Friday, March 06, 2026
Category: Anime News

kyousougigaThe 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/

Category: Anime News

Kokoro Connect, ©Enterbrain, Inc.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

Category: Anime News

brs tvThe 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.

Category: Anime News

news madoka_usAt 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.

Category: Anime News

lawson_iLAWSON, 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/