Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll to Host Its First TikTok Live Anime Watch Party With Samurai Champloo

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Crunchyroll has announced that it will launch its first TikTok Live anime watch party on May 27, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. PDT with a Samurai Champloo marathon. The marathon will include the first three dubbed episodes of the series. Crunchyroll’s TikTok account is tiktok.com/@crunchyroll.

Samurai Champloo is described as:

Fuu Kasumi is a young and clumsy waitress who spends her days peacefully working in a small teahouse. That is, until she accidentally spills a drink all over one of her customers. With a group of samurai now incessantly harassing her, Fuu desperately calls upon another samurai in the shop, Mugen, who quickly defeats them with his wild fighting technique, utilizing movements reminiscent to that of breakdancing. Unfortunately, Mugen decides to pick a fight with the unwilling ronin Jin, who wields a more precise and traditional style of swordfighting, and the latter proves to be a formidable opponent. The only problem is, they end up destroying the entire shop as well as accidentally killing the local magistrate’s son.

For their crime, the two samurai are captured and set to be executed. However, they are rescued by Fuu, who hires the duo as her bodyguards. Though she no longer has a place to return to, the former waitress wishes to find a certain samurai who smells of sunflowers and enlists the help of the now exonerated pair to do so. Despite initially disapproving of this idea, the two eventually agree to assist the girl in her quest; thus, the trio embark upon an adventure to find this mysterious warrior—that is, if Fuu can keep Mugen and Jin from killing each other.

Source: Crunchyroll

Guest Announcement for Crunchyroll Expo 2022

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Three guests have been announced for Crunchyroll Expo 2022:

Vampy Bit Me

Linda Le is a cosplayer originally from a small town in Oklahoma, now residing in California. She loves building Gunpla, streaming on Twitch and creating new art work. She has traveled all around the world promoting cosplay and Gunpla. Currently Vampy is a Host for Bandai Namco Collectables Hobby as well as the Social and Community Manager for the new Bandai Namco FPS title Gundam Evolution. She loves meeting passionate people in all different walks of life and loves to keep up the positivity in the hobby and gaming industry.

Mario Bueno

Mario is a content creator specializing in nerd culture, and the founder of NYC-based production outlet Digital Era Entertainment.

He’s appeared in such capacities as an on-camera host for Anime News Network’s 2007-2008 news videos and Frederator Network’s “The Leaderboard” YouTube Channel. He has also spent over a decade as a professional emcee for everything from cosplay contests to wrestling-style presentations like Kaiju Big Battel (2017-2018).

Outside of Digital Era Entertainment streams/projects (such as DEE’s upcoming pro wrestling-themed visual novel “Kokoro no Pro”), he can be heard as a narrator for projects such as the audiobook for Lyndsey Luther’s novel “Greencloak” and film-centric YouTube channel Screen Rant.

Zeno Robinson

Zeno Robinson is an actor residing in Los Angeles, California. Zeno began his acting journey in middle school, and after taking a program called All About Kids, signed with CESD Talent. He would gain his professional voiceover start soon after as Alan Albright in Ben 10 Alien Force at 14 years old, and has since studied under industry pioneers such as Charlie Adler, Tony Gonzales, Kris Zimmerman, Phil Lamarr, Ginny McSwain, and Tony Oliver. Zeno can now be heard as Remy in Big City Greens, Hawks in My Hero Academia, Cyborg in Young Justice, and The Green Poncho in Craig of the Creek.

Crunchyroll Expo is taking place August 5-7, 2022 both in person (at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center) and online.

Source: Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll to Release the Suzume no Tojimari Anime Film in Theaters in Early 2023

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Crunchyroll has announced that, in coordination with Sony Pictures and Wild Bunch International, it will release Makoto Shinkai’s upcoming movie Suzume no Tojimari (working title) globally (excluding Asia) in early 2023.

Crunchyroll will distribute the film in North America, with Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment distributing the film in Latin America, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the Middle East, Africa and portions of Europe. Crunchyroll, Sony Pictures and Wild Bunch International will distribute the film in French- and German-speaking Europe.

Suzume no Tojimari is described as:

On the other side of the door, was time in its entirety—

Suzume no Tojimari is a coming-of-age story for the 17-year-old protagonist, Suzume, set in various disaster-stricken locations across Japan, where she must close the doors causing devastation.

Suzume’s journey begins in a quiet town in Kyushu (located in southwestern Japan) when she encounters a young man who tells her, “I’m looking for a door.” What Suzume finds is a single weathered door standing upright in the midst of ruins as though it was shielded from whatever catastrophe struck. Seemingly drawn by its power, Suzume reaches for the knob. Doors begin to open one after another all across Japan, unleashing destruction upon any who are near. Suzume must close these portals to prevent further disaster.

—The stars, then sunset, and the morning sky.

Within that realm, it was as though all time had melted together in the sky…

Never-before-seen scenery, encounters and farewells. A myriad of challenges await her on her journey. Despite all the obstacles in her way, Suzume’s adventure shines a ray of hope upon our own struggles against the toughest roads of anxiety and constraints that make up everyday life. This story of closing doors that connect our past to the present and future will leave a lasting impression upon all of our hearts.

Drawn in by these mysterious doors, Suzume’s journey is about to begin.

Source: Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll Announces August 2022 Home Video Releases

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Crunchyroll has announced their releases for August 2022.

  • One Piece Collection 30 (Blu-ray/DVD) – 675 minutes – $39.98 – 8/2/22
    Special Features: Lightning Round with Villains, Textless Opening Song “Hard Knock Days”
  • Combatants Will Be Dispatched! – The Complete Season (Blu-ray/DVD) – 300 minutes – $64.98 – 8/9/22
    Special Features: Combatants Will Be Dispatched: Voice Actors React, Promo Videos, Commercials, Textless Opening and Closing Songs
  • Combatants Will Be Dispatched! – The Complete Season (Blu-ray/DVD) – Limited Edition – 300 minutes – $84.98 – 8/9/22
    Includes an art book, eight art cards, an ID holder with lanyard, and an enamel pin
    Special Features: Combatants Will Be Dispatched: Voice Actors React, Promo Videos, Commercials, Textless Opening and Closing Songs
  • The Detective Is Already Dead – The Complete Season (Blu-ray) – 300 minutes – $64.98 – 8/9/22
    Special Features: “The Detective is Already Dead” Cast Behind the Scenes Specials 1-3, Web Previews, Promo Videos, Commercials, Textless Opening Song, Textless Closing Song vers. 1 and 2
  • Kingdom – Season 3 Part 1 (Blu-ray) – 325 minutes – $64.98 – 8/23/22
    Special Features: Kingdom Promo Video Collection 1, Kingdom Season 3 Recap in 5 Minutes, Talking Kingdom Season 3 with Director Kenichi Imaizumi, Textless Opening Song “TOMORROW” / BiSH (avex trax), Textless Closing Song “Deep inside” / waterweed (maximum10)
  • My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission (Blu-ray/DVD) – 101 minutes – $34.98 – 8/23/22
    Special Feature: Preview Collection
  • My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission (Blu-ray/DVD) SteelBook – Best Buy Exclusive – 101 minutes – $26.99 – 8/23/22
  • My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission (Blu-ray/DVD) + FiGPiN – Walmart Exclusive – 101 minutes – $25.99 – 8/23/22
  • Sonny Boy – The Complete Season (Blu-ray) – 300 minutes – $64.98 – 8/30/22
    Special Features: Shingo Natsume Master Class, Behind the Scenes, Promo Videos, Commercial
  • Suppose a Kid from the Last Dungeon Boonies moved to a starter town? – The Complete Season (Blu-ray) – 300 minutes – $64.98 – 8/30/22
    Special Features: Promo Videos, Commercials, Textless Opening and Closing Songs
  • Suppose a Kid from the Last Dungeon Boonies moved to a starter town? – The Complete Season (Blu-ray/DVD) – Limited Edition – 300 minutes – $84.98 – 8/30/22
    Includes a 40-page art book, four art cards, six bookmarks, washi tape and a car decal
    Special Features: Promo Videos, Commercials, Textless Opening and Closing Songs

Source: Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll to Simulcast the Chainsaw Man Anime

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Crunchyroll has announced that it will be simulcasting the Chainsaw Man anime in 2022. The series will be available to viewers worldwide (excluding Asia), and the service will also stream English, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French and German dubs for the series.

The story of Chainsaw Man is described as:

Denji is a teenage boy living with a Chainsaw Devil named Pochita. Due to the debt his father left behind, he has been living a rock-bottom life while repaying his debt by harvesting devil corpses with Pochita.

One day, Denji is betrayed and killed. As his consciousness fades, he makes a contract with Pochita and gets revived as “Chainsaw Man” — a man with a devil’s heart.

Source: Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll Announces the Global Theatrical Release for Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero in Summer 2022

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Crunchyroll and Toei Animation have announced that Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, the newest film in the worldwide anime blockbuster franchise, will come to theaters globally in Summer 2022.

This is the first truly globally-distributed theatrical release for Crunchyroll and is distributed in North America by Crunchyroll. Internationally, the film will be distributed by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment. The film will be coming to theaters across the globe in all continents, including North America, Latin America, Europe, Australia/New Zealand, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia (excluding Japan, which will debut the film June 11, 2022). The film will be released in Japanese with subtitles and dubbed.

“For more than 30 years, the Dragon Ball franchise has delighted fans around the globe who have followed the world’s greatest warriors who defend Earth from forces of evil,” said Rahul Purini, President of Crunchyroll. “We’re thrilled to partner with Toei Animation to bring fans the latest chapter of Dragon Ball Super to the legion of super fans eager to continue the adventure and to grow the anime audiences who are discovering it for the first time.”

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is the second film in the Dragon Ball Super franchise. Dragon Ball Super: Broly was released in 2018 to fans around the globe. The film has grossed over $120 million at the box office globally and is the fifth highest grossing anime movie at the box office in the United States.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Official Synopsis:
The Red Ribbon Army was once destroyed by Son Goku. Individuals, who carry on its spirit, have created the ultimate Androids, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2. These two Androids call themselves “Super Heroes.” They start attacking Piccolo and Gohan… What is the New Red Ribbon Army’s objective? In the face of approaching danger, it is time to awaken, Super Hero.

The film, with full commitment and deep involvement from Dragon Ball‘s original creator Akira Toriyama, has the legendary manga creator behind the film’s original story, screenplay and character design.

Additionally, the film will be directed by Tetsuro Kodama and the Japanese voice actors for the film include Masako Nozawa (Gohan, Goku and Goten), Toshio Furukawa (Piccolo), Yūko Minaguchi (Pan), Ryō Horikawa (Vegeta), Mayumi Tanaka (Krillin), Aya Hisakawa (Bulma), Takeshi Kusao (Trunks), Miki Itō (Android 18), Bin Shimada (Broly), Kōichi Yamadera (Beerus), Masakazu Morita (Whis), Hiroshi Kamiya (Gamma 1), Mamoru Miyano (Gamma 2), Miyu Irino (Dr. Hedo), Volcano Ōta (Magenta), and Ryota Takeuchi (Carmine). The English voice cast will be announced soon.

The Dragon Ball phenomena began in 1984 when Japan’s well-known manga from Akira Toriyama premiered in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump – becoming a top ranked title throughout its 10 and a half years of publication. Since then, the manga’s popularity has continued to grow with an astonishing record of 260 million copies sold worldwide and counting. And with Dragon Ball‘s ever-increasing popularity, it has expanded beyond manga to include television animation, movies, games and merchandising. Now 38 years after the launch of the original manga, Dragon Ball continues to evolve and will reach new heights starting with this new large-scale movie.

Crunchyroll Announces the Release Date for the Dubs of the Final Two Episodes of the 86 Eighty Six Anime

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Crunchyroll has announced that the dubs for the final two episodes of the 86 Eighty Six anime will begin streaming on its service on May 21, 2022. This date applies to the English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and German dubs.

The English cast for 86 Eighty Six includes:

  • Aleks Le is Shinei Nouzen*
  • Suzie Yeung is Vladilena Milizé
  • Jonah Scott is Raiden Shuga
  • Maureen Price is Anju Emma
  • Erica Mendez is Kurena Kukumila
  • Casey Mongillo is Theoto Rikka
  • Alejandro Saab is Daiya Iruma

* Aleks Le will be taking on the role of Shinei Nouzen from Billy Kametz, who is undergoing treatment for Stage IV colon cancer.

The story of 86 Eighty Six is described as:

Called “Juggernaut,” these are the unmanned combat drones developed by the Republic of San Magnolia in answer to the attacks by the autonomous unmanned drones of the neighboring Empire of Giad, the “Legion.” But they’re only unmanned in name. In reality, they are piloted by the Eighty-sixers—those considered to be less than human and treated as mere tools. Determined to achieve his own mysterious ends, Shin, the captain of Spearhead Squadron, which is comprised of Eighty-sixers, continues to fight a hopeless war on a battlefield where only death awaits him.

Source: Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll to Add the First Episode of the Yona of the Dawn Anime on YouTube

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

The Fandom Post is reporting that Crunchyroll will be adding the first episode of the Yona of the Dawn anime to its YouTube channel on May 7, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. EDT.

Yona of the Dawn is described as:

From the studio behind Tokyo Ghoul and Fushigi Yugi comes the story of Yona, a typical teen—easily excitable, spoiled by her adoring father… and the sitting princess of the Kohka Kingdom. On her 16th birthday she plans to tell her father, the kind King Il, about her hidden love for her childhood friend, Su-won. But before she can confess her feelings, she stumbles upon her father being brutally murdered by none other than Su-won himself for the purpose of ruling the kingdom with a firmer hand. After the tragic discovery, Yona and her bodyguard Son Hak must flee the kingdom and escape the wrath of Su-won’s henchman. Now, in order to reunite the fallen kingdom, Yona and Son Hak are on the hunt for the four legendary dragons of Kohka. Along the way, Yona must shed her royal air and learn to live by the sword and bow.

Source: The Fandom Post

Crunchyroll to Simulcast the FUUTO PI Anime in August 2022

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Crunchyroll has announced that it will simulcast the FUUTO PI anime in August 2022. The simulcast will be available in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East and CIS.

FUUTO PI is based on the manga of the same name written by Riku Sanjo, and is a sequel to Kamen Rider W.

The story is described as:

The story is canonically set after the events of Kamen Rider W (the 11th of the Heisei era), which aired in 2009. It follows private investigator Shotaro Hidari and the mysterious boy Philip, two strangers who become one Kamen Rider.

Source: Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll Adds the First Episode of the English Dub of the KONOSUBA – God’s blessing on this wonderful world! Anime to YouTube

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

The Fandom Post is reporting that Crunchyroll has added the first episode of the English dub of the KONOSUBA – God’s blessing on this wonderful world! anime on YouTube.

The story of KONOSUBA – God’s blessing on this wonderful world! is described as:

Kazuma Sato decides that today is the day to get out of the house for a bit. Since he dies, pointlessly, it’s clearly a bad choice. The goddess who greets him in the afterlife, however, offers him a chance to be reborn in a world not unlike that of a video game, and as a bonus she’ll even throw in a cool item or power. Can’t possibly be a bad choice, right? Except he arrives with no money at all, dead average skills, and his “bonus” isn’t useful at all–since he picked the goddess, Aqua, herself. How are the two of them supposed to defeat the evil Devil King and live happily ever after? Well, for them, it probably starts with day laboring rather than adventuring. And it’s only going to get more disappointing from there.

Source: The Fandom Post