Okamoto Kitchen has been around since 2015, since then, they’ve been catering to hungry anime fans across southern California.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We spoke with Made In Abyss film director Masayuki Kojima & the film’s music composer, Kevin Penkin during the red carpet premiere:
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.
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 veryfirst U.S. screening of Trinity Seven 2*!
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!
…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!
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
Voiced by Cristina Vee
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
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.
In 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!
If you have any information pertaining to this particular story, you can contact The Kitsune Network at KitsuneNetworkProductions@gmail.com.
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:
BTS - Shibuya & Krystal | Photos by: Vincent Reyes
BTS - Shibuya & Krystal | Photos by: Vincent Reyes
BTS - Shibuya & Krystal | Photos by: Vincent Reyes
BTS - Shibuya & Krystal | Photos by: Vincent Reyes
BTS - Shibuya & Krystal | Photos by: Vincent Reyes
BTS - Shibuya & Krystal | Photos by: Vincent Reyes
BTS - Shibuya & Krystal | Photos by: Vincent Reyes
BTS - Shibuya & Krystal | Photos by: Vincent Reyes
BTS - Shibuya & Krystal | Photos by: Vincent Reyes
BTS - Shibuya & Krystal | Photos by: Vincent Reyes
BTS - Shibuya & Krystal | Photos by: Vincent Reyes
BTS - Shibuya & Krystal | Photos by: Vincent Reyes
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GIVEAWAY
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.
ZAG studios open its door in 2015 in Glendale, California and since then, the studio kept on expanding. Much like their beloved hit TV series, Miraculous Ladybug, they’ve branched out to various forms of media, such as comics, magazines, TV series, Youtube shorts, and even an upcoming motion picture.
Now they’re opening their very own store in Santa Monica, California
STOP! Don’t run out the door yet, the store has yet to release their grand opening date, although ZAG did make an announcement stating that their store would be open by winter 2018, it never came to fruition. The Zag Store team has recently updated their site, stated that the store is “Opening April 7th 2019“!
We stopped by to learn that building is, in fact, closed to the public and under construction.
Front entrance
Queen Bee sculpture in front of the store. We’re sure that belongs on window, it figure after all.
Sneak peak of their merchandise. Notice their ‘Season 4 & 5’ light up advertisement
Office space…Another mini studio?
Here’s logo we’re all familiar with.
Although the store is not yet opened, there’s no doubt Miraculers (Miraculous Ladybug fans) are already saving up in order to prepare for what awaits for them inside ‘The Miraculous Ladybug store’.
Actual Design
A real life Adrien Agreste poster
A real life Adrien Agreste poster!
Rena Rouge Sculpture
But if you don’t want to wait, their online store is open and accepting orders!
Keep your eye for more exciting and exclusive Miraculous Ladybug updates here on The Kitsune Network, we already have another Miraculous Ladybug guest interview in the work, stay tuned!
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 Kitsunenetworkproductions@gmail.com.
A new year has begun and the Con season rolls out, beginning with Anime Los Angeles 2019 held at Ontario’s Convention Center.
Anime Los Angeles or ALA is known for their enthusiastic atmosphere and since their relocation from the LAX Marriott, ALA has no trouble keeping up with traditions.
RIBBONS!
Over 150+ Ribbons (We counted)
Look at that smile though. Accomplished Otaku.
During the con, we had the honor of interviewing Miraculous Ladybug voice director and voice actor himself, EZRA WEISZ!
We also had the chance to catch with a special friend of ours, KAHO SHIBUYA, who granted us an exclusive interview!
As you may remember, we unexpectedly got the chance to interview Kaho Shibuya in November of last year during HentaiCon 2018.
Even though ALA had exciting parties and exhibits to attend, the most eventful part of the weekend, occurred throughout the early morning hours of Day 3; Sunday. A man, now dubbed theAnime Los Angeles stalker, targeted a con attendee’s car and set it ablaze.
The blaze not only destroyed the victim’s car but destroyed 6 other cars parked next to it. For more information, CLICK HERE for the FULL report.
Overall, Anime Los Angeles 2019 was a huge hit! Great parties, an amazing artist alley, and great cosplays which can see on our Anime Los Angeles 2019 Gallery below! ’til next year!
Anime conventions are no stranger to unexpected events, but early Sunday morning at approximately 1:30 AM, attendees of Anime Los Angeles, along with other guests at the Folk Inn Hotel in Ontario, CA, were startled awake by what was initially believed to be an active shooter situation.
However, it was later confirmed that the disturbance was not due to an active shooter but rather a deliberate act of arson, destroying seven vehicles.
Both the Folk Inn Hotel and its neighboring Azure Hotel & Suites were evacuated. According to eyewitness Nora Moto, who was staying at the Azure Hotel, hotel staff and residents knocked on doors, urging people to evacuate immediately. “People were panicking because they thought it was an active shooter,” Moto told The Kitsune Network. “The fire burst the tires, and people thought someone was shooting up the place.”
The false reports of an active shooter caused further panic, leading guests in the Azure Hotel lobby to flee into the streets. Some rushed toward the nearby Gateway Hotel, adjacent to the Ontario Convention Center, in an effort to escape what they believed was a life-threatening situation.
Suspect Arrested in Connection with the Fire
After the fire was extinguished, law enforcement detained a person of interest. According to a police officer at the scene, a witness saw an individual pouring gasoline on a vehicle before setting it on fire. The flames quickly spread to adjacent cars. The suspect then fled the scene in an unidentified vehicle, but not before a witness recorded the license plate number.
The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Matt Masumi Toyotome, an Anime Los Angeles attendee, was later arrested at his Riverside home without incident. He is currently being held at the West Valley Detention Center on suspicion of arson, with bail set at $250,000.
Motive: A Years-Long Obsession
Sources indicate that Toyotome deliberately targeted a 2015 Subaru Outback belonging to fellow convention attendee Julia Moreno Jenkins, with whom he had been obsessed for years.
Jenkins’ Facebook profile photo
A friend of the victim, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that Toyotome had been harassing Jenkins for over three years. The two initially met while collaborating on a fan-made YouTube series called Armored Rangers, a project created by a group of Power Rangers fans.
During the production, Toyotome became infatuated with Jenkins, despite the fact that she had been in a long-term relationship since 2013. After the series ended, the group went their separate ways, but Jenkins remained active in the YouTube community and gained notable recognition within the Power Rangers fandom.
Escalating Harassment and a Disturbing Attack
Over time, Toyotome’s obsession escalated into jealousy and harassment. He allegedly repeatedly visited Jenkins’ home uninvited, left unsolicited gifts, and followed her at conventions.
While the specific trigger for the arson remains unclear, speculation suggests that Toyotome’s advances were firmly rejected by Jenkins during Anime Los Angeles 2019, potentially leading to the attack.
What’s left of Jenkins’ 2015 Subaru Outback; Although an eyewitness did see Matt pour gasoline to the car, Matt possibly bought gasoline from the adjacent, Quick Gasoline gas station.
Other Victims of the Fire
Jenkins was not the only victim of this incident. Several of the destroyed vehicles belonged to other Anime Los Angeles attendees, including Sabrina Snowdon, whose 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport was completely burned.
Photo provided to us by Sabrina
VIDEO FOOTAGE:
“I only had liability insurance, so my insurance will not cover me and I got it for $27,000. It was a really good working 2015 Subaru Outback. [. . .]I appreciate everyone who has helped be here for me during this ordeal, and thank you all for encouraging me to go through with starting a go fund me. I can’t say thank you enough for the cosplay community being so supportive and helpful to me in just every way.”
– Julia Jenkins via Go-FundMe
This shocking event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked obsession and harassment within fan communities.
Gallery Nucleus held a special exhibition in honour of Mamoru Hosoda works, featuring artwork from his various filmed such as Wolf Children, The Boy and the Beast, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and more recently, Mirai.
Check out Hosoda’s inspiration for drawing here. Brought to you by GKIDS Films.
