Anime News (245)
Akihabara's Good Smile Cafe [Madoka x Type-Moon]
Written by Benjamin Chu
Though a little dated, better late than never. As with every winter, I make a yearly trip back to Asia and I always stop by Japan for a couple of days just to indulge myself in the wonderful place known as Akihabara. This time was no exception and with the short time I had, I made a quick stop over to Akihabara's Good Smile Cafe.
Akihabara is a constantly changing within Tokyo, and sometimes shops move around throughout the years, therefore, here is a convenient map for exactly where the Akihabara Good Smile Cafe is. Keep note, the pictures were taken in December of 2011. The location may have changed since I last visited.
I also happened to make several trips to Taiwan's newly opened Good Smile Cafe. Full review of the place can be found here:
http://www.t-ono.net/Anime-News/Taipei-s-Good-Smile-Cafe-Madoka-Cafe.html
Photos after the break.
The event held by VIZ Media on Saturday, January 28th at the West Hollywood Library in Los Angeles was to introduce their brand-new digital manga website, Shonen Jump Alpha, to the public. The new format is going to replace the printed version of Shonen Jump Weekly. With a mini-convention feel to it, it featured tons of cosplayers, raffles, snacks, goodie bags and of course a sneak preview of Shonen Jump Alpha. In Japan, the issues of Shonen Jump are weekly and for that reason most people in Japan don't keep them. They just read them and dispose of them like they would with any other newspaper-style format.
Fashion retailer Mobacolle is collaborating with anime studio Gainax to release cat eared parkas based on the hit Evangelion series. The parkas are based on each of the Evangelion units (00 yellow, 01 purple, 02 red) and will be reversible. Unfortunately the parkas are only currently available for preorder in women and kid sizes and will retail for 7245 yen from the Official Gainax store.
As a note, over the years, artists have created various fanart involving the series as hoodies. Probably the most popular are the hoodie adaptation of the plug suits that each pilot wears. Pictures of fan art and of the parkas inside.
Check out what's upcoming in Spring! A new season of the majhong anime Saki, the second part to Fate/zero, and a sequel to mecha anime Eureka Seven titled Eureka Seven Astral Ocean. For those interested in a bit of the supernatural mixed in with a bit of ecchi, the zombie themed Sankarea and ghost story Tasogare Otome x Amnesia are great choices.
At a press conference held earlier yesterday, new details about upcoming Code Geass projected were announced.
Code Geass: Boukoku no Akito (Akito the Exiled)
Currently it is unclear if this will be a full season show; however, it has been announced the first episode will be screen this summer in Japanese theaters. The story takes place during the events of the original series and follows Akito, voiced by Miyu Irino and Layla, voiced by Maaya Sakamoto in Europe.
http://geass.jp/akito/index.html
Code Geass Gaiden: Nunnally in Wonderland
A new OVA release that retells the fairy tail of Alice in Wonderland with Code Geass characters that's set to release with a picture book.
Code Geass will also be getting the stage treatment in a full blown musical (http://www.geass-musical.net/) and apparently a film adaptation of the original series is also in the works.
Another blow to the anime industry, we have received official word today Bandai Entertainment will "stop releasing new titles on DVD, Blu-ray and Manga formats starting in February of 2012."
Although Bandai has stated in their press release that they "will continue to sell catalog titles and shift its operation to licensing which will include digital distribution, broadcast and merchandising," they have also noted they will be shutting down their official twitter and facebook page.
You can read the full press release inside.
Figure maker Good Smile Company opened a branching cafe in Taiwan earlier this month and a couple of our staffers happened to be in the neighborhood. While we wait for their report which will appear here later, why not check out some of the photos?
The popularity of ONA (Original Net Animation) has been picking up recently, and last week NamcoBandai published Kyousogiga, an episode-length video to its NicoNico and YouTube pages. Kyousogiga was created by Izumi Todo, who also made the Ojamojo Doremi and Futari wa Pretty Cure series, and animated by Banpresto and Toei Animation.
The animation style is fairly stylized, and it reminds me of the stuff Madhouse makes. The video description mentions a new work coming out in March 2012, but it doesn't say if it's related to this ONA or not. Also, the video will only be available until January 15, 2012, so watch it while you can! It's embedded after the break.
Kyousogiga homepage: http://www.kyousogiga.com/
Earlier today, Enterbrain posted the launch trailer for a recently-announced anime, Kokoro Connect. Kokoro Connect was originally a light novel written by Anda Sadanatsu with illustrations by Yukiko Horiguchi (character designer for Lucky Star and K-On!), which has also enjoyed manga and drama CD spinoffs.
The story revolves around a quirky "Cultural Research Society" whose members' noisy but everyday lives were turned upside-down when they switch personalities. And while they try to figure out what happened and how to reverse it, they must act like someone else in order to avoid being found out!
Although viewers will likely have flashbacks to K-On! due to the similarity in character designs, it's only because the character designer was the same for both series -- the story itself is unrelated to that of K-On!'s. The concept of switching bodies or personalities is always an interesting plot device, and if they do a quality interpretation of the light novels, this series ought to be one to keep an eye on.
The trailer and detailed series info can be found at their official page, and the trailer is embedded after the break.
Kokoro Connect anime website: http://www.enterbrain.co.jp/fb/pc/02sp/02_1111kokoro/index.html
The official website for the 8 episode TV animation of Black Rock Shooter has just released a trailer. Visually, the combat scenes are gorgeously animated; however, fans will quickly notice some visual differences from the OVA that was released back 2010. The most noticeable difference are the changes to the character designs. The OVA and TV anime were both animated by Studio Ordet; however, staff information for the TV anime has yet to be released.
Are the changes for the better? Watch the trailer and let us know in the comments. Poster image inside.
More...
Puella Magi Madoka Magica English Release Details
Written by Theodore Mak
At New York Comic Con earlier this month, Aniplex of America had announced information regarding the American release of Puella Magi Madoka Magica and the full details has just been released. Preorders have already started and will be released in 3 separate volumes in a limited box set, a regular Blu-ray, and DVD set. The Limited Edition Combos will include:
"soundtrack CD, an exclusive collector's box, a double-sided poster, a Kyubey sticker, collectible postcards, and a deluxe 24-page booklet with character designs, a special short manga by Aoki Ume and more!"
If the bonus goods tickle your fancy, they will cost $74.98 each. Press release inside.
LAWSON, a chain of convenience stores in Japan, just announced their latest campaign which starts next week. It's a number of goods from the series A Certain Magical Index (Toaru Majutsu no Index). The top prize (10 winners), is a plush of Index that looks like it's biting your head. Second prize (another 10 winners) is a pajama set in the style matching that which Mikoto Misaka wears in the show. In all, 12,000 prizes are being given out in this campaign.
For this raffle you purchase the campaign items (usually bottled drinks) and enter the code on the receipt at the website to get points, which you spend on raffle entries. Knowing the spending habits of the average hardcore otaku, I'm sure campaigns like this raise a lot of money for LAWSON and the drink companies, and I don't blame them. If they had a similar campaign here in the states, I'd join in.
The campaign site is at: http://lwp.jp/toaru/campaign/static/toaru/
Bakemonogatari Prequel and Sequel Websites Launch with New Trailer
Bryan Yang
The official websites for Kizumonogatari and Nisemonogatari anime -- the prequel and sequel to Bakemonogatari, respectively -- have launched, both featuring an new front-page illustration and trailer. Currently only the trailer is available, and the site displays no other information such as characters or casting. Kizumonogatari will be released in theaters sometime in 2012, while Nisemonogatari will be released as a TV anime series, scheduled to start January 21, 2012. Both series are produced by SHAFT, who also did production for Bakemonogatari with character designs once again provided by Akio Watanabe. Also like Bakemonogatari, these anime are based on a series of popular light novels by Nisio Isin.
The style of both trailers is very non-standard, which should come as no surprise to any fans of Bakemonogatari or SHAFT. Of particular note is the Kizumonogatari trailer, which has a non-sequitur opening and closing. Fans will probably be excited to see some of their favorite characters again in the trailer for Nisemonogatari, though their appearances, namely their hairstyles, have changed for better or for worse. Both trailers have been included inside for your convenience.
Kizumonogatari movie website - http://www.kizumonogatari-movie.com/
Nisemonogatari anime website - http://www.nisemonogatari-anime.com/
Black Rock Shooter will be receiving a TV broadcasted anime in January of 2012. Black Rock Shooter as an animation started off with an OVA that was released in July of 2010. With the continued releases of anime figures and the recent announcement of a game in production, fans will be treated to even more Black Rock Shooter goods.
A website has been set up for the TV anime and can be found at: http://www.noitamina-brs.jp/ The website currently only has a flash video, which contains already animated scenes of Black Rock Shooter.
Black Rock Shooter originated from an original character illustration made by Huke, who later joined supercell. Ryo from supercell was inspired by the illustration and created the song that is now known as, "Black Rock Shooter", using Vocaloid 2's Hatsune Miku as the vocalist.