the streaming content provider HULU. The new series (rated ‘M’ for Mature) will debut with the first five subtitled episodes available, with new installments available weekly. In NEURO: SUPERNATURAL DETECTIVE, Neuro Nogami is a demon that feeds on criminal mysteries and riddles in the human world. In order to protect his identity, he forms a partnership with Yako, an incisive 16-year-old high school girl. This unlikely crime-solving duo devours one mystery after another in search of the ultimate appetizing mystery! NEURO: SUPERNATURAL DETECTIVE is based

    A Look at the Anime Films KING OF EDEN and PARADISE LOST Author: Elliot Gay Official Site: juiz.jp (Japan), funimation.com/edenoftheeast (US) Special Thanks to Jackie Smith and Manny Alcala SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for two recent movies. Your mileage when watching EDEN OF THE EAST THE MOVIE 1: KING OF EDEN (????? ????The King of Eden, Higashi no Eden Gekijooban I: The King of Eden, 2009) and EDEN OF THE EAST THE MOVIE 2: PARADISE LOST (????? ???? Paradise Lost, Higashi no Eden Gekijooban II: Paradise Lost, 2010) will vary based on how much you enjoyed the series that came before. The elements that you enjoyed in the show’s run on television, such as the high animation quality, well composed music and likable characters are still the same as ever. However, if you found yourself disagreeing with the writing or

    Author: Elliot Gay Official Site: katanagatari.com, www.fujitv.co.jp/katanagatari SPOILER WARNING: This article contains plot details for a new animated series. Japanese sword culture is an element of Japan that is not only heavily romanticized in the west, but also in the east as well. In Japan, television dramas about samurai or feudal Japan can be found on nearly every channel. Those who were masters of katana are a constant focus of interest. In 2007, young author Nisioisin decided to challenge himself. He was to write twelve novels over the course of twelve months. Each novel would represent a month of real-time travel for the protagonist. As such, the reader went through the different seasons just as the characters did. The name of this twelve novel journey was Katanagatari (??), loosely translatable as "Sword Story". As the title aptly describes, the narrative is focused on

    Source: MediaLab press release Official Movie Site: funimation.com/evangelion (US/Canada), evangelion.co.jp (Japan) Special Thanks to Erik Jansen VIZ Cinema, the nation’s only movie theatre dedicated to Japanese film, opens 2011 with screenings of director Hideki Anno’s EVANGELION 1.0 YOU ARE (NOT) ALONE, playing Tuesday, January 18th thru Wednesday, January 19th, and EVANGELION 2.0 YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE, playing Friday, January 21st thru Thursday January 27th. Screenings times and ticket information are also available at vizcinema.com. EVANGELION 1.0: YOU ARE (NOT) ALONE (Evangelion Shin Gekijoban: Jo, 2007) Directed by Hideaki Anno, 98mins, Digital, Japanese with English subtitles Monday, 1/17 – Thursday, 1/20 Tickets: $10.00 There was no

    Source: Japan Foundation, Sydney press release Official Site: japanesefilmfestival.net Special Thanks to Evon Fung Sydneysiders grab your tickets to the 14th Japanese Film Festival, on sale now at Event Cinemas George Street. From 22 November, the festival returns for one week only. Don’t miss your chance to meet this year’s festival guest, Naoyoshi Shiotani. Shiotani is the Animation Director of OBLIVION ISLAND: HARUKA AND THE MAGIC MIRROR, a place where all your childhood items end up, and the Director of TOKYO MARBLE CHOCOLATE, a romantic comedy which is bitter sweet, just like chocolate. Shiotani will be attending the festival’s Anime Matsuri, so big that it’s split into two sessions – both jam-packed with double screenings, co-organised with SMASH! (Sydney Manga and Anime Show!). Saturday, 27th November

    Author: Andrew Nguyen Source: Bandai Entertainment Official Site: gundam00.net, mbs.jp/gundam00 (Japanese), gundam00.bandai-ent.com (US) Special Thanks to Robert Napton MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM 00 (Kido Senshi Gundamu Double O) is the latest television series in the long running Gundam metaseries. Premiering in October of 2007, it is the first Gundam series to take place in the new Anno Domini timeline. Directed by Seiji Mizushima (FULL METAL ALCHEMIST) and with music composed by Kenji Kawaii (GHOST IN THE SHELL , THE SKY CRAWLERS), it earned great success though not to the level of its two predecessors, MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED (Kido Senshi Gundamu SEED, 2002) and MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM SEED DESTINY (Kido Senshi Gundamu SEED DESTINY, 2004). It is the first Gundam series to air in widescreen and hi-def. Furthermore, in another first for a Gundam series, Sunrise made two seasons of GUNDAM 00 with 25

    Author: Elliot Gay Official Site: crunchyroll.com/panty-and-stocking-with-garterbelt (US), gainax.co (Japan), newtype.kadocomic (Japan) Special Thanks to Chase Wang Gainax, known for anime hits such as GUNBUSTER, DIEBUSTER, NEON GENESIS EVANGELION, TENGEN TOPPA GURREN LAGANN, FLCL and others has taken a huge creative chance with its latest television show, PANTY AND STOCKING WITH GARTERBELT. Featuring such Gainax talent as Hiroyuki Imaishi (DEAD LEAVES) and Hiroaki Tomita (GURREN LAGANN), the series seems bound for success regardless of the concept. Yet the end result as of episode 6 is that of a show that blends the humor and cartoon style of western adult animation, with the lightning quick and sometimes crazy animation of a Gainax production. Having debuted in America via Crunchyroll, the show has been hit with split opinions across the board. People generally seem to either love it or hate it. I happen to fall into

    Popular Anime Film Plays in September Source: Barbican Centre, Sarah Harvey Publicity press release Special Thanks to Helene Muron The Barbican Centre in London continues their JAPANIMATION event series in September with EUREKA SEVEN: THE MOVIE. The screening will once again be introduced by anime expert and author Helen McCarthy (The Anime! Movie Guide, Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation, and founder of the magazine AnimeFX). JAPANIMATION Friday 24 September, 8.30pm EUREKA SEVEN: THE MOVIE (Kokyoshihen Eureka Sebun: Poketto ga Niji de Ippai, 2009) Director: Tomoki Kyoda Running Time: 115 min Certification: 12A* In Japanese with English Subtitles EUREKA SEVEN: THE MOVIE is a complete re-imagining of the popular TV series, an emotional tale of love and survival amid spectacular aerial maneuvers. When

    Images and Production Notes from Walt Disney Studios Source: Walt Disney Studios Official Movie Site: disneypictures/earthsea (US) On August 13th, Studio Ghibli`s TALES FROM EARTHSEA (Gedo Senki, 2006) began a limited theatrical run in the United States through Walt Disney Studios Distribution. Disney has released most of Ghibli`s films in the US, but TALES FROM EARTHSEA was delayed for several years since author Ursula Le Guin`s Earthsea novels had previously been optioned for film and television by Hallmark Entertainment. The film was directed by Goro Miyazaki, son of Studio Ghibli co-founder and legend Hayao Miyazaki. While the works of the elder Miyazaki are revered worldwide, reviews for Goro`s directorial debut have been much less enthusiastic. The following production notes are courtesy of Walt Disney Studios... TALES FROM EARTHSEA Running Time: 105 minutes Release Date: August 13th, 2010 (limited) MPAA Rating: PG-13

    Source: Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation press release Official Site: anime-expo.org Special Thanks to Kimberly Groomes Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime and manga event, has concluded its most successful event ever – a four-day event at the Los Angeles Convention Center that drew over 100,000 fans of Japanese animation, manga (comic books) and pop culture. Featuring the largest program and exhibition in its 19-year history, Anime Expo, sponsored by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA), hosted over 165 exhibitors showcasing tens of thousands of products and a sold-out Artist Alley, a venue for amateur and semi-professional artists to celebrate Japanese pop culture through fantastic works of art. Anime Expo also enabled fans to meet the creative forces behind the art form and participate in

    Six Feature Films Based on the Hit Manga to Play in a Week-Long Festival Beginning July 3 Source: VIZ Pictures, MediaLab press releases Official Site: NewPeopleWorld.com Special Thanks to Erik Jansen VIZ Cinema and NEW PEOPLE are proud to present, in association with Bandai Entertainment and Manga Entertainment, "Sci-fi Anime Madness Volume 2: GHOST IN THE SHELL Marathon" with a very special series of feature film screenings taking place July 3rd – 8th at the theatre located in San Francisco’s Japantown. The creation of veteran anime writer/director/producer Mamoru Oshii, GHOST IN THE SHELL and its subsequent sequels thrilled audiences and inspired a generation of filmmakers to became one of the most revered anime franchises of all times. GHOST IN THE SHELL is based on a popular manga series created by

    Trailer Premieres July 1, 2010 in Los Angeles at Club Nokia Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press release Official Site: club2themax.com Special Thanks to Chase Wang Club 2 the MAX will present the exclusive trailer of Academy Award winning Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli`s feature TALES FROM EARTHSEA (Gedo Senki) during its activities on July 1, 2010 at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles at L.A. Studio Ghibli`s fame reaches worldwide as several of their animation features have won the prestigious Animage Grand Prix Award, including CASTLE IN THE SKY (Tenku no Shiro Rapyuta, 1986), MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO (Tonari no Totoro, 1988), and KIKI`S DELIVERY SERVICE (Majo no Takkyubin, 1989). SPIRITED AWAY (Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi, 2001) won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and remains the only foreign animation film to have done so. Based on the Earthsea novels by Ursula K.

    Source: Barbican Centre, Sarah Harvey Publicity press release Special Thanks to Helene Muron The Barbican Centre in London continues their JAPANIMATION event series in July with MOBILE SUIT ZETA GUNDAM: A NEW TRANSLATION - HEIRS TO THE STARS. The screening will be introduced by anime expert and author Helen McCarthy (The Anime! Movie Guide, Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation, and founder of the magazine AnimeFX). JAPANIMATION MOBILE SUIT ZETA GUNDAM: A NEW TRANSLATION - HEIRS TO THE STARS (Kido Senshi Zeta Gundamu I: Hoshi o Tsugu Mono, 2005) Tuesday 20 July, 8:30pm Dir. Yoshiyuki Tomino 94 min cert tbc The first feature in the film trilogy based on the ZETA GUNDAM anime series, in celebration of its 20th anniversary and updated for a 21st Century

    Author: Andrew Nguyen Official Site: z-gundam.net (Japanese), gundamofficial.com/worlds/uc/zeta (US) Special Thanks to Erik Jansen (MediaLab) While MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM (Kido Senshi Gundamu) turned out to be a success, particularly in the form of a compilation movie trilogy, several years would pass before a sequel would take place. That sequel, the 50-episode MOBILE SUIT ZETA GUNDAM (Kido Senshi Zeta Gundamu), premiered in March 1985 to immense success. Its popularity has reached the point where fans and critics alike consider it to be one of the Gundam series most outstanding entries. Directed by Gundam series creator Yoshiyuki Tomino, many consider it to be one of his finest works, even when compared to his classic works like AURA BATTLE DUNBINE. As a director, Tomino added a level of realism to his series that few others at the time were willing to do: actually killing main protagonist

    Watch Episode 1, Chat with Friends, and Talk with the Producer at 7:00pm EST/4:00pm PST Source: VIZ Media press release Official Movie Site: manga.com/watchandchat/monster Special Thanks to Jane Lui Manga Entertainment and VIZ Media are joining forces to bring anime fans a live event. Starting Thursday, May 13th at 7:00pm EST/4:00pm PST, fans will be able to watch a live streaming of NAOKI URASAWA`S MONSTER on Manga.com. Catch episode 1 of the critically acclaimed series (rated ‘M’ for Mature Audiences), chat with your friends and other fans of this anime classic, and take a trivia test at the same time. VIZ moderators will also be on hand to answer questions about the show. For anyone who misses the event, the same watch and chat experience will be available for episodes

    SUMMER WARS, DANTE`S INFERNO and KING OF THORN Screenings in London Source: Barbican Centre, Sarah Harvey Publicity press release Special Thanks to Helene Muron The Barbican Centre in London continues their JAPANIMATION event series with a double feature of SUMMER WARS and DANTE`S INFERNO this month and KING OF THORN in June. Both screenings will be introduced by anime expert and author Helen McCarthy (The Anime! Movie Guide, Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation, and founder of the magazine AnimeFX). Animate the World 2010 Double Feature Tuesday 25 May SUMMER WARS (Samaa Woozu, 2009) 6:15 pm Dir. Mamoru Hosoda 114 min In Japanese with English subtitles Cert. tbc Kenji, the nerdy hero of SUMMER WARS, spends almost his whole life inside the

    Slice of Life Blockbuster From Kadokawa Pictures Coming to Multiple Crunchyroll Platforms Soon Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press releases Special Thanks to Chase Wang Crunchyroll, Inc. has announced the acquisition of the Kadokawa Pictures blockbuster title THE MELANCHOLY OF HARUHI SUZUMIYA for multiple Crunchyroll platforms. More information is available on the official official THE MELANCHOLY OF HARUHI SUZUMIYA series page on Crunchyroll. THE MELANCHOLY OF HARUHI SUZUMIYA follows the eponymous character voiced by Japanese idol superstar Aya Hirano. A classmate of hers poses: "I thought that when I entered high school, my days of believing in aliens, time travelers and ESPers were going to be over. That is until she introduced herself. Claiming to be interested in only aliens, time travelers, and ESPers, Haruhi Suzumiya was the strangest girl I`ve met in a long time." Crunchyroll will initially release the first season of THE

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