Hunter x Hunter Adds Aya Hirano, Masaya Matsukaze to Cast

This year's 46th issue of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine is revealing on Monday that Aya Hirano and Masaya Matsukaze are joining the cast of the new Hunter X Hunter television anime. Hirano will play Menchi in the fifth episode, while Matsukaze will play the character known as Gittarackur as of the fourth episode on Monday.

The second television anime adaptation of Yoshihiro Togashi's Hunter X Hunter manga premiered on October 2. The cast thus far have been different from the cast in the earlier 1999-2001 television anime. Crunchyroll is streaming the anime in several countries as it airs in Japan.

(ANN)

Detective Conan Singer Mai Kuraki's Concert Streamed

The Ustream website will stream the "Great Eastern Japan Earthquake Reconstruction Aid Charity Live Mai Kuraki Premium Live One for all, All for one" charity concert by singer Mai Kuraki live on Saturday, October 22 at 6:00 p.m. in Japan (5:00 a.m. EDT). The live event will also be streamed on YouTube, Nico Nico Douga, GyaO!, and au Exclusive Live websites. The concert is taking place at the Budokan concert hall in Tokyo.

This concert will be a collaboration between Kuraki and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. Kuraki has participated in other earthquake charity events in the past. She wrote a charity song "Anata ga Iru Kara" (Because You are Here), and collaborated with professional figure skater Shizuka Arakawa to create a charity movie titled "Anata ga Iru Kara ~Fantasy on Ice 2011~"

Kuraki sang the theme song for two opening and two ending songs for Case Closed, and has also sang the theme song for the Case Closed: Countdown to Heaven film, the Detective Conan: Crossroad in the Ancient Capital film, the Detective Conan: The Raven Chaser film, the Detective Conan: 16 Suspects OAV, and the Patapata Hikōsen no Bōken television anime series.

(ANN)

MTV Streaming X-Men Anime's New Clip with English dubbing.

MTV's Splash Page blog began streaming an exclusive clip from the X-Men anime with English dubbing on Thursday.

The 12-episode series will premiere on the American television channel G4 on Friday at 11:00 p.m. ET. In the series and the above clip, Scott Porter plays Cyclops, and Steven Blum reprises his Wolverine role from the American series Wolverine and the X-Men and various video games. The Japanese studio MADHOUSE produced all four Marvel Anime series, including the upcoming Blade.

The story of X-Men revolves around the title mutant team being reunited after the death of a teammate. The members search in Japan for a missing teenage girl, Hisako Ikichi. "There, they encounter the fanatical and anti-mutant group, U-MEN, and discover what was important enough for Xavier to bring them back together."

Law of Ueki's Fukuchi Launches Anagle Mole Manga

Shogakukan's 47th issue of Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine began serializing the new Anagle Mole manga by The Law of Ueki creator Tsubasa Fukuchi on Wednesday.

The comedy manga takes place in a world where some people dwell on the surface of the planet while others live underground. Some of the world's underground inhabitants are plotting to invade the above-ground society. In order to understand the lives and behavior of those who live above them, the people who live underground are planning expeditions to the surface.

The story follows a young spy from the underground named Teisatsu. In the manga's first chapter, Teisatsu ventures to the above-ground world, and the people's customs shock him as he interacts with those he meets on his journey.

Weekly Shonen Sunday serialized Fukuchi's The Law of Ueki manga beginning in 2001, and the manga artist launched the ping pong manga series Takkoku!!! in Shogakukan's monthly Shonen Sunday Super Zōkan spinoff magazine in 2009.

(ANN)

Devil May Cry HD Collection Officially Headed to U.S., Europe

The game publisher CAPCOM officially announced on Monday that it will release the Devil May Cry HD Collection for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles in the United States and Europe in early 2012. The collection will include high-definition upgrades of Devil May Cry, Devil May Cry 2, and Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening Special Edition for US$39.99.

Earlier this year, the Entertainment Software Rating Board already listed the three games for re-release on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The franchise inspired the Devil May Cry television anime series (pictured right) which ADV Films and CAPCOM released in North America.

(ANN)

Sentai Filmworks Licenses Broken Blade Anime Films

Sentai Filmworks announced on Monday that it has licensed the six-part anime film series Broken Blade (Break Blade). The Anime Network will stream the film series online starting in October, and Sentai Filmworks will release the series on DVD and Blu-ray Disc in 2012.

The series was directed by chief director Tetsuro Amino (Macross 7, Shiki) and director Nobuyoshi Habara (Negima!, Fafner), with Production I.G and Xebec handling the animation. Masashi Sogo (Bleach, Fairy Tail, Gantz) wrote the screenplay.

The film series is based on Yunosuke Yoshinaga's alternate-world robot manga. Flex Comix publishes the manga in Japan, while CMX Manga published three manga volumes in North America before DC Comics shut down the imprint last year.

Sentai Filmworks describes the film series as follows:

In Cruzon, children are born with the ability to control quartz. This power allows them to levitate simple objects—or control enormous and complex mobile battle suits called Golems. But when an ancient Golem is discovered during the height of a brutal war, a young king and his beautiful queen turn to Rygart Arrow. Though an “un-sorcerer”, Rygart can miraculously pilot this ancient and powerful weapon. But in war, school friends can turn into bitter enemies and allies have suspicious motives.

(ANN)

Japanese Box Office, October 1–2

The live-action film sequel to the manga-based television series Moteki stayed at No. 2 for a second weekend on Kogyo Tsushinsha's chart, and dropped from No. 1 to No. 2 on Box Office Mojo's chart. It earned the equivalent of US$2,761,642 on 276 screens for a new total of US$11,134,811.

Madhouse's anime adaptation of Koroku Inumura's aerial adventure light novel To Aru Hikūshi e no Tsuioku opened at No. 15. It earned US$271,722 on 91 screens.

Priest, the loose live-action adaptation of Min-Woo Hyung's manhwa, dropped from No. 16 to No. 17 in its second weekend. It added US$30,885 on 32 screens for a grand total of US$193,478.

From Up on Poppy Hill (Kokuriko-Zaka Kara) is no longer listed on either box office charts. Justin Lin's Fast Five opened as the new No. 1 film.

(ANN)

New York Times Manga Best Sellers List for September 25-October 1

Here are the top ten selling manga from September 25-October 1, 2011, according to the New York Times.

1. SAILOR MOON, Vol. 1, by Naoko Takeuchi. (Kodansha Comics, $10.99.)

The incredibly popular manga series that spawned an anime series, stage musicals and countless imitators gets a new printing.

2. A CERTAIN SCIENTIFIC RAILGUN, VOL. 2, by Kazuma Kamachi. (Seven Seas Entertainment, $11.99.)

Welcome to Academy City, which teems with psychics. One of them is Mikoto Misaka, who investigates the dark side of things.

3. CODENAME: SAILOR V, Vol. 1, by Naoko Takeuchi. (Kodansha Comics, $10.99.)

A predecessor to "Sailor Moon," this collection of stories has never before been printed in the United States.

4. NEGIMA!, VOL. 31, by Ken Akamatsu. (Kodansha Comics, $10.99.)
N

egi, the boy wizard, learns he will be teaching English at an all-girls high school in Japan, but he must keep his powers a secret.

5. FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, VOL. 26, by Hiromu Arakawa. (VIZ Media, $9.99.)

Two brothers harmed in a ritual that was half magic/half science seek the legendary Philosopher’s Stone to make things right.

6. NARUTO, VOL. 52, by Masashi Kishimoto. (VIZ Media, $9.99.)

Naruto meets a former classmate and must face-off with him... to the death!

7. XXXHOLIC, VOL. 17, by Clamp. (Del Rey, $10.99.)

Troubled by spirits that only he can see, Watanuki Kimiharo strikes a Faustian bargain with an alluring witch to get rid of them.

8. BLACK BIRD, VOL. 10, by Kanoko Sakurakoji. (VIZ Media, $9.99.)

Misao Harada can see into a magical realm where she is the bride demon of prophecy. In the volume, the truth about a past incident is revealed, but is it worth the pain it will cause?

9. BLEACH, VOL. 36, by Tite Kubo. (VIZ Media, $9.99.)

Ichigo Kurosaki sees dead people and must help usher them safely into the afterlife. In this volume, a look at how "soul catching" was done 100 years ago.

10. VAMPIRE KISSES: GRAVEYARD GAMES, VOL. 1, by Ellen Schreiber. (HarperCollins, $9.99.)

This is the story of Raven, a goth girl, and Alexander, her boyfriend who is dreamy and a vampire.

The New York Times newspaper listed the manga bestsellers in the United States for the week ending on October 1. Not all of the works are produced in Japan.

Gundam AGE to Stream in 5 Languages as It Airs

The Nikkei business news source reported on Sunday that Mobile Suit Gundam AGE, the newest television anime series in Sunrise's Gundam robot franchise, will stream in five languages. According to Nikkei, the anime will stream overseas with Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Korean, and English subtitles at the same time it airs in Japan.

Nikkei added that Sunrise's Gundam.Info website will stream the anime for free for a month. The anime will premiere in Japan on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. (4:00 a.m. EDT).

Gundam AGE's story will cover a century and three generations of Gundam pilots. In the year A.G. 101 (Advanced Generation) — several hundred years after humans have migrated into space — an Unknown Enemy (UE) suddenly attacks the space colony Angel and destroys it. In A.G. 108, the war with the UE comes to the home colony of seven-year-old Furitto Asuno. After losing his mother to the war, he is entrusted with the "AGE Device," a memory unit with blueprints for an ancient mobile suit known as "Gundam."

In the year A.G. 115, 14-year-old Furitto is at the Earth Federation base Arinsuton on the space colony Nora. For seven years, Furitto has continued developing the mobile suit with the base's engineers, and at last the "Gundam" is complete. However, the UE has arrived at Nora, and Furitto must fight in the very Gundam he built himself.

Akihiro Hino, president of the game studio Level-5 (Inazuma Eleven, Danbōru Senki), is supervising the story of the anime. Susumu Yamaguchi is helming the project after directing most of the Keroro Gunsō (Sgt. Frog) films. Yamaguchi also worked as a key animator on Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory, Mobile Suit Gundam F91, Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, and the Mobile Suit Gundam Seed titles.

(ANN)

Konami Selling 8 gigabyte SD Love Plus Girlfriend Hearts With Bonus Download Content

Konami is selling 8 gigabyte SD cards themed around girlfriends Nene, Rinko and Manaka, and they've for some reason named the items Nene's Heart, Rinko's Heart and Manaka's heart. Each "heart" sells for ¥2,604 and will be available on December 8.

That's also the release date for New Love Plus. The memory cards come with special in-game items for the 3DS title. Buyers at Konami Style can select between Plan A, consisting of a hat gift and a special "Night Cruise Pair Ticket" date, or Plan B, consisting of a ring, an apron and a muffler and sweater set

(Andriasang)

Square Enix's Army Corps of Hell Trailer Streamed

Sony's PlayStation YouTube channel began streaming a trailer for Square Enix's Army Corps of Hell PlayStation Vita game on Thursday. The video is an English-language version of the game's Tokyo Game Show 2011 trailer and includes gameplay clips of demons' bloody struggles for power.

The demon army game follows the story of the King of Hell who tries to reclaim his throne after being banished. The King of Hell must amass a large goblin army in order to defeat powerful demons who stand in his way and retake the throne.

Developed by Entersphere, Army Corps of Hell utilizes the PlayStation Vita's rear touch pad in a rhythm mini-game that heals the King of Hell's soldiers. The game includes crafting and leveling systems to strengthen troops and develop their abilities. Players can also join forces in a multiplayer mode to defeat larger enemies and earn rare items.

Army Corps of Hell will ship in Japan on December 17 for the retail price of 4,980 yen (about US$65), and it will release in Europe in 2012. More information will follow in the months leading to the game's release.

(ANN)

2 Dragon Ball Z Ultimate Tenkaichi Game Trailers Streamed

The official website for the next video game in the Dragon Ball franchise, Dragon Ball Z Ultimate Tenkaichi (Dragon Ball Ultimate Blast in Japan), began streaming two new videos for the game on Friday. The new videos include the video shown at the Tokyo Game Show last month and a teaser commercial.

Dragon Ball Z Ultimate Tenkaichi will feature upgraded environmental and character graphics, with designs drawn from the original manga series. The name Dragon Ball Z Ultimate Tenkaichi was selected by English-speaking fans.

Namco Bandai Games will release the game in North America on October 25 and in Europe on October 28. The game will be released in Japan on December 8.

(Andriasang)

L'Arc~en~Ciel Performs Manga-Based Wild 7 Film's Theme

Rock band L'Arc~en~Ciel will sing the theme song for this year's manga-based Wild 7 film adaptation directed by Eiichirō Hasumi. The group's lead singer hyde will perform the vocals in the song for which a title has not yet been announced. The live-action film, based on Mikiya Mochizuki's police action manga, will open in Japan on December 21.

The film's executive producer Hiroyoshi Koiwai (L change the WorLd, ICHI) said L'Arc~en~Ciel was picked for the role because their sound will blend well with the film's dark and serious yet youthful and sexy atmosphere. After reading the film's script, Hyde said he tried his best to fit the song for the film by creating the sensation of riding a motorcycle.

Mochizuki's original manga follows the story of seven motorcycle-riding outlaws who catch criminals that have protection from the regular police force. In the film, Wild 7 has to find the group plotting to release a deadly virus in the sky over Tokyo. Actor Eita (Nodame Cantabile, Azumi, Densha Otoko) will star in the film as Dairoku Hiba, the young leader of the Wild 7 secret police team.

The Wild 7 manga originally serialized from 1969 to 1979 in Shonengahosha's Weekly Shōnen King magazine. Mochizuki drew three manga sequels to the original series, and his story also provided the basis for live-action television drama, television anime, and original video anime (OVA) adaptations.

Hasumi's upcoming live-action film will also receive its own manga adaptation in Shonengahosha's Young King magazine.

(Mantan Web)

K-On! Film Partners with Lumine Department Stores

The Lumine department stores in Shinjuku and Shibuya, Tokyo are collaborating with the upcoming K-ON! movie production from October 7 to November 13 (November 9 in Shibuya). The Lumine Est and Lumine Man stores in those locations will display various K-ON!/Lumine promotional images and give away special K-ON! novelty items only available at those locations. The partnership is intended to promote both the stores and the K-ON! film before it premieres on December 3 in Japan.

In order to get the exclusive items, customers must spend over 5,000 yen (about US$65) to receive a scratch card. The card will determine whether the shopper gets a mug, a notebook, or one of 7 varieties of plastic folders. Quantities of all the items will be limited.

Lumine is a Japanese department store chain owned by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) that specializes in high-end products and fashion labels. There are various Lumine stores located throughout Tokyo and Yokohama, usually placed near JR East's train stations.

Naoko Yamada and Reiko Yoshida will continue their staff roles from the first two K-ON! television series as director and scriptwriter for the upcoming movie. A full trailer for the film centering on the five female members of Sakuragaoka High School's light music club began streaming on the official website in September.

(ANN)

Nagayama Kento, Nishiyama Maki, Kanai Yuta, Tayama Ryosei are The newest “Ranma 1/2″ cast

Several more cast members have been announced for the live-action “Ranma 1/2” drama special that was announced last week. The newest additions are Nagayama Kento, Nishiyama Maki, Kanai Yuta, and Tayama Ryosei.

Based on the classic manga by Takahashi Rumiko, the drama was already known to be an original script starring Aragaki Yui as Tendo Akane, with Kaku Kento and Natsuna playing the two halves of Saotome Ranma.

Nagayama will play Ranma’s rival Kuno Tatewaki, while Nishiyama will play Akane’s sister Nabiki. Kanai has been cast as Gosunkugi Hikaru.

Tayama will play an original character named Okamada, who is the vice principal of Akane’s school and serves as an antagonist to the main characters.

NTV will broadcast the “Ranma 1/2″ drama special this December.

(TokyoGraph)

Sailor Moon pushed Naruto down to #3 in Top 20 Graphic Novels

Naoko Takeuchi's return to North American shelves put the first volumes of her Sailor Moon and Codename: Sailor V manga at the top of Nielsen BookScan's top 20 graphic novels in American bookstores in September. They pushed Naruto volume 52 down to #3.

The other manga in the top 10 are Black Bird volume 10 (#6), Bleach volume 36 (#8), and the 26th and penultimate volume of Fullmetal Alchemist (#9). Dance in the Vampire Bund volumes 7 (#12), 6 (#13), and 9 (#17); Grand Guignol Orchestra volume 1 (#15); Omamori Himari volume 1 (#18), and Ultimo volume 2 (#20) round out the manga in the top 20.

The BookScan rankings represent sales at Barnes & Noble and other book chains, independent bookshops, and online purchases — but not sales at comic book stores, Walmart, and some other venues.

K-ON! Film's Streamed 30 Second Television Commercial on Tuesday

The official website for the K-ON! film adaptation began streaming a new 30-second television commercial on Tuesday. The ad contains no new footage but condenses the film's full trailer.

The K-ON! film will open in over 130 theaters in Japan on December 3. It will depict the five female members of Sakuragaoka High School's light music club in a story not seen in the television series. The official website also began streaming two teaser trailers for the film in April and June.

(ANN)

Nintendo Announced a Black Version of the Pokemon Typing goes in November

Continuing with a series of hardware announcements, Nintendo and Pokemon Company today announced a black version of the Pokemon Typing Bluetooth mini keyboard.

Like the original white keyboard, the black keyboard will come bundled with Pokemon Typing. Except for the color, the two keyboards are the same.

Look for the new color variation in mid November, priced ¥5,800

(Andriasang)

Sentai Filmworks Reveals New Acquisitions

Sentai Filmworks has formally revealed its acquisition of distribution rights to the Akikan!, Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai, and Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru television series and the Towa no Quon motion picture series.

The 12-episode harem comedy from 2009 Akikan! is based on Riku Ranjo & Hiro Suzuhira’s light novel series about a young man who begins living with aluminum beverage cans that have magically transformed into human girls that need daily transfusions of carbon dioxide from kissing to survive.

The first The World God Only Knows (Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai) anime TV series based on Tamiki Wakaki’s manga premiered last year. A second season aired this year. The romantic comedy revolves around a master of dating simulation games charged with seducing real girls to capture the runaway demons hiding in the girls’ hearts. Sentai has not clarified if its acquisition license includes the “KamiNomi” second TV series or OVA.

The fall 2010 Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru off-kilter slice-of-life comedy will be released domestically under the English title “And yet The Town Moves.” The adaptation of Masakazu Ishiguro’s manga revolves around the daily lives & whimsical thoughts of high school girls that work part time at a small, suburbian Japanese café.

Towa no Quon is Studio BONES’ ongoing series of six original sci-fi/action short movies that pit teens with supernatural powers against a shadowy government organization that considers the teens a dangerous threat to be eliminated.

The SoreMachi license is a nice treat.

(AnimeNation)

Naruto Shippuden the Movie - Bonds Premieres at New York Comic Con on October 15th

San Francisco, CA, October 4, 2011 – Viz Media, LLC (Viz Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, complements its presence at the 2011 New York Comic Con with the exclusive U.S. theatrical premiere of the latest NARUTO SHIPPUDEN feature film, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS (English subtitled), on Saturday, October 15th at 7:00pm at the New York School of Visual Arts Theatre. A special pre-show red carpet event featuring Japanese voice actress Junko Takeuchi, who provides the original voice for Naruto, will take place at the theatre beginning at 6:00pm.

The School of Visual Arts Theatre is located at 333 West 23rd Street, within walking distance of the Jacob Javits Convention Center where the 2011 New York Comic Con will take place October 13th–16th. Seating is on a first-come/first-served basis. Comic Con attendees can secure free tickets to the premiere at Viz Media's Booth #932. Check a schedule posted at the Viz Media booth for the designated times for free ticket giveaways!

The first 200 attendees in line for the premiere will receive a NARUTO plush toy. Premiere attendees will also receive a special Viz Media Heroes Of Anime gift bag with an amazing assortment of goodies, including the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™: Ultimate Ninja Impact™ video game for the PSP (courtesy Namco Bandai), NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Collectable Card Game packs (courtesy Bandai America), NARUTO keychains (courtesy Great Eastern), and other assorted collectibles.

“Junko Takeuchi is one of the most respected voice actors in the Japanese anime industry and we're honored to welcome her as a very special guest of honor for this theatrical premiere event,” says Candice Uyloan, Director, Marketing. “NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS is the second feature film in the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN story arc and Naruto and his friends must face down a dangerous new airborne menace in this latest action-packed adventure. Don't miss this fun event which is sure to be a must-attend for every anime and action film fan during New York Comic Con!”

In NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS (rated T+ for Older Teens), a group of mysterious flying ninja have arrived from overseas to launch a sudden attack against the Hidden Leaf Village, leaving behind a wake of destruction. The group is revealed to be the “Sky Ninja” from the Land of Sky, a nation thought to have been destroyed by the Hidden Leaf Village long ago. To save their village, Naruto and his friends set out to stop this new threat. During the course of the mission, Naruto crosses paths with Sasuke, his friend who has parted ways from the Leaf Village.

About Viz Media, LLC:
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Viz Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan. Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha, Inc., Shogakukan, Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., Viz Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, Viz Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages. Viz Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products. Learn more about Viz Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

(ANN)