VIZ Media Announces the Hilarious New Manga Series Naruto: Chibi Sasuke’s Sharingan Legend

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

VIZ Media announces the launch of Naruto: Chibi Sasuke’s Sharingan Legend, a hilarious spin-off of the world’s most popular ninja manga series, Naruto, on September 5, 2017.

Naruto: Chibi Sasuke’s Sharingan Legend is written by Kenji Taira. The series is rated “T” for Teens and will be published in print and digital editions under the Shonen Jump imprint; Volume 1 will carry a print MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

Naruto: Chibi Sasuke’s Sharingan Legend will be available digitally via VIZ.com and the VIZ Manga App, as well as from the NOOK, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks, comiXology, and Google Play Store. Subsequent volumes of the series, which is also continuing in Japan, will be published in English on a quarterly basis.

Uchiha Sasuke, the brooding loner who will do anything to avenge his clan and kill his older brother. Yes, this is that story, but with a funny twist. In Naruto: Chibi Sasuke’s Sharingan Legend the characters and story have been flipped on their heads, all for the sake of comedy. With his Taka teammates Suigetsu, Karin and Jugo, Sasuke travels the land and gets into all kinds of wacky adventures. This is a side of Sasuke you’ve never seen before. One bit of advice: do not mock the Uchiha.

“Naruto’s best friend and rival, Sasuke, returns in this hijinks-filled new series,” says Alexis Kirsch, Editor. “We hope fans enjoy the ‘chibi’ art-style that adds to the hilarious flavor of the series, and takes the Naruto canon in a fun new direction!”

Aniplex of America Announces anohana -The Flower We Saw That Day- TV Series Complete Blu-ray Box Set

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Aniplex of America has announced that they will be releasing a Complete Blu-ray Box Set of the anohana – The Flower We Saw That Day – television anime series. The box set will include an English dub featuring Xanthe Huynh as Menma, Erica Lindbeck as Anaru, Ray Chase as Yukiatsu, Erica Mendez as Tsuruko, Kaiji Tang as Poppo, and Griffin Burns as Jintan. The dub is adapted and directed by Patrick Seitz. Pre-orders are being taken now, and the box set will be available on October 31, 2017.

anohana –The Flower We Saw That Day– TV series features an all-star creative team including director Tatsuyuki Nagai, screenwriter Mari Okada, and character designer Masayoshi Tanaka. The box set includes a 60-page deluxe booklet, rigid box, and package illustrated by Mr. Tanaka.

Carl Kimlinger of Anime News Network in a 2012 review of the series writes, “As a test of one’s manly emotional reserve it is pretty much unequaled. But it’s also winning and often darkly funny, incisive and frequently subtle. As an ensemble drama it’s a match for all but the finest character studies, and as a study of grief and healing it is very nearly the equal of Mitsuru Adachi’s baseball masterpieces.”

The English dub premiered at Anime Expo in Los Angeles, California in July 2017, where attendees received a special anohana tissue pack as an homage to the series’ tear-inducing episodes. Following the screening was a panel with the English dub cast, who were surprised with a hilarious blooper reel by English dub producer Sawako Furuya of Aniplex of America.

“I’ve had anohana on the brain ever since I first saw the sub-only release back in 2012, but the thought of it ever getting dubbed after the fact was such a long-shot, it was basically a dream,” says English dub director Patrick Seitz. “The irony isn’t lost on me that one of anohana‘s plot points involves fulfilling a wish from five years ago—and getting to dub it was the fulfillment of my own five-year-old wish.”

anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day- TV Series Complete Blu-ray Box Set includes:

Blu-ray Features

Spoken Languages: English & Japanese
Subtitles: English
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
Episodes: 11
Number of Discs: Two Blu-ray Discs
Total Run Time: Approximately 256 min.
Rating:13 UP

Bonus Contents

Textless Opening & Ending
Textless Opening (Special Version)
Web Previews
Trailers and Commercials
English Dub Teaser
English Dub Trailer
English Dub Bloopers
English Dub Commentary
* Bonus contents subject to change.
* Bonus contents include English subtitles

Bonus Materials and Special Packages

60-page Deluxe Booklet
Rigid Box
Package Illustrated by Masayoshi Tanaka (Character Design)
* Bonus contents subject to change.

Aniplex of America Announces Sword Art Online the Movie -Ordinal Scale- Coming to Blu-ray and DVD with Limited Edition

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Aniplex of America has announced that Sword Art Online the Movie –Ordinal Scale- is coming to Blu-ray and DVD for the first time, along with a Limited Edition release. These releases had been highly anticipated after the movie’s record-breaking success during the theatrical release, grossing $1.35 million during the first four days of the North American release. Pre-orders for all three of the Blu-ray and DVD editions began on August 11, 2017.

The Blu-ray releases will come with bonus contents that include audio commentary by the creators and Japanese cast, as well as a Special Short Animation. On top of the bonus contents, the Limited Edition Blu-ray includes a music CD and a deluxe booklet with special packaging.

The Sword Art Online franchise is based on a light novel by Reki Kawahara, which was a winner of the 15th Dengeki Novel Award Grand Prize, its first volume selling over 18.6 million copies worldwide. The light novel has spawned into video games and comic books in addition to the TV anime adaptation. According to Theron Martin’s review on Anime News Network, the movie differs from many other series-based movies, as the story for the movie is an original work written by Kawahara himself. Focusing on the fans’ favorite characters and “retrofitt[ing] into the franchise’s timeline much more smoothly,” Sword Art Online the Movie –Ordinal Scale- has rightfully garnered a dedicated fan base of its own.

Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale- Limited Edition Blu-ray includes:

Blu-ray Features

Spoken Languages: Japanese & English
Subtitles: English & Spanish
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
Episodes: Feature Movie
Number of Disc: Two (a Blu-ray & CD)
Total Run Time: Approximately 120 min.
Rating: 16 UP (Brief nudity and some violence. Parental guidance suggested.)

Bonus Contents

Audio Commentary by Creators and Japanese Cast:
(Tomohiko Ito, Shingo Adachi, Reki Kawahara, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Haruka Tomatsu and Sayaka Kanda)
Special Short Animation: Sword Art OFFline –Ordinal Scale–
* Bonus contents subject to change.
* Bonus contents include English subtitles.

Bonus Materials & Package

Bonus Music CD:
“Ubiquitous dB –Special ver.-” by Asuna Yuuki (cv: Haruka Tomatsu), Keiko Ayano (cv: Rina Hidaka)
“Break Beat Bark! –special ver.-” by Rika Shinozaki (cv: Ayahi Takagaki), Shino Asada (cv: Miyuki Sawashiro)
“longing –movie ver.-,” “delete –movie ver.-” and “smile for you –movie ver.-” by Yuna (cv: Sayaka Kanda)
Deluxe Booklet
Rigid Box
* Bonus contents subject to change

Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale- Standard Edition Blu-ray includes:

Blu-ray Features>

Spoken Languages: Japanese & English
Subtitles: English & Spanish
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
Episodes: Feature Movie
Number of Disc: One Blu-ray disc
Total Run Time: Approximately 120 min.
Rating: 16 UP (Brief nudity and some violence. Parental guidance suggested.)

Bonus Contents

Audio Commentary by Creators and Japanese Cast: (Tomohiko Ito, Shingo Adachi, Reki Kawahara, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Haruka Tomatsu and Sayaka Kanda)
Special Short Animation: Sword Art OFFline –Ordinal Scale–
* Bonus contents subject to change.
* Bonus contents include English subtitles

Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale- DVD includes:

DVD Features

Spoken Languages: Japanese & English
Subtitles: English & Spanish
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
Episodes: Feature Movie
Number of Disc: One DVD disc
Total Run Time: Approximately 120 min.
Rating: 16 UP (Brief nudity and some violence. Parental guidance suggested.)

Aniplex of America Announces Blu-ray Release of Koyomimonogatari

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Aniplex of America has announced that occult mini-series Koyomimonogatari will receive a Blu-ray release in 2017. After a successful streaming run in Japan back in January 2017, the series will be available on Blu-ray in full quality starting this holiday season.

Based on the original light novel by NisiOisin, Koyomimonogatari follows protagonist Koyomi Araragi and the supernatural cast of girls that surrounds him. Literally translating to “Calendar Story” in English, Koyomimonogatari showcases one episode per month to complete a full year in the odd life of Koyomi Araragi. The 12 episode series features 12 tales that take place during the various occult occurrences of the main Monogatari Series, and every episode lets fans experience all new mysteries with beloved characters from the franchise.

Featuring the talented cast that fans will recognize from the prior installments of the Monogatari Series, Koyomimonogatari includes Hiroshi Kamiya as Koyomi Araragi, Maaya Sakamoto as Shinobu Oshino, and Chiwa Saito as Hitagi Senjyogahara.

Included in the Blu-ray edition will be the PV & CM Collections, a Deluxe Booklet, and a Pinup Postcard set, along with a striking package illustrated by character designer Akio Watanabe. Preorders begin on August 11, 2017.

Koyomimonogatari Blu-ray Set includes:

Blu-ray Features>

Spoken Languages: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Aspect ratio: 16:9 Cinemascope
Episodes: 12 short episodes
Number of Discs: Two Blu-ray Discs
Total Run Time: Approximately 150 min.
Rating: 16 UP

Bonus Contents

PV & CM Collections
* Bonus contents subject to change.
* Bonus contents include English subtitles

Bonus Materials and Special Packages

Deluxe Booklet
Pin-up Postcard Set
Special Package Illustrated by Akio Watanabe (Character Design)
*Bonus Materials and Package are subject to change

Aniplex of America Announces Blu-ray Release of Kizumonogatari Part 3: Reiketsu

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Aniplex of America has announced that the feature film Kizumonogatari Part 3: Reiketsu will be released on Blu-ray. The movie received a nationwide theatrical release earlier in 2017, and now fans of the gruesome trilogy can complete their collection with all three movies on Blu-ray before the holiday season.

Kizumonogatari Part 3: Reiketsu takes places after Kizumonogatari Part 1: Tekketsu and Kizumonogatari Part 2: Nekketsu, and concludes the prequel trilogy that takes place before the main Monogatari Series story. With “reiketsu” translating to “cold-blooded” in English, even the name sets the stage for this gruesome franchise. Anime fans will recognize Studio SHAFT’s unique style and captivating colors that bring the events of the novel to life. Called “everything you’d want from a prequel film and more” by BrutalGamer.com, Kizumonogatari Part 3: Reiketsu is the beautifully animated conclusion to the carnage of the Kizumonogatari trilogy, shining the spotlight on the visceral events that reveal how Koyomi Araragi became a vampire in this epic finale.

The Blu-ray release of Kizumonogatari Part 3: Reiketsu will include the original Japanese cast, which features Hiroshi Kamiya as Koyomi Araragi, Yui Horie as Tsubasa Hanekawa, and accomplished musical artist Maaya Sakamoto as the vampire Kiss-shot Acerola-orion Heart-under-blade. This highly anticipated film has brought together an all-star creative team including Director Tatsuya Oishi, Character Designer Akio Watanabe, Chief Director Akiyuki Shimbou and Studio SHAFT.

Included in the Blu-ray edition will be the Original Soundtrack CD, a Deluxe Booklet, the PV & CM Collections, and a special package illustration designed by Character Designer Akio Watanabe. Preorders begin starting on August 11.

Kizumonogatari Part 3: Reiketsu Blu-ray includes:

Blu-ray Features

Spoken Languages: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Aspect ratio: 16:9 Cinemascope
Episodes: Movie
Number of Discs: Two discs (Blu-ray Disc + Soundtrack CD)
Total Run Time: Approximately 82 min.
Rating: 16 UP

Bonus Contents

Theatrical Trailer
PV & CM Collections
(Bonus contents are subject to change)

* Bonus contents include English subtitles

Bonus Materials and Special Packages

PART 3: REIKETSU Original Soundtrack CD
Deluxe Booklet
Pin-up Postcard Set
Package Illustrated by Akio Watanabe (Character Design)
*(Bonus Materials and Package are subject to change)

Five More Cast Members Announced for the Black Clover Anime

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

This year’s 38th issue of Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine is announcing five new cast members for the television anime adaptation of Yūki Tabata’s Black Clover manga.

The new cast members include:

  • Toshiyuki Morikawa is Julius Nova Chrono
  • Katsuyuki Konishi is Fuegoreon Vermilion
  • Kousuke Toriumi is Nozel Silva
  • Daisuke Namikawa is Jack the Ripper
  • Yu Kobayashi is Charlotte Roselei

Black Clover is scheduled to premiere on Japanese television in October 2017.

Source: ANN

Napping Princess Film to Premiere in New York and Los Angeles on September 8, 2017

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

GKIDS has announced that it will debut Kenji Kamiyama’s Napping Princess (Ancien and the Magic Tablet or Hirune Hime: Shiranai Watashi no Monogatari) in New York City’s Village East Cinema and Los Angeles’ Laemmle Monica Film Center on September 8, 2017, followed by a national expansion. The release will qualify the film for Academy Awards consideration.

The film opened in Japan on March 18, 2017 in 232 theaters nationwide, and ranked #9 in the Japanese box office in its opening weekend. The film will screen in 40 countries and regions worldwide. The New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF) screened the film on March 19, 2017 in Japanese with English subtitles, and Anime Limited screened the film with subtitles and an English dub on August 16, 2017. The film will also screen at Anime Fest in Dallas.

The film won the Gold Prize for the “Best Animated Feature Film” audience award at Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival.

Source: ANN