AniFest 2019

Anime, Concerts, Cons, Cosplay, Events, Giveaways, Japanese Music, Los Angeles, Photography, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The annual anime festival kicked off at the Cultural Arts Center in Torrance, California on Saturday, March 23rd, 2019

With the success of last year’s event, it’s no surprise that AniFest returned with a bang! With not only more attendees but also with more guests and performing acts!

Cosplay guests included D-Piddy, Ruiriupanda, VampyBitMe, Rinmieru, Paprika Mari and yours truly, to name a few.

Anifest had over 10+ performers including the Taiko Collegiate, Stephanie Yanez x Plasmic, Voia, Manatsu Project & Candy Bomber.

One of many performances were the Röli Angels, an idol group from Japan. They performed during Anifest’s very own, Arcane Maid Cafe.

The Roli Angeles performing the hit-song, A Cruel Angel’s Thesis:

During the festival, we stopped by Sanyo Foods’ Sapporo Ichiban booth, where representatives gave FREE ramen samples by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto to all attendees.

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Ramen Maid Astolfo

Sapporo Ichiban will be uploading all the photos they took with cosplayers during AniFest, keep your eye out for their album here.  Sapporo Ichiban has now uploaded their AniFest photos, you can view them here. For deilcous ramen, visit their online store here.

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AniFest ticket winner!

Before I leave you with our wonderful AniFest photo gallery below, I’d like to mention the winner of our AniFest ticket giveaway, Romy! Hope you enjoyed your time at AniFest! Missed out? There’s always next year, that’s right, AniFest returns for another fantastic year in 2020, See you there!

Photo Gallery

Special thank to:

Beari King, Drew and the rest of the AniFest team for making this festival extraordinary!

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ZAG Store OPENS* its doors in Santa Monica, CA

Anime, Cosplay, Events, Los Angeles, Miraculous, , , , , , , , ,

THAT’S RIGHT! The ZAG store, or The Miraculous Ladybug store, is now open!

Located at 3002 Main st in Santa Monica, CA, the store had its grand opening this pasted Sunday. Tons of Miraculous Ladybug fans and cosplayers of different ages attended this memorable event.

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In attendance was none other than the CEO and founder of ZAG Entertainment, Jeremy Zag signing Miraculous Ladybug posters.

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Store Overview

The store is located right on the corner of Main St and Pier Ave in Santa Monica, California. The store differs slightly from its initial design as seen here:

Concept Design
Actual Design

The actual size of the store inside is quite petite but carries different types of merchandise. The rest of the space is corporate offices, which is where the online store is managed. Due to the limited space during the grand opening, we were unable to film inside the store, however, we are planning on going back to do so.

Let me conclude by explaining the asterisk (*) next to the word “Opens“, Yes the store IS currently opened but it’s NOT permanently. The ZAG store will open once a month, however, since its grand opening, there haven’t been any updates of the next opening date. Keep your eye out for updates on the official Zag Store website.

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Special thanks to Jeremy Zag for dedicating this amazing poster to the website and the rest of the ZAG staff.

Photo Gallery

This is a developing story that we will continue to keep updated with all of the latest information. If you have any information pertaining to this particular story, you can contact The Kitsune Network at Contact@TheKitsunetwork.net.

Okamoto Kitchen Interview

Anime, Current Interviews, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, Photography, TKN Exclusive, Voice Actors, , , , ,

Okamoto Kitchen has been around since 2015, since then, they’ve been catering to hungry anime fans across southern California.

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Recently they’ve announced and funded their newest project; their anime series based on their real-life experiences in the food truck business as portrayed by their mascot, Haru-chan!b3de41bef653527d31a2d360447b24eb_original

Okamoto Kitchen founder, Gerald Abraham, spoke to us exclusively about their newest project, their food, and future plans. Watch our exclusive interview:

Hungry For more? Okamoto Kitchen took us behind the scene in this overview video of their delicious J.F.C. (Japanese Fried Chicken) Plate.

To learn more about Okamoto Kitchen, their food & their anime project visit their official website here.

Photo gallery

Trinity Seven: Heavens Library & Crimson Lord Advance (FREE) Screening

Anime, Cosplay, Events, Films/Movies, Los Angeles, Manga, TKN Exclusive, , , , , , ,

Did miss out on watching Trinity Seven at Anifest? We’ve got you covered! Harkins Theatres Cerritos 16 is hosting a Trinity Seven: Heavens Library & Crimson Lord advance screening on March 28th!

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Each admission ticket includes (x1) Trinity Seven Poster from Japan (While Supplies Last), (x1) Trinity Seven Postcard & (x5) Trinity Seven Collectable Limited Trading Card (5 of 9 cards: randomly selected)

Poster from Japan (While Supplies Last )
Trinity Seven Postcard
Trinity Seven Collectable Limited Trading Card (5 of 9 cards: randomly selected)

Attendees will also have the opportunity to take a photo with different characters from the film

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BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

As a TKN exclusive, we are giving away FREE tickets to this event! Just type in code 328TRINITY7 during checkout for a FREE ticket! click here for the event page!

Fate/Grand Order U.S.A. Tour 2019

Anime, Cons, Cosplay, Events, Los Angeles, Photography, Voice Actors, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

For the first time ever, American fans of Fate/Grand Order got a chance to experience the fantastic world of the mobile game thanks to the Fate/Grand Order U.S.A. Tour 2019, hosted by Aniplex of America.

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The tour made its first stop in Los Angeles, California with a special two-day event held at the California Market Center. The celebration began on February 23rd and continued the next day, February 24th.

Fate/Grand Order U.S.A. Tour featured a plethora of attractions including many immersive photo-op areas, a Challenge Quest Battle Zone, and a “Learning with Manga” Kigurumi Greeting Stage where fans can catch a glimpse of the Female Protagonist.

Upon entering the event, fans glimpse of the large-scale Fate/Grand Order Monument, which captures an iconic scene from the game’s story that is sure to pull at any fan’s heartstrings.

The Fate/Grand Order U.S.A. Tour 2019 also had a mesmerizing Noble Phantasm Exhibit featuring life-size weapons from the game including both Jeanne d’Arc and Jeanne d’Arc (Alter)’s flags, Nero Claudius’s Aestus Estus, Gilgamesh’s sword, Ea, Leonardo da Vinci’s staff, and the unveiling of the never-before-seen Sakata Kintoki (Rider)’s Golden Bear and Altria Pendragon (Alter)’s Excalibur Morgan.

The event also featured summon special guests Noriko Shitaya (voice of Sakura Matou), Satoshi Tsuruoka (voice of Arash, Gilles de Rais, Caligula, and Spartacus), and FGO PROJECT’s Creative Producer, Yosuke Shiokawa, for special panels on the Main Stage.

Satoshi Tsuruoka
Noriko Shitaya
Yosuke Shiokawa

Fans attending the Los Angeles event were also the first ones to get their hands on exclusive tour merchandise, as well as products from other vendors selling Fate merchandise.

For fans who were unable to make it to the Los Angeles event, don’t worry the Fate/Grand Order U.S.A. Tour 2019 plans to head to Anime Central (Rosemont, IL), Anime Expo (Los Angeles, CA), and Anime Weekend Atlanta (Atlanta, GA) throughout 2019, before making its final stop at Anime NYC (New York, NY) in November.

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Fate/Grand Order U.S.A. Tour 2019 Schedule:

  • Fate/Grand Order U.S.A. Tour 2019 in Los Angeles (February 23- 24, 2019) California Market Center (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Anime Central (May 17-19, 2019) Hyatt Regency O’Hare and the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (Rosemont, IL)
  • Anime Expo (July 4- 7, 2019) Los Angeles Convention Center (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Anime Weekend Atlanta (October 31 – November 3, 2019) Renaissance Waverly & Cobb Galleria Center (Atlanta, GA)
  • Anime NYC (November 15-17, 2019) Javits Center (New York, NY)

For information about the schedule and updates, please visit the official Fate/Grand Order Tour website here.

Fate/Grand Order U.S.A. Tour 2019 Photo gallery

Made In Abyss U.S. Premiere

Anime, Cosplay, Events, Films/Movies, Los Angeles, Movies, Photography, Voice Actors, , , , , , ,

On March 15, 2019, Sentai Filmworks hosted the Los Angeles red carpet premiere of the dark fantasy and adventure anime film MADE IN ABYSS: Journey’s Dawn at the Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE 14. Journey’s Dawn is the first film in the two-part MADE IN ABYSS compendium.

In attendance was the talented and famed anime director Masayuki Kojima, composer Kevin Penkin, music producer Hiromitsu Iijima and producer Shimpei Yamashita.

Made In Abyss television series took audiences by surprise and garnered ecstatic reviews with its disarming facade that shrouded a dark masterpiece and although the film is a compilation of the series’s episodes, however, it features brand new scenes by Kojima & Yamashita.

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We spoke with Made In Abyss film director Masayuki Kojima & the film’s music composer, Kevin Penkin during the red carpet premiere:

Watch the film dubbed on the 25th! Can’t make it?

Order the Blu-ray series here or the MADE IN ABYSS Premium Box Set

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Film synopsis:

The enigmatic Abyss is an unforgiving and deadly place. Despite the dangers, it still captures the imagination of explorers such as Riko who wishes to follow in her mother’s footsteps and trains hard to become a Cave Raider. One day, she receives news that her mother died in the Abyss, yet a mysterious note tells Riko that her mother may still be alive. Vowing to uncover the truth about her mother’s fate, Riko embarks on a journey with a humanoid robot boy name Reg. Together, they will discover if they have what it takes to survive where so many others have perished.

Photo gallery from Sentai Filmworks’ Los Angeles red carpet premiere of MADE IN ABYSS: Journey’s Dawn at the Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE 14

The Kitsune Network would like to thank the wonderful and talented people of Sentai Filmworks & Rogers & Cowan. 

Let’s go to AniFest 2019!

Anime, Anime Concerts, Art, Autographs, Concerts, Cosplay, Events, Giveaways, Japanese Music, Los Angeles, Manga, Movies, Photography, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What is AniFest?

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AniFest is a yearly anime convention and festival dedicated to celebrating the arts and culture of Japanese animation. Cosplayers, vendors, partners, sponsors, performers, and event producers all come together in one day to bring you the best that an anime convention has to offer, but without the high price!

Why Should I attend?

Aside from special guests appearances by VampyBitMe, D-Piddy, キーング X KING!, and yours truly, AniFest will also feature musical performances by Stephanie Yanez, Tune in Tokyo, Phoebe Chan & Arcane Maid Cafe Idols. There’ll be many anime and fashion vendors, entertainment and photo ops during the event! As an added bonus, AniFest will be in partnership with Avex Pictures of Japan to host the very first U.S. screening of Trinity Seven 2*!

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There’ll plenty of activities to part take during this 8-hour event such as Anisong Dance Festival Event, AniFest Cosplay Showcase, Itasha Anime Car Showcase, Pine Wind Japanese Garden Experience & more. (See their official schedule here for more information). All this and more at AniFest! Held at the Torrence Cultural Arts Center in Torrence, CA on March 23rd 2019, in just 16 days!

More information on their official website!

‘I Want to go now!’

Tickets are now on sale so grab them before they’re gone!

…OR you can try your luck here! We are proud to announce that we are working alongside AniFest to bring you this special giveaway**, so enter for your chance to win a (1) ticket to AniFest 2019!

DEADLINE: MARCH 20TH at 11:59PM [PST]
*Sperate ticket required for this event
**Only one winner will be selected

🍔 Okamoto Kitchen’s Anime Series 🍔

Anime, Events, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, Photography, Voice Actors, Waifu, , , , ,
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Anime Los Angeles 2019

From a food truck to Anime!? Yes, popular food truck Okamoto Kitchen, known for serving Japanese based dishes to the anime community,  announced their production project for an anime series back in January of this year and in just 2 months, they’ve raised $55, 246 (at the time of writing this article) for their initial goal of “[…]creating a 10-part series of fully voiced and produced comic dubs following the adventures of Haru and the rest of the team”

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Photo by Alondra Curel

Voice actress, Cristina Vee will be joining this project as the led role of Haru-chan, bringing her to life as she ventures out onto the streets of Los Angeles serving Okamoto Kitchen dishes.

Watch Episode 0

Meet the team

As stated in their Kickstarter page, “The food truck industry is a brutal world! Savage races for parking spots, epic shonen food battles, and lots and lots of VIDEO GAMES! The naive Okamoto Kitchen food truck team of Haru, Chizuru, Mickey, and Honey try their best to navigate their way around the unforgiving landscape of the Los Angeles food truck scene.”

Meet the other teams

Although they’ve reached their initial goal of $48,000

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they’re still 3K short of reaching their ‘Strech Goal #1‘, producing a Japanese language version with English subtitles in addition to the English dub.

33fe2cc1b22d33da52a8ae609f78c55e_original.jpgIn total, they’ve got 4 more Strech Goals, which are as follows:

If you’d like to support this project, you can do so by clicking here, but hurry! This kickstart project ends in less than 40 hours, don’t miss out on getting the exclusive pledge rewards!

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If you have any information pertaining to this particular story, you can contact The Kitsune Network at KitsuneNetworkProductions@gmail.com.

RE: Interview with Kaho Shibuya

Anime, Autographs, Cosplay, Current Interviews, Giveaways, Los Angeles, Photography, Uncategorized, Waifu, , , , , , , , ,

Many of you might already know, (former) JAV actress Kaho Shibuya announced her retirement from all AV (Adult Video) work and, as stated in our previous interview, She’s working on a photo book. During our recent interview, she explained that she’s also working on an erotic novel and writing a book about her life in the JAV industry. Needless to say, she’s expanding her work and becoming an author and professional cosplayer.

BTS – Shibuya & Krystal | Photos by: Vincent Reyes
BTS – Shibuya & Krystal | Photos by: Vincent Reyes

We caught up with Kaho Shibuya during Anime Los Angeles 2019, where she granted us an interview and elaborated further on her AV origins, future plans & her upcoming photo book.  Watch our VERY exclusive interview with Kaho Shibuya at Anime Los Angeles 2019 here:

 

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GIVEAWAY

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KAHO SHIBUYA AUTOGRAPH GIVEAWAY!

How to win

  • Simply subscribe to our channel, The Kitsune Network
  • Comment on the video’s comment section using the hashtag: #TKNKaho and you’ll be automatically entered to WIN!
  • One entry per username
  • There will only be ONE winner. Winner will be contacted via YouTube’s comment reply feature.
  • Deadline is 3/22/2019

Kingdom Hearts III Interview: Bill Farmer & Quinton Flynn

Anime, Events, Los Angeles, video games, Voice Actors, , , , , , , , , , , ,

A week ago we celebrated the release of the long-awaited video game, Kingdom Hearts III at Game Realms, a video game store located in Burbank, California. We had the chance to speak to voice actors, Bill Famer (Goofy) & Quinton Flynn (Axel) and ask them about their experiences playing their roles in the Kingdom Hearts series, this and more in our interview below! Enjoy!

Note: 

We apologize for the lighting in our video, due to extreme weather conditions and time restrictions, we were unable to set out lighting equipment, furthermore, the monitors in the background did not help with this situation. We hope that you were still able to enjoy our video!

Photos

Krystal & Bill Farmer – Photo by Alex Entezami
Krystal & Bill Farmer – Photo by Alex Entezami
Bill Farmer – Photo by Alex Entezami
Krystal & Quinton Flynn – Photo by Alex Entezami
Bill Farmer, Krystal & Quinton – Photo by Alex Entezami