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Former Crunchyroll Executive Miles Atherton Joins Anime Trending Site's Board
― The anime news and statistics website Anime Trending announced on Thursday that Miles Atherton (formerly Miles Thomas) has joined the site's board of directors as an advisor. Atherton joined Crunchyroll in 2013 as a sales consultant. He eventually became a content analyst, brand manager, and then the senior manager of social media and editorial programming before becoming the director of audience ...
Marin Miller Won't Reprise Role in Ranking of Kings: The Treasure Chest of Courage Anime
Voice actor Marin Miller (Izanami in B: The Beginning) stated in a Twitter thread on Saturday that they will not reprise their role as Kage's Mom in the English dub of the Ranking of Kings: The Treasure Chest of Courage (Ōsama Ranking: Yūki no Takarabako) anime. Miller stated that they turned down the role because they "didn't want to experience the loss of [their] job in the future from these ill...
Takahiro Sakurai Reprises Suzaku Role in Mahjong Soul Game's Code Geass Collaboration
― The official Twitter account of Cat Food Studio and Yostar's free-to-play mahjong browser and smartphone game Mahjong Soul revealed on Sunday that Takahiro Sakurai will reprise his role as Suzaku Kururugi in the game's collaboration with the Code Geass franchise. The collaboration will be available in the game's Japanese and English version. CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion X Mahjong Soul Colla...
Kenjiro Hata's Manga Exceeds 25 Million Copies in Circulation
The 21st compiled book volume of Kenjirō Hata's Fly Me to the Moon (Tonikaku Kawaii) manga revealed on September 15 that the entirety of Hata's manga works have 25 million copies in circulation. Fly Me to the Moon is Hata's most recent manga. Hata launched the manga in Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine in February 2018. Viz Media publishes the manga in English, and it released the 12th co...
Tatsuhisa Suzuki to Continue Ranmaru Kurosaki Role in Utano☆Princesama Franchise
― The official website for the Utano☆Princesama franchise revealed on Friday that voice actor Tatsuhisa Suzuki will continue to voice the character Ranmaru Kurosaki in the franchise. Broccoli stated staff came to the decision after careful consideration and discussion. The latest entry in the franchise, the Gekijō-ban Utano☆Princesama♪ Maji Love ST☆RISH Tours film, will open in Japan on September 2....
Naoki Urasawa's Printed Manga Have 140 Million Copies in Circulation Worldwide
― Kadokawa's Dengeki Online website reported on Tuesday that manga creator Naoki Urasawa's manga has 140 million copies in print circulation worldwide. The statement noted that the number is specifically for print copies of Urasawa's manga. Urasawa has been drawing manga since 1981. Viz Media has published Urasawa's 20th Century Boys, 21st Century Boys, Monster, and Pluto manga in English. Monster i...
Tokyo Revengers Manga Takes 1-Week Break After Staff Member Tests Positive for COVID-19
― This year's 17th issue of Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine revealed on Wednesday that Ken Wakui's Tokyo Revengers manga will not appear in the magazine's next issue, due to some difficulties in the manga's production after a staff member for the manga tested positive COVID-19. The manga will return in the magazine's 19th issue. Wakui launched the manga in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine in Marc...
The Idolm@ster Shiny Colors Cast Cancel Performance at Animelo Summer Live Due to COVID-19
― Bandai Namco Entertainment revealed on Friday that the cast members of the The Idolm@ster Shiny Colors game would not appear as previously planned at the "Animelo Summer Live 2021 Colors" event this weekend. The cast members were slated to perform at the event on Saturday. Bandai Namco Entertainment explained that related personnel to the group tested positive for the new coronavirus disease (COVI...
Khara Denies Report of Evangelion Director Hideaki Anno Planning New Anime
― On Sunday, the anime studio Khara categorically denied a report that claimed that Hideaki Anno was working on a new anime. The studio added that no Khara employees were interviewed or had commented for this report or any similar report about unannounced projects "now or ever." Shinchosha's Daily Shincho website had posted an article that first appeared in the May 6/13 issue of the Weekly Shinchō m...
My Hero Academia Manga Takes 1-Week Break Due to Author's Health
― The official Twitter account for Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed on Friday that Kohei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia manga will take a break from the upcoming 18th issue on Monday, due to the author's poor health. The Twitter account stated that Horikoshi is recovering. The manga will have a new chapter in this year's 19th issue, which will release on April 12. The manga entered its ...
Megumi Han, Mariya Ise Tease New Recording for 'That Project'
Voice actress Megumi Han shared on her Instagram account on Saturday that she is recording voice acting for "that project." She noted that she was recording alongside her "partner," who had posted a similar announcement on their Twitter account, and that she was returning to her "starting point." Prior to that post, voice actress Mariya Ise posted on her Twitter account on Friday that she was also...
Sunrise Producer: Gundam Creator Yoshiyuki Tomino Develops 3 New Projects
Sunrise producer Naohiro Ogata revealed during Gunpla Expo Tokyo 2020's Gundam Conference stage event on Sunday that anime director and original Mobile Suit Gundam creator Yoshiyuki Tomino is working on three new projects after he finishes the Gundam Reconguista in G compilation films. Tomino will have more to say on the projects after "some preparation." The Gundam Reconguista in G compilation fi...
Sega Group Managing Director Kenji Matsubara Steps Down
― Sega Sammy Holdings Inc. announced on July 31 that Sega Group Corporation managing director Kenji Matsubara has resigned due to personal reasons. Matsubara joined Sega in 2014, and rose to managing director in 2017. Prior to his employment at Sega, he was also the representative director of game company Koei Tecmo Holdings for nine years. Sources: Sega, GameSpark (Mr. Katoh) via Otakomu, gamesindu...
Girls und Panzer/Shirobako Director Tsutomu Mizushima Teases New Project
― Director Tsutomu Mizushima (Girls und Panzer, Shirobako, The Magnificent KOTOBUKI) teased on his Twitter account on Monday that he is close to starting up a new project that has been in the planning stages "for years." Some repliers tried to guess the project, asking if the project could be a finale to You're Being Summoned, Azazel or a new Bludgeoning Angel Dokuro-chan project. Mizushima said bot...
Hideo Kojima Joins Venice International Film Festival's Virtual Reality Jury
― The organizers of the 77th Venice International Film Festival announced on Sunday that game developer Hideo Kojima will be one of three members of the festival's international jury for the Venice Virtual Reality section. The section will judge works to award the festival's Grand Jury Prize for Best VR Immersive Work, Best VR Immersive User Experience, and Best VR Immersive Story awards. Kojima des...
Director Tatsuki Teases Short Video Airing on TV on January 4
― Director Tatsuki posted a short video on Twitter on Saturday that hints at something that will air on January 4 at 11:57 p.m on Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, Tochigi TV, and BS11. The latest episode of the Fate/Grand Order Absolute Demonic Front: Babylonia anime will air on all those stations starting at 11:30 p.m., and then the Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Side Story anime will debut on those st...
Voice Actor Johnny Yong Bosch Confirms Role as Broly from Dragon Ball Franchise
― Voice actor Johnny Yong Bosch confirmed in various responses to users on Twitter on December 3 that he is voicing the Broly character from the Dragon Ball franchise. While Bosch did not specify in what medium or project he is voicing the character, the character Broly from the Dragon Ball Super: Broly film joined the cast of playable characters in Bandai Namco Entertainment's Dragon Ball FighterZ ...
Leiji Matsumoto Cancels Appearance at November 30 Event in Japan
― The Kita-Q International Manga Fest event announced on Monday that Leiji Matsumoto canceled his appearance at the November 30 event for health reasons. The event will be held at West Japan General Exhibition Center in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka from November 30 to December 1. Matsumoto was hospitalized in Turin, Italy last Friday after collapsing, but his condition eventually stabilized the following day...
SIE Worldwide Studios Chairman Shawn Layden, SIE Corporate Director Atsushi Morita Both Resign
― Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced on Tuesday that SIE Worldwide Studios chairman Shawn Layden (first image below) has resigned from his position and left SIE. In addition, the company also announced on the same day that SIE Japan Asia president and SIE corporate director Atsushi Morita (second image below) has retired due to age. Kazuhiko Takeda will take over his position as SIE corp...
Voice Actress Aoi Yūki Launches Project With Chimera Theme With Goal of Getting Anime Project Greenlit
― Voice actress Aoi Yūki launched a website on Sunday to reveal a new original project she is working on with the goal of getting an anime greenlit. The project has a theme of "chimera," and Yūki is herself in charge of the planning, original work, and original character designs. The project is currently titled "YUKI×AOI Chimera Project." Yūki debuted as a voice actress in 2003 and starred for the f...
Katsuhiro Otomo Works on 'New Movie Project'
― A poster outside the Los Angeles Convention Center hosting Anime Expo revealed on Wednesday that Katsuhiro Otomo is working on a new movie project. Anime Expo lists that at a "Legend, Katsuhiro Otomo New Projects Announcement" panel on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. PDT, Otomo will announce a new project. Otomo is himself attending the event. Otomo began his career as a manga creator on such works as Domu...
P.A. Works Producer Expresses Desire to Work With Jun Maeda on New Original Project
― Both the official Japanese and English Twitter accounts for the P.A. Works animation studio revealed on April 18 and 19, respectively, that studio producer Mitsuhito Tsuji would like to work on a new original work with writer Jun Maeda. Tsuji also noted that the sixth episode of Charlotte and the 10th episode of Angel Beats! were the most that Tsuji cried at a P.A. Works show. Maeda first collabor...
Made in Abyss Art Director Osamu Masuyama Works with Crunchyroll on New Project
― Made in Abyss art director Osamu Masuyama revealed during Crunchyroll's livestream for its The Anime Awards on Saturday that he is working on a new project with Crunchyroll. Masuyama did not provide any further details about the project. Osamu Masayama, the art director of MADE IN ABYSS, wishes the nominees of ANIME OF THE YEAR good luck! ✨#AnimeAwards pic.twitter.com/PajWBeOEOr— Crunchyroll @ #An...
Bayonetta/Star Fox Zero's Yusuke Hashimoto Leaves Platinum Games
― Platinum Games director Yūsuke Hashimoto announced on Friday on Twitter that he resigned from Platinum Games. His last day at the company was on January 31. Like many of Platinum Games' founding and early members, Hashimoto was a Capcom veteran, where he worked on such series as Resident Evil and Devil May Cry. At Platinum Games, he most notably worked on the two Bayonetta games, God Hand, and Sta...
Yuuki Ono Cancels On-Camera Appearance But Still Voice-Acts After Bicycle Accident
Voice actor Yuuki Ono announced on Tuesday that his voice is fine, but he has to cancel an on-camera appearance while he recuperates from a bicycle accident. Ono explained that he was riding his bicycle on a slope when he braked to slow down. His tires slipped and he fell down, breaking two left fingers and injuring his face. He confirmed that his voice is fine, and that he did not lose consciousn...
Manga Artist Hiroshi Shiibashi's Youmacon Appearance Cancelled
― Detroit convention Youmacon announced on Sunday that manga creator Hiroshi Shiibashi (Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan, Illegal Rare) will not be able to attend this year's convention as previously announced due to a work conflict. The convention will be held from November 1-4 at the Cobo Center and The Renaissance Center. Other Japanese guests include Shuji Maruyama, Junichi Hayama, Shigefumi Shingak...
Onsen Musume Replaces Ayaka Imamura With Mayu Yoshioka
The official Twitter account for Enbound, Inc.'s Onsen Musume (Hot Spring Girls) project announced on Friday that Mayu Yoshioka will take the place of Ayaka Imamura as the character Mahiro Iizaka (pictured right). Imamura's agency announced on Friday that she will retire from the entertainment industry at the end of the month due to her worsening health. The Onsen Musume idol project features hot ...
Tsukipro Suspends SolidS CD Releases Due to Yuichiro Umehara's Illness
The official website for "2.5 dimensional" agency Tsukino Talent Production announced on Thursday that all CD releases for the group SolidS are "undecided" while cast member Yuichiro Umehara (the voice of the character Dai Murase) recovers from his illness. Umehara was hospitalized in May after being diagnosed with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, an autoimmune disease that affects the nervou...
John Lasseter to Leave Disney at the End of the Year
The Hollywood Reporter reported on Friday that John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios, is leaving the company at the end of this year, until which time he will serve a new consulting role with the company. In a statement, Lasseter said that he has "decided the end of this year is the right time to begin focusing on new creative challenges...
Voice Actors Jun Fukuyama, Shinnosuke Tachibana Leave Axl One to Form Own 'Black Ship' Agency
Talent management agency Axl One announced on March 31 that voice actors Jun Fukuyama and Shinnosuke Tachibana left the agency to form their own company. The two voice actors then announced on April 2 that they have formed the new Black Ship agency. Fukuyama and Tachibana are listed as representative directors and CEOs of the company. Some of Fukuyama's notable roles include Lelouch from Code Geas...
Love Live! Voice Actress Sora Tokui Changes Agencies
Voice actress, singer, and manga artist Sora Tokui announced that her contract with her current agency Hibiki is expiring on March 31, so she will change agencies to Avex Pictures starting on April 1. Tokui is a member of the Milky Holmes idol group with Suzuko Mimori, Izumi Kitta, and Mikoi Sasaki, although the group is breaking up next February. Her anime voice roles include Tantei Opera Milky H...
Singer Eir Aoi's Site Reopens
The official website for singer Eir Aoi reopened and updated on Thursday. The site now contains an image of a faint blue light. It is the first update to the site since the singer went on hiatus in November 2016. Aoi went on indefinite hiatus after her 5th Anniversary Special Live 2016 concert. She had announced in August 2016 that due to her poor health, she would be halting her current activitie...
Downwell Game Creator Moppin Joins Nintendo
Ojiro "Moppin" Fujimoto, the creator of the Downwell video game, revealed on Tuesday that he has joined Nintendo. Fujimoto released Downwell for PC and iOS devices in 2015, and the game then launched for PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and Android devices in 2016. The platform shooting game centers on a man who encounters monsters and treasure as he explores the depths of a well in a local park. ...
Voice Actress Romi Park Leaves Agency After 22 Years to Go Independent
Voice actress Romi Park announced on Twitter on Tuesday that she is leaving her agency Enkikaku after 22 years. She opened a new personal website titled LAL in order to work independently. Park commented, "While I am nervous about being able to embark on a new journey at this age, I am excited." She also noted that she is happy to have this chance. Park's many voice roles include Fullmetal Alchemi...
Kemono Friends Director Tatsuki Recruits Background Artists
Kemono Friends anime director TATSUKI announced on October 28 that he is recruiting experienced background artists for an unannounced project. He said that he would reply to proposals by the end of the month. ふと、背景美術に興味ある方おられるでしょうか?白水とやりとりしつつ描いていただく具合になります。今回は経験者の方のが合うかも…。おられましたらリプかメールにて是非。一旦今月末までー。特に即、何かあるではないのですが、出た時にお声がけするかも感です。よろしくお願いいたします pic.twitter.com/GL9D6KuF3z— たつき/irodori (@irodori7) Oc...
God Eater, Tales of Zestiria Composer Gō Shiina Leaves Bandai Namco
Composer Gō Shiina announced on Friday that he has retired from Bandai Namco Entertainment as of Friday. Shiina said that the past 20 years working for the company have been enjoyable, and that he is looking forward to a fresh start. Shiina's works with Bandai Namco have included God Eater, Tales of Zestiria, and The IDOLM@STER. He has also composed music for anime such as Dimension W, Kyousogiga,...
Mizuki Productions Posts Discovered Plot Details For Unreleased Shigeru Mizuki Work
The official Twitter account of Mizuki Production revealed the story draft for a manga labeled "Nekoman" by the late manga author Shigeru Mizuki. The manga describes a story about a "baby of justice who connects the human and cat worlds." Mizuki had apparently only finished the concept of the story before passing away. 水木が書こうとしていた漫画の、プロットが見つかりました。〜猫界と人間界をつなく正義のベビー「ネコマン」〜! 原案のみで終わってしまい残念!読みたかった!笑 p...
Russian Court Reduces Sentence In Pokémon Go Case
A court in Yekaterinburg, Russia ruled on Friday to reduce blogger Ruslan Sokolovsky's prison sentence for posting a video of himself playing Pokémon Go in a church. He had previously received a three-and-a-half year suspended sentence after being found guilty of “inciting hatred” and “offending believers' feelings," but the sentence has been cut to two years and three months. The court reduced th...
Yoshiki Cancels Anime Expo Appearance Due to Surgery Recovery
YOSHIKI, leader of rock band X Japan, announced on Twitter on Sunday that he will not be able to appear at Anime Expo in Los Angeles as planned because "X Japan rehearsal is taking longer due to my recovery." He apologized and added "but I'll see you again." I'm very sorry @AnimeExpo I can't make it today. #XJapan rehearsal is taking longer due to my recovery, but I'll see you again. I apologize.—...
Studio Trigger to Announce New Titles at Anime Expo (Updated)
Little Witch Academia director Yoh Yoshinari to attend
― Studio Trigger announced on its official Twitter account on Thursday that it will reveal "multiple" new titles at the Anime Expo convention this year. It will host a panel on July 2 to make the announcements. The Twitter account also mentioned that Yoh Yoshinari (Little Witch Academia director and character designer) will be appearing at the In...
Hayao Miyazaki Has Only Drawn 20 Minutes of Storyboards for Proposed Feature Film
Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki revealed more details about director Hayao Miyazaki's proposed feature film at the Niconico Chōkaigi 2017 convention on Saturday. Miyazaki is drawing the storyboards for the project now, and has been since last July. However, Suzuki then said that Miyazaki has only drawn 20 minutes of storyboards so far, which is not a good sign of progress toward the previousl...
TV Guide Japan Launches Magazine About Male Voice Actors
The 54th issue of Tokyo News Service's TV Guide Person magazine announced announced on Thursday that a new visual magazine tentatively titled TV Guide Voice Stars will launch in Japan on March 8. The magazine will focus exclusively on male voice actors. 【お知らせ】本日発売の「TVガイドPERSON VOL.54」で発表しましたが、3/8(水)に男性声優だけのビジュアルマガジン「TVガイドVOICE STARS(仮)」が誕生!創刊号の表紙はアニメ「進撃の巨人」から梶裕貴さん。その他キャストは随時解禁していくので、お楽しみに!! pic.tw...
Producer: Hideaki Anno is Working on His Next Project
Shin Godzilla executive producer Akihiro Yamauchi appeared at the Kinema Jumpo awards ceremony on Sunday to accept the award for Best Scriptwriter on behalf of Hideaki Anno. At the ceremony, he mentioned that Anno is already working on his next project. His statement is as follows: I'm sorry to those who hoped to see Director Anno! Director Anno is a man of few words, so all he had to say was "tha...
Sakura Nogawa Changes Agencies to Office Anemone
Voice actress Sakura Nogawa announced on Wednesday that she has changed agencies to Office Anemone. She was previously affiliated with RAMS. In addition, she revealed that Office Anemone will hold an event to celebrate her birthday. The event will take place on March 5, with more details to be announced at a later date. Nogawa's actual birthday is March 1. Nogawa had taken a one-year hiatus on Aug...
Animator Shingo Yamashita Names Staff for Original Anime Project
Animator Shingo Yamashita announced on his Twitter account on Wednesday that he is working on an original anime project. He announced four staff members for the anime: Original Work, Director: Shingo Yamashita
Character Design: Noriyuki Imaoka
Animation Director: Tatsuro Kawano
Key Animation: Hiromitsu Seki Yamashita did not specify the type of anime, but he described the project as "sort of a hob...
Voice Actress Ayana Taketatsu Changes Agencies
Singer and voice actress Ayana Taketatsu announced on her blog on Sunday that she has joined the Link Plan voice acting agency effective January 1, parting ways with her previous agency, Assemble Heart. Other voice actresses who belong to Link Plan include Nichika Omori (World Break: Aria of Curse for a Holy Swordsman's Yuri, Sky Wizards Academy's Coela) and Marika Hayase (Idol Memories's Sena, Ve...
Black Lagoon Manga Creator Rei Hiroe Plans 'Big New Dimension Project'
The December issue of Shogakukan's Sunday GX magazine revealed on Saturday that manga creator Rei Hiroe is planning a "big new dimension project." The magazine's next issue, which Shogakukan will ship on December 19, will contain more information on the project, as well as a preview of the project's visual, and a poster with art by Hiroe. Hiroe is best known for his Black Lagoon action manga, whic...
Tomokazu Seki, Mai Nakahara to Appear at Event for Gen Urobuchi's New Project
Nitroplus announced details on Friday for its Wonder Festival (Winter) 2016 stage event on February 7 about writer Gen Urobuchi's next project. Urobuchi, Nitroplus producer Digitarou, Good Smile Company representative Takanori Aki, and voice actors Tomokazu Seki (Psycho-Pass' Kogami) and Mai Nakahara (Fairy Tail's Juvia) will appear at the event. Nitroplus will also unveil a promotional video at t...
Hikaru Utada's Website Denies Report of Her Spring 2016 Return Plans
Universal Music's Hidenobu Okita posted on singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada's official website on Thursday that a media report that Utada's new album will release next spring is false. Okita added that Utada is continuing to work on the new album intermittently, but that it is not at a stage yet where they can reveal a release period. Okita noted that Utada's official homepage will reveal the releas...
Noragami Editor Yohei Takami to Appear in NYC
Also: Kodansha USA to make Fairy Tail license announcement at event
― Manga editor Yohei Takami (Noragami, Alive: The Final Evolution, Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad) will appear at the Kinokuniya bookstore in New York City this Sunday, November 15 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. He will give a presentation on the editorial process and share concept art and sketches for Adachitoka's Noragami manga. Kodansha Comics i...
Dreamworks' Brad Woods Joins Viz Media as Chief Marketing Officer
Viz Media announced on Monday that it has named Brad Woods as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). He will handle marketing for titles across all of the company's imprints. Woods previously worked at DreamWorks Animation as Senior Vice President, where he was involved in marketing of films such as Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, and How To Train Your Dragon. He has also held senior positions at Mattel and Wa...
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