Monthly Archives: July 2022

ABLAZE Announces New Manga Series BLITZ – Set In Tense World of Competitive Chess Featuring Garry Kasparov

Leave a reply
Advertisements

Published in Shonen Jump, BLITZ is a new shonen manga that immerses readers into the “game of kings,” where intuition and mental agility are precious assets on the way to victory! Chess grandmaster and World Chess Champion, Garry Kasparov, makes his manga debut in the series!

Written by Cédric Biscay (ASTROBOY REBOOT, Shenmue III) and Harumo Sanazaki (Yawareta Princess, Egekai ni Ai wa Moete, Manga Grimm Douwa) with artwork by Daitaro Nishihara (The Magical Cat Ghee).

The series is written by Cédric Biscay, who produced the return of the Shenmue saga in 2019 and the upcoming reboot of the Astroboy anime series, which is currently in production with Miraculous Ladybug creator, Thomas Astruc as director.

The series is also co-written by prolific Japanese manga-ka Harumo Sanazaki, her works have been published in more than 130 manga including The Phantom of the Opera, Yawareta Princess, Egekai ni Ai wa Moete, and Manga Grimm Douwa: Sharaku – Shinsetsu Onna Eshi

The series is illustrated by Daitaro Nishihara who began as a manga-ka in the magazine Monthly Shonen Jump. From 2001, several of his series were pre-published in the magazine Korokoro Comic (Shôgakukan), notably Pokémon 6 – Jirachi: The Genius of Wishes.

Harumo Sanazaki
Daitaro Nishihara

Chess grandmaster and World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov is featured in the manga and served as a consultant to the series. For those unfamiliar with the world of competitive chess, Garry Kasparov became, at the age of 12, chess champion of the USSR’s under-18 age group. Then, at 17, he won the Under-20 World Chess Champion title. In 1985, at 22, Kasparov gained international notoriety as the youngest World Chess Champion in history.

He defended his title five times, including a series of legendary matches against his great rival Anatoly Karpov. Kasparov broke Bobby Fischer’s record in 1990, and his own record remained undefeated until 2013. His famous matches against IBM’s Deep Blue supercomputer in 1996-97 played a vital role in integrating artificial intelligence into the world of chess.

Each volume of BLITZ will contain chess strategy tips and a chess lexicon to turn every reader into a chess master!

BLITZ will be available in-print and digitally in North America, Australia, and the UK. ABLAZE titles are distributed in-print by Diamond Comic and Diamond Book Distributors. Vol. 1 will be available in comic shops on September 14th, and bookstores on September 27th.  The manga is currently available for preorder:

Subscribe to our articles below, and don’t any upcoming exclusive content!

Join 526 other subscribers

Void_Chords – ‘Beyond Selves’, Opening theme of RWBY Ice Queendom

Leave a reply
Advertisements

Void_Chords, AKA Ryo Takahashi, who has previously worked on Sing a Bit of Harmony, Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest, Princess Principal, and ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept., has released “Beyond Selves,” the theme song for RWBY Ice Queendom, which began airing on July 3rd.

Void_Chords, AKA Ryo Takahashi

RWBY Ice Queendom was produced d by anime studio Shaft with animation concept by Gen Urobuch. The anime is based on RWBY, which is inspired by anime. 

Promo Image

RWBY Ice Queendom is not a remake of the original series; it takes and expands on the original series, with its opening episodes being a remake of the first two seasons before taking on an entirely new storyline, set between the second and third season of the original series. Senior Brand Director Christine Brent describes Ice Queendom as continuity-adjacent.

RWBY Ice Queendom Manga Vol.1

The series has spawned a manga adaptation, illustrated by Kumiko Suekane, which is currently in serialization in Kadokawa’s Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh magazine.

“Beyond Selves,” was produced by Void_Chords and features L as a guest artist. You can listen to “Beyond Selves,” at the following music streaming sites listed here. Or view the music video below:

The series ending theme is “Awake” sung by Saori Hayami. You can view the “Awake” music video here:

You can watch the newly released, RWBY Ice Queendom on CrunchyRoll with a premimum acccount.

Watched it already? We wanna hear from you! What did you think of the series? Comment Below!

Nahoko Uehashi’s ‘THE DEER KING’ | NOW IN THEATERS

Leave a reply
Advertisements

From acclaimed studio Production I.G, and directors Masashi Ando and Masayuki Miyaji comes THE DEER KING.

In the aftermath of a brutal war, former soldier Van toils in a mine controlled by the ruling empire. One day, his solitary existence is upended when a pack of wild dogs carrying a deadly and incurable disease attack, leaving only Van and a young girl named Yuna as survivors. Finally free, the pair seek out a simple existence in the countryside but are pursued by nefarious forces. Intent on protecting Yuna at all costs, Van must uncover the true cause of the plague ravaging the kingdom—and its possible cure.

The Deer King is a sweeping fantasy epic that marks the directorial debut of acclaimed animator, Masashi Ando who worked with famed Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke) and with directors Satoshi Kon (Paprika, “Paranoia Agent”) and Makoto Shinkai (your name.). The film is also co-directed by Masayuki Miyaji who is best known for directing the 2009 series “Xam’s: Lost Memories” and work on Studio Ghibli films such as “My Neighbors The Yamadas”.

Masashi Ando
Masayuki Miyaji

The film is based on the original book series, by author Nahoko Uehashi. The book series has printed 2.2 million copies in Japan to date. Uehashi is one of Japan’s most well-known and popular children’s writers, and has won numerous awards, including the 2014 Hans Christian Andersen Award. She’s an associate professor at a Japanese university, and has a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology and studies indigenous peoples in Australia.

Uehashi’s other works, Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit and The Beast Player have had anime adaptations in 2007 and 2009, with The Beast Player getting a manga adaptation as well.

Author, Nahoko Uehashi

Currently, Uehashi’s most popular, English-translated work is The Beast Player and be purchased on Amazon.

Distributed by Gkids Films, watch THE DEER KING now playing in select theaters nationwide, find the closest theater near you, by visiting the film’s official website www.THEDEERKING.com

Anime Expo – SPINOFF CONVENTION COMING THIS NOVEMBER

1 Reply
Advertisements

During the closing ceremonies, the SJPA thanked all attendees for coming to Anime Expo 2022 and introduced the very first ‘anime expo ontario’ in California.

Introduced as “anime expo” (all lower case letters), a smaller-scale spinoff convention that will allow fans an additional opportunity to celebrate Japanese pop culture this November in Ontario, California.

Smaller-Scale “anime expo” Focused on Exhibit Hall and Artist Alley to
be Hosted at Ontario Convention Center November 12-13, 2022

The event, which will be focused primarily on the exhibit hall and artist alley experience, will take place November 12-13, 2022 at the Ontario Convention Center; ticket sales will be announced in the upcoming months.

“Seeing our Anime Expo family once per year simply isn’t enough, which is why we’re incredibly excited to bring the brand-new ‘anime expo’ event to Ontario, California,[. . .]Anime Expo 2022 was a success, and we look forward to carrying that positive momentum into this smaller-scale show that provides a unique, more intimate opportunity for fans of Japanese pop culture to come together a second time this year.”

– Ray Chiang, CEO of SPJA

The first in-person Anime Expo since 2019 welcomed fans back to the Los Angeles Convention Center with over 1,000 hours of programming, including Japanese musical guests SG5 and Travis Japan, renowned DJs Steve Aoki and TeddyLoid, and Guests of Honor including Studio MAPPA CEO Manabu Otsuka and JUJUTSU KAISEN Script Writer Hiroshi Seko, as well as Ranking of Kings Director Yosuke Hatta and Animation Producer Maiko Okada of WIT Studio; Mika Akitaka, the creator of Anime Expo’s iconic mascot, MAX, also joined in the festivities in honor of the event’s 31st year.

Anime Expo will once again return in-person to the Los Angeles Convention Center next year from July 1-4. Ticket sales for Anime Expo 2023 will be announced in fall 2022. Ray added,

“After three long years away from the Los Angeles Convention Center, it was incredibly important to all of us at SPJA that our community be welcomed home with a truly unforgettable convention experience and, thanks to all the participants–including exhibitors (small and big alike), artists, industry and sponsors–and the incredibly hard work and dedication shown by each and every volunteer and staff member, we’re proud to say that this year’s show not only met, but exceeded our expectations. We can’t wait to show you what we have in store for next year!”

– Ray Chiang, CEO of SPJA
Los Angeles Convention Center two days before day zero

Anime Expo celebrated its 31st annual convention by returning to the Los Angeles Convention Center live and in-person, bringing together fans and industry professionals for the largest celebration of Japanese pop culture in North America. Hosted by The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA), the sold-out four-day convention saw attendees from over 70 countries descend upon the city of Los Angeles to generate an estimated positive economic impact of over $100 Million for local hotels and businesses. Anime Expo fans that were unable to attend Anime Expo 2022 also had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of AX virtually through Anime Expo Lite through Twitch and YouTube.

For more updates on anime expo Ontario, visit the official Anime Expo website.

Ronin-Expo 2022 REturns & REscheduled!

Leave a reply
Advertisements

For those following the anime convention scene in Los Angeles, CA; Ronin Expo announced earlier this year that had to postpone its June event until further notice due to changes in the venue’s service policies. Recently they announced that Ronin Expo has found a new venue within the Little Tokyo district.

Artist Ally at Ronin Expo 2018

Since 2017 Ronin-Expo is an Anime and Asian culture convention targeting both new and veteran convention-goers. The convention is designed to feel like an festival featuring artists, exhibitors, live performances, and guests of honors and special in-door panels. Past featured guests include voice actors, Sarah William, Reuben Langdon and Japanese anime director, Hiroshi Nagahama.

Sarah Williams during our interview
Hiroshi Nagahama and translator during our interview
Reuben Langdon during our interview

The event is now scheduled for August 13th, 2022 at its new home at The Terasaki Budokan Center in the Little Tokyo District, tickets are still available for purchase here. Special guests include voice actors, Mela Lee & Richard Epcar with performances by Origami Flagship, Ryujin Taiko & Burai.

Follow RONIN EXPO for more updates and announcements on updating panels, events and guests!

Yu-Gi-Oh! Creator, Kazuki Takahashi Passes Away At 60

Leave a reply
Advertisements

Kazuki Takahashi, (Kazuo Takahashi), was found dead off the coast of Nago city in the Okinawa Prefecture by The Japan Coast Guard. As reported by NHK and ANN, on Wednesday around 10:30 AM, The Japan Coast Guard was alerted that a body was seen drifting from the coast off the resort city of Nago by a person on a boat.

Kazuki Takahashi at the MAGIC 2019 opening ceremony
Photo Soruce

According to NHK, A firefighter rushed to the scene and rescued the man but was later confirmed dead. Reportedly, Takahashi was wearing snorkeling equipment, and was visiting Okinawa alone. The Japan Coast Guard has also reported that Takahashi’s body has no visible scratches on his body, but there is an active investigation to find out the manner of death.

Screenshot from NHK “人気漫画「遊☆戯☆王」作者 高橋和希さん 沖縄 名護で死去” News Segment | Soruce

Takahashi created the most notable and popular anime franchises of all time, Yugioh! Takahashi’s career began in 1990 having his first manga, Tokiō no taka (Fighting Hawk) published in 1990, followed by Tennenshoku Danji Buray (天然色男児BURAY), from 1991 to 1992. In 1996, Takahashi created Yugioh! which led to the creation of the Yugioh Trading Card Game. From its inspection, Takahashi has continued to supervise the creation of the Yu-Gi-Oh! manga since the end of the original manga’s run, from 1996 through 2004.

Background: Promo for YuGiOh! Anime OVA by Toei animation | Left: YuGiOh! Vol.1 Manga | Right: Deck of YuGiOh! Cards

To this day YuGiOh! has been seen, watched, read and played by millions of fans through the world, making it one of the most internationally notible, anime franchises of all time. In 2015, Takahashi received the Inkpot award from Comic-Con International for his outstanding contributions to comicbooks, animation and fandom.

Kazuki Takahashi with his Inkpot award from Comic-Con International

Recently, Takahashi collaborated with Marvel to illustrate Marvel’s Secret Reverse Marvel Comics, which was released in the U.S. on June 14th of this year (Orignally released in Japan on, 02-04-2020).

Marvel’s Secret Reverse Paperback – June 14, 2022