Category Archives: Animation Studios

Anime ‘KamiErabi God.app’ Unveils New Information for its October Premiere

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New anime series by Anime industry legends is set to premiere this October in Japan!

KamiErabi God.app is an original new anime created in collaboration with Yoko Taro, Atsushi Ohkubo, JIN, and Hiroyuki Seshita. The anime is set to premiere in Japan on October 4.

Slow Curve, an anime production company, has recently revealed the newest visual, PV, cast, and opening and ending song artists for the upcoming anime. The new visual, which showcases the character was drawn by Atsushi Ohkubo, the characters. Ohkubo will serve as the series’ character designer.

The PV offers a glimpse of the “fetish x battle royale game” concept teased earlier, along with a preview of the opening theme song. The anime will premiere on October 4 on Fuji TV’s +Ultra block, with worldwide streaming on Crunchyroll (excluding Asia).

KamiErabi GOD.app is a large-scale project with an original story by Yoko Taro, the globally-renowned director of the hit game “NieR: Automata”, scripts by JIN of “Kagerou Project”, character designs by Atsushi Ohkubo, creator of the hit manga series “Fire Force” and “Soul Eater”, and directed by Hiroyuki Seshita of “Knights of Sidonia” and “BLAME!” fame.

Anime Synopsis

A message received on a smartphone, triggers a series of events for High school students who must now fight each other in a battle royale for the chance to become a god.

Goro, a first-year high school student at a private high school in Tokyo, has no hopes, no dreams, and no ambitions. The world is indifferent to him, and he has a faint longing for Honoka, a classmate from the same school. He and his best friend Akitsu live a boring, unchanging life. One day, Goro receives a strange notification on his smartphone: “You have been chosen. Breathe into me your wish.” Thinking it malicious spam, Goro types, “I want to have sex with Honoka, the woman of my dreams.” The next day, Honoka invites him to drop his pants at an unpopular arcade… “Congratulations on your great accomplishment!” Then, a mysterious girl, Lall, suddenly appears. Confused by this series of events, Goro is told of a cruel fate.

Goro has been chosen by the “Great Will” to become a god to make his wish come true. With other potential gods, they are to kill one another until there is only one left. The ability given is the “Scripture of Fools”. At the cost of the “Misfortune” that befalls you, the power to twist the cause and effect of the world and manipulate the reason of this world at will. The first god candidate who appeared to kill Goro was, of course, Honoka, whom he had longed for. What choice will Goro make against Honoka, who attacks him mercilessly? Thus, the fetish battle royal by the god candidates, each with their own secrets, begins!

The Cast and Cast Commentary

Goro (CV: Kazuki Ura)

Ura plays the main character who is involved in a killing spree

I was excited about KamiErabi from the time of the audition and thought “I definitely want to be in it!” I was so excited to be a part of it since the audition. When I heard the news that I had been cast as Goro, I was gut-punched! Goro is a very modern and adolescent boy. I played the role while being particularly conscious of the instability and youth of the adolescent’s unique self. Please enjoy the fetish battle royale by the god candidates!” – Ura

Lall (CV: Ayane Sakura)

A mysterious presence, activating her abilities with raw meat.

“Is Lall a friend or foe, is she the ones that chooses or the one that is being chosen…there are many mysteries in this work. Although she is an enigmatic character, I recognize Lall as someone you can’t hate. We hope that everyone will enjoy the disturbing and grotesque atmosphere of this work. Please watch a few episodes first and please get into it.” – Sakura

Honoka (CV: Sara Matsumoto)

The super sadistic girl

My name is Sara Matsumoto and I will be playing the role of Honoka Sawa in KamiErabi. The characters each show “justice,” but is the opposite evil, or is there another kind of justice? It will definitely make you think! We hope you will take note of the duality of Honoka and the beauty of the images and music.” –Matsumoto

Akitsu (CV: Shuichi Uchida)

Goro’s good-natured best friend

“Just the thought of “the battle to determine God” makes my heart flutter. KamiErabi is filled with such excitement. Akitsu, who I will be playing, is truly a mood maker! Akitsu’s charm is such that when he appears on stage, the air is filled with light. I will do my best too!” – Uchida

Chika (CV: Natsuko Abe)

The glib mad scientist

Chika is a girl full of energy who fights with sharp words and actions but with a pure wish at the root. I was strongly attracted to her inner self and her outward appearance of twintails and a white coat. I am very honored to have been entrusted with the role of Chika, as I have always wanted to play the role of Chika. What kind of chemical reactions will occur for the sake of ‘wishes’? I will do my best!– Abe

Koki (CV: Gakuto Kajiwara)

The student body president who has the appearance of a Yankee.

“Since it was an original story, I enjoyed anticipating what was to come from the post-recording stage. There are some things we are informed about, but there are also some things we dare not know. I think I am able to play the role while thinking along with the character. There is a lot of excitement and suspense coming from me. I think it will be a work well worth seeing, so please look forward to it!” Kajiwara

Iyo (CV: Tomori Kusunoki)

An idol with a reason at the peak of her popularity

“You will surely fall in love with Iyo, an idol who is so adorable in every way! Please be ready for the Iyo Call. It is an original animation, please look forward to seeing how Iyo will be involved in the story!” Kusunoki

Mitsuko (CV: Ai Fairouz)

A bright AV actress

“From the time I received the audition draft, I was very interested in the unique world view and the mysterious situations, and among the many unique characters in the show, one in particular, Mitsuko, packs a punch. I was very happy to be entrusted with a wonderful character! As this is an original animation work, we are also very much looking forward to working with you, the viewers, to make it a success. We are on the edge of our seat and are excited to welcome you to the next episode. We hope you enjoy it!” Fairouz

Tatsuya (CV: Yuuki Shin)

The vice president of the student council and known as Tenshi-kun.

“I myself am excited about this original animation work by a great team of creators. Like the other characters, I felt Tatsuya was not a straightforward role. I am enjoying playing the role even though I am worried about it! Please take a look. Thank you for your cooperation.” – Shin

OP & ED Themes

The anime’s opening theme song “Scrap & Build” will be performed by Elaiza Ikeda better known as ELAIZA.

“We are pleased to announce that we will be performing the OP theme for the anime “KamiErabi”. Yoko Taro, JIN-san, Atsushi Ohkubo, and Hiroyuki Seshita, I am honored to be a part of this team’s work. As you can sense from the preview, it is not a sweet story, but a story full of unique philosophy, I worked on it while staring at the script and character design. I am also looking forward to seeing it on TV.” – ELAIZA

ELAIZA

The ending theme, “Bleed My Heart” will be performed by Alisa. Alisa is known for being the vocalist for the singing role of Angela in the worldwide hit anime “Carole & Tuesday”.

Alisa

“I am very honored that ‘Bleed My Heart’, which I wrote as the ending song for “KamiErabi” was selected! At first glance, it may sound like a bright and fun song but behind it, I drew a greedy and unhealthy love story. Like the anime, I think the song makes you think about various themes such as desire, power, and true happiness. I hope that everyone will enjoy the anime and the ending song while thinking about what their true happiness is.” Alisa

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Miraculous Ladybug The Movie | REVIEW

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When “Miraculous Ladybug” first debuted in 2015, it instantly captured the attention of anime enthusiasts and garnered a significant cult following. This captivating animated series was brought to life through the collaboration of ZAGtoon and Method Animation, with the renowned Japanese animation company, Toei Animation, serving as a co-producer. Thomas Astruc, a talented cartoonist, developed the character of Ladybug and played an integral role in shaping the TV series alongside Jeremy Zag, the CEO, director, and producer of ZAGtoon.

Miraculous Ladybug” revolves around the lives of two teenagers, Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste. When duty calls, they transform into the fearless superheroes Ladybug and Cat Noir. Together, they valiantly protect the city from the clutches of supervillains. While the series was initially intended to be in a 2D anime style, it ultimately evolved into a CGI production, a decision made by the French producers. However, fans can still find the original anime-style promotional OVA video on YouTube, animated by Toei Animation.Over time, “Miraculous Ladybug” has cultivated a devoted fandom, including passionate cosplayers and artists who proudly call themselves “Miraculers.” The series has expanded into a successful media franchise, encompassing comics, a web series, novels, video games, a manga series, and most recently, the highly anticipated motion picture, “Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie“. With its growing popularity and array of merchandise, “Miraculous Ladybug” has firmly established itself as an enchanting world that continues to captivate audiences of all ages.

The Highly Anticipated Motion Picture Film

Embark on a captivating cinematic experience as you delve into this highly anticipated animated film of the year! The film follows the thrilling journey of two teenagers, Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste, who must uncover the truth about themselves and harness their extraordinary powers to safeguard the illustrious city of Paris. The film is a heartfelt tribute to the dedicated Miraculous Ladybug fandom while appealing to newcomers.


The film briefly introduces the Miraculous and showcases the various Miraculous, leaving room for potential future film projects. As an origin story, the film explores the beginnings of our main protagonists, Marinette and Adrien, and their journey to becoming superheroes and reveals how they obtained their Miraculous. The film touches on universal teenage themes of courage and selflessness, capturing the challenges of adolescence, such as fitting in and facing one’s fear.


It becomes apparent that the film’s narrative adheres to a relatively straightforward and predictable trajectory, albeit keeping in mind its intended target audience encompassing the younger demographic. However, the animation compensates for its anticipated plot developments. Distinct from its television counterpart, where character portrayal tends to lean towards stylized plasticity, the film’s creative team dedicatedly strived for meticulous detailing and hyper-realistic verisimilitude in rendering both Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste. Their meticulously crafted appearances feature nuanced facial expressions, lustrous hair, and mesmeric eyes. Noteworthy locations such as The Cheng’s boulangerie (French for “bakery”) and Adrien’s mansion beautifully showcase opulent French architectural design and, in certain instances, timeworn interiors, lending an air of “lived-in” authenticity.


In addition, characters’ facial expressions play a crucial role in conveying their emotions and setting the overall mood of the scenes; this is further supported by the production team, animating characters with detailed and realistic skin textures, making them come to life and feel more like lifelike on the screen.


The animators strived for realism, at least more than the TV series. An interesting and subtle highlight is that the animators animated the characters’ hair in various directions, ensuring the hair is not perfectly styled. By adding intersecting strands and different hair directions, the animators created a more natural and authentic look for the characters, once again bringing them to life on the screen.


While there is no official confirmation, avid followers of the series may find several sequences within the film that bear a striking resemblance to scenes from an unaired 2D anime-style ‘OVA Promotional Video’ dating back to 2015. The uncanny similarities between the two raise the possibility that the film’s storyline was initially intended to serve as the introductory episode for the projected 2D anime series. Of course, the speculation surrounding this potential connection is pure conjecture, as the 2D anime iteration never came to fruition, and ZAG has never mentioned the 2D project since.

The Music

One prominent aspect of the film that deserves special mention is its captivating musical score. It becomes evident from the very beginning that the melodic voices of the main characters differ from their spoken voices, adding an intriguing layer to the overall experience. Marinette is brought to life through the talented voice acting of Cristina Vee, while the prolific Bryce Papenbrook voices the charming Adrien. The singing voice of Marinette is portrayed by the French singer Lou Jean while Drew Ryan Scott performs Adrien’s singing voice with music composed by CEO and film director Jeremy Zag himself with assistance from Australian filmmaker Michael Gracey.


Noam Kaniel, the talented cartoon music composer, was surprisingly not involved in the film’s musical score. Despite his previous success composing the theme song for the TV series, his unique musical style was unfortunately absent from the film’s soundtrack.

The Plot

The film’s storyline might be predictable for more experienced viewers, but it remains highly enjoyable and entertaining. While the film does contain a few gaps in the plot, it serves as a compelling introduction to the TV series. Towards the end, there are some noticeable inconsistencies when compared to the TV show’s plotline. Nevertheless, with a bit of imagination, it gives room for speculation and wonder about what might have occurred after the film’s iconic and intense climax.It is not surprising that there is a romantic element between Ladybug and Cat Noir, although the TV series does not delve deeply into it in the first two seasons. However, the film takes the opportunity to explore their relationship in greater detail. Every emotional response from the characters is given careful attention, ensuring that romantic and conflicting feelings resonate with the audience.

Now on NETFLIX!

The movie premiered in Paris, France, on June 11th of this year with a limited release in theaters worldwide. As reported by the French magazine Paris Match, the film was produced with a budget of €80 million (or about $86 million), making it the second most expensive French film in history, second only to the 2017 movie Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.

Need a new phone wallpaper?

If you are captivated by this review, prepare to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Miraculous Ladybug, as both the captivating TV series and thrilling film are now streaming on Netflix! Be ready to join forces with the courageous heroes of Paris as Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste transform into the extraordinary Ladybug and Cat Noir. Together, they stand as beacons of hope, defending the beautiful city Paris from the clutches of menacing supervillains orchestrated by the nefarious Hawk Moth. All this while struggling with their teenage life! Get ready for an exhilarating adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Our History with ZAG Studios and Miraculous Ladybug

I would like to express my gratitude to ZAG Animation and its Glendale-based Studio. Even before the release of season two of the TV series, The Kitsune Network has collaborated with Zag Studios to bring our subscribers and followers exclusive interviews and an insider’s perspective on Miraculous Ladybug since 2015. We began by conducting an interview with Jared Wolfson, formerly the Head of the TV Division at ZAG. This was followed by a delightful interview with voice actress Cristina Vee at ZAG studios! Ever since then, The Kitsune Network has been actively covering various, major, Miraculous Ladybug events. Most recently, we attended the exciting grand opening of the Miraculous Ladybug store in Santa Monica, CA. Congratulations to the entire team over at ZAG Studios for this incredible milestone! Let’s take a look at some of the memorable moments from those interviews and other Miraculous Ladybug coverage articles here.

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Interview with Cristina Vee at ZAG Studios

Interview with Jared Wolfson at ZAG Studios

ZAG Store open in Santa Monica, CA

Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms | INTERVIEW | AX 2023 Coverage

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Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms held its world premiere at this year’s Anime Expo. Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms is a new science-fiction action-adventure anime and manga that explores the world of sentient mechanical beings called Mecha-Ude and the people who wield them! Originally created by independent animator & director Okamoto and produced by Fukuoka-based TriF Studio in 2016. 

Animator and director, Okamoto created the series in 2016 with a Kickstarter, which raised over $67,000, more than twice its $25,000 goal. A pilot episode, produced by TriF Studio through the Kickstarter, became an instant hit and in 2018, got an English dub.

In 2022 the series was picked up for a full anime adaptation, produced by TriF Studio and Pony Canyon. At this year’s Anime Expo, episode 1 premiered with new exclusive footage, not previously seen in the pilot. The Mecha-Ude anime series is slated for 2024, exact release date is currently TBA. To learn more on the series and its Japanese cast and crew visit the official Mecha Ude website.

Anime Synopsis

One day, Amatsuga Hikaru, a junior high school student living in Kitakagami City, meets the mysterious “Ude”-shaped mechanical life form Alma. Alma attempts to bind to Hikaru’s body in order to obtain energy from him, but fails. To his surprise, it binds to the hoodie that Hikaru was wearing. Meanwhile, the “Kagami Group,” a large corporation that plans to enslave the Mecha-Udes and turn them into weapons, is in pursuit of Alma. ARMS, an organization working to save and free the Mecha-Udes, also searches for Alma. Hikaru, unable to abandon the weakened Alma, puts on the hoodie that Alma has bonded with and gets caught up in the great events unfolding among the Mecha-Ude users…

INTERVIEW WITH OKAMOTO

At Anime Expo I had the opportunity to interview Mecha-Ude animator and director, Okamoto about her journey and experience creating the world of Mecha-Ude,

Animator and Director, Okamoto

Krystal: Can speak about the origins of MECHA-UDE?
Okamoto:
I’m a huge fan of Shounen manga and one day I just decided I wanted to draw a robot, but drawing a full-size body robot was too hard. So I decided I would try just to draw an arm.
K: Enhance the subtitle “Mecha arms
O:
Correct. Yes. 
K: So you’re not only the creator of the stories, but also the director for the Anime series, are some elements within the anime, that you emphasizes for the audience members?
O:
The story is very much about the characters. I hope that people will see, like, pay attention to how they develop and how they move.
K: It has been roughly serve years, between the kickstarter in 2016 and now, what are some things that changed in the series?
O: When the pilot episode was made, a fuller story was already created, like a bigger story that we were hoping to work on later. So basically not much has changed. I’m brushing up on stuff in the past few years, but that’s about it.

Okamoto, Shuichi Aso (TriF CEO) & Tetsuya Kinoshita (Producer)

K: How would you describe the anime series to encourage people to read the Manga, or watch the anime series?
O:
All of the mecha-udes are also their own characters, and they’re very unique, so they’re very appealing as well. They’re part of the series and just as important as the human characters, that’s one of the selling points.
K: What can you tell me about the main character?
O:
Hikaru was a pretty dull, mundane character with nothing special going on until he meets “Alma”, the Mecha Ude, he meets, and then they’ll have adventures and he’ll also be able to grow as a character. The story’s going to be about their partnership and how they grow together as characters in the series.

THE MANGA

Additionally, eManga publishing company Azuki, celebrated the launch of the latest exclusive manga series, Mecha-Ude: Mechanical Arms by Yoshino Koyoka and TriF based on Okamoto’s creation. The manga adaptation is now available only on Azuki with new chapters every Wednesday!

Manga Synopsis

A brand-new manga series based on the anime by Okamoto and TriF! Kita-Kagami City is a pretty normal town… except that some people have gotten their hands on Mecha-Ude: powerful, sentient mechanical beings attached to the limbs of their hosts. When middle school kid Hikaru accidentally activates Alma, a mysterious Mecha-Ude with no memory of his past, he forms an unlikely connection with the talking arm. But where did Alma come from? And why are shadowy secret organizations and corporate assassins with deadly Mecha-Ude of their own suddenly chasing Hikaru down, hell-bent on stealing Alma? Hikaru and Alma must learn to work together to uncover the truth behind Alma’s identity and prevent him from ending up in the wrong hands (or on the wrong arm)!

You can start reading the manga which is now available over at Azuki, available on the web at www.azuki.co and in the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. The app features over 200 series, including international hits like Attack on Titan and acclaimed new series like Mecha-Ude: Mechanical ArmsNatsume & Natsume, and My Dear Detective: Mitsuko’s Case Files.

Start reading for free with advertisements today, or upgrade to Premium and access the full catalog for just $4.99 a month. A 14-day free trial and discounted annual plan are also available. Most titles are available worldwide (except Japan). Stay up to date on the latest announcements by following Azuki at twitter.com/ReadAzukifacebook.com/ReadAzuki, and instagram.com/readazuki.

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Mission: Impossible X SPY x FAMILY | Special Collaboration Video & Visual art

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In what has been officially labeled as the “most powerful spy collaboration decision“, Toho Animation collaborated with Paramount Studios to create a special promotional video for the upcoming installment of Mission: Impossible, Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning: Part One, and Spy X Family CODE: White, the first motion picture film from the hit anime series of the same name.

Theatrical version SPY x FAMILY CODE: White” super teaser visual

Spy X Family CODE: White is set to release in theaters on December 22nd of this year in Japan. While Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning: Part One its premiere in the U.S. on July 12th, In Japan, the film is set to release on July 21st. A special promotional collaboration between both IPs was released on July 10th, which consists of a collaboration video and visual art.

The collaboration video begins with the Forger family watching Mission Impossible on TV. Anya states she’s has never watched the film series before, and Loid then carefully explains who ‘Ethan Hunt’ is while watching the action scenes played by Tom Cruise. The video features highlights from the film alongside brand-new voice acting from Takuya Eguchi (Lloyd), Atsumi Tanezaki (Anya), and Saori Hayami (Yor). The video segment is followed by the teaser trailer of CODE: White.

 You watch the full video here; the video contains no English subtitles

A collaborative visual art piece by illustrator Kana Ishida was also released via the Spy X Family official website.

Original picture/Finishing/Special Effects by Kana Ishida

The image depicts the Forger family illustrated in the same poses as the Mission Impossible poster, with the Forger family, lined up precisely as Tom Cruise (Ethan Hunt), Hayley Atwell (Grace), Rebecca Ferguson (Ilsa Faust) & Esai Morales (Gabriel). Take a look at the comparison below,

Image Highlights: Look at Anya and Bond on the upper Right | Ethan running on the train is replaced by Anya

Spy X Family author Tatsuya Endo recently joined the fun by sharing an original illustration of Anya performing Enthan Hunt’s iconic rope drop from the famous vault scene in Mission: Impossible (1996).

Watch Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One, now in theaters, and Spy X Family CODE: White as they take on the ultimate mission to save the world!

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POKEMON CONCIERGE Coming to NETFLIX December 2023 | AX 2023 Coverage

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Initially announced on Pokemon Day, POKÉMON CONCIERGE is the first ever stop-motion animated Pokemon series, which diverts from its 2-D animated counterpart. This series marks the first collaborative production between Netflix and The Pokémon Company. Pokemon Concierge is produced by critically acclaimed dwarf studios known for Mr. Osomatsu (TV Series) and Rilakkuma and Kaoru (stop-motion ONA).

The series expands on the Pokémon world and follows Haru, a concierge at the ‘Pokémon Resort,’ and her interactions with Pokémon and their owners who visit as guests. Currently, there is not much information that has been released on the series itself.

During Netflix’s From Japan to the World panel at Anime Expo 2023, it was revealed that NON will be voicing Haru. NON is a voice actress and musician from Japan. She is known for portraying Suzu in the 2016 critically acclaimed animated film “In This Corner of the World,.” In 2017, she founded her music label, “KAIWA (RE)CORD.” and released her debut single, “Ohirome Pack,” along with her debut album “Superhero’s” in 2018.

NON INTERVIEW – Experience Voicing HARU

During Anime Expo this year, I had an opportunity to ask NON about her experience voicing HARU,

NON and Psyduck during Anime Expo 2023 Roundtable Press Junket

Krystal: Can you speak on your experience voicing HARU for this unique Pokemon series?

NON: When I was working on Haru, I was told there would be many scenes where Haru is kind of struggling, trying to figure out what she should do. They asked me to ‘DO THAT’ in a gesture by using my body language, so I was dropping my head, doing those various movements to try to express how she was having a hard time. I was also told that they would film my movements and they would utilize that in the stop-motion animation, and that was a very fun thing to be a part of! Once I saw the final, complete, finished scenes, they were really different from what you usually see in 2D/3D CGI animation.

NON , Psyduck and Interpreters during Anime Expo 2023 Roundtable Press Junket

The footage that I saw was stop motion animation, and the movements are totally different from 2D/3D animation. I thought, ‘Oh, this is how you can also enjoy Pokemon in this format, this art form”. I found Haru’s movements very interesting, and it’s done perfectly, and it’s shot frame by frame; when you see that in action, I thought that it was totally believable and it was convincing.

The Production Team

The series is directed by Iku Ogawa (Rilakkuma and Kaoru) and written by Harumi Doki (Cyborg 009 Call of Justice, Ultraman, Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045) with character design by Tadahiro Uesugi (Coraline, Big Hero 6, Luca). The series is set to be released this December, with no exact date currently unavailable.

Take a look behind the scenes with NON, as she explores the POKÉMON CONCIERGE set at dwarf studios,

Will this series resonate with Pokemon fans? Perhaps. As NON stated, this is a different way to enjoy Pokemon. Although not all Pokemon fans will be onboard, we do not think the series will underperform, especially with the incredible talent behind its production and the magic of stop-motion animation. Watch the official teaser below,

Subscribe to our articles below, and don’t miss any upcoming ANIME EXPO’23 content!

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Check out our exclusive interviews on our YOUTUBE CHANNEL

ONE PIECE LIVE-ACTION TRAILER SETS SAIL

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The highly anticipated, live action film One Piece released its first trailer. This Netflix adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s acclaimed manga series, In it protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy and his crew, The Straw Hat Pirates, aim to become the king of Pirates by locating the legendary ‘one piece’. In July 2017, Weekly Shōnen Jump editor-in-chief Hiroyuki Nakano announce the production of this new adaptation of the manga series. Eiichiro Oda, will serve as an educative producer on the series with Arisu Kashiwagi serving as the creative director and designer for the show’s brand identity. Kashiwagi is responsible for designing the series’ logo and title sequence.

The upcoming Live action adaptation is set to be released on August 31st 2023, and will feature cast members, Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero Gibson as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji

The series is set to have 10 episodes, watch the newly released trailer,

One Piece has made a cultural impact among the anime community due to its engaging storyline and characters, this felt throughout Japan where the One Piece has its own film festival, cafes and theme park attractions. On September 18, 2004 the One Piece anime series premiered in the U.S. on the Fox network and later, on Toonami. The anime series features the voice of Colleen Clinkenbeard as Monkey D. Luffy, Sonny Strait as Usopp, Luci Christian as Nami, Eric Vale as Sanji, Brina Palencia as Chopper and, Christopher R. Sabat as Roronoa Zoro.

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EHAMIC’S “Koinu no Carnival – From “Minute Waltz” Going Viral After Being Featured on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3

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Not many anime songs get featured anywhere other than their intended IP; however, in a rare move, Marvel included the song ‘Koinu no Carnival – From “Minute Waltz’ in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3. The song was originally used in the TV anime “Classicaloid.”

Musician EHAMIC

The song was produced by vocalic producer EHAMIC for BN Pictures’ Classicaloidis, an anime series that aired on NHK E-television between 2016 and 2017. It is a comedy in which classical composers such as Beethoven and Mozart appear as “Classicaloids” in the modern age. The songs of the classical composers in the series are called “musik” in the show, and the show has gained popularity because of the collaborations by famous musicians, such as Tomoyasu Hotei for Beethoven, TSUNKU♂ for Bach, and Daisuke Asakura for Liszt.

Koinu no Carnival is the only Japanese song selected to be included in the latest Marvel movie “Guardians of the Galaxy: VOLUME 3”. The song received a great response after the film’s release and ranked No. 1 on the Spotify Viral Top 50 Global & USA Chart (as of May 12), and it also reached the Viral Top 50 in countries and regions worldwide.

The bright and light Waltz No. 6 “Minute Waltz,” originally a solo piano piece, has been arranged by EHAMIC with a samba arrangement and lots of dog barks, together with about 50 Vocaloid voices (mainly of the VOCALOID Galaco) overlapping to create a festive and fun piece.

Japanese VOCALOID galaco developed by Internet Co., Ltd. and YAMAHA Corporation, under the Stardust Music, Inc.

Listen to EHAMIC on Spotify

Did you hear Koinu no Carnival in GoTG vol 3? Tell us your thoughts below!

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Highly Anticipated Animated Feature’ MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG’ to Debut in North America

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This summer, families are invited to discover the fantastical world of ancient forests and be enchanted by the captivating adventure of Mavka, a guardian and soul of the forest, in the new CG-animated feature MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG.

About Mavka The Forest Song

The film will make its North American debut on DVD and digital download on August 15, 2023. Distributed by Shout! Kids, in collaboration with Animagrad Animation Studio and Film.UA Group.

Ukraine-based Animagrad Animation Studio produced the film; amid the ongoing attack from Russia, the filmmaking process for MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG was arduous and hindered by continuous armed bombardment, gunfire, unrest, and massive property destruction onsite. As reported by Variety, the MAVKA production team “continued to work from their homes and from bomb shelters. Some fled to Europe and continued to work on the ambitious animated project remotely.”

The film is based on the Ukrainian drama “The Forest Song” by celebrated poet and author Lesya Ukrainka, MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG. The story unfolds in a universe that blends ancient Slavic traditions and folklore with a modern narrative that showcases Ukrainian culture, values, designs, and music.

The film’s soundtrack is composed by Dario Vero, known for The Stolen Princess, and boasts a rousing soundtrack written by well-known Ukrainian musicians, a mix of folk tunes in modern adaptations, and compositions created especially for this animated adventure. The film delivers an engaging storyline and memorable characters, this uplifting and colorful animated fairytale is bolstered by a strong young female lead character, fascinating folklores, and the relevant theme of environmental conservation. 

Director Oleg Malamuzh

Director Oleg Malamuzh and Sasha Ruban direct the English-language movie. The movie features a talented voice cast of Laurie Hymes (Lupin III: The First), Eddy Lee (Your Name), Sarah Natochenny (Pokemon Master Journeys), Tom Wayland (Pokemon), Marc Thompson (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Scottie Ray (Zane Truesdale), HD Quinn (A Night Before Christmas), Nikki Thomas (Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous), Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld (Pokemon), and Mike Pollock (A Cat in Paris). 

MAVKA: THE FOREST SONG is available for pre-order now at Amazon.com and will be available in stores, other fine retailers, and digital entertainment platforms.

Movie Synopsis

Mavka – the soul of the forest – has been chosen by the supreme spirits to become the forest’s new guardian. But when she meets a talented human musician named Lucas – a man on the hunt for a mysterious tree with the power to give life, she is faced with an impossible choice between her newfound love and her duty to the spirits. Can humans and the forest live in harmony, or will greed and vice destroy them both? 

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KEIICHI HARA’S “LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR” Coming to Theaters Nationwide June

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Celebrating its 15th anniversary, producer and distributor of award-winning and artist-driven animation GKIDS announced the limited theatrical release of Keiichi Hara’s newest film, LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR.

KEIICHI HARA’S LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR

The film is directed by Keiichi Hara known for Miss Hokusai, Colorful, & The Wonderland. The film features animation from the lauded A-1 Pictures, and is adapted from the beloved novel of the same name by Mizuki Tsujimura. The film is set to screen in select theaters nationwide on June 21 and 22nd only.

The film held its International Premiere at the Rotterdam International Film Festival, making it the first time a Japanese animated feature was selected for the festival. Additionally, had its US premiere at the New York International Children’s Film Festival. The film was also nominated for the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year, and was a box office hit during its domestic release in Japan in December 2022, grossing over one billion yen (approx. 7.3 million USD).

Keiichi Hara in 2011 at the Salón del Manga in Barcelona, Spain | (C) Mutari

Director Keiichi Hara has worked with various past collaborators on the project, including screenwriter Miho Maruo and composer Harumi Fuuki who also worked on Miss Hokusai & The Wonderland, in addition to acclaimed artist Ilya Kuvshinov (The Wonderland) for visual concept and castle designs.  

In Theaters Nationwide

GKIDS will release LONELY CASTLE IN THE MIRROR theatrically in both its original Japanese language with an all-new English dubbed version in select theaters nationwide on June 21 and 22nd, tickets are now on sale here. GKIDS also handles North American distribution for Keiichi Hara’s films, including his previous features Summer Days with Coo (2007) and Miss Hokusai (2015). 

Film Synopsis

Shy outcast Kokoro has been avoiding school for weeks when she discovers a portal in her bedroom mirror. She reaches through and finds herself transported to an enchanting castle where she is joined by six other students. When a girl in a wolf mask explains that they have been invited to play a game, the teens must work together to uncover the mysterious connection that unites them. However, anyone who breaks the rules will be eaten by a wolf. 

Learn more about on the official website, LonelyCastleMovie.com. You can read the novel by Mizuki Tsujimura here or listen to it in audiobook. Lonely Castle in the Mirror, by Mizuki Tsujimura is a heartfelt drama about the pains of growing up and the unlikely bonds that can bring people together. 

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“Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One” World Premiere – WonderCon 2023

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To celebrate the union of The Justice League and RWBY, Warner Bros. hosted the world premiere of the first ever collaboration between The Justice League & anime inspired series, RWBY at this year’s WonderCon!

A post-screening panel was headlined by the voice talent of Natalie Alyn Lind (Big Sky, The Goldbergs, Gotham) as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince and RWBY’s long-running cast – Lindsay Jones (Camp Camp) as Ruby, Kara Eberle (RWBY: Ice Queendom) as Weiss, Arryn Zech (The Detective is Already Dead) as Blake, and Barbara Dunkelman (Blood Fest) as Yang – alongside Jeannie Tirado (Soul, Saints Row) as Green Lantern, and Tru Valentino (The Rookie, The Cuphead Show!) as Cyborg.

Also included on the panel are producer/director Kerry Shawcross (RWBY franchise) and screenwriter Meghan Fitzmartin. Watch the FULL panel below,

Film Synopsis

Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One finds the Justice League facing off against a new horror: adolescence! Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Cyborg, Green Lantern and Vixen are surprised to find that not only have they materialized on a strange world called Remnant, but they’ve also been transformed into teenagers. Meanwhile, the heroes of Remnant – Ruby, Weiss, Blake and Yang – find their world has been mysteriously altered. Can the combined forces of the Justice League and Team RWBY return Remnant to normal before a superpowered Grimm destroys everything they know?

Release Date

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, Rooster Teeth Animation, DC and Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment, Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One, available to purchase Digitally and on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and Blu-ray on April 25, 2023. Available to preorder on Amazon:

Can’t get enough of RWBY or need to catch up? Here some products we think you’ll love

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