Shinichiro Watanabe’s hold on his craft is impeccable; he could easily be an anime character himself, someone who is sought out by others to achieve mastery of something. He always manages to carry his defining factors into his subsequent works while experimenting with new things and genres. Some of his notable works include Cowboy Bebop, Space Dandy, Terror in Resonance Samurai Champloo, and Kids on the Slope.
Terror in Resonance | Credits: Studio Mappa
While most of his works are highly regarded by fans, Terror in Resonance has some evident flaws. Even with its shortcomings, the anime excels through Watanabe’s direction and the memorable musical score by Yoko Kanno. In an interview, Watanabe spoke at length about his inspiration behind these two striking aspects of Terror in Resonance.
It All Circles Back to Music for Watanabe, and So Was the Case with Terror in Resonance Twelve and Lisa | Credits:...
Terror in Resonance | Credits: Studio Mappa
While most of his works are highly regarded by fans, Terror in Resonance has some evident flaws. Even with its shortcomings, the anime excels through Watanabe’s direction and the memorable musical score by Yoko Kanno. In an interview, Watanabe spoke at length about his inspiration behind these two striking aspects of Terror in Resonance.
It All Circles Back to Music for Watanabe, and So Was the Case with Terror in Resonance Twelve and Lisa | Credits:...
- 10/28/2024
- by Laveena Joshi
- FandomWire
Andrew Lee can’t stop releasing music. Whether it’s a new full length album Sanshi with his band Ripped to Shreds, or another new album, Koncertos Of Kawaiiness: Stealing Jon Chang’s Ideas, A Book by Andrew Lee from his anime-themed grindcore solo project Houkago Grind Time, the new tunes keep on coming. As you can probably tell by at least one of the bands, Lee is a massive anime fan and allows it to guide his artistic endeavors. I had the chance to chat with him to hear more about his anime origins, taking inspiration from multiple genres, and the type of series in which he could imagine his own music. Can you tell me a little about your anime journey? How it started and where you are now? Are there genres you gravitate toward? Andrew Lee : The earliest anime memories I have are of a copy...
- 10/22/2024
- by Alex Lebl
- Crunchyroll
With the release of Cowboy Bebop in 1998, Shinichirō Watanabe redefined anime, blending genres like sci-fi, jazz, and noir into a stylistic masterpiece that is still adored worldwide. Its unique characters, philosophical undertones, and genre-blurring style have earned it a place among the most iconic anime ever created. However, despite its massive success, Watanabe chose not to repeat the same formula that had worked so well for Cowboy Bebop.
Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop | Credit: Studio Sunrise
The decision of Watanabe to explore new concepts and constantly reinvent his work is inspired by the musical genius David Bowie. Just as Bowie refused to be constrained by audience expectations, Watanabe too has strived to avoid creative repetition in his projects, preferring to explore new artistic landscapes with each journey.
David Bowie’s Influence on Shinichirō Watanabe: A Creative Philosophy of Change
While Cowboy Bebop became a worldwide phenomenon, the fame brought over...
Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop | Credit: Studio Sunrise
The decision of Watanabe to explore new concepts and constantly reinvent his work is inspired by the musical genius David Bowie. Just as Bowie refused to be constrained by audience expectations, Watanabe too has strived to avoid creative repetition in his projects, preferring to explore new artistic landscapes with each journey.
David Bowie’s Influence on Shinichirō Watanabe: A Creative Philosophy of Change
While Cowboy Bebop became a worldwide phenomenon, the fame brought over...
- 9/29/2024
- by Moumita Chakraborty
- FandomWire
The world of anime is growing bigger and bigger with each passing day, and countless titles in different genres are being added. However, there’s something special about the charm of the classic series that we have all grown up watching. While titles like Baki Hanma, One Piece, and Naruto have always been popular among the fans, there’s one title that has resonated quite well among the Otaku community.
Gear 5 Luffy. Credits: Toei Animation
Hajime no Ippo is the perfect show for boxing fanatics or viewers interested in watching sports series. It features an indomitable fighting spirit and immense character development that will keep the viewers hooked on the show. The show has been aired for the very first time in the year 2000.
Since then, the show did not have to look back. Despite being so popular in the Otaku community, it did not feature any sequel or spin-off series.
Gear 5 Luffy. Credits: Toei Animation
Hajime no Ippo is the perfect show for boxing fanatics or viewers interested in watching sports series. It features an indomitable fighting spirit and immense character development that will keep the viewers hooked on the show. The show has been aired for the very first time in the year 2000.
Since then, the show did not have to look back. Despite being so popular in the Otaku community, it did not feature any sequel or spin-off series.
- 9/27/2024
- by Tushar Auddy
- FandomWire
Ergo Proxy anime could easily be considered underrated, as a result of the disparity between its quality and its popularity. Some aspects of the show are the peak of the cyberpunk experience. However, the pacing of the show affects its appeal, making it unfit for everyone. Despite this, the anime enjoys a dedicated fanbase that appreciates everything it offers.
Beyond the spectacular visuals, Ergo Proxy can get dark and heavy. The makers had a specific vision in mind that explains the darker elements of the show. During an interview, Dai Sato shared that it was a Marvel show that reminded him the goal behind the anime. Here’s the complete story of how this connection between Marvel and Ergo Proxy came to be.
Dai Sato Speaks on the Inspiration Behind Ergo Proxy Re-l Mayer, the protagonist of the series | Credits: Manglobe
Dai Sato is a renowned figure in the anime-manga industry.
Beyond the spectacular visuals, Ergo Proxy can get dark and heavy. The makers had a specific vision in mind that explains the darker elements of the show. During an interview, Dai Sato shared that it was a Marvel show that reminded him the goal behind the anime. Here’s the complete story of how this connection between Marvel and Ergo Proxy came to be.
Dai Sato Speaks on the Inspiration Behind Ergo Proxy Re-l Mayer, the protagonist of the series | Credits: Manglobe
Dai Sato is a renowned figure in the anime-manga industry.
- 9/21/2024
- by Laveena Joshi
- FandomWire
This week on The Anime Effect: UK band Oma and Shing02 stop by the pod on their Luv(sic) Hexalogy Tour, plus even More updates about Dragon Ball Daima and the hosts eagerly await playing as Zelda in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom . Episode 31 of The Anime Effect is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and anywhere else you listen to your podcasts! If you're waiting to watch the video episode, it'll be live on Crunchyroll and YouTube at 7 p.m. Et. Listen or Watch on: Episode 32 Summary In this week's episode, LeAlec is joined by guest hosts Alex Lebl and Josellie Rios to share their deepest, darkest secrets but also talk Bocchi The Rock! movie news, even more Dragon Ball Daima updates and Solo Leveling season two premiere announcement, plus more! Then, Leah and LeAlec sit down with UK band Oma, who recently toured with Shing02, and chat about their hip-hop influences,...
- 9/20/2024
- by Carla Solórzano
- Crunchyroll
The current generation of anime weebs won’t know this, but Cowboy Bebop was one of the gateway series that led to the worldwide recognition of the anime industry. The eccentric story of Cowboy Bebop follows the adventures of Cowboy Spike Spiegel and his friends, who journey through space and work as bounty hunters in the year 2071.
Cowboy Bebop | Credit: Studio Sunrise
It was directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, who is famously known in the anime industry for his works like Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, etc. Watanabe is one of the best-known anime directors in history, and most of this fame comes from Cowboy Bebop. However, Cowboy Bebop was not his first project as a director.
Cowboy Bebop fans might not know this, but Watanabe also worked on the famous Japanese franchise Macross from the 80s. He was involved with the second production of the franchise called Macross Plus. But his...
Cowboy Bebop | Credit: Studio Sunrise
It was directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, who is famously known in the anime industry for his works like Samurai Champloo, Space Dandy, etc. Watanabe is one of the best-known anime directors in history, and most of this fame comes from Cowboy Bebop. However, Cowboy Bebop was not his first project as a director.
Cowboy Bebop fans might not know this, but Watanabe also worked on the famous Japanese franchise Macross from the 80s. He was involved with the second production of the franchise called Macross Plus. But his...
- 9/1/2024
- by Tarun Kohli
- FandomWire
The Blu-ray box sets for the final season and chapters of “Attack on Titan” are set will be available to purchase through the anime streamer Crunchyroll on Nov. 26 in North America.
The limited edition Blu-ray and DVD combo pack version will include a 148-page art book, a 32-page digibook, seven art cards and two exclusive Titan enamel pins. The development comes eight months after the English dub version of “Attack on Titan: The Final Season The Final Chapters Special 2” dropped on Cruncyhroll on Jan. 7.
In addition, Crunchyroll will also be rereleasing Blu-ray box sets for “Dragon Ball Super” (all 131 episodes) and “Dragon Ball Z” (all 291 episodes), which will launch exclusively on the Crunchyroll store on Nov. 5. The boxes will include “special features that will provide fans with various behind-the-scenes conversations with the iconic English voice actors from the series,” Crunchyroll said in a release.
Crunchyroll will also rerelease a new...
The limited edition Blu-ray and DVD combo pack version will include a 148-page art book, a 32-page digibook, seven art cards and two exclusive Titan enamel pins. The development comes eight months after the English dub version of “Attack on Titan: The Final Season The Final Chapters Special 2” dropped on Cruncyhroll on Jan. 7.
In addition, Crunchyroll will also be rereleasing Blu-ray box sets for “Dragon Ball Super” (all 131 episodes) and “Dragon Ball Z” (all 291 episodes), which will launch exclusively on the Crunchyroll store on Nov. 5. The boxes will include “special features that will provide fans with various behind-the-scenes conversations with the iconic English voice actors from the series,” Crunchyroll said in a release.
Crunchyroll will also rerelease a new...
- 8/22/2024
- by Raquel 'Rocky' Harris
- The Wrap
Welcome, readers, to Late to the Party , a column that's right on time when it comes to catching up on anime everyone's already watched. This column addresses a universal truth in regard to being an anime fan: an anime backlog is quite the powerful beast. Many of us have one, where we amass more and more content we have designated in the "planning to watch" category. How and why it takes so long to actually address this task varies from person to person, but the gratification of finally allocating the time is really quite splendid. Occasionally, it’s by watching a classic anime from yesteryear that you’ve had your eye on for quite some time. In other instances, it’s a more recent premiere that just slipped by. Seeing as we are halfway through the year, I wanted to mark one of the big ones off my checklist for July.
- 7/21/2024
- by Tony Cocking
- Crunchyroll
Somehow, it's been 20 years since director Shinichiro Watanabe and Manglobe's Samurai Champloo anime first aired. The series is celebrating with a new global Video Clash contest , which invites fans to create their own music videos using footage from the anime and a selection of designated music tracks. There's also a stylish new key visual featuring Mugen and Jin from Samurai Champloo character designer Kazuto Nakazawa. Check out the full visual below and read on for more about the Video Clash contest. Related: The Japanese History in Samurai Champloo The Video Clash contest is made up of two categories: a Shorts Category that will be submitted through YouTube Shorts and a Music Video Category for full music videos on YouTube. The winning videos will be released on the FlyingDog YouTube channel as official music videos. Those who win the Shorts category will receive a US$300 gift card and those who...
- 7/2/2024
- by Joseph Luster
- Crunchyroll
Welcome to another episode of “Kathleen Has a Mythology Degree and Is Determined to Use It!” Today, we are going to dive into an anime beloved by many and one of my all-time favorites, Yu Yu Hakusho . This anime has it all: the supernatural, great fight scenes and what is arguably the best tournament arc in the business. It also has deep roots in various myths and religions, which we will explore a little more below. Fox Spirits Image via Wikimedia Commons Kurama, one of our main characters, is a famed bandit demon reborn to a human mother. During flashbacks, Kurama is depicted as a fox demon. Fox yokai (supernatural beings) are extremely common in tales all across Japan, and there are dozens of different kinds, each with their own mythic stories. The most common fox yokai is a kitsune , which can be divided into several subgroups. Kitsune generally have...
- 6/24/2024
- by Kathleen Townsend
- Crunchyroll
Director Shinichirō Watanabe is mostly known for his classic anime series Cowboy Bebop, and fans might not know this, but Watanabe has also created the underrated Samurai Champloo. The story follows the adventures of tea waitress Fuu, drifter fugitive Mugen, and Ronin Jin as they go on a search for a samurai who smells like flowers.
Samurai Champloo | Studio Manglobe
The 26-episode series aired from May 2004 to March 2005 and explored multiple themes and settings, like the Edo period, which focused on the Samurais, the struggles of minorities, and the portrayal of death. However, the main focus of the story was the combination of samurai and hip-hop, which held a special place in the music of the series.
The scriptwriter of Samurai Champloo, Dai Sato, once revealed the reason behind the special focus of the series on hip-hop culture and how it helped in the overall success of the series. The...
Samurai Champloo | Studio Manglobe
The 26-episode series aired from May 2004 to March 2005 and explored multiple themes and settings, like the Edo period, which focused on the Samurais, the struggles of minorities, and the portrayal of death. However, the main focus of the story was the combination of samurai and hip-hop, which held a special place in the music of the series.
The scriptwriter of Samurai Champloo, Dai Sato, once revealed the reason behind the special focus of the series on hip-hop culture and how it helped in the overall success of the series. The...
- 6/14/2024
- by Tarun Kohli
- FandomWire
The name Samurai Champloo brings to mind many things: a banging Op, fantastic sword fights, unforgettable characters and for those of us oldies, watching the FUNimation TV channel every week to catch the latest episode. Of course, not everything is historically accurate in Samurai Champloo , as evidenced by the hip-hop soundtrack. The exact year the anime takes place is slightly murky. One episode states there are relations between Japan and the Dutch East India Trading Company, which went defunct in 1798. Another episode features a six-shooter, which wasn’t invented until 1814. A few historic individuals named lived in the 1600s as well. All of this is part of the Edo period, though, so I like to call this “Vague Edo period,” a time when every major event happened and every player on the national stage lived at once. Either way, there are many fun little tidbits of history baked into the...
- 3/26/2024
- by Kathleen Townsend
- Crunchyroll
Wayfarer took the metal world by storm with their sweeping black metal epic album American Gothic in 2023. The album provides a unique look at the history of the United States, and drummer Isaac Faulk has previously discussed numerous different elements that influenced the album’s creation. Faulk’s long-running relationship with anime manifests itself in countless ways in Wayfarer’s music, as well as the music of his numerous other projects like Stormkeep and Blood Incantation. From anime OSTs to subject matter to artistic presentation, the medium is deeply influential in his creative process. I chatted with Faulk to learn a bit more about how Trigun and Flcl were pivotal in making one of the year’s best albums. American Gothic has been such a smash success and ended up on so many “Album of the Year” lists! What was that recording process like? Isaac : The last record was more in this big,...
- 3/16/2024
- by Alex Lebl
- Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll®, the ultimate home for anime worldwide, revealed the winners for the 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards during a live ceremony featuring global celebrity presenters and exciting musical performances, all to honor the creators, musicians, and performers powering the global love of anime. The full list of winners can be found below and on the Anime Awards website.
The 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards were held live in Tokyo, Japan and live-streamed globally, hosted by voice actress Sally Amaki and popular entertainer Jon Kabira. The winners for each category were revealed by a slate of global celebrity presenters, representing passionate anime fans from across entertainment including three-time Grammy-winning recording artist Megan Thee Stallion, Japanese singer-songwriter LiSA, award-winning actress Iman Vellani (Ms. Marvel and The Marvels), Academy Award winning duo Phil Lord & Chris Miller (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse), director Joaquim Dos Santos (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse), sports superstar DeMarcus Lawrence (NFL's Dallas Cowboys) and...
The 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards were held live in Tokyo, Japan and live-streamed globally, hosted by voice actress Sally Amaki and popular entertainer Jon Kabira. The winners for each category were revealed by a slate of global celebrity presenters, representing passionate anime fans from across entertainment including three-time Grammy-winning recording artist Megan Thee Stallion, Japanese singer-songwriter LiSA, award-winning actress Iman Vellani (Ms. Marvel and The Marvels), Academy Award winning duo Phil Lord & Chris Miller (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse), director Joaquim Dos Santos (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse), sports superstar DeMarcus Lawrence (NFL's Dallas Cowboys) and...
- 3/5/2024
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 was the big winner at Crunchyroll’s Anime Awards in Tokyo over the weekend, taking the top-prize anime of the year honor and triumphing in 10 additional categories, including best director, best character design, best action and best cinematography. The best film prize went to Mokoto Shinkai’s anime blockbuster Suzume, while Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc won several key categories, such as best animation and best fantasy.
The annual awards show, now in its eighth year, selects leading achievements in Japanese animation across a broad range of categories and picks the winners via a global popular vote. The show aired live on Crunchyroll, the anime specialty streamer owned by Sony Group, with a replay later released over the brand’s YouTube and Twitch channels. Japanese entertainer Jon Kabira and voice actress Sally Amaki hosted the show.
In recent editions, the event’s popularity has...
The annual awards show, now in its eighth year, selects leading achievements in Japanese animation across a broad range of categories and picks the winners via a global popular vote. The show aired live on Crunchyroll, the anime specialty streamer owned by Sony Group, with a replay later released over the brand’s YouTube and Twitch channels. Japanese entertainer Jon Kabira and voice actress Sally Amaki hosted the show.
In recent editions, the event’s popularity has...
- 3/4/2024
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Crunchyroll just wrapped up its 2024 Anime Awards, and what a night it was! Held live in Tokyo and streamed worldwide, the event was a grand celebration of anime, featuring big names from all corners of entertainment. Sally Amaki and Jon Kabira hosted the show, making sure everyone had a great time.
We got to see some amazing performances too. Hiroyuki Sawano and Kohta Yamamoto knocked it out of the park with the Anime Awards Theme Song. Shing02, Oma, and Spin Master A-1 took us back with ‘battlecry’ from Samurai Champloo. And Yoasobi’s ‘Idol’ performance was just the cherry on top.
Now, let’s talk winners. ‘Jujutsu Kaisen Hidden Inventory / Premature Death‘ took home quite a few awards including Anime of the Year and Best Action. ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc‘ wasn’t far behind, winning for Best Animation and Art Direction. ‘Spy x Family‘ got us laughing with Best Comedy,...
We got to see some amazing performances too. Hiroyuki Sawano and Kohta Yamamoto knocked it out of the park with the Anime Awards Theme Song. Shing02, Oma, and Spin Master A-1 took us back with ‘battlecry’ from Samurai Champloo. And Yoasobi’s ‘Idol’ performance was just the cherry on top.
Now, let’s talk winners. ‘Jujutsu Kaisen Hidden Inventory / Premature Death‘ took home quite a few awards including Anime of the Year and Best Action. ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc‘ wasn’t far behind, winning for Best Animation and Art Direction. ‘Spy x Family‘ got us laughing with Best Comedy,...
- 3/2/2024
- by Hrvoje Milakovic
- Fiction Horizon
The 8th annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards just concluded in Tokyo — with “Jujutsu Kaisen” Season 2 wining a total of 11 honors, including the top prize of anime of the year.
Crunchyroll revealed the winners of the fan-voted awards during a live ceremony Saturday, March 2, featuring celebrity presenters and musical performances. (The full list of winners is below.) A replay of the 2024 Anime Awards, hosted by voice actor Sally Amaki and entertainer Jon Kabira, will be available to stream on Crunchyroll’s official YouTube and Twitch channels.
Three-time Grammy-winner Megan Thee Stallion (pictured above) presented the award for anime of the year to “Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory/Premature Death.” The series also won trophies for best director (Shota Goshozono), best action, best character design, best cinematography, best ending and opening sequences, best supporting character (Satoru Gojo) and three voice actor awards.
.@theestallion Stallion presenting at the 2024 @Crunchyroll @TheAnimeAwards pic.twitter.com/0Fr9FtjzpS...
Crunchyroll revealed the winners of the fan-voted awards during a live ceremony Saturday, March 2, featuring celebrity presenters and musical performances. (The full list of winners is below.) A replay of the 2024 Anime Awards, hosted by voice actor Sally Amaki and entertainer Jon Kabira, will be available to stream on Crunchyroll’s official YouTube and Twitch channels.
Three-time Grammy-winner Megan Thee Stallion (pictured above) presented the award for anime of the year to “Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory/Premature Death.” The series also won trophies for best director (Shota Goshozono), best action, best character design, best cinematography, best ending and opening sequences, best supporting character (Satoru Gojo) and three voice actor awards.
.@theestallion Stallion presenting at the 2024 @Crunchyroll @TheAnimeAwards pic.twitter.com/0Fr9FtjzpS...
- 3/2/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the TV anime Samurai Champloo , streaming of its soundtrack music began on various music streaming services and major download sites worldwide, such as Spotify, iTunes Store, RecoChoku, and mora, on January 8, 2024. Flying Dog's official YouTube channel has posted a teaser clip to announce the news below. Samurai Champloo was directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, known for his directorial works for Cowboy Bebop , and aired for 26 episodes from May to September 2004. While the story is set in the Edo period (1603-1868), the anime used innovative visuals influenced by hip-hop culture, such as DJ scratching and breakdancing. Nujabes, fat jon, Force Of Nature, Tsutchie, and others participated in the soundtrack, and the music they created now are presented to the world once again. Crunchyroll, which streams the anime's all 26 episodes , describes the story: Mugen is a ferocious, animalistic warrior with a fighting style inspired by break-dancing.
- 1/9/2024
- by Mikikazu Komatsu
- Crunchyroll
Onimusha is a supernatural action anime series directed by Takashi Miike. Based on a landmark action game of the same name, the Netflix series is set in Japan’s early Edo Period and it revolves around Miyamoto Musashi, who embarks on a secret mission armed with a mythical weapon to vanquish the demons lurking in the dark. So, if you loved the Netflix anime series here are some similar shows you could watch next.
Samurai Champloo (Hulu & Prime Video Add-On)
Synopsis: Gintama is a story of a handyman named Gintoki, a samurai with no respect for rules set by the invaders, who’s ready to take any job to survive. He and his gang, however, are also among the very few who have not forgotten the morale of a swordsman. Wherever they go, all they do is to create troubles. Troubles that they of course try to solve, but in reality…...
Samurai Champloo (Hulu & Prime Video Add-On)
Synopsis: Gintama is a story of a handyman named Gintoki, a samurai with no respect for rules set by the invaders, who’s ready to take any job to survive. He and his gang, however, are also among the very few who have not forgotten the morale of a swordsman. Wherever they go, all they do is to create troubles. Troubles that they of course try to solve, but in reality…...
- 11/14/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Blue Eye Samurai is an adult action anime created by Michael Green and Amber Noizumi. The Netflix animated series is set in Japan’s Edo period (17th century), and it revolves around a mixed-race swordmaster Mizu in her quest for revenge. So, if you loved the animated series, here are some similar shows you could watch next.
Samurai Champloo (Hulu & Prime Video Add-On)
Synopsis: Gintama is a story of a handyman named Gintoki, a samurai with no respect for rules set by the invaders, who’s ready to take any job to survive. He and his gang, however, are also among the very few who have not forgotten the morale of a swordsman. Wherever they go, all they do is to create troubles. Troubles that they of course try to solve, but in reality…
Dororo (Rent on Prime Video)
Synopsis: In Japan’s Warring States period, Lord Daigo Kagemitsu makes a pact with 12 demons,...
Samurai Champloo (Hulu & Prime Video Add-On)
Synopsis: Gintama is a story of a handyman named Gintoki, a samurai with no respect for rules set by the invaders, who’s ready to take any job to survive. He and his gang, however, are also among the very few who have not forgotten the morale of a swordsman. Wherever they go, all they do is to create troubles. Troubles that they of course try to solve, but in reality…
Dororo (Rent on Prime Video)
Synopsis: In Japan’s Warring States period, Lord Daigo Kagemitsu makes a pact with 12 demons,...
- 11/5/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
The big movie studios opted out of San Diego Comic-Con 2023, meaning the event didn't have all the air sucked up by the next big Marvel Cinematic Universe news for once. One of the most exciting announcements was "Lazarus," a new sci-fi thriller anime from Shinichirō Watanabe and Studio Mappa.
The announcement came with a teaser trailer; Watanabe's animes always have a musical theme and it looks like "Lazarus" will have the same jazzy score as "Bebop" (this time performed by saxophonist Kamasi Washington). Rather than a U.S. import like most anime, "Lazarus" will premiere on Toonami (the production team is aiming to be finished by the end of 2024). The American influence doesn't stop there, for the action scenes will be designed by "John Wick" director Chad Stahelski. Watanabe crafts animated action with unrivaled fluidity, so him and Stahelski working together is a dream team.
Even before this project,...
The announcement came with a teaser trailer; Watanabe's animes always have a musical theme and it looks like "Lazarus" will have the same jazzy score as "Bebop" (this time performed by saxophonist Kamasi Washington). Rather than a U.S. import like most anime, "Lazarus" will premiere on Toonami (the production team is aiming to be finished by the end of 2024). The American influence doesn't stop there, for the action scenes will be designed by "John Wick" director Chad Stahelski. Watanabe crafts animated action with unrivaled fluidity, so him and Stahelski working together is a dream team.
Even before this project,...
- 8/5/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Adult Swim has given the green light to a new anime series from Shinichirō Watanabe, Lazarus.
The series will mark Watanabe’s return to the sci-fi action genre with a globe-trotting thriller set in the near future.
The year is 2052 – an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity prevails across the globe. The reason for this: mankind has been freed from sickness and pain. Nobel Prize winning neuroscientist Dr. Skinner has developed a miracle cure-all drug with no apparent drawbacks called Hapuna. Hapuna soon becomes ubiquitous… and essential. However, soon after Hapuna is officially introduced, Dr. Skinner vanishes.
Three years later, the world has moved on. But Dr. Skinner has returned – this time, as a harbinger of doom. Skinner announces that Hapuna has a short half-life. Everyone who has taken it will die approximately three years later. Death is coming for this sinful world – and coming soon.
As a response to this threat,...
The series will mark Watanabe’s return to the sci-fi action genre with a globe-trotting thriller set in the near future.
The year is 2052 – an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity prevails across the globe. The reason for this: mankind has been freed from sickness and pain. Nobel Prize winning neuroscientist Dr. Skinner has developed a miracle cure-all drug with no apparent drawbacks called Hapuna. Hapuna soon becomes ubiquitous… and essential. However, soon after Hapuna is officially introduced, Dr. Skinner vanishes.
Three years later, the world has moved on. But Dr. Skinner has returned – this time, as a harbinger of doom. Skinner announces that Hapuna has a short half-life. Everyone who has taken it will die approximately three years later. Death is coming for this sinful world – and coming soon.
As a response to this threat,...
- 7/20/2023
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
Adult Swim has greenlit “Lazarus,” a new Toonami series from renowned anime director Shinichirō Watanabe, known for his work helming episodes of “Cowboy Bebop,” “Samurai Champloo” and “Kids on the Slope.”
Produced by Sola Entertainment and animated by Studio Mappa, “Lazarus” also recruits the contributions of “John Wick” series director Chad Stahelski, who designed several action sequences for the series, along with the musical talents of saxophonist Kamasi Washington; producer, DJ and musician Floating Points; and producer, DJ and musician Bonobo. The trio will provide a jazz and electronic score for the project.
Watanabe will pull the curtain back on the series at the Adult Swim Festival in San Diego on Saturday at 5:15 p.m., as part of the Comic-Con event Toonami on the Green.
“Lazarus,” which is already in production, takes place in 2052. The series follows a Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist that develops a drug called Hapuna — a cure-all...
Produced by Sola Entertainment and animated by Studio Mappa, “Lazarus” also recruits the contributions of “John Wick” series director Chad Stahelski, who designed several action sequences for the series, along with the musical talents of saxophonist Kamasi Washington; producer, DJ and musician Floating Points; and producer, DJ and musician Bonobo. The trio will provide a jazz and electronic score for the project.
Watanabe will pull the curtain back on the series at the Adult Swim Festival in San Diego on Saturday at 5:15 p.m., as part of the Comic-Con event Toonami on the Green.
“Lazarus,” which is already in production, takes place in 2052. The series follows a Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist that develops a drug called Hapuna — a cure-all...
- 7/20/2023
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Released in 2021, "Yasuke" is an anime miniseries created by LeSean Thomas for Netflix. Based on a legendary figure from Japanese history, the titular Yasuke is an African man who comes to Japan with some Jesuit missionaries and eventually becomes a samurai in the service of Lord Oda Nobunaga. When Nobunaga and his forces are destroyed by another warlord, Yasuke flees and finds a quiet retirement as a boatman outside a small village. When he's asked to help a sick little girl get to a doctor, he soon finds himself called on to fight once again.
With only six episodes, it's entirely likely that "Yasuke" will leave you wanting more. Fortunately, there are lots of other anime series out there for you to watch, and quite a few of them have similar settings and themes. We've put together a list of anime you should check out once you've watched Yasuke, and...
With only six episodes, it's entirely likely that "Yasuke" will leave you wanting more. Fortunately, there are lots of other anime series out there for you to watch, and quite a few of them have similar settings and themes. We've put together a list of anime you should check out once you've watched Yasuke, and...
- 4/13/2023
- by Elle Collins
- Slash Film
The one anime series that I'm most excited about this spring is "Skip and Loafer." The source manga tells the tale of Mitsumi Iwakura, an ambitious teenage girl from the country who moves to Tokyo for high school. There she meets the easygoing Sosuke Shima, and the two of them slowly build a close-knit network of friends that includes local mean girl Mika Egashira, bookish Makoto Kurame, and independent-minded Yuzuki Murashige. Each of them is as different as can be, and yet despite bad early impressions, they find a common cause in each other. "Skip and Loafer" is too good-natured to be a "realistic" high school story. But it is successful at evoking the texture of adolescence in its banality, complexity, and sweetness.
"Skip and Loafer" is also the first anime in years to be directed and scripted by the great Kotomi Deai, who has now been active in the...
"Skip and Loafer" is also the first anime in years to be directed and scripted by the great Kotomi Deai, who has now been active in the...
- 3/12/2023
- by Adam Wescott
- Slash Film
It's been over a year since Netflix's live-action adaptation of "Cowboy Bebop" began then ended, but it was clear the project was a misfire long before now. The series was canceled three weeks after premiere, lightning speed even by Netflix standards. It turns out that one of those disappointed was the anime's primary creator, animation director Shinichirō Watanabe (he and his team are collectively credited as the creator "Hajime Yatate").
Before Netflix's "Cowboy Bebop" premiered, Watanabe revealed he'd been asked for his input: "I read the initial concept and provided my opinions, but I'm not sure if they will be reflected in the final product." He added that his suggestions being ignored would "leave a bad taste in [his] mouth," but to avoid making the crew's jobs tougher, he would simply hope it "turn[ed] out good." His hopes weren't met.
Watanabe recently spoke with Forbes. Topics ranged from how he...
Before Netflix's "Cowboy Bebop" premiered, Watanabe revealed he'd been asked for his input: "I read the initial concept and provided my opinions, but I'm not sure if they will be reflected in the final product." He added that his suggestions being ignored would "leave a bad taste in [his] mouth," but to avoid making the crew's jobs tougher, he would simply hope it "turn[ed] out good." His hopes weren't met.
Watanabe recently spoke with Forbes. Topics ranged from how he...
- 1/28/2023
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
(Welcome to The Daily Stream, an ongoing series in which the /Film team shares what they've been watching, why it's worth checking out, and where you can stream it.)
The Series: "Space Dandy"
Where You Can Stream It: Crunchyroll
The Pitch: "It's the new show by Shinichiro Watanabe." That's all people needed to get excited for "Space Dandy," a series pitched as a spiritual successor to anime classics "Cowboy Bebop" and "Samurai Champloo." "Bebop" defined the adolescence of American anime fandom with its stylish, sad storytelling on Adult Swim in 2001. Since then, the runaway success of "Attack on Titan" on streaming services in 2013 transformed anime into an international hitmaker. Popular American cartoons like "Steven Universe" borrowed from anime, and their artists would say as much in interviews. Now one of the medium's greatest producers and auteurs, after years of toil behind the scenes, was ready to blow everybody away with an all-new vision.
The Series: "Space Dandy"
Where You Can Stream It: Crunchyroll
The Pitch: "It's the new show by Shinichiro Watanabe." That's all people needed to get excited for "Space Dandy," a series pitched as a spiritual successor to anime classics "Cowboy Bebop" and "Samurai Champloo." "Bebop" defined the adolescence of American anime fandom with its stylish, sad storytelling on Adult Swim in 2001. Since then, the runaway success of "Attack on Titan" on streaming services in 2013 transformed anime into an international hitmaker. Popular American cartoons like "Steven Universe" borrowed from anime, and their artists would say as much in interviews. Now one of the medium's greatest producers and auteurs, after years of toil behind the scenes, was ready to blow everybody away with an all-new vision.
- 1/15/2023
- by Adam Wescott
- Slash Film
If you were an unsuspecting late-night Cartoon Network viewer in 2001, you likely witnessed the birth of "Adult Swim." And, if you were there, then it is safe to say that one of your formative introductions to anime involved some loud horns blaring at the stroke of midnight, followed by the funkiest bass strings you'd ever heard. That's when you knew, deep down, that something different was happening.
"Cowboy Bebop" is, without question, one of the most highly regarded anime series of all time. With its rugged, quirky characters, fantastic animation, and epic score, the show has served as a welcome introduction to anime for many fans. Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, "Cowboy Bebop" follows a crew of intergalactic bounty hunters as they travel across the galaxy aboard their ship, the Bebop, collecting bounties for the Inter Solar System Police. These assignments frequently land the team in chaotic situations that see their...
"Cowboy Bebop" is, without question, one of the most highly regarded anime series of all time. With its rugged, quirky characters, fantastic animation, and epic score, the show has served as a welcome introduction to anime for many fans. Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, "Cowboy Bebop" follows a crew of intergalactic bounty hunters as they travel across the galaxy aboard their ship, the Bebop, collecting bounties for the Inter Solar System Police. These assignments frequently land the team in chaotic situations that see their...
- 8/26/2022
- by Rafiq Taylor
- Slash Film
Audio elements and sound design, especially the score, are as fundamental to animation as the visuals. The proper use of music at the right time can make the action soar and it’s genuinely exciting that more experimental and passionate creators are embracing the sonic possibilities that television allows. Flying Lotus is an innovative musician with a flair for the extraordinary that cut his teeth on many of the surreal animated series that fill Adult Swim’s programming block.
In addition to his frequent collaborations with Adult Swim, Flying Lotus’ music can be heard in everything from The Boondocks, to Grand Theft Auto V, to episodes of Atlanta and Insecure. Flying Lotus approaches art like a wondrous game and the cleansing energy that comes from his music feels like it’s trying to do something important beyond simple entertainment. His most recent music in Netflix‘s anime series Yasuke comes...
In addition to his frequent collaborations with Adult Swim, Flying Lotus’ music can be heard in everything from The Boondocks, to Grand Theft Auto V, to episodes of Atlanta and Insecure. Flying Lotus approaches art like a wondrous game and the cleansing energy that comes from his music feels like it’s trying to do something important beyond simple entertainment. His most recent music in Netflix‘s anime series Yasuke comes...
- 5/6/2021
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Based on a digital collectible card battle game, “Rage of Bahamut: Genesis” is one more title in the shonen category that transcends the genre, mostly by combining a number of other anime elements and coating them in an impressive and adult-oriented audiovisual package.
The story unfolds in a magical world called Mistarcia, where humans, gods and demons co-exist, although the first two seem to be in an alliance against the third, who try to influence the world mostly using cunningness. In the past however, when a terrible force in the shape of the dragon Bahamut appeared and threatened to destroy the whole world, the three races came together, and managed to seal its power. The key to that seal was split in two, with one half going to the gods and the other to the demons. Now, 2000 years later however, and while the world experiences a relative peace,...
The story unfolds in a magical world called Mistarcia, where humans, gods and demons co-exist, although the first two seem to be in an alliance against the third, who try to influence the world mostly using cunningness. In the past however, when a terrible force in the shape of the dragon Bahamut appeared and threatened to destroy the whole world, the three races came together, and managed to seal its power. The key to that seal was split in two, with one half going to the gods and the other to the demons. Now, 2000 years later however, and while the world experiences a relative peace,...
- 4/5/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Last November, it was announced that Denis Villeneuve's 2017 Blade Runner 2049 will be continued with an anime series entitled Blade Runner — Black Lotus, and Shinichiro Watanabe, director of the anime series Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, will serve as the creative producer. The first work to spring forth from the artistic collaboration between Villeneuve and Watanabe is Blade Runner Black Out 2022, an animated short directed by Watanabe and featuring music by Flying Lotus. The event at the center of the gap between Villeneuve's sequel and Ridley Scott's Blade Runner is the "Black Out," a mass erasure of data across the city caused by an unidentified rebel force. Black Out 2022 centers around the execution of this operation, following a pair of replicants who plan to destroy the replicant database, which has become weaponized by humans to locate and kill the androids. Though Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049 may...
- 7/19/2019
- MUBI
It was announced earlier today that Alcon Television and Crunchy Roll are developing an animated Blade Runner series to air on Adult Swim. The series will be called Blade Runner Black Lotus. Adult Swim has worldwide distribution rights to the English-dubbed version of the series. They plan to air this new show in the U.S. as part of its Toonami anime block. Crunchyroll will handle worldwide streaming. The animation will be done in Japan by studio Sola Digital Arts. Watanabe Shinichiro, director of the animated short film Blade Runner Black Out 2022 (above image), as well as seminal anime favorites Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, is on board as a creative producer which makes him very hands on with the entire production. We'd say...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 11/29/2018
- Screen Anarchy
There’s a new Blade Runner anime series going into development called Blade Runner - Black Lotus, and it was inspired by Blade Runner 2049.
We may never see another Blade Runner movie again because they have been box office bombs, but at least we will be getting more stories set in the universe in anime form! Hey, it’s better than nothing!
The plot of the series is being kept under wraps, it’s been confirmed that the story will “take place in 2032 and will include some familiar characters from the Blade Runner universe.”
The series will be produced by Alcon Entertainment, WarnerMedia’s Adult Swim, and Crunchyroll. The series will air on Adult Swim’s Toonami programming block. Crunchyroll will handle worldwide streaming.
Blade Runner – Black Lotus will consist of 13 half-hour episodes, and the animation is being done by Sola Digital Arts, who also worked on the new Ultraman series.
We may never see another Blade Runner movie again because they have been box office bombs, but at least we will be getting more stories set in the universe in anime form! Hey, it’s better than nothing!
The plot of the series is being kept under wraps, it’s been confirmed that the story will “take place in 2032 and will include some familiar characters from the Blade Runner universe.”
The series will be produced by Alcon Entertainment, WarnerMedia’s Adult Swim, and Crunchyroll. The series will air on Adult Swim’s Toonami programming block. Crunchyroll will handle worldwide streaming.
Blade Runner – Black Lotus will consist of 13 half-hour episodes, and the animation is being done by Sola Digital Arts, who also worked on the new Ultraman series.
- 11/29/2018
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
If you're hungry for more Kaiju vs. Jaeger showdowns, then you'll be pleased to know that Netflix and Legendary Entertainment are teaming up for a new Pacific Rim anime series that was announced alongside 16 other Asian original productions at Netflix's “See What’s Next: Asia” showcase.
A trailer and premiere date for the Pacific Rim anime have yet to be released, but the series will "expand upon" the narrative of the live-action movies and will follow a brother and sister who use a Jaeger to seek out their missing parents. We have the official synopsis below, as well as the press release with more information.
"Pacific Rim. Returning to the epic battle of Kaiju and Jaegers, this original anime series will expand upon the story of the first two live action movies and follow two siblings - an idealistic teenage boy and his naïve younger sister - who are forced...
A trailer and premiere date for the Pacific Rim anime have yet to be released, but the series will "expand upon" the narrative of the live-action movies and will follow a brother and sister who use a Jaeger to seek out their missing parents. We have the official synopsis below, as well as the press release with more information.
"Pacific Rim. Returning to the epic battle of Kaiju and Jaegers, this original anime series will expand upon the story of the first two live action movies and follow two siblings - an idealistic teenage boy and his naïve younger sister - who are forced...
- 11/8/2018
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
“Terror in Resonance” is quite an exception for the anime world, since it is one of the very few occasions (I have to admit I do not know any other similar case) where a series is not based on a manga, but simply on the imagination of four scriptwriters. Furthermore, and particularly due to Shinichiro Watanabe’s direction, whose previous work include “Cowboy Bepop” and “Samurai Champloo,” “Terror in Resonance” is a truly great title. Let us take things from the beginning though.
In an alternate version of the present, Tokyo has suffered a truly intense terrorist attack that has left its marks on all aspects of society. When a nuclear weapon is stolen from a secret military base, and soon after, an attack is launched by two strange individuals who have taken responsibility by posting a video on-line, the whole government mechanism has a fit. Soon,...
In an alternate version of the present, Tokyo has suffered a truly intense terrorist attack that has left its marks on all aspects of society. When a nuclear weapon is stolen from a secret military base, and soon after, an attack is launched by two strange individuals who have taken responsibility by posting a video on-line, the whole government mechanism has a fit. Soon,...
- 5/13/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
"Thus begins the little big brother's fantasy-filled adventure." An official trailer has arrived for animated film Mirai from Japan, the latest work from filmmaker Mamoru Hosoda. Mirai is a sort of fairy tale about a young boy who encounters a magical garden which enables him to travel through time and meet his relatives from different eras. He is guided by his younger sister, Mirai, from the future. The film's voice cast includes Haru Kuroki, Moka Kamishiraishi, Gen Hoshino, Kôji Yakusho, Kumiko Asô, and Yoshiko Miyazaki. This is premiering at the Cannes Film Festival next month, and I'm looking forward to seeing it there. The footage in this trailer looks quite lovely, could be something special. Enjoy the first look. Here's the first official trailer (+ poster) for Mamoru Hosoda's Mirai, direct from YouTube: Kun, a spoiled 4-year-old boy, comes across a magical garden where he ...
- 4/18/2018
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Anime fans are familiar with Shinichiro Watanabe from his renowned work on Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, but his latest creation helps bridge the gap between Ridley Scott's Blade Runner and Denis Villeneuve's Blade Runner 2049, and you can watch it right now before the new Blade Runner movie comes out in theaters this October.
Black Out 2022 synopsis: "In 2022, an Emp detonation has caused a global blackout that has massive, destructive implications all over the world. Directed by Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo's Shinichiro Watanabe, Blade Runner Black Out 2022 is a new and highly-anticipated animated short which serves as a prologue for the upcoming feature film Blade Runner 2049."
Blade Runner 2049 synopsis: "Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, Lapd Officer K (Ryan Gosling), unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what’s left of society into chaos.
Black Out 2022 synopsis: "In 2022, an Emp detonation has caused a global blackout that has massive, destructive implications all over the world. Directed by Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo's Shinichiro Watanabe, Blade Runner Black Out 2022 is a new and highly-anticipated animated short which serves as a prologue for the upcoming feature film Blade Runner 2049."
Blade Runner 2049 synopsis: "Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, Lapd Officer K (Ryan Gosling), unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what’s left of society into chaos.
- 9/29/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
"All records on the ground will be erased." Ready for more Blade Runner prequel action? Warner Bros has unveiled the final prequel short film for Blade Runner 2049, this one an anime directed by acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Shinichirō Watanabe (of Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop). Blade Runner: Black Out 2022 takes place between the first and second short films, in the year 2022, telling the story of when an Emp blast knocked out power to cities around the world causing the anti-Replicant movement, which lead to their prohibition, before Niander Wallace eventually brought them back. This short very much reminds me of the Animatrix shorts, specifically "The Second Renaissance" Parts I & II which tell a much bigger story about what is going on in the world. This will definitely get you in the mood for the full movie. Here's the entire prequel short Blade Runner: Black Out 2022 for Blade Runner 2049,...
- 9/27/2017
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Denis Villeneuve has been celebrating the upcoming release of “Blade Runner 2049” all month long with the release of short film prequels that help bridge the thirty-year gap between Ridley Scott’s original and his highly-anticipated sequel. Ridley’s son, Luke Scott, directed the first two short films, the Jared Leto-centric “2036: Nexus Dawn” and the David Bautista-starring “2048: Nowhere to Run,” but Villeneuve has recruited Japanese anime master Shinichirō Watanabe to helm the final prequel, “Blade Runner Blackout 2022.”
Read More:‘Blade Runner 2049’ First Reactions Praise Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Mind-Blowing’ and ‘Masterpiece’ Sequel
Watanabe is famous for directing the successful anime series “Cowboy Bepop” and “Samurai Champloo,” and he’s joined by experimental musician Flying Lotus who handles the score. The short film also features additional music by Gerald Trottman, Kuedo and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. The story depicts the lead up to a blackout that led to the prohibition of Replicant production.
Read More:‘Blade Runner 2049’ First Reactions Praise Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Mind-Blowing’ and ‘Masterpiece’ Sequel
Watanabe is famous for directing the successful anime series “Cowboy Bepop” and “Samurai Champloo,” and he’s joined by experimental musician Flying Lotus who handles the score. The short film also features additional music by Gerald Trottman, Kuedo and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. The story depicts the lead up to a blackout that led to the prohibition of Replicant production.
- 9/27/2017
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
The final Blade Runner 2049 short film has been released and you're gonna love it! It's a beautifully made action-packed anime short called Blade Runner: Black Out 2022. It was created by Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop director Shinichiro Watanabe.
This series of shorts fills us in on some of the key events that happen between the events of the original film set in 2019 and the upcoming sequel set in 2049. This one is set in 2022 and tells the story of a brief replicant rebellion. This uprising resulted in the replicants production being banned for a decade.
The tensions between humans and replicants reached a boiling point when humans began to hunt replicants down using the Replicant Registry so they could kill them. We get to see the intensity of this in the short. To get back at them, a sympathetic human named Ren teams up with Trixie, and a few...
This series of shorts fills us in on some of the key events that happen between the events of the original film set in 2019 and the upcoming sequel set in 2049. This one is set in 2022 and tells the story of a brief replicant rebellion. This uprising resulted in the replicants production being banned for a decade.
The tensions between humans and replicants reached a boiling point when humans began to hunt replicants down using the Replicant Registry so they could kill them. We get to see the intensity of this in the short. To get back at them, a sympathetic human named Ren teams up with Trixie, and a few...
- 9/26/2017
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
The third and last prequel short leading up to Denis Villeneuve‘s Blade Runner 2049 is out, and it’s a gorgeous testament to the boundless possibilities of anime. Directed by Samurai Champloo and Cowboy Bebop director Shinichiro Watanabe, the short — in addition to the other two previously released shorts focusing on different time periods — helps fill in the […]
The post Watch: ‘Blade Runner Black Out 2022’ Anime Short Film Is Stunning appeared first on /Film.
The post Watch: ‘Blade Runner Black Out 2022’ Anime Short Film Is Stunning appeared first on /Film.
- 9/26/2017
- by Hoai-Tran Bui
- Slash Film
According to studio reports, writer/director Shinichiro Watanabe ("Cowboy Bebop") is working on the animated film "Blade Runner: Blackout 2022", as a prequel to "Blade Runner: 2049":
"...director Shinichiro Watanabe ('Cowboy Bebop', 'Samurai Champloo') is directing an animated tie-in to the 'Blade Runner 2049' film, which opens in Japan on October 27.
"The new film is titled 'Blade Runner Black Out 2022'.
"The anime is set in the year 2022, between the original 'Blade Runner' film in 2019, and its sequel 'Blade Runner 2049', with a story involvong a major power outage on the west coast of the Us..."
Cygames Pictures, the anime studio subsidiary and smartphone games publisher is producing the film with Shukou Murase ('Halo Legends') as character designer/animation director and Flying Lotus composing the music.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Blade Runner...
"...director Shinichiro Watanabe ('Cowboy Bebop', 'Samurai Champloo') is directing an animated tie-in to the 'Blade Runner 2049' film, which opens in Japan on October 27.
"The new film is titled 'Blade Runner Black Out 2022'.
"The anime is set in the year 2022, between the original 'Blade Runner' film in 2019, and its sequel 'Blade Runner 2049', with a story involvong a major power outage on the west coast of the Us..."
Cygames Pictures, the anime studio subsidiary and smartphone games publisher is producing the film with Shukou Murase ('Halo Legends') as character designer/animation director and Flying Lotus composing the music.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Blade Runner...
- 9/16/2017
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Big news has emerged from the anime world with the announcement that Watanabe Shinichiro - the helmer of iconic series Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo - is currenty at work on Blade Runner spin off anime Black Out 2022. The new anime is a short set shortly after the events of the original film and fans won't have to wait long: It will stream on the Sony Pictures Japan YouTube channel on September 26th. Watanabe has cited Blade Runner as one of the the greatest influences on his own work and it is very hard to imagine a director more appropriate to bring this world to animation than he. Check out the announcement below....
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 9/15/2017
- Screen Anarchy
Earlier this morning, Sony Pictures Japan unveiled a sneak peak at a new Blade Runner anime short from Shinichiro Watanabe, the director of Cowboy Beebop and Samurai Champloo. Entitled Blade Runner Black Out 2020, the events of the animation take place several years after the first film and, according to Netlab, takes place during a power outage. The video in which Wantanabe speaks on some of the details of the... Read More...
- 9/15/2017
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
It's been revealed that Blade Runner 2049 is getting an animated prequel short film called Blade Runner Black Out 2022. The short is being created by Shinichiro Watanabe who is best known for his work on Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo.
Sony Pictures Japan even shared a sneak peek that you can watch below that shows you the work that is being done for the film. It includes some cool concept art, character designs, and some early footage. It looks pretty rad!
The story is set a few years after the first movie and according to Kotaku, the film is set during a power outage. The sneak peek is in Japanese, but Watanabe talks about the influence that Blade Runner has had on him saying:
“The work that has influenced me the most in my anime profession would be, of course, Blade Runner.”
He also says that when making the short...
Sony Pictures Japan even shared a sneak peek that you can watch below that shows you the work that is being done for the film. It includes some cool concept art, character designs, and some early footage. It looks pretty rad!
The story is set a few years after the first movie and according to Kotaku, the film is set during a power outage. The sneak peek is in Japanese, but Watanabe talks about the influence that Blade Runner has had on him saying:
“The work that has influenced me the most in my anime profession would be, of course, Blade Runner.”
He also says that when making the short...
- 9/15/2017
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Shinichiro Watanabe who created some of the most renowned anime series like 'Cowboy Bebop' and 'Samurai Champloo,' is directing a short Blade Runner anime. The short 'Blade Runner Black Out 2022' takes place a few years after the first movie and is set during a power outage.
A short clip is below, 'Blade Eunner 2049' is scheduled to be released globally October 6, 2017.
Update: The Short Can Be Viewed Here...
A short clip is below, 'Blade Eunner 2049' is scheduled to be released globally October 6, 2017.
Update: The Short Can Be Viewed Here...
- 9/15/2017
- by noreply@blogger.com (Flicks News)
- FlicksNews.net
Wow! Funimation have just released all episodes of the excellent Samurai Champloo on Youtube.
Samurai Champloo is one of the best anime’s of all time!
In fact we recently included it in our 60 highly recommended anime article
Plot
Mugen is a fierce animal-like warrior with a unique fighting style. Jin has a more traditional style and the two samurai warriors are far from friends, yet their separate paths seem to cross anyway. Mugen is wandering aimlessly through the city when he stumbles upon a teahouse where he meets Jin and Fuu. Fuu convinces them both to come with her in search of a mysterious samurai that smells like sunflowers. (wikipedia)
Note: It’s the subtitled version, and region restrictions may be in place.
Samurai Champloo is one of the best anime’s of all time!
In fact we recently included it in our 60 highly recommended anime article
Plot
Mugen is a fierce animal-like warrior with a unique fighting style. Jin has a more traditional style and the two samurai warriors are far from friends, yet their separate paths seem to cross anyway. Mugen is wandering aimlessly through the city when he stumbles upon a teahouse where he meets Jin and Fuu. Fuu convinces them both to come with her in search of a mysterious samurai that smells like sunflowers. (wikipedia)
Note: It’s the subtitled version, and region restrictions may be in place.
- 4/9/2016
- by The Tiger
- AsianMoviePulse
Funimation has released the entire series of Samurai Champloo on their YouTube page! The only downside for some might be that it's only the subtitled version. For those that don't mind a little reading and have never watched the series...Do It Now! It's legitimately one of the best anime of all time, along with having one of the best intro songs!
Watch it all below!
Watch it all below!
- 4/6/2016
- by Mick Joest
- GeekTyrant
Japanese animation or “anime” as it is commonly known, has been a major part of the mainstream entertainment since the 80s, when they experienced a boom in production. In the following decades, anime became a global phenomenon, and currently over 430 production companies are involved in an industry that has a total market value of $13.5 billion.
Almost exclusively based on manga, their print equivalent, anime stretch in a plethora of genres, address audiences of all age, sex, and preferences, and entail elaborate animation, despite being in their majority, at least partially hand-drawn. Here is a list with some of the best series in the category.
Just a few notes though. Each title represents the whole franchise, for example, the Monogatari title, includes Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari, the Evangelion one the remake etc. The descriptions and videos of those titles will be paradigms of the whole franchise. The list does not include films, just series.
Almost exclusively based on manga, their print equivalent, anime stretch in a plethora of genres, address audiences of all age, sex, and preferences, and entail elaborate animation, despite being in their majority, at least partially hand-drawn. Here is a list with some of the best series in the category.
Just a few notes though. Each title represents the whole franchise, for example, the Monogatari title, includes Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari, the Evangelion one the remake etc. The descriptions and videos of those titles will be paradigms of the whole franchise. The list does not include films, just series.
- 2/19/2016
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
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